Don Kelly of the Detroit Tigers strikes out against Brandon McCarthy of the Oakland A's

The Oakland A’s were alone in first place for a grand total of one day this season–the only day that counts, the final day. 162 games this season and where you sit in the standings means absolutely nothing for those first 161 days.

Hopefully, A’s pitching will mow down Tiger hitting beginning this weekend just as they did when I saw them play back in May.

Yesterday’s game was very exciting. I watched the first 6 innings from RedZone Sports Bar N’ Grill in Ashland between classes.

Posted on October 4th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E 1.7X II for Nikon, baseball, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000. Comments Off on Oakland A’s meet Detroit Tigers in first round of MLB playoffs

Has a more unlikely team than the 2012 Oakland Athletics ever made it to the postseason before?

Consider this…
They have the lowest payroll in the American League.
Their starting rotation consists entirely of rookies.
The rest of the team is made up of rookies and castoffs (players not wanted by other teams).
There really isn’t a single player who could be considered a “star”–let alone superstar.
They have the lowest team batting average in all of Major League Baseball.
The Anaheim Angels spent three times as much as the A’s, and it bought them third place in a four team division.
The Boston Red Sox spent even more than the Angels, and it bought them fourth place in a five team division.

Yet, despite all of this, the Oakland A’s have the best record in baseball since July and are heading to the postseason.

Today’s photo is of the Oakland Coliseum (now called the O.Co)–considered the worst stadium in MLB, it’s my favorite place to be. 😉

I took this panorama back in May (when no one believed the A’s would be in their current position). Brandon McCarthy was pitching and Prince Fielder was at bat for the Detroit Tigers.

Posted on October 2nd, 2012 under outside of ashland, places. Tags: baseball, nikon d7000, panorama, photoshop photomerge, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Oakland A’s are in the playoffs

Grant Balfour picks up the win in the Oakland Athletics thrilling victory today. I think if my last name was Balfour I would have chosen a position other than pitcher.

Posted on September 29th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E 1.7X II for Nikon, baseball, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000, sports. Comments Off on Let’s Go A’s!

Yet another A’s victory last night. They are currently winning today’s game (10-4 as I write this) as well (thanks in part to a Seth Smith hit and run). Should they pull off another win today it will be their 8th consecutive victory against the Indians. If they keep this up the A’s can forget about being tops in the wild card standings and instead focus on winning the division and obtaining home field advantage in the playoffs.

Let’s go A’s!

Posted on August 30th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: baseball, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000, sports. Comments Off on Seth Smith and the Oakland A’s continue to win

On my way home from checking out Iron Maiden I couldn’t resist seeing my A’s while still in the Bay Area. The A’s have been on an incredible run of late. They won the night before the game I was to see them. Unfortunately, it was a 15-inning affair which meant no batting practice the next day and a day off for most of the regular players. Oh well, I’d get to see one of their phenomenal rookie pitchers, A.J. Griffin, right? Well, sort of. Griffin hurt his arm in just the second inning and was pulled immediately. Today he was placed on the disabled list. To add insult to injury (literally!), the Blue Jays staged a come-from-behind victory on Saturday and then went on to win again today. I hope the A’s luck has not run out, but it does seem to be turning in the wrong direction.

Posted on August 5th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E 1.7X II for Nikon, baseball, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000. Comments: 2

After a four-day break for the All-Star Game, Major League Baseball resumes play today.

I took today’s photo at Fenway Park in Boston after the game we saw a couple weeks ago.

Posted on July 13th, 2012 under outside of ashland, places. Tags: baseball, boston, nikon d7000, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Fenway Park turns 100-years old

Cano didn’t do so hot in the 2012 Home Run Derby, hitting a grand total of zero home runs. Fielder, on the other hand, won the contest after a slow start.

Posted on July 9th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: baseball, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000. Comments Off on Congratulations to Prince Fielder for winning his second Home Run Derby

Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees shows his home run swing

I don’t think I have ever watched a MLB Home Run Derby. Most years I haven’t had ESPN or I’ve been traveling overseas during the All-Star Break. Tonight I may watch my first.

Last year’s champion was Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees. He hit one during my first visit to Yankee Stadium last month. It was a historic day as the Yankees and Braves combined to tie the record for the most home runs hit at Yankee Stadium in a single game.

Will Robinson Cano be smiling again at the end of tonight's contest?

Posted on July 9th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: baseball, new york, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II. Comments Off on 2012 Home Run Derby day

Posted on July 2nd, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E 1.7X II for Nikon, baseball, new york, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000. Comments Off on Cody Eppley