Stomper @ an Oakland A’s game

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Such has been the A’s season. They had the best record in baseball for much of the season, but they have had nearly the worst record in baseball for the past 45 days or so. They seem to be able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in most of their recent contests.

But they still have hope on this final day of the season. A victory, or a loss by the Mariners, will get them a wild card spot. If they lose and the Mariners win then they will have a 163 game season before the playoffs begin, with or without them.

The only thing that is known is the A’s will not have home field advantage in any of these series unless they make it to the World Series.

Today would be a good day to begin a 13 game winning streak.

Let’s go A’s!

Posted on September 28th, 2014 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, Nikon TC-17E II 1.7x Teleconverter, o.co, oakland. Comments Off on Still alive despite playing dead for a while

Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

A little over a month ago I was on my way to Mexico and all was right with the MLB world. The A’s had the best record in baseball and looked like a lock for the division title and a playoff spot. Things have gone horribly wrong since then. The Angels have won the vast majority of their games in the second half and currently own the best record in the bigs. They are also headed to the post season while the A’s are barely hanging on to a wild card spot. Maybe the tides are due for another change?

Posted on September 17th, 2014 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, Nikon TC-17E II 1.7x Teleconverter, sports photography. Comments Off on Playoff clinchings

De’Anthony Thomas – 86 yard kickoff return – Oregon Ducks football

The #7 Michigan State Spartans (1-0) will be in Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon today to take on the #3 Oregon Ducks (1-0). The game starts at 3:30 p.m. and can be seen on FOX.

For a look at how the play in today’s photo began, click here.

Posted on September 6th, 2014 under Oregon. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, eugene, football, Nikon D600, sports photography. Comments Off on Big game today

Derek Jeter

This season will be his last. Farewell, Derek!

Posted on June 26th, 2014 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, new york, Nikon TC-17E II 1.7x Teleconverter, people, sports photography. Comments Off on Derek Jeter turns 40 today

Alfredo Griffin (formerly of the Oakland A’s and currently a Los Angeles Angels coach)

The A’s and Angels are currently battling for first place in the American League West. My A’s lead by four and a half games and let’s hope it stays that way. Griffin had his best season with the A’s back in 1986. He won the Rookie of the Year Award back in 1979, but that had more to do with his lack of competition (he hit only two home runs and got caught stealing 16 times in just 37 attempts that year) than having had an amazing season.

Alfredo is today’s photo not because of his presence on the A’s or Angels though. A couple of recent events made me think of him.

First, who did the A’s receive when they traded Griffin in 1987 to the Los Angeles Dodgers? Bob Welch. Welch went 17-9, 17-8, and 27-6 in his next three seasons with the A’s. Bob died this past week.

Second, I remember getting Tony Gwynn’s autograph in the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco when the 1984 All-Star Game was played in San Francisco that year. It was Gwynn’s first (of many) MLB all-star games. I turned around after thanking Gwynn and there was Griffin. What was he doing there? Griffin was no all star. However, he happened to be there with his friend and teammate, Damaso Garcia, who was on the AL squad. Someone got injured and Griffin was actually put on the team at the last minute even though he didn’t really have all-star numbers. Anyway, Gwynn died this past weekend too.

Posted on June 17th, 2014 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, sports photography. Comments Off on Alfredo Griffin