Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum
Today Game 2 of the ALDS will happen at the O.co Coliseum between the Oakland A’s and Detroit Tigers. I wish I was flying in again like I was back in May when I took today’s photo.
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Today Game 2 of the ALDS will happen at the O.co Coliseum between the Oakland A’s and Detroit Tigers. I wish I was flying in again like I was back in May when I took today’s photo.

Oakland A’s World Series Champion years
The 2013 Major League Baseball post-season spots are all locked up and the “experts” have all been proven wrong yet again. The Washington Nationals are not going to the World Series (or even the playoffs!). Nor are the Anaheim Angels or New York Yankees. Other big spending teams that came up short are the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Nobody predicted that low-budget teams like the A’s and Pirates would make the playoffs, and yet here they are alive and well despite payrolls less than half many teams that didn’t make it to the postseason. The A’s payroll is less than a third of the Yankees or Dodgers even though the A’s have more wins than either of those teams. The A’s paid about half a million in player salaries per win while the Yankees forked over about $3 million for each victory. The Giants and Phillies won’t come close to winning half their games despite spending about $100 million more than the A’s or Pirates.
Let’s hope the Dodgers, Tigers, Red Sox, and other big spenders make a quick exit this post season.
I watched Japan beat Brazil in Fukuoka this morning (on TV) in the WBC 2013. I would love to visit the Fukuoka Dome (福岡ドーム) for a game in June, but I think the Japanese All-Star Game will be happening then in Fukushima which isn’t anywhere near Fukuoka. Perhaps I’ll catch a game in Hiroshima on my way from Fukuoka to Osaka on June 21. The Tigers aren’t going to be in town.
Speaking of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, not a single A’s player was selected for the USA team. Hopefully my A’s will fly under the radar again, but win the American League West anyway like they did last year. If Josh Reddick hits 30+ homers again and bats higher than .250 I think the A’s will have a great chance.
Ghost, from Sweden, recently had a name change to Ghost B.C., and they released a groovy new video from their forthcoming CD. When I watch it I think of American Bandstand in the 1970s, complete with lip-synching. As I’ve said before, these guys have a sense of humor.
In less than two months Spring Training 2013 will begin. Brandon McCarthy will be pitching for a new team (the Arizona Diamondbacks). After a poor showing in 2012 (.204, 1 HR, 6 RBIs), Daric Barton (pictured above playing first base) will be back with the A’s and will be hoping for something better than his 2010 season (.273, 10 HRs, 57 RBIs) instead of another 2012.
With Oakland‘s come-from-behind victory today their odds of making the playoffs increase to 92%. Donaldson, with his 9th inning game-tying homer, and Moss, with his 10th inning game-winning homer will get all of the glory, but let’s not forget the A’s bullpen which gave up just 2 hits and no runs over nearly 6 innings. Today I tip my cap to Ryan Cook, pictured above, one of many no-name rookies or cast offs who make up this amazing team.