McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA – Game No. 2

 

So…………. here we are in Oakland, CA.  The Toronto Blue Jays are visiting the Oakland Athletics.  The site is McAfee Coliseum, home of the A’s and the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.  Game time is 12:35 on a Thursday.  Consequently the crowd is sparse, with the exception of hundreds of grade-school kids, all of which are wearing brand new A’s hats. 

 

The stands are roughly half full.  The very upper level seats weren’t even uncovered for the event.  It is a sunny day.  (All three BaseCrawl crew members will leave with a sunburn.)  I am being sentimental and find myself looking at Beth’s ring on my hand, wishing she was here.  I’m sure Troy and Daren will throw me crap for typing that.

 

A fan behind me was just giving me shit, in a friendly way, for wearing my Boston jersey to an A’s game.  He then proceeded to call his mother in Detroit to tell her about my choice of clothing.  Turns out she is a Pistons fan, and consequently doesn’t enjoy hearing about Boston anything do to the current NBA series between the two cities.

 

The dog of choice at the coliseum is the Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog.  I’ve purchased one, and must say I am quite disappointed.  The bun is better than at Safeco, however that’s were my positive reviews stop.  The dog itself could have come from your local gas station, and the condiments were weak to say the least.  Poor display of ball park dog tradition.

 

MLB Park “Dogs”

 

1.  Major League Mariner Dog  (Safeco Field – Mariners)

2.  (distant)  Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog  (McAfee Coliseum – Athletics)

 

Since the game is continuing to get more and more boring, (Final Score: TOR 12, OAK 0) we’ve decided to try and move down in the seats for a closer look.  We’ve made it to the first level and have noticed the bullpens are just outside the two foul lines.  Interesting???  I’m sort-of a ballpark rookie, however I was surprised to see this.  (Daren has since told me this is present in a few other parks.)

 

Game No. 2 is over.  We’ve placed sticker No. 2 on the Jeep.  Next stop in San Francisco.  Daren and I will be in the bay on Saturday in kayaks.  Watch for us.

 

Later … ……… Nolan  (Key Grip)

 

P.S.  For photos click here and choose between Thumbnails (left), Detail (left) and Slideshow (upper right).