For some reason, the Oakland A's always seem to find a higher gear when the weather starts to get hot. After a break-even April and difficult May, the A's have found themselves in a big way this June, and have rattled off eight consecutive victories, gaining themselves sole possession of first place in the AL West, currently one-half game ahead of the Texas Rangers.
Last night, my wife and I returned to our seats with our season tickets and saw pitcher Barry Zito look unhittable, as he shut down the Dodgers with a career-high eleven strikeouts. On the offensive side, the A's led the way with seven doubles and a two-run home run by Eric Chavez which hit the right field foul pole, as the team won 7-3.
About the only frustration we had with the evening were the sophomoric, drunken, ridiculously loud bleatings from the fans directly behind us, who crowned their belligerence through spilling beer on the 65-plus year old patron to my right. Somehow, he managed not to teach the little whippersnappers a lesson, but took it in stride, though it was clear he was seething.
As season ticket holders who paid good money for good seats, one would hope we would be isolated from such "exceptional" fans, who traditionally stay in the cheap seats. But on multiple occasions this year, it has not been the case, and definitely has an impact on the fan experience. Good thing the A's are winning again.
Listening to ''Love Is Gonna Save Us'', by Benny Benassi & The Biz (Play Count: 3)
After a so-so April and moribund May, the A's have turned on another gear in June, vaulting the club into first place. Just what is it about this team that makes them such a force in June, seemingly able to turn it on with the change in months? The ANtics investigates...
Big news breaking this afternoon as Bill Gates and Microsoft have announced the software monolith's founder and chairman will be ceasing his day to day role at the company, where he says he will be spending more time working on his charitable activities. He and his wife, Melinda, have allocated billions to causes around the world, and it looks like Bill's softening up in his older age, looking to become less the hated monopolist, and instead, more of an Andrew Carnegie, etc. On the flip side, given that Microsoft's stock has been hammered for the last few years, and Vista's schedule has slipped repeatedly, it could be there was quite a bit of back-door boardroom shenanigans that none of us are yet aware of.
I'm trying to be patient by holding on to stocks from Apple Computer and Salesforce.com, both of whom are great companies with strong products I use every day. But 2006 and the last few months especially have not been very good for either, and it's hitting us in the piggy bank, as I whined about after Monday's stock market close.