A's Workout Day, 2009

Rather than a fanfest in February, the A's tried something new this year: a Workout Day available to the public. I can testify that it was very good.

They offered interviews with players on the field (and broadcast up on Diamond Vision), free autographs (first for the first 1300, then they opened the autographs up to everybody), photos with the World Series trophies, photos with players, team shop open selling game-used memorabilia. In short, it was pretty awesome, and most of it was free.

The game-used memorabilia consisted of jerseys, hats and bats used by players. But most of the names on the backs of the jerseys were players who never made it to the major league level for the A's, like Hiram Bocachica and Dan Meyer. Most, however, I had never heard of. However, you had the opportunity to pick up a Meyer-worn green jersey for $10. That is a pretty awesome deal for a jersey, even if you don't know who Meyer is or was.

I stood in the autograph line at Gate 101 for about half an hour. We didn't know who would be autographing for us. There were 6 stations (we were only one of those), and you had no idea who would show up. The kid behind me kept pleading with his adult companion (not his father, apparently) to "please let it be Garciaparra!" It wasn't. Instead it was Trevor Cahill, who is one of the phenom arms and who, at the tender age of 22, will be one of the A's starters this year. Unfortunately I had nothing for him to sign, so I asked him to sign my fanfest program. He barely looked at me, but said "thank you" when I congratulated him and wished him luck in the new season.

Kurt Suzuki was a bit more interactive. I got in line at the Westside Pavilion after climbing all those plaza-level steps to get up there, and stood in line, not knowing who the photo would be with. It was my luck, our luck, that it was catcher Kurt Suzuki. This is his second season, the first as the no-questions-asked starting Catcher. He was very friendly, shook my hand, and said thank you when I wished him good luck. I also said something rather stupid, like, "I had no idea you were this tall." Apparently I say that to every player I meet.

I listened to some of the player interviews, particularly Ryan Sweeney, Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. The first two are soft-spoken individuals, and were answering questions until Mr. Personality, Jason Giambi, could show up after his autograph session. I heard only one boo among the cheers from the crowd, some idiot who shouted "Giambi, you stink!" He also said that about the A's.

My only disappointment is that the interview sessions this year didn't include the GM or assistant GM. Their sessions are always interesting. The players give the same studied answers; Billy Beane and David Forst do not.

The concession stands seemed to be going pretty well, but I wanted ribs, so I left the Coliseum for Emil Villa's. I didn't need to see the players work out on the field, as I will see plenty of that when I show up early for a game, starting next Saturday. It's going to be an interesting year.