My first stop was to this coffee shop that I had read about online and heard from the concierge at the hotel. Called the Bicycle Coffee Shop, it was billed as a hipster shop catering to the cyclist crowd. As I was walking, I started to get a community feel for Oakland's Jack London Square. In a way, it reminded me some of Portland. Also, like Portland, you got the sense that the hipster vibe of the neighborhood concealed depressing poverty and homelessness. As I left the coffee shop (which was the most overpriced coffee I've ever had) for the BART station in Oakland City Center, you could see people sleeping in the streets and living under bridges. Look, I love the hipster lifestyle of big city living, riding our bikes everywhere, craft beer and liberal politics. But, even I recognize that the manifestation of it effects some of our brothers and sisters that are struggling.
The BART train to the Coliseum heads south through some rough patches of Oakland. As the train pulled into Fruitvale Station, which was the site of an officer-involved shooting of a young African American male that sparked violent protests, I asked myself what it would be like to live here. Sure, my musings were from inside a BART train, but seeing the inner city like this, and making these self reflections make you respect community even more. One of the great things about Baseball Road Trips is that they take me to some beautiful cities and some fantastic sights. Maybe it's my commitment to public transportation, but I also get the chance to see some of the less desirable places. I appreciate them more because of these experiences.
And then you get to the Coliseum. Oh, the Coliseum... Generally regarded as the worst ballpark in all of the Majors, the Oakland Alameda Coliseum doesn't really have a lot going for it. When you exit the BART Station, as you approach it, you feel more like you're coming in for visiting hours at San Quentin. The hulking concrete structure was built in the 1960's and is the home of both the Athletics and the Raiders of the NFL. On this day, the gridiron was clearly painted perpendicular to the field, reminding you that the Coliseum is the only stadium that now shares tenants of both MLB and the NFL.
While I definitely agree that the Coliseum is probably the worst ballpark, it does have some fantastic character to it. That character comes from the fans. Even though I was dressed in my Angels Red color, every fan I came across was genuine and friendly. The section out in right field, where the drum-beating and flag-waving crowd sit are an absolute ball to watch during the game. Heck, even where I sat in the upper deck, I was closer to the action than the upper deck of Dodger Stadium. Sure, the stadium sucks, but I really did enjoy myself.
The conversation inevitably has to come back around to the ballpark situation in Oakland. Both the A's and the Raiders want to get out of the Coliseum, and probably Oakland for that matter, and I can understand and see why. But, charm in ballparks isn't something you see every day. Let me put it to you this way: yesterday I visited AT&T Park in San Francisco. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful park. But, Giants fans and the atmosphere can be a little much. Sometimes I think that the atmosphere there, and in a lot of other parks, can be forced. I didn't get that feeling at the Coliseum. So, while I get the whole moving to a new park thing, part of me has an affinity for the Coliseum.
The biggest step forward I think that can be made is for the Raiders to leave. If the Coliseum can just be for the A's and baseball, then the situation can progress. From there, I think if they knock down the hulking "Mt. Davis" section in dead center field, which is the prison-like exterior you see walking up from the BART station, you open up the ballpark to great views. The immense foul territory that people complain about I think is a small price to pay. Outside of that, I'd be ok with the Coliseum. It won't be Petco or PNC, but I think it would be a serviceable and functional ballpark. Add to that the energy the fans bring, I think it could be one of the best atmospheres in all of baseball.
Albert Pujols hit a two-run double, and Mike Trout added a three-hit day, as the Angels beat the A's 10-7.
After the game, I took the BART back into Downtown Oakland to get my overnight bag I had left at the hotel for the day and begin making my way out to the airport. I stopped at one more craft brewery, this time in Downtown Oakland, before getting the BART back to Oakland Airport to fly home. That late afternoon walk allowed me to sort of decompress from the last 24 hours and kind of get to a mental state of review and reminiscing about the trip. I was pretty tired, and my feet were sore, but this was definitely a successful Baseball Road Trip.
I'll probably post a Final Thoughts in the next couple days. My work is very busy, so it's tough to find the energy to sit and write a post summarizing everything that's happened. I'll find the time, but it may take a while.
Thank you all again for joining me on this adventure to the Bay Area. While I went by myself, I took comfort in knowing that all of you were, in a way, alongside me on this great thing we call Baseball Road Trips.
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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