Happy Labor Day!

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It’s really a great thing that in this country workers have the right to organize and negotiate with management. Of course, management often doesn’t want to deal with an organized labor force. You know, like the management of a union:

  • Union Hired Non-Union Workers to Protest Hiring Non-Union Workers
  • Union Man Fired For Trying to Organize Union’s Own Workers

    • As long as we’re reminiscing: Jere’s number one meltdown at the Oakland Coliseum Edition

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    To set the scene, Odie and I are sitting field level with White Sox fan behind us. After not scoring any runs in the previous two games, the A’s are on the board against the White Sox, but struggling to stay in it after ace Rich Harden has been knocked out of the game. With one out in the top of the sixth, the frustration boiled over. From the post recapping the entire game:

    The inning’s dramatic conclusion illustrates beautifully the problem with people sitting field level. With Sox Tad Iguchi (a good runner) on third, Paul Konerko lifted a high, shallow fly ball to right center. As A’s CF Mark Kotsay called off RF Nick Swisher and positioned himself for a throw to the plate, Iguchi prepared to tag up. The ball was shallow enough that I figured Iguchi would fake a dash to the plate and draw a throw from Kotsay. Meanwhile, ignorant White Sox fan is proclaiming, “That’ll score him! That’ll get him in!” The outstanding A’s outfielder made the catch, and to my surprise the runner challenged him. Kotsay’s throw to the plate was perfect, and as the catcher applied the tag, I turned to the fool behind me and lost all restraint. I focused all of the frustration of listening to his inane conversation with the equally ignorant A’s fan sitting with him. “Did he score? I didn’t see! That’ll score him! Yep, that’ll get him home! Wait, was he out? That’ll score him!” I yelled. According to Odie, the rest of our neighbors looked at me with a mixture of awe and fear. I suppose that makes sense since I had said almost nothing up until this point. In any case, this particular idiot kept his mouth shut the rest of the game.

    The A’s came back to win 9-7, one of the most satisfying victories I’ve watched at the Coliseum.

    Top Five Moments From PacBell/SBC/ATT Park

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    After watching Mets visit the Giants a couple weeks ago, I did a little reminiscing about my previous trips to SF’s ballpark which would be a beautiful place if it weren’t for all of the Giants fans.
    5) Pirates/Giants, Aug. 10 2002. It’s the middle of Barry mania. Not surprisingly, Barry walks three times (although not intentionally). The crowd boos, the chicken dance is played on the jumbotron, and 500 rubber chickens are sold at the concession stands. A good time is had by all. With the Giants up by a run in the ninth, Pirates slugger Brian Giles comes to the plate with runners on. The Giants call for the intentional pass. Apparently I’m the only one who realizes the hypocrisy of the situation and yell out, “Where’s your chicken dance now! Pitch to Brian!” A mixture of dirty looks and laughs results. The Pirates score on a bases-loaded walk, the Nenth becomes the tenth inning, but the Giants win in 11, 5-4.
    4) Twins/Giants, June 3, 2003. Twins first baseman Doug Mientkwiecz hits a home run into McCovey cove, a “splash hit.” of which there are a running tally. I yell out, add another one to your splash hit board.” Dirty looks result. The two-run shot extends Minnesota’s lead to 6-3, and the Twins go on to win 6-4.
    3) Ibid. Sitting in the left field bleachers, I am as close to Barry as I will ever be. Every time he comes out to the field or a ball is hit his direction I yell “Junk Bonds.” Dirty looks result. The guy sitting in front of me tells me that I’ll stop yelling when his buddy shows up. Five innings of consistent “Junk Bonds” later, this guy’s friend shows up, and after some consultation, they inform me that I won’t be yelling that anymore. I look out at Barry and yell “Junk Bonds.” They return to their garlic fries with no further comment.
    2) Mets/Giants, May 14, 2009. Gary Sheffield is playing left for the Mets. A Giants fan wearing a Bonds jersey starts chanting “Steroids, steroids.” Incredulous, I ask him how he can even think of mentioning steroids while wearing that jersey. Even his Giant fan buddies chime in. Sheepish look results. Mets win 7-2.
    1) Mets/Giants, Aug. 26, 2005. After a game in which David Wright hits a solo home run for the only run of the game, a Giants fan asks if I think he’ll win an MVP like Barry one day. I say, “Yeah, I think so. This kid’s pretty good. And he’s not a cheater.” End of conversation.

    Winner, winner, pizza dinner

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    [I won a Trader Joe's gift card!]

    If you shop at Safeway, they give you a 3 cent credit each time you bring in reusable bags. When you bring reusable bags to Trader Joe’s, you get to enter a raffle for a $25 gift card. Four years of shopping at Trader Joe’s times one trip per week per year finally pays off. So I’m $19 up by shopping at Trader Joe’s.

    Within the span of four years, I have now won:

  • $25 gift card for iTunes
  • Google messenger bag
  • $25 gift card for Trader Joe’s

    • I am now revising my “one-win-per-decade” model.