For all the trash-talking I do about the Giants, I sure do love little Tim Lincecum.  He's a real treat to watch, even watching him usually involves sitting near annoyingly quiet Giants fans (don't they know how to shout and cheer and jug beer?).

Lincecum is the first SF Giant to win the Cy Young Award in 41 years -- since Mike McCormick in 1967. 

More info at SFgate.com

I love this kid.

Sometimes I could just kiss Billy Beane*.  This Friday is my birthday and what do the A's get me after a season of heart-ache and pain?  MATT HOLIDAYYYYYYYY!  Oh, I couldn't be more thrilled.  He was almost the 2007 NL MVP!!!  Besides Jake Peavey from SD he is the most sought after player in the trade market and instantly becomes the A's best player. In 2007 he hit .340 BA 36 HR and 137 RBI when the rockies were good. Last year he fell off a little but I got a good feeling about this one.  2009 is going to be is golden year.

Now, will Sabathia go to the Angeles?  Will Manny go to the Yankees?  Everyday is filled with more questions...


*If the A's get Giambi, I may also want to slap Beane.  Not because I think Giambi wouldn't be the offensive powerhouse the A's need next season, but because I can't imagine how the A's marketing team are going to deal with Giambi-antics. 

I haven't logged into the MLB page for a while and was pleasantly surprised to see that mlb.com finally got on the social networking boat.  Not that I love the fact that every site in the next 5 years will be a social networking site.  But I do love that the MLB is now able to systematically collect information about their fans.  Meaning, that there is now no excuse for the Oakland A's to ignore their fan base anymore.  Go MLB!


Two questions:

I've been working with Nike to open a new store in Oakland (Bay Street Mall) and wanted to ask any Oakland readers if they have any ideas on where they'd like to see Nike involved in the community this next year.

I want to improve my MaeBall game of tracking the fanbase and popularity of MLB teams.  So far, I'm only tracking website and blog alexa rankings; is there a way to track television ratings?  I've only found these guys www.epollresearch.com and they're not free.

Dear A's Marketing Team and Management,

Pay some attention to your fans.  You have A's fan stats posted on your website, they're interesting.  It may be worth a read or two.

Good luck in 2009!

You're Buddy,
Mae

_______________________

What I loved most about Money Ball is that it challenged me to see the game of baseball in a new light.  Baseball was no longer just about imagining what the managers had up their sleeves or how many home runs a player hit.  It was about innovation.  Applying new stats to the way a team was created and played together.  I finished Money Ball rethinking the way I did everything.  I studied the most efficient ways that vitamins are digested and absorbed in the body and worked on my core strength so I could run faster and longer.  At work, I applied new ways to approach demographics both online and through community events.  Money Ball single handedly set me on fire, and it made watching A's games a lot more fun too. 

It's been a few years since I've read the book, and now that the season's coming to an end maybe I should pick it up again to deal with some of my A's "frustration".  A comes from different aspects of Bean's 2008 rebuilding.  It's not about trading my favorite players or having to hear about our young team doing things like diving into shallow pools or Frank Thomas going on the DL shortly after turning the big 4-0.  It's more about style.  Finesse.  When Money Ball was written, Bean's ideas were so new (relatively speaking) that the book didn't have to dwell on refining technique.  Here was something innovative and inspiring.  How a team fares once the secret is out is a different book altogether.  One that needs to be written, and one I hope that A's are champions of although it doesn't seem likely.

Heading into the fall of 2008 we are forced to see RENOVATION in big gaudy letters everywhere we look.  We're walking into  a new economy whether we like it or not, and we're doing it with a new president.  Each candidate has flip flopped on so many issues so many times, I can hardly tell them apart (if the democrats pushing the offshore drilling bill so much, why are the republicans chanting drill mantras?).  The Yankees are moving next door and somehow Madonna was able to break up a marriage and hold hers together in one summer.  The A's aren't alone, the world is rebuilding.  Why is it then that Madonna is the only one coming out of this looking good?  We know its not from high album sales or significant talent (unless you count yoga).

The A's need to take on some of their own innovation when approaching fans and the media.  Players come and go, that's great as long as they help us win or we know who they are.  I didn't know a few guys on the team at the last game so I asked one of the aisle attendants.  He said, "No one knows who's playing for the A's anymore."  This from an employee?  The best part of the game, unfortunately was when Stompers head fell off in a dance routine - at least I know who Stomper is.  The A's need to take some time and acquaint fans with new players.  Give them a blog, schedule more interviews, create some personas.  This doesn't have to be expensive.  We, the fans, need something. 

That said, why remind us of who we lost?  Why waste advertising money for TV spots that say "Swish is back" when we play the White Sox?  Don't get me wrong, I love Nick Swisher, but I also know how to manage a productive marketing budget - and this is just frustrating to see. 

Another moment of frustration happened about 2 weeks ago when I was riding the BART.   First, let me say that I love pouring over old and new Oakland A's ads.  Many are eye catching and made on a tight budget; I give the Oakland A's Ad Department of 2002 a lot of props for that.  Um, it's 2008 -- and the 40th anniversary of the A's in Oakland, what the heck happened to their advertising?  At the very least, bring back the billboards.  I know, it's expensive, but suck it up, write the check, and watch your fan base increase.  Next, I'm 26 years old with perfect vision and I can't read any of this year's ads unless I get up from my BART seat and stand in front of the ad.  I like pictures of dude I don't recognize pouring champaign over their heads just as much as the next person born after 1974, but what the hell should I be taking from these ads?  Who in advertising would put a potential customer through having to stand up and walk to an ad just to read what it says?  It's inefficient in so many ways.

While on the BART, I see an A's ad in the distance that looks new and clear.  I can't make out the details, but I don't have to.  The ad is green with white letters.  I don't remember what it said, but I got a huge grin on my face when I did read it from a distance.  "wow," I thought, "now there's a great ad - glad to see they've finally gotten their advertising acts together."

Because I'm cheering for the A's, I really am. 

I walked up to the ad to read the details and take in it's beauty for a bit, before I realized in horror what was going on.  It was an ad, it turns out, from 2006.  It was about Barry Zito.  WTF?  Recycled ads?  From 2006?  About old players?  No really, what the heck are the A's thinking?  I'm stumped.  Are they thinking that anyone who sees this will have also read that Sunday's edition of the New York Time's Sports Magazine where they feature Zito, and that they get the joke of how Zito only played well for the A's -  ha ha ha, Giants suck?  Because if that's what they're going for -- shoot.  I mean, I talk all kinds of sh*t about the Giants any chance I get, but I see this as and don't appreciate negative advertising.  I mean, at least make fun of the Giants in a clever way.  Make fun of the seal.  Make fun of the sushi they serve to the elitist fans.  Make fun of the splash hits.  But run an old ad?  Granted, I could read it from more than a foot away, but -- it's an old ad!!!  Young team, old ad -- really now, WTF are they thinking?  I can't help but think maybe they hate having fans.  They hate the city of Oakland, which is reasonable  and really, what Oakland resident doesn't kinda  hate  Oakland a little bit too.  But to hate the fans?  Fans who get up to read ads only to be slapped with the glory of 2006? 

It hurts.  I'm not frustrated.  I'm hurt.  And not in a Bay Area, go cry into your tofu kind of hurt, but in a hey, my family's from Milwaukee and at least they have a winnie slide at the games, I don't care if that makes me a fair weather fan kind of hurt.  And judging from the game attendance, I'm not the only one a little hurt.

So as this season ends, I will probably read Money Ball again while watching the Rollie Fingers bobble head increase in value for months and months on Ebay, dreaming of gold and green at the coliseum.  In those dreams, I'll be able to keep up with who our players are.  The stands will be filled with people cheering, and no one will care who's winning because it's the team that inspires them.  It's the team they know and love.  The team they smile at on their morning commute and wear on their T-shirts.

Until then...
 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/49569-oakland-bike-rally-for-athletics-august-30

Keep your eye out for T-shirts -- I'm giving them away if you want a couple.

I can't hear you, Oakland, do you want to ride?

Get ready, Jake just got me the artwork and it's amazing.  We had a few beers at Catos on Piedmont with him tonight, and I nearly fell over when he showed me the rally flier artwork and best of all
the most perfect
immaculate
heart throbbing
pulse pounding
game watching
fantastic
amazing
blow your mind logo in the whole entire world.

I asked Jake to come up with something simple, but interesting.  Something that referenced the Oakland A's without copyright infringement.  And he did it!

Unfortunately, he doesn't have a computer right now and I don't have a scanner.  What I have in my hands though, are 3 incredible paintings that will become our flier artwork.

I'm on my way to buy some T-shirts to screen print it onto now - you guys are going to freeak out when you see it.

Hope you all can come to rally as written about (so far) here:
http://brooklynavenue.blogspot.com
http://thevillagebicycle.wordpress.com

Go A's!

From the A's website:
"Despite having their roster decimated by trades and injuries and their offense struggling, the Athletics remain in high spirits."

Dear A's website writers, if you want to increase bad press concerning the A's and weakening ticket sales, by all means continue using "decimated" when describing the A's roster. 

From Jake:
"hey yea im wrappin it up now, i can get it to you earlier this week.
hows everything else rolling? are you drunk?"

Grrarrr.

The A's must be facing some serious trouble - they're practically giving away the seats of the coliseum.  While that's sad for them and may turn out sad for Oakland (the broker the A's get, the closer they are to selling the team off), no one can say that they didn't see it coming and that there wasn't something they could have done about it.  On the bright side, it's a pretty sweet time for A's fans to load up on awesome give aways.  I got an A's shirt this week for 20% off during an amazing 4 hour online sale.  The shirt says "I A's Oakland" which is so charming that A) it was obviously not designed by anyone in Oakland (they're graphics designers are, ahem, well, nevermind) and B) it doesn't even need to make sense.  I A's Oakland.  Sure.  I mean, yes, of course I do.  And I do it with pride! 

It's seems like every home game now has a special promotion -- or two -- with it. Take Jack Cust bobble head days.  As if getting a pudgy Jack Cust bobble head wasn't enough to draw in crowds, the A's are also giving away (well, selling technically) $1.01 tickets.  I personally freaked out when I got the $1.01 ticket promotional email and bought my allowed 6 tickets at exactly 9am on Friday - the moment they went on sale.  My thinking was that with a deal this awesome, the A's were only offering it to their email list subscribers and that these loyal subscribers would buy them up right away.  Not true, as anyone can see several different postings on the A's website for the $1.01 deal.  Dear God, they can't even sell one dollar tickets?  Eeeeegh.  That's worse than watching the Big Hurt striking out again and again and again.

I'm having my own problems with those 6 tickets I bought -- the only friend who wants to go with me to the A's game is my roommate who can't stand sports.  She's going because it's free.  Sheesh.  Meanwhile, my A's parade is hitting a few bumps.  Mostly my buddy who is suddenly MIA - his myspace page reads "Jake is taking a break".  WTF?  I needed artwork a week ago, who's going to proof my press release?  Anxious.  I'm getting anxious and will probably be sitting in front of photoshop late into the night this week making my own artwork.  Also, hello, saftey.  Who's going to help me heard people around and make this a fun and safe event.  I'm going to have to pay strangers from Craigslist, aren't I?  God that's annoying.  Jake, if you're reading this, I'll buy you a spa treatment and a six pack if you get me the artwork by the end of tonight.

But I'm digressing.  Let's talk about awesome A's promotions and how they're perfect for any reasonably cheap fan.  Friday was dog day.  I didn't go because I don't have a dog.  I tried to take my boss' dalmation and wear a cute polka-dot dress, but it didn't work out.   Yesterday was  Photo Day with the A's.  Man,  I wish I hadn't been out of town  yesterday.  My life's wish, goal, and dream is to get a picture of Jack Cust and I arm wrestling.  Today is Dave Henderson 90's jersey day.  Dear God, how much more could fans want?  -- And that's exactly what the A's should have been asking themselves since last January.  What do A's fans want?  What will drive them to games?  What makes them return to games?

Maybe a Starbuck's-esk coupon code for a 15% - 50% discount off a fan's next A's ticket purchase that is printed onto all online ticket purchases.


 

Who is this Gonzo October guy, and why should I care about him? Why does he have to be all over the MLBlogs page when there are far, far better writers out there to feature? He's uninspiring and a bit excessive with the vidoes - which (and maybe it's just my computer) take forever to load.
His "about me" section reads: "This is the time of the season when it all starts for me. The race to October. Sure, I have my own home team but I'm really thinking about who's going to make the amazing plays, the runs, the hits to get into October. Who will break out? Who will have a career season? Will a dark horse crash the party? That's what it's all about for me."

Really, so you're not just a poorly made up character designed to drive traffic to the MLBlog?  I hope not, because if you were, I'd wonder why they created you to have such white teeth and truly, truly bad facial hair.  Less brushing, more shaving, bro.  Sheesh, I think my hitachi magic wand myspace page has more personality than this guy.  And while I'm on it, why do we even have to be focusing so much on the post season?  I know, I know, it's the MLB's holiday season paycheck, but it's still summer and I'd rather not think about the post season and which teams I'm going to have to get behind when the A's are out.  In short, bring back Tommy Lasorda.

I haven't gotten my Men's Health issue yet for the month of September.  It's on the stands, I haven't bought it.  David Beckham's on the cover and there's a headline about steamy love secrets or something.  I wait everyday for it to show up.  Only the New York Magazine has come yet.  I love NY Mag, but it's not nearly as calming and as lovely as Men's Health.

NY Mag -- oh my god, when do the Yankees come to Oakland?  I've got myself the perfect Madonna mask!  The cover of New York Magazine's August 11 issue features a close up of Madonna's face with drawings of all the work she's had done.  And yes, you can cut it out and make a mask with it to take to a Yankees game.  Simply cut the eyes out.  How much do I love that New York Magazine has made it a point to laugh at or just outright bash Madonna at least once in each of this summer's issues?  I eat it up like cotton candy at fair. 

I was actually pretty disappointed to see the article about Madonna's surgically altered face in "The New New Face" of our times (or wealthy people in NYC's times, at least) article because it focused entirely on women getting plastic surgery.  Now, I'm not about to get all feminist in this blog about women's natural beauty, but I will say that the article would have been 800 times more interesting and provocative if they would have mentioned the fact that both Brad Pitt and George Clooney have recently come out publicly saying that they've gotten face lifts.  Come on, Tropic Thunder, for god's sake makes fun of a male character (Robert Downy Jr) who goes through intensive facial surgery to play a Hollywood role.  It involves race, but in essence we're talking about the new trend of men more commonly getting plastic surgery.  These are our times. Articles about women getting cosmetic surgery is sooo 1992.  In fact, so are all the women the article mentions...yawn. They should have featured Jose Canseco.  He's definitely had work done.

But enough on that.  I only mention the NY Mag because I love the first sentences to another article, "American Girl" by Moustafa Bayoumi.
"Rasha is a petite five foot four.  She walks with a feather step and looks at you with penetrating obsidian eyes...She's fine-boned, with features as brittle and hard as porcelain: If you drop her; she'll break, but she's cut you too."

This, my friends, is what great sport writing is made of.  I mean, come on, Bayoumi could easily be writing about Ichiro Suzuki walking up to the plate.  He may break, but if he does, he will cut you.  God that's good!  God I wish I could stomach what sports writers are saying about the A's right now.

Instead of my Meatball report, I'm going to take Ratto's article to heart (the one where he said the A's were unrecognizable and uninteresting - yeah, I know, it hurts me to hear it too) and highlight a new A's player that we may not have known so much about.  I'm going to try to make it interesting too.  These are the guys we love, after all, and we don't just love them because they wear green belts to work.

I'm going to start with #19, Chris Denorfia, who I was pretty excited about earlier this spring.  He had a big handlebar mustache, long fast legs, and a fancy degree in international relations and hispanic studies.  Which, to me, meant the guy had Swisher's persona but with a brain and the capacity to steal bases.  Nothing ever came of DeNorfia.  Where did he go?  His last game was on May 6, 2008.   His average .260.  His status, "Reassigned".

I was slapped with this by Ray Ratto this morning on the way to work:
"The past 19 games of the A's season have dredged up memories of the worst years of the pre-Tony La Russa era - the mid-1980s, in fact, when the team was almost as anonymous, easily as inert and wholly as uninteresting."

We need a rally.  We all need a rally.

And so, my old art school buddy and I are organizing an Oakland A's fan bike rally called "Free Oakland (from depression)" that will highlight the history of the Oakland Athletics in their hometown.  It's going to be big, fun, and family friendly.  We're making costumes, games, noisemakers, and bikes with grills on the back for tailgating.  Ooh yes, there will be tailgating.

The rally will be on August 30th, 2008.  It will start at Lois the Pie Queen at 10am sharp.  It's going to be a big day, so I recommend you order the Reggie Jackson Special.  Be careful, it's a big meal.  We're making room for playing pranks with various media sources during the coordination of this event, so listen up: 8/30/08 is the correct date.

The plan is to meet at different places that people can get to easily from BART that highlight A's culture.  We'll be biking from place to place with boom boxes, A's flags, and baskets of goodies for both spectators and participants. 

Tentatively, here's our schedule, (I'd love to hear  any other places along the way to the Coliseum that would be a great place to meet up).
August 30, 2008:
10am Lois the Pie Queen
12pm Macarthur bart parking lot
2pm Ogawa park (in front of city hall on 14th and Broadway)
4pm Fruitvale shopping center (next to bart)
6pm Coliseum parking lot

One idea that we're working on is to have pictures of the Oakland A's World Series Parades through downtown Oakland printed on projection sheets that we put into special viewer for people to match up the images of the A's parading with today's downtown in the background.   This way, we can have little lookout points through out the city with stories about the A's. 

Anyone have any good pictures to share?  Stories to tell?  Ideas for a parade route?

My friend's going to have some new designs for the ads we'll be putting up by Sunday.   Official announcements and maps in the weeks to come.

For now, remember August 30, 2008: Lois the Pie Queen: 10am: bring your bike: wear green and gold.