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Oakland A’s: You can’t beat fun at the old Coliseum

By David Mullen

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: General view of a faulty light tower in left field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum on May 7, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: General view of a faulty light tower in left field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum on May 7, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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A strong start by the Oakland A’s has us all feeling nostalgic for our times at the Coliseum.

With the Oakland A’s off to a strong start amid COVID-19 restrictions, the yearning for a game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (still not RingCentral to me) has intensified. Some of the things I miss the most are:

The weather. A day game at the Coliseum in the summer or fall has the best weather on the planet. Warm temperatures, a comfortable breeze and a clear blue sky above. Sailors look for a red sky. Fans long for a “high sky,” hoping an Astro or an Angel will turn a pop-up out into a single or double.

Tailgating. I’ve been to the highly-lauded pregame parking lot festivities in Kansas City, Buffalo, and Green Bay. They are all worthy. But call me a homer (and maybe later, call be an Uber). I’ll take the tailgating in the Coliseum over any team’s fare. The ribs, chicken, and links are beyond good. And that smoke emanating across the lot is not always coming from the Weber.

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The PA announcers. From the late Roy Steele to the current Dick Callahan, on the disabled list for the 2020 season, the A’s have always had the best public address announcers in the business. Even the occasional kid inning is fun.

A’s fans. The last time I was at Yankee Stadium, there were thousands of fans waring Derek Jeter jerseys. I assume they have been replaced with thousands of Aaron Judge tops. The beauty of A’s fashionistas is that they wear a different piece of A’s merchandise at every game. Rarely will you see the same wearable twice. Old school, new school, or handmade. It doesn’t matter. It is about individuality – an Oakland hallmark – and it works.

Right field. The drums are great, but the banners are the best in baseball. A game doesn’t go by when one of the not-so-carefully hand-painted signs makes me smile because of their originality and humor.

The walk-offs. An A’s walk-off win just doesn’t transfer the excitement from a stadium sans fans.

A Raider-less field. The top-flight groundcrew now doesn’t have to fill in the divots caused by a Marshawn Lynch run or a Derek Carr sack.

The BART ramp. In these days of social distancing, will we ever be packed like sardines on the Coliseum BART ramp again? And what has happened to the saxophone player or the people selling unlicensed merchandise poised to run from the cops at a moment’s notice?

Those that take potshots at the Coliseum have probably never been there. Yes, there is a lot of foul territory. It is an idiosyncrasy. Why should a 37-foot green wall in left field at Fenway Park be so revered?

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The enjoyment of an Oakland A’s home game is just one more experience lost over the pandemic. You can’t beat fun at the old Oakland Coliseum.