I had seen it numerous times on TV, but was not prepared for how large and dominating the "new" centerfield stands are. They have been called Mount Davis by their detractors. They were constructed by the Coliseum Commission to lure the Raiders football team back from Los Angeles. The Raiders are run by Al Davis, an icon and football legend in his time, but in my opinion, time has passed him by.
Well, Mount Davis has turned the Coliseum from a decent baseball stadium into a marginal football stadium. Baseball in this place now seems to be lost in a huge hole. But the A's persevere, and do quite well, despite the circumstances.
A few things were still the same, even after twelve years, and new owners and management. I was always impressed with the A's marketing strategies. During the glory years of the late '80's, they brought out the white elephant logo, a nod towards their early history in Philadelphia. Last year, it was "A's brand" baseball.
A familiar voice also greeted me at the 'Net. Roy Steele, the Public Address Announcer. His deep, friendly voice and dry sense of humor always added to my experience, and he is still my favorite ballpark voice, (followed closely by the beer guy at Harbor Park!) I always enjoyed the small touch of irreverence at the Coliseum. It just seemed like the A's never took themselves over-seriously.
A couple of other notes: I ran out of camera battery here, so my pix are lacking a little; and met the hot dog I couldn't finish. It was massive- probably a pound- and in this tough, italian roll that should have been holding a large Philly cheesesteak. I got through almost half, and gave up!
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