On August 1st, the Oakland Athletics retired Rickey Henderson’s number 24. The game was exciting with the A’s on the verge of possibly winning it in the ninth.

 

The ceremony was quite nice. Ray Fosse was the MC. A couple people spoke at the podium, including good friend and team mate Dave Stewart. This was the first time I actually had a front row seat. I loved watching the special guests ride past me at the end.

 

Trevor Cahill started the game with a strong first inning. It was the second and fourth innings where he got into trouble.

 

The A’s, however, had a chance to score in the first when Rajai Davis hit a one out double. Unfortunately, Davis was caught trying to steal third. To me, it looked like he wasn’t sure if he was to bluff or go. That second cost him and the A’s a run, possibly. Kurt Suzuki ended the inning by grounding to the shortstop.

 

Lyle Overbay led off the second inning with a solo home run, followed by three of the next four batters getting singles. With two outs, Marco Scutaro, a former Oakland Athletics player, walked to load the bases. Aaron Hill followed by singling home the third run of the inning, before Adam Lind hit a fly ball to center to end the inning.

 

In the A’s half of the inning, the A’s returned the favor with four runs of their own. Jack Cust and Tommy Everidge both singled. Bobby Crosby doubled scoring Cust and moving Everidge to third. Mark Ellis walked loading the bases. Adam Kennedy delivered a two out, three RBI double, scoring Cust, Everidge, and Ellis.

 

Cahill pitched a scoreless third, but gave up a three run homer to Hill in the fourth.

 

Both teams were unable to score until the A’s rallied in the bottom of the ninth.

 

With one out, Cust once again singled, this time off the pitcher’s, Scott Downs, leg. After giving up a double to Everidge, Downs was replaced by Jason Frasor.

 

The A’s replaced Everidge with a pinch runner, Eric Patterson, and Nomar Garciaparra pinch hit for Crosby. Garciaparra ground out allowed Cust to score and advanced Patterson to third. Ryan Sweeney then was called on to pinch hit for Mark Ellis, but was caught taking strike three ending the game.

 

It was not the result the A’s fans were hoping for, but I think it was good enough to keep the day a positive one.

 

There is a player I want to mention.

 

Tommy Everidge was impressive, going two for four, almost three for four. He hit a deep fly to center field that would have been gone if it was a day game or if it went ten feet further left.

 

I am glad I got to see him first hand. I do feel that he is going to be a good if not great addition to the team for years to come. He could be the next Jason Giambi for the A’s. I am looking forward more and more to next year.

 

However, like I have said in previous articles, there a lot of holes Billy Beane needs to fill in order to be able to compete with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim next year, first base is only one of them.