15 Reasons to Keep Rooting for the Oakland Athletics

Though Oakland is having trouble filling seats and keeping stars, there's still reason to remain loyal to the A's.

In 2011, Oakland averaged an attendance of 18, 232 per game. That number earned the franchise last place in attendance numbers. The $66 million payroll was the 10th lowest in Major League Baseball.

Attendance is terrible. It's hard to keep track of the players with such constant turnover. No one knows if they're staying or going. The midseason heartbreak of watching fan-favorites traded to contenders has become a yearly guarantee.

So, why on Earth would you continue to root for this franchise?

Good question. Here are 15 reasons why you should stick with them.

It's Your Duty

At least, if you're a true A's fan it is.

True fans root for their team in good times and in bad. Sticking with your team during the rough years makes the championship wins all the more sweeter.

You also get the big sigh of relief during the  "finally" moment.

Grant Balfour

The guy yells at himself.

Not behind close doors or not in the dugout (though probably in both of those places come to think of it), but while he's pitching.

Reason alone to root for Balfour and the A's.

What can be more entertaining than a player yelling and cursing at himself during the windup?

Bob Melvin

It's hard to tell whether fans are more happy about Bob Melvin's hiring or Bob Geren's firing.

Regardless, one Bob in, another Bob out.

Bob Melvin took over in June 2011 as interim manager and did well enough to earn himself a three-year deal.

Players appreciate his style. Former Athletic Ryan Sweeney described Melvin as a "player's manager." Fans appreciate the patience he showed in 2011, trying numerous lineups in an attempt to find the right mesh for his young squad.

Melvin's passion, knowledge, communication, patience and understanding of the game shows. It's a 180-degree turn around from Bob Geren's unenthusiastic and uninspiring leadership.

The Small Ball Way of Life

Under the "Moneyball" scheme, Oakland can't afford and lacks power hitters (at least for a little bit longer).

But it's alright. Small ball can certainly be enjoyable.

Hit-and-runs, bunts, steals and the well-timed opposite field slap hit brings more excitement than waiting  for a home run that may never happen.

It's strategic and fun when it works.

Awesome Promotions

Rollie Fingers bobble heads, baseball caps and T-shirts are just some of the giveaways the Oakland Athletics provide for fans.

Giving prizes out to the first 7,500 to 20,000 fans allows for pretty good odds of netting a freebie.

Even better than the giveaways are the specialty days. Dog Day at the Park allows fans to enjoy the game with their best furry friend. There's also Beerfest, Little League Day and the best one, MUG Root Beer Float Day.

The Annual Veteran Signing

Every year the Oakland A's sign a veteran. Sometimes they work out and move on after a year. More often it ends in retirement. But it's always fun guessing who it's going to be this year. It's even more fun seeing those once great players in our colors, even if it is five years too late.

The names include Hideki Matsui, Frank Thomas, Nomar Garciaparra and Mike Sweeney.

So far Oakland has signed pitcher Bartolo Colon. This year's rumors include the A's pursuing free agent outfielders Manny Ramirez and Magglio Ordonez as well.

The Return of Dallas Braden

Dallas Braden seems to be on track to return by start of the season.

Another fan-favorite and familiar face, Braden is a clubhouse leader by default. The shoe fits.

Braden is intense and passionate about the game of baseball and it shows. Ask Alex Rodriguez.

Though he's an elder statesman on the A's, Braden is only 28 years old. He already has one perfect game under his belt and there's still plenty of time for more.

Braden grew up in nearby Stockton, CA, making the local boy even more of a favorite.

Cheap Seats

As of this writing, A's fans can purchase field level tickets for $30. The MVP Box, located right behind home plate, runs at $60.

Parking was about $14 on the weekend in 2011. Go on a Tuesday and parking is free.

That's $74 for parking and two seats down the third base line.

The Retro Jersey

The retro jerseys are solid gold!

They're bright, they're colorful and they're fun. It's the perfect throwback and became an immediate fan-favorite.

They look even better accompanied by Coco Crisp's Afro.

Young Talent

Sure, the roster looks like a farm league, but Oakland has a knack for producing superior young talent.

Assuming we keep them around, 2012 should show us more of Michael Taylor, Chris Carter, Tyson Ross and Jemile Weeks.

Newly acquired prospects such as Josh Reddick, Jarrod Parker and Grant Green should see some time in the bigs.

Which will turn into the next Carlos Gonzalez, Nick Swisher or Dan Haren?

Coco Crisp

Coco Crisp was rumored to be headed toward the Dodgers, Cubs or Orioles. He chose to stay with Oakland.

We're glad he did.

The speedy center fielder provides many possibilities in the batter's box. He's a good hitter, he can bunt and he can certainly run.

Roaming center, Crisp utilizes his speed to cover a ton of the O.co outfield. Speed and range allow more Gold Glove-caliber dazzling plays.

Coco Crisp is a fan-favorite and one of the few familiar faces we'll recognize on the roster.

Jemile Weeks

Called up in June, second baseman Jemile Weeks appeared in 97 games. In the shortened season, Weeks hit for an average of .303, 126 hits and 22 stolen bases.

At that rate, Weeks could get 210 hits in a full 162-game season. That's also about 36 stolen bases.

Even if Weeks doesn't reach these kind of stats, he's a fun guy to watch.

He's talented, young and exciting. Best of all, you can see his passion for the game written all over his face.

Jemile Weeks is a guy who plays the game the right way; with hustle and effort.

Underdogs

People love to root for the underdog. Well, here's your ultimate underdog.

First in the division, we have to overcome Felix Hernandez, Albert Pujols, the Angels' entire pitching staff and the Rangers' entire lineup.

Then still in the American League, there's the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays.

If the A's somehow manage to win the West and beat the rest of the American League's finest in playoffs, they would then face the National League's best team in a World Series.

The A's are the ultimate Cinderella at this year's ball.

Nostalgia

There's no team like the green and gold.

We had the championship runs of the early-70s. There were back-to-back-to-back World Series appearances in the late-80s. We had the "Big 3." We had the 20-game win streak in 2002.

We've had characters like Vida Blue, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson and Dennis Eckersley.

There's even the more recent run of four-straight appearances in the League Division Series between 2000-03.

The Oakland A's franchise is rich in history. A history full of talent and winning. A history that provides A's fans the coolest "throwback" days.

New Beginnings

Be patient. Positive change is coming.

A new stadium in Oakland is not happening. The options are down to two: Renovate O.co Coliseum or move. The latter seems more likely now that Commissioner Bud Selig has made the A's move to San Jose a priority.

New city, new stadium. New stadium, more revenue.

That's more money to spend. More money to resign and extend young talent. More money to pursue power hitting free agents.

No longer will we have to rely on cheap "Moneyball" tactics and luck.