Monday, August 30, 2004

Eric Byrnes-Oakland A's Left Fielder

I love watching baseball.. When I was in Japan, I always watch baseball games. Of course I played when I was a child.. My position was Right Field.. But you know... I am not a good player... So better to watch the game instead. hahaha...

I just started watching baseball games again recently... Why I didn't watch here in the USA before? because It's hard to remember Major League Players for me. If a Japanese player is on the team, it's easy...but if not..it's hard...all players look same to me..

But... when I saw one game last year, I am suddenly into it.. Twice a year, our company has Branch Managers' Meeting ( January & July/August ) and all branch managers usually come to Head office which is located in South San Francisco. Also after this meeting, usually they play golf ...( I think this is usually the main purpose they come here... hahaha... ) When we did July/August meeting, my boss, our treasurer decided we will make a reservation for Oakland A's Skyview Terrace Hospitality Suite ( $950 per 25 person including Parking Pass & Food...not bad ) in 08/01/03 ( Fri ) and go there.. However the view wasn't so good... left field side and high floor level. Why did he took these seats and why on 08/01/03? because... New York Yankees played that day... and of course every Japanese fan would like to see Hideki Matsui ( He played in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants until 2002 ). His position is Left Field. So it's ok for them even if too far from home base..cos they can see Matsui in front ... I went there cos they need more people to drive the branch managers to the ballpark. So fortunately I get to also watch the game, too. First, I also tried to see Matsui, too... But my attention was caught by this one player in the A's team... Eric Byrnes...he is left fielder, too... in front of me, he made a diving catch!!! and it's really unbelievable..!!! Then I started watching how he plays...He is such a hard working player.. Even if everybody felt he is out when he is hitting... he will always run for it...He, in a way, " never gives up "..He always gives his 200% on the game. That started my interest in the US teams... So that's why I became an Eric Byrnes fan. If I know one player, it's easy to know all players in the team...Naturally I also became an Oakland A's fan.. Everything fell into place and I started to understand Major League Baseball.. So I never miss a game these days...I came to the states in 1992....I just realized I haven't seen a baseball game for almost 11 years... wow... I missed on 11years great years!!!

In San Francisco, we have another baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. They always ask me why I am not a Giants' fan and I always say because to me, it's like comparing apples to oranges. There are also several reasons.. Quality of the spectators..Tickets are hard to get and expensive. I did get to watch some of the Giants games but only when we get free tickets to the game. Giants' has a new ballpark and most good seats are already sold to season pass holders. Plus there haven't been any players who've made an impression to me except for Barry Bonds with all his HR hits.

Anyway...that's why I became a Eric Byrnes fan and Oakland A's fan. :-)