Elephant Rumblings: Beane reminisces, praises Athletics Nation

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s lost their first series since July 11 yesterday as the Dodgers prevailed in a hard-fought third and decisive game. Their homestand continues today against a historically bad Chicago White Sox team that has lost 20 straight, thus providing Oakland a golden opportunity to right the ship and continue the winning ways they’ve exhibited since right before the All-Star Break.

Yesterday’s game was likely the last between the A’s and Dodgers at the Coliseum, and we all have cause to reminisce as the Oakland era of the Athletics franchise winds down. Legendary A’s executive Billy Beane shared his own memories with Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Times in an interview published yesterday, name checking Athletics Nation as a platform that “really bonded” him with A’s fans:

“Athletics Nation ... was really a new sort of platform, a website dedicated to rabid fans. It seemed like a really smart, beyond passionate group. I remember they made me this beer bottle — I still have it in my office — that says, ‘In Billy we trust.’”

The A’s sure have changed in recent years, and Beane’s involvement with the organization has receded. AN has also changed over the years in terms of ownership and staffing, but it is still the community for really smart, beyond passionate A’s fans to talk about the team they love—and cope with the upheaval of the franchise severing its roots after over five storied decades in the East Bay.

You won’t catch a whiff of controversy in Beane’s comments to the Chronicle, but the interview is an enjoyable read. Billy spoke especially fondly of the 2012 season and the Bay Area in general. I appreciated his nods to the Sex Pistols and Ramones.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s drop series finale, 3-2
• A’s Billy Beane opens up on Oakland, the fans, the Coliseum and what’s next ($)
• AL West Notes: Carter, Rendon, Wilson, Astros
• New A’s Outfielder From Kansas City Royals Off to Hot Start
• Dave Roberts Talks About A’s Relocation in Final Trip to Coliseum
• Rooker among MLB’s best with ‘no doubt’ home runs

MLB News & Interest:

• Chicago White Sox reach new level of futility, extend losing streak to 20 games ($)
• Kansas man who destroyed Jackie Robinson statue sentenced to 15 years in prison ($)
• Dodgers Notes: Rosario, Betts, Freeman, Yamamoto
• Orioles Outright Cole Irvin To Triple-A
• Lance McCullers Jr. No Longer Expected To Pitch In 2024
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Rook should hit the century mark.

Scouting report.

Crosby and Hatteberg in the house for Alumni Sunday.

I’d pay a buck or two to see that.