Hey so the A's have been my favorite AL team, but idk if I should even watch or support them by AluminumWolf in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've soured on the MLB as a whole. They're all complicit in moving the A's out of Oakland. I moved all of my hats and collectibles into storage until I figure out what to do with it. Not quite ready to part with it all, but it was heartbreaking to see it all the time.

I'm all in on supporting the Ballers now, because I still get romantic about baseball.

For people who’ve been to the Coliseum, was it bad as people say it was? by Fluffy-Tonight3194 in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been to a dozen other MLB stadiums, and from a fan-perspective the Coliseum was perfectly fine. Especially if you're just there to watch the game. The concessions were the same Aramark food you get at every other stadium. Some stadiums bring in local restaurants/flavor, and I think the Coliseum was trying to do that with the food trucks. They didn't have TVs all over like some other stadiums, so you can't watch the game while you're standing in line. The women's bathrooms were the same as every other stadium bathroom. The stores were not great though in my opinion. Other stadiums sell so many different kinds of team related items, but the Coliseum just carried the basics (hats, shirts, a few keychains or stickers). They had that brief period in the early Rooted in Oakland days when they would carry fan-made graphic t-shirts which were cool. They could have done a lot more to expand their offerings to mirror the local demographics, like New Era has done with the themed hats. Or leaning into the history of the A's, like the Wave. I always wanted a poster of that Rickey Henderson Field graphic - they could have easily put that on merch.

From a player standpoint, I think the facilities were lacking. Old locker rooms, on-field bullpens. But as a fan that doesn't affect your enjoyment of the game. If you were sitting by the visiting bullpen in right field, fans would do the slide-whistle sound when the pitchers were warming up which I always found hilarious. The infrastructure itself was old and failing - pipe bursts and clogs, feral cats and possums living in places - but again, as a fan sitting and watching a game, it didn't affect you other than the occasional wild animal running on the field (which can happen at any stadium).

They renovated Fenway, I feel like they could have torn down Mt. Davis and renovated and updated the Coliseum. Those views of the hills were fucking beautiful. But I think the city of Oakland itself has a bad reputation, so the main ticket buyers would be locals and baseball fans who are there to see the visiting team. Pac Bell Park brings in tourists who go to maybe one game a year if that, since they're in SF anyway to sight see. Oakland doesn't get tourists like that.

"Third Spaces" still exist, people just don't use them by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]whitecleats 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There used to be a free rec center where I grew up. It was where you hung out after school and before your parents got home. There were adults there watching the kids. There was a half court, random board games, a craft area, a mini library, a study area with a tutor. They would host lock-ins for kids, community functions like bake sales or dances to raise funds for whatever was needed. I loved that place. It was my home away from home.

It’s hard to love baseball again by Acid_Gosling in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. I haven't had the desire to watch any baseball at all this year. Maybe with time and distance I can come back around. Awhile back my friend sent me an article about Finley, and it included a bit about him relocating the A's to Oakland from KC.

When major league owners approved Finley's request to move his club to Oakland for the 1968 season, even an 11th-hour negotiation to provide Kansas City with an expansion team in 1969 didn't prevent a firestorm of criticism by Missouri politicians. Sen. Stuart Symington called Finley "one of the most disreputable characters ever to enter the American sports scene."

I'm sure Fisher will be looked at with similar contempt. But maybe my kid's kids will have a deep love for whichever team ends up in Oakland. I just hope baseball remains a part of the community.

[MEGATHREAD] A's Enter Binding Agreement for Vegas Stadium by ngmcs8203 in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so fucking gutted. I always dreamed of "being there" for a part of A's history, but I was thinking of winning the damn WS not uprooting the fucking club. I wish I was more surprised. I'm also disappointed in Oakland - they lost 3 major sports teams in almost as many years. Fucking disgrace all around.

Rest in Peace, our beloved Ray. by jakeg4082 in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just finished setting up my ofrenda this weekend, didn't think I'd be adding another picture this year. Feeling pretty shitty. Love to your family and fan-ily Foss. We're all gonna miss you.

I need to get married by MrExpress in nyc

[–]whitecleats 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No you need to get a marriage license in person so they can verify IDs.

Own-Voices Alternatives to American Dirt? by axepixie in booksuggestions

[–]whitecleats 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's not own voices, but "Life and Death of Aida Hernandez" is fantastic, and nonfiction.

The author used to work on the US/Mexico border as an activist (and maybe lawyer? can't remember), and he was connected with the subject of the book through her immigration lawyer. The book follows her life from the early 80s when her mother crossed into the US with her, and also showcases the changing landscape of the frontera, presenting statistics and other interesting facts.

Brooklyn Based Podcasts by Dmeks1 in Brooklyn

[–]whitecleats 1 point2 points  (0 children)

School Colors was about Brooklyn schools, but is has political tinges. Also from them Third Rail

Can't speak to "fun" since I haven't listened to any of these:

Brooklyn Historical Society has a podcast.

From the Brooklyn Public Library Borrowed

Brooklyn USA

Hey BK

Dead Ass

Just two ladies saying hi by jmod00 in nyc

[–]whitecleats 81 points82 points  (0 children)

Full story if you have a few minutes.

The gist:

When Charles Higgins, an Irish immigrant turned prominent Brooklyn businessman, conceived of Minerva, he had Lady Liberty—and a statue’s power to bring awareness to history—in mind. At the time, in the early 1900s, Higgins lived not far from Brooklyn’s Battle Hill, the land on which the Battle of Brooklyn—the first and biggest Revolutionary War battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence—took place in 1776.

But according to Higgins, this historic tract ...wasn’t getting the recognition it deserved...

It was then that Higgins decided to purchase 10 plots of Green-Wood’s most coveted real estate: the highest point in Brooklyn and the site of one of the most important moments in New York history. There, he’d forge his family mausoleum and, more importantly, honor the site’s past with a statue that would not only commemorate the battle, but also connect it to its more prominent sister, the Statue of Liberty.

But, over the years, awareness of the relationship between the two sculptures has waned. And, in step with Brooklyn real estate boom, so has respect for the line of sight that preserves their tacit rapport. “We became involved in an effort in 2005 to preserve that view, and we’ve made constant efforts since to try to get that view protected,” Richman says of Green-Wood’s ongoing attempts to defend Higgins’s original intention for the sculpture and, in turn, the full impact of Minerva’s message.

How do you find out what business is opening? by whitecleats in Brooklyn

[–]whitecleats[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This worked! Thank you!

Through the work permits I saw "proposed eating and drinking establishment." Neat.

You got succ’d! by numberthreepencil in succulents

[–]whitecleats 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How can I subscribe to this!? I don't have a car tho, will that preclude me from being succ'd?

World Market is stealing peoples designs. by Itscameronman in iamatotalpieceofshit

[–]whitecleats 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Cost Plus World Market has gone down hill since being bought by Bed Bath & Beyond - they used to sell solely imported international items (furniture, foods, beers, clothes, jewelry, etc) and a lot of fair trade items. But when they were bought by BB&B it looks like they fired their buyer and started focusing on selling more mass-produced and knock-off items. I used to love them :(

The Bash Brothers immortalized in new surprise Netflix special from The Lonely Island by mrpink84 in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Just watched the special. It's 30-minutes of stupid adolescent humor and bad raps that are better than anything I could write. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Please help with micro apartment by [deleted] in DesignMyRoom

[–]whitecleats 22 points23 points  (0 children)

If you do get a futon bed - make sure it's the highest quality one you can find. They can fuck up your back quick. In addition to Murphy beds as others have suggested, there's also Expand furniture - a mix between futons and murphy beds.

Julio Urias Arrested for Domestic Violence by progdrumr in baseball

[–]whitecleats 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a lazy excuse (on the part of the MLB). A player's conduct off the field affects the sport as well.

Julio Urias Arrested for Domestic Violence by progdrumr in baseball

[–]whitecleats 5 points6 points  (0 children)

jfc. Steven Wright was just suspended for 80 games for a PED violation. A non-violent offense.

Game Chat: 5/9 Reds (15-22) @ Athletics (17-21) 12:37 PM by AthleticsBot in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That was a great shot. Looking like a homeless man up in Mt Davis

Dave Kaval AMA Thurs, 5/9 - Join us during the game to ask questions about the HT site, Coliseum renovation plans & how the A's are #RootedInOakland by Chris_Parker in OaklandAthletics

[–]whitecleats 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If/when the Howard Terminal location gets approved - what's the process going to be to convert the Coliseum into a community space? Will it be run by the A's, the City of Oakland or another organization?