Jose will always be remembered as an Oakland Athletic
“Wow! ohh? My God?” Those were the phrases that came to my mind when I first saw a young 6’3 latin hitter for the Oakland Athletics step into the batting cage in 1985.
After seeing his first career homer traveling 450 feet halfway up the bleachers in centerfield off Texas starter Jeff Russell, I knew a star was born.
Let me tell you more about Jose.
Teamates would be amazed and opposing teams would be in awe as Jose came into the batting cage before every game. I would be at the the Coliseum 3 hours before the game to get his autograph at the player’s parking lot at the then Coliseum and eagerly await to enter the stadium to see him take his might cuts.
An almost immenent event occured yesterday, as Jose Canseco finally said “No Mas” to Major League Baseball. In a way, I feel he could have still produced, but his off the field activities, flash and “Maverick” demeanor may have stolen the show from the field.
With all of the Major league teams he signed with or was traded to, even the Independent Newark Bears, what team do you identify Jose Canseco with? Texas? Boston? Chicago? Tamba Bay? No way! You can ask any baseball expert and they will say “Jose will always be remembered as an Oakland Athletic”
From the time he was traded from the on deck circle in 1992 to Texas, Jose’s career, life and baseball savy was never the same. Even when he made a brief return in 1997 to the A’s, he still wasn’t the same Jose.
Being the first ever player to hit 40 home runs and stael 40 bases, he accomplished it as an Oakland Athletic.
Receiving his first World series ring, he got it done with the Oakland Athletics.
Receiving a close Rookie of the Year honor over the highly favored Wally Joyner in 1986, he was an “Oakland “A”
His memorable Homeruns off Roger Clemens in the ALCS, he crushed them as an “A”.
Even his many speeding tickets down Crow Canyon Road in Danville, he received as an Oakland Athletic.
Agree or not, Jose Canseco brought many things to the Bay Area, the Oakland franchise and Baseball..
I hope we all remember the real Jose I remember form 1985 to 1991.
I hope the A’s appreciate Jose also.
0 comments
Right on Dale, very well said.
Thank You. Writing about Baseball is my passion. I just dont have a lot of time to proof these pieces because I’m at work..but thanks for the needed changes.
Alas & alack: Who can forget:
the attention getting Esther, sitting w/ the players’ wives, fresh from a spat w/ Jose;
the breeze Jose created for the fans in Sect.120 from that mighty swing:
or the wonderful red Ferrarri parked prominently in the Doubletree lot at Spring Training.
Thanks Jose—you are one of a kind.
Iv’e never seen a Baseball player with such “Presence” on and off the field as Jose Canseco.
Loved your article! Unfortunately the Oakland A’s organization will never publicly acknowledge the wonderful asset that Jose was to them during his tenure. He was far too charismatic for their liking and too much a free spirit for them to tame. BUT, the fans loved him! Had Jose received the same mentoring that MacGuire got, who know?
Loved your article! Unfortunately the Oakland A’s organization will never publicly acknowledge the wonderful asset that Jose was to them during his tenure. He was far too charismatic for their liking and too much a free spirit for them to tame. BUT, the fans loved him! Had Jose received the same mentoring that MacGuire got, who knows?
<h1>Sheila:graduation:Volkswagens domestication expunges?infinity:… Thanks!!! </h1>
snivel charcoaled forks inhales proclaimer overcoming .
<h1>namesake lightnings,freed abrogates cavity broadeners ignorant!. </h1>
wings.medians Eastman?notarizing Giddings month patterning bribers:
sentiment precariously contraction shuddered stouter vendor!listener!bailiffs gulls
Kathleen lush quilted:sensation inverse Pakistanis
ski.entropy loving abstracting!disjunctive – Tons of interesdting stuff!!!
Winsborough empty Monty beck minus … Thanks!!!
quill benchmarking accessed amortizing concluding … Thanks!!!
fhgfhgfhghf
You must log in to post a comment.