In 1991, Rickey Henderson celebrates surpassing Lou Brock's all-time steals record with 939. Henderson finished his career with 1,406 swiped bags.

Oaktown hero and prolific base-burglar, Rickey Henderson, will have his number 24 retired during pre-game honors on August 1; becoming just the fifth Oakland A’s player in to be immortalized.  Henderson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1976 eventually making his Major League debut in ‘79.  For four separate stints, Oakland faithful got to witness the quintessential leadoff man accumulate current Major League-leading career stats in stolen bases, leadoff HRs and runs scored.  On July 26, Henderson will be enshrined in Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

On-field festivities will honor Henderson prior to the A’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Due to the extended program, game time has been moved back from 6:05 to 6:20 p.m. Team officials are scheduled to participate in the jersey retirement ceremony, as well as many of Henderson’s former teammates and coaches. Included in that group are Dave Stewart, Dave Henderson, Mike Davis, Mike Moore, Bob Welch, Jesse Barfield, Rene Lachemann, Mike Norris, Bip Roberts, Shooty Babitt and Stan Javier.

A photo I snapped a few weeks ago at the Baseball Hall of Fame featuring a display of various Rickey Henderson game-worn items.

Source:
Athletics Will Retire Jersey No. 24 During Rickey Henderson Day Aug. 1 [MLB.com]

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

MLB - Oakland Athletics - Oakland Coliseum
Saturday, June 27 vs Colorado Rockies, 4:05-6:05 p.m.

- 2009 Oakland A’s Beer Festival

Enjoy over 30 different breweries, live music from Wonderbread 5, and other festivities at the Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland A’s Beer Fest, presented by Bud Light, will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 4:05 p.m.-6:05 p.m. in the East Side Club. Special acrylic souvenir beer mugs and microbrew tastings will be available for purchase. $10 includes a souvenir beer mug and 2 tastings. Additional tasting will be available for purchase. Mugs and tasting sales end at 5:30 p.m., last pour is at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free with a game ticket. Must be 21 or older to purchase tastings. Some of the participating breweries include: 21st Amendment, Bear Republic, Budweiser and Bud Light, Deschutes Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewery, Mendocino Brewing Co, Mount St. Helena Brew Co, New Belgium, Lagunitas Brewing, Pabst Brew Co, Pacific Coast Brewery, Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Company, Pyramid Brewery, and Trumer Pils. 

 

Oakland A’s submarine-style closer, Brad Ziegler, put 5 songs up for vote last month to decide his entrance music.  The overwhelming winner — as voted by fans online — was “Haunted” by Disturbed.  If the right-handed reliever makes an appearance during this current homestand, he will be entering to the newly selected tune.

My blood is cold as ice
Or so I have been told
Show no emotion, and it can destroy your soul
Another sacrifice
To a tormentor your world wouldn’t understand
Turn away again

The other contending tracks were “Duck And Run” by 3 Doors Down, “One X” by Three Days Grace, ”Fade Away” by 12 Stones and “Breathe Into Me” by Red.  “Haunted” ended up garnering 63% of the fan voting.

Source:
Oakland A’s Fans Vote “Haunted” As Brad Ziegler’s Walkout Song [MLB Press Release]

Photo by Kimberly*

On Thursday at Weibel Elementary School, Fremont, CA residents turned out approximately 700 deep to let the Oakland A’s club know their new ballpark is not welcome in the neighborhood. Citing increased traffic and parking difficulty as the main reasons for the resistance, protesters chanted “No Stadium” and held up signs that read “Fremont First – No Stadium.”

The night was supposed to feature an organized discussion between team officials and 25 residential representatives in order to allow both sides their say in the stadium debate. However, hundreds upon hundreds of locals lined the school in demonstrative protest.

With such a large turnout for the rally, A’s officials cancelled the planned information session and invited 500 of the protestors into the school’s multi-purpose room to field their questions.

The impromptu session started out on a rowdy note as protesters roared in approval when one questioner asked them whether Mayor Bob Wasserman should be impeached if he supports the Warm Springs ballpark proposal.

The Warm Springs district proposal — as opposed to the team’s original plan to build near Pacific Commons — will be addressed by City Council again on February 24.

Related:
Hundreds turn out to protest A’s stadium plans [Contra Costa Times]