Call it what you will, The Oakland Coliseum hosted the Orioles as its first baseball visitor
The Orioles head to Oakland this weekend to begin a series with the A's at Overstock.com Coliseum, which was once known as McAfee Coliseum, which was previously known as Network Associates Coliseum, which was originally known as Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. But friends just call it The Oakland Coliseum or The Coliseum.
If there's one thing we can be grateful to Peter Angelos for it's not selling the naming rights to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Regardless of what you call Oakland's stadium, the A's first game there after moving from Kansas City was on April 17, 1968, and it was against our beloved Baltimore Orioles. Spoiler alert: The Orioles won 4-1.
The debate afterward was not what to call the facility, which the papers referred to as "the new Oakland Coliseum," but rather whether it was a hitter's park or a pitcher's park. The Orioles made it seem like both.
Boog Powell called it a hitter's park. "The ball seems to carry well here," he told reporters after the first game. "I'd like to play here all the time."
Powell hit a 390-foot home run to right field in three at-bats on the day. Mark Belanger and Brooks Robinson also homered for the Orioles. Powell finished his career with six home runs in 42 games at the Coliseum.
Orioles starter Dave McNally called it a pitcher's park. "I don't think there'll be any cheap home runs here," McNally said. "You still have to hit the ball to get it out."
McNally tossed a complete-game two hitter in the A's home opener, allowing one earned run with six strikeouts and one walk. A's centerfielder Rick Monday - he of "save the flag" fame - homered for the team's only run. It was one of two A's hits, the other being a pinch-hit single by Tony LaRussa in the ninth inning.
McNally went 5-4 at the Coliseum during his career with a 2.38 ERA and 0.978 WHIP. He allowed six home runs in 10 games.
A's starter Lew Krausse was removed from the Coliseum's first game in the sixth inning after allowing Robinson's home run, striking out Frank Robinson, and walking Powell. He was replaced by Diego Segui, father of former Oriole David Segui. The elder Segui pitched two-thirds of an inning, struck out one and allowed no hits. He also pitched in the Seattle Mariners' inaugural game, held at the Kingdome on April 6, 1977.
The Orioles' were the A's first opponent at home as well as one the road after the team moved to Oakland. One week prior to the game at the Coliseum the A's lost 3-1 to the Orioles at Memorial Stadium.
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I wonder if there was any stadium that Boog Powell thought was a pitcher's park
The Nope, and Nope. Slurping went like this. Tomorrow, tomorrow. I do my best!
by Stacey on May 27, 2011 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Every park was a pitcher's park for McNally
Because he was so darn good. But he did allow six homers in 10 games at Oakland.
At fanfest this year someone asked the players their least favorite place to play
Nick Markakis said Oakland. Actually he said, “There is nothing good about Oakland.”
The Nope, and Nope. Slurping went like this. Tomorrow, tomorrow. I do my best!
Wait, what?
BELANGER hit a home run in the first game ever played there?
"Your most precious possessions on offense are your twenty-seven outs." -- Earl Weaver
He owned Nolan Ryan.
"The artist is going to create a sound for his concise purpose, using a modular synthesizing apparatus...from Radio Shack"- Anton Newcombe
by pink floyd rayford on May 27, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually he owned Bert Blyleven
He just bitch slapped Nolan a few times.
"The artist is going to create a sound for his concise purpose, using a modular synthesizing apparatus...from Radio Shack"- Anton Newcombe
by pink floyd rayford on May 27, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait
So where’s MBP voting?
"Hiking is just walking where you can pee...sometimes, old people hike by mistake." -Demetri Martin
I kid, I kid
It sounded like a game recap…nvm…
"Hiking is just walking where you can pee...sometimes, old people hike by mistake." -Demetri Martin
Having logged a LOT of buns-on-bleachers time in this facility, two things worth noting:
1. Even though it wasn’t built onto the Bay atop garbage landfill leased from somebody’s cousin — the formula that made Candlestick such a terrific venue — the Oakland facility got just as cold as the Stick during night games. Bringing blankets was advisable.
2. The park is utterly sterile, so devoid of life and character that the players called it the Oakland-Alameda County Mausoleum. All that saves it from Trop-ness is grass below and sky above.
2a. Charlie Finley was a douche, but a douche whose every tenth idea was worth considering. PA is just a douche.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.
PA
- Refused to field replacement players.
- Made overtures to Cuba.
- Spent like crazy his first few years.
He has the occasional good idea.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Agree on no replacements/no breaking Cal's streak: big pts. to PA for that
I like Cuba and who doesn’t like spending like crazy — but gooder good ideas are the ones that work.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.
Never sold the naming rights to OPaCY
He doesn’t get near enough credit for this.
He has the right to, and has never exercised it.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
Huh, hadn't thought of that -- also a fair pt.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.
Please shave......
…..responsibly.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Wrong blog, Eddie.
"What the hell is a Baltimore knot?" "I don't know, but it's never the same thing twice." - The Wire
by Eat More Esskay on May 27, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
whoops. so it is.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott

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