• The Green Phone was created so the fans could voice their
opinions. Give us a call and let us know what’s on your mind.
CALLER 1: Hi, I’d just like to comment about the article on
Robbie Splees and I just wanted to tell you what a great article
that was. He’s such a great kid. Thanks. Bye.
• The Green Phone was created so the fans could voice their opinions. Give us a call and let us know what’s on your mind.
CALLER 1: Hi, I’d just like to comment about the article on Robbie Splees and I just wanted to tell you what a great article that was. He’s such a great kid. Thanks. Bye.
GREEN PHONE: Thanks a lot for the compliment, Caller 1. You said it, Splees is a great kid and San Benito High is lucky to have him helping out with the baseball team.
CALLER 2: Hi, I want to tell you you’re doing a wonderful job on the sports lately. Thank you.
GREEN PHONE: Thanks, Caller 2. The gang has been doing its best. ‘Course, there’s always room for improvement and the Sports Dept. always wants to hear what readers think … which is why they created little old me, the Green Phone.
CALLER 3: Hi, Green Phone. What’s the deal with the football stadium construction at GHS? Has it started?
GREEN PHONE: Funny you should mention it, Caller 3 … we just happen to have a photo of the ongoing construction down at the bottom of the page today. Demolition on the field began a couple weeks ago and all reports from school officials say that things are moving along well. The football coaches, who are out at spring football practice at GHS this week, say they are impressed with what’s been done so far. The field has been completely leveled, the track is gone and some of the concrete foundation for the new turf has already been laid. So there you go.
CALLER 4: Can the A’s get any worse? We’re getting killed by the likes of Tampa Bay, management has sold off all our best players for colored beads and there’s no hope in sight.
GREEN PHONE: We sympathize with you, Caller 4. Actually, no we don’t. Because the Green Phone is a Giants fan … despite the color. But let’s examine the difficulties the A’s are having anyway. General manager Billy Beane did wonders with next to no money for years, but the financial reality of small-market ball has finally come home to roost. Plus, all his tricks for getting productive players for a song were revealed in “Moneyball” and several of his proteges are now competing directly with him as G.M.’s of other teams. The trouble too is that there is a self-perpetuating cycle starting with the A’s. They’re losing, so they can’t fill a stadium that isn’t very attractive in the best of times. Low attendance in turn means they can spend even less money on putting a winner on the field. On and on and it all spirals downward. As for hope – well, there’s the new owner, Lew Wolff. Maybe he’ll understand that you have to loosen the purse strings before you can start counting the profits. It’s called “investment in the future” and Oakland fans sure could use some. The other positive to consider is that the A’s farm system is still healthy. It continues to churn out lively arms and the occasional decent bat. That’s a recipe for future success … if Wolff is willing to hold on to the talent when it becomes expensive.
