by Jerry Feitelberg

Opening Day 2015 kicks off Monday as the new-look Oakland A’s meet the Texas Rangers. The A’s have made a multitude of changes and the home fans will be able to see the new players for he first time.

There is something special about the first game of the season. Every team starts off in first place 0-0 and it may be the only day that the team will reside in first place all season.  The players are always excited to get the show going. The adrenaline will be flowing as the park is sold out. The players on both teams will be introduced to the fans and there will be a color guard present when the National Anthem is sung and that is usually followed by jets from either the Air Force or the Navy.

Sonny Gray will be pitching for the A’s and it will be the second year in a row for the new ace of the staff. The A’s are hoping to snap a ten game losing streak on opening day. No one knows how the A’s will do this year. Many of the pundits are picking the A’s to finish third in the division. Texas hopes to rebound from last year’s dismal season as so many players were injured and their long-time manager, Ron Washington, resigned for personal reasons. Each team wants to get off to a good start, but it’s a long season. The A’s, last year, had the best record in baseball for four months, but the last two months were a nightmare and they barely made the playoffs and then blew a lead in the one game playoff with the Kansas City Royals.

General manager, Billy Beane, went back to the drawing board and decided to go in a new directions and made many moves that upset a lot of fans. Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss were fan favorites, but they are new playing for Toronto and Cleveland. All-Star Derek Norris now resides in San Diego. The team gave away power but got back players that are better defensively and young pitchers to strengthen both the starting rotation as well as the bullpen. It remains to be seen if Kendall Graveman and Jesse Hahn will succeed as starters. The A’s have depth and Jarrod Parker will soon be off the DL as well as A.J.Griffin. Both these men are proven starters, but they are coming off Tommy John surgery.

Winning the AL west will be a challenge for this young team. The Los Angeles Angels won the division last year but were  knocked out of the playoffs by the Royals. The Seattle Mariners finished just one game behind the A’s last year and have added a big bat signing free agent Nelson Cruz who had 40 homers for the Orioles last year. The Houston Astros had a better season last year and are also improving as they  will no longer be pushovers.

In 2012, many people thought the A’s would lose 100 games. They had a bunch of no names and cast-off and a young player from Cuba by the name of Yoenis Cespedes. They won the division on the last day of the year beating the Rangers. So, with a young team,  no one knows.  That’s why the play the games. See you at the park.

Lastly, this writer would be remiss not to mention the loss of Bay Area broadcast legend, Lon Simmons. Simmons passed away yesterday at the age of 91. He was a broadcaster for the Giants, A’s and San Franciso 49ers. He had a deep baritone voice and had a great sense of humor. People would tell me how terrific he was and it took a while for me to get his humor but once I did, I loved listening to him. One night while my wife and I were dining at a restaurant, I heard his voice. No need to turn around. I knew it was Lon. Rest in peace, Lon. You were an original and you will be missed by the Giants, A’s, 49ers and fans and most of all, by your family.