Brett returned to Mesa, Arizona for his second fantasy baseball camp with the Oakland A's. This time he was a veteran player, a little wiser than he was as a rookie. He arrived late due to a very long rental car line but knew that what he was missing didn't matter and so was able to relax and read in the long line. The first day was getting reaquainted with some of the guys he had played with two years prior and meeting some new guys. Then Brett was drafted onto The Explosions which was under the leadership of Dave Stewart (who commented that being #34, Stew's number, came with some expectations), Shotty Babitt, and Bert Campaneris. He would get to play with Bruce, Doc, and Jon whom he had played with two years ago. The Explosions got off to a rough start losing their first two games, but then went on a roll and didn't lose the rest of camp. They would go on to beat the Pound Cake in the finals to win the championship. What a week it was!
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| Having a locker next to Bert Campaneris, what a special treat, best SS in A's history! |
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| Sharing a laugh with Dallas Braden (who pitched a perfect game for A's) over the cupshot Brett took as a SS, but continued to finish the play. After the play, Dallas yeld out, "Farley, you good?" To which Brett replied in the highest voice he could muster, "yeah." Stewart later would ask Brett how many kids Brett had. To which Brett, in a high voice, replied, "Probably no more..." That sent the dugout into hysterical laughter. |
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Explosions: Jon, Doc, Bruce, Finn, Campy, Stew, Shooty, Gene, Joe, Scott, Mike
Bryce, Mike, Brett, Captain |
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| Turning two at shortstop. |
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| Making some great contact with a little launch angle |
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| Running out the single to center |
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| Executing the hook slide to be safe at home. |
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| Getting some advice from my pitching coach, Dave Stewart. |
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| Pitching line on the week: 9.1 IP, 7 K, 1.94 ERA |
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| Pick off move to first, caught them napping! |
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| Batting line of the week: 23 AB, 10 R, 5 doubles, 9 RBI, .565 AVG, 1.471 OPS |
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| Another hook slide into home... |
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| Posing with his coaches: Stew, Shooty, Bert. |
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| Winning the Championship: I am in the bottom left. |
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| My coaches holding the championship trophy. |
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| After the championship, we had the players vs coaches game. I faced Dallas Braden and singled to right-center on a first pitch fastball. |
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| At the awards banquet, I was honored by Dave Stewart as the player whom he most enjoyed having on his team. We shared a lot of laughs during the week and he gave me an autographed jersey to take home. |
