Have you ever wondered how such a spontaneous symbol could represent a team so well? Well, unless you've either been off social media/Athletics broadcasts or under a rock for the past week, then chances are you've heard about the furry friend who made himself known on a cold Monday night at the Coliseum.
The greatness that is Olmedo the Opossum has captured, not just local coverage and media, but national attention, too! During a tightly contested game, the Athletics were tied 2-2 against the Tampa Bay Rays when suddenly the CSN California camera crew came across the critter who scurried behind the advertising boards and was never seen again through the night.
Oakland fans who saw the opossum blurted out many reactionary tweets: some were freaked out, some were amused, and others found it hilarious. Suddenly, a new hashtag was created "#RallyPossum" which became the theme for the rest of the night, and with Derek Norris' walk-off single to bring the good guys home happy the phenomenon became timeless. A twitter account "@RallyPossum" was created and a few fans named him "Olmedo" after former A's player (and Giants killer) Olmedo Saenz.
Then Jeff Samardzija was asked about our good friend, Olmedo, and he told the media that he comes around during warmups and we need to get him in a green and gold jersey. Certainly, there can be a way to arrange that, right? Opossum size jersey/t-shirt FTW!
Couldn't agree more with Shark.
Some are a bit turned off with a furry friend becoming a battle cry for the Athletics, mostly because of our noisy neighbors across the Bay with their own zoo of mascots but I have a different take.
An animal like an opossum is a perfect symbol for the Oakland Athletics and their current stadium situation. The O.co Coliseum has well documented issues with sewage, and just being flat out old. An opossum gives us a chance to laugh at ourselves and have fun with what has become a sore spot for many fans like myself who love the Coliseum and its quirkiness. And as 95.7's Damon Bruce said, "The A's need to take advantage of every social media trend that slaps them in the face." Couldn't agree more.
Embrace the awesome possum, because he can kick that Rally Monkey's a*s and then sleep for hours and hours after he's done.
Oakland fans who saw the opossum blurted out many reactionary tweets: some were freaked out, some were amused, and others found it hilarious. Suddenly, a new hashtag was created "#RallyPossum" which became the theme for the rest of the night, and with Derek Norris' walk-off single to bring the good guys home happy the phenomenon became timeless. A twitter account "@RallyPossum" was created and a few fans named him "Olmedo" after former A's player (and Giants killer) Olmedo Saenz.
Then Jeff Samardzija was asked about our good friend, Olmedo, and he told the media that he comes around during warmups and we need to get him in a green and gold jersey. Certainly, there can be a way to arrange that, right? Opossum size jersey/t-shirt FTW!
Couldn't agree more with Shark.
Some are a bit turned off with a furry friend becoming a battle cry for the Athletics, mostly because of our noisy neighbors across the Bay with their own zoo of mascots but I have a different take.
An animal like an opossum is a perfect symbol for the Oakland Athletics and their current stadium situation. The O.co Coliseum has well documented issues with sewage, and just being flat out old. An opossum gives us a chance to laugh at ourselves and have fun with what has become a sore spot for many fans like myself who love the Coliseum and its quirkiness. And as 95.7's Damon Bruce said, "The A's need to take advantage of every social media trend that slaps them in the face." Couldn't agree more.
Embrace the awesome possum, because he can kick that Rally Monkey's a*s and then sleep for hours and hours after he's done.
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