During the offseason, the Oakland Athletics announced that a very unique Coco Crisp bobblehead would be a part of their giveaway lineup in 2013. Rather than being jointed at the neck like traditional bobblehead figurines, Coco would be positioned doing the
Bernie Lean, a song and dance that united A's fans during their unprecedented 2012 comeback. Tilted back with his hands waving at his side, Coco Lean bobbles at the torso rather than the head - a feature that was sure to make him a hot commodity at the ballpark come giveaway day. With my penchant for lateness and distaste for long lines, I realized my only shot at owning Coco Lean was to snag him in advance, so when
Big League Stew announced they'd be giving one away - under the condition that the winner photograph Coco around the Bay Area - I pleaded (
very abridged version.)
To the powers that be at Big League Stew,
I have been
to 25 Athletics games at the Coliseum this season, and it always seems
like I'm Fan #10,001 when a giveaway day rolls around. I was
in the port-a-potty when gates opened for Mr. October bobbleheads, and
was pushed out of line by a family of 12 who rolled up in a school bus
on Cespedes replica jersey day.
But this story isn't about me. It's about baseball on the sunnier, happier - slightly off-center-er - side of the Bay.
I
will do almost anything to be the bearer of the Coco Lean Bobblehead.
Coco will surely be the envy of my closest friends, who also happen to
be the hundred or so A's diehards who occupy Section 149 of the right
field bleachers. Coco Lean will heckle the umps, headbang for Doolittle,
Balfour Rage, and of course, Bernie Lean with the right field faithful
every time our beloved #4 steps up to bat. With Coco as my co-pilot, we're going to
paint the town green and gold.
Sincerely,
Vanessa
Two days later, Coco arrived via FedEx to my home, and I buckled him in to the passenger seat of my 1997 Corolla. As for our adventures, you'll have to read Mike Oz's piece on Yahoo! Sports,
'Coco Lean' Bobblehead Tours the Bay Area with Two Diehard Oakland A's Fans. I leave you with my favorite shot of Coco "photobombing" a family of tourists at the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as these words of wisdom:
When the odds are against you, quit whining and start leaning!
