A’s baseball officially returns to Cactus League play this weekend. I’m hyped. You’re hyped. Stickman Nick Kurtz is taking his teammates deep during live AB’s and Zack Gelof is running around in the outfield – – all is right with the world.

As of this moment, there will be no televised broadcast of Saturday’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox, which means all us sickos will be regulated to the fine work provided by A’s Cast. Speaking of A’s Cast, anyone else listen to last Friday’s Beyond The Dugout interview between Dallas Braden and Kurtz? Good stuff. Nothing crazy. Kurtz kind’ve alluded to not terribly loving the lead off spot (a sentiment many of you seem to agree with). I’ve got to say, Dallas Braden’s presence is kind’ve perfect for podcasting. Like him or not, he really excels at getting the most out of his interviewee – – which is especially helpful when talking to professional athletes who aren’t big media-first personalties. He bridges the gap well. I wish the audio quality was a bit better though.

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One little bit of A’s Cast coverage that I’ve enjoyed from Arizona has got to be this segment on what players got up to over the offseason…

(In the Chris Collinsworth voice): Now here’s a bunch of guys that are bonding…Families are being made on and off the field…Hobbies are pursued…

You forget sometimes that these players we invest so much of our time and energy in are just dudes. Dudes looking to navigate life with the people they love, actualize dreams that might’ve at one point felt unobtainable. It’s beautiful. Like I love the idea of Max “The Other Max Muncy” Muncy taking a roadie to go fishing with Colby Thomas, maybe getting a little cranked with JT Ginn at a Mississippi State football game. I don’t know if anyone saw the photo dump from Jacob Wilson’s wedding last December, but the boys were turnt. Muncy looked to be tearing up the dance floor. Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler were straight up shade rockin’ with the newly weds. B-Rook kept it classy as always. Apparently Soderstrom also had everyone out in Hawaii for his wedding in November. Vibes seemed pretty high there too. I’d have to imagine it wasn’t a dry event.

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Seeing everyone celebrate these personal milestones together really goes to show how close they already are. Which is great! We’re building a core here that should rival the best to ever exist. We should be picturing what the World Series reunions will look like in twenty years.

Watching that video also made me reflect on my own offseason: lots of Dawson’s Creek (RIP Van Der Beek). Possibly an unhealthy amount of cigarettes with friends, outside of bars at 2AM, debating whether Freddie Prinze Jr.‘s character in Summer Catch would’ve had a better career than Ted Lily.

What did you guys get up to? A’s baseball is only but a wink away and I want to know what was the highlight of your off-seasons?

Hit me with it.

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A’s CoverageMLB News and Interest:Best of X

The hype around my boy is crippling me. Is he Francisco Lindor? Is he Jurickson Profar? It’s way too early to tell!

That devastating shoulder injury that rendered him unable to throw with any semblance of strength must have healed…

Is Wayne Newton going to have his own suite?

Please give this a read! Really excited about Causey. Royals fans seemed pretty high on the guy. Possible Lucas Ecerg redemption arc?

Ken Griffey Jr. taking FPJ deep at the end of Summer Catch is an all-timer. I recommend you rent this film at your local video store as soon as you can. Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr. are Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for zillennials. Jesscia Biel circa 2001 is a goddess. Anyone who says otherwise to anything I just said is so out of touch that there’s valid reason for concern. Get help.