A Big Threeunion

Today was a important and memorable day for Bay Area baseball fans. September 26, 2015 was marked as the first and only time pitchers, Barry Zito and Tim Hudson would start against each other. The Battle of the Bay is always exciting, but the fact that Zito and Hudson have both played for the A's and the Giants gave this game an even more memorable storyline. Both Zito and Hudson were a part of the A's "Big Three" back in the early 2000s with their former teammate, Mark Mulder. My most early memories of A's baseball included these three and their amazing pitching capabilities. (That Zito curveball still makes me as giddy as it did back in the day). Considering they were in their prime several years ago, it is understandable why today was an important goodbye for fans as well as Zito and Hudson.

Zito and Hudson both walked out to the bullpen mounds for their warm up pitches to standing ovations from A's and Giants fans alike. The A's (thanks to a mass text by Jesse Chavez) made a sweet gesture by having all players wear high socks in honor of Barry Zito's favored uniform look. I was disappointed that the Giants didn't shave their heads bald and grow soul patches in honor of Huddy, though.

Klay Thompson of the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors threw out the ceremonial first pitch, then Zito took the Coliseum mound for his (most likely) last start in the Majors. Mulder watched from his suite in the outfield. He, along with Zito and Hudson will throw out the ceremonial first pitches prior to tomorrow's contest. Seeing Mulder watch his former teammates and the emotions he had that came with that made me feel for him. His attempted comeback with the Angels last season fell short due to a torn achilles. Even though he will be remembered by A's and baseball fans for years to come, I know his love for the game makes him wish he could have gotten back on the mound last year.

When the first half inning was over, Tim Hudson took the mound, accompanied by his walk-out song, Sweet Home Alabama. It is very abnormal for an opposing pitcher to get walk-out music on the road, but this gesture shows how much respect the A's still have for Huddy and his accomplishments with them years ago.

#ZitovsHudson did not end up being the storybook matchup we were all hoping for. Hudson was lifted in the second inning with 1.1 IP and 2 ER. Zito was lifted by Bob Melvin in high socks in the third inning with 2.0 IP and 4 ER. Both left to standing ovations and came out inbetween innings to tip their caps to the Bay Area crowd.

Seeing Zito start for the A's for the first time since Game 1 of the 2006 ALCS gave me serious nostalgia. Back then, I was in middle school and had the biggest crush on Eric Chavez. A lot has changed in those 9 years, for example, I'm now in college and have the biggest crush on a boyband member. Well, I guess not that much has changed, I mean Chavy is still pretty darn cute.

A's and Giants fans rarely come together for something, but both fanbases can agree that Zito and Hudson both meant something to the team they care about most. Although A's fans weren't happy with the outcome, it was a great game to help us look back on the past. Remembering those great A's teams from the early 2000s helps gives me hope for the future after an extremely rough season.

Congrats to Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder. Thank you for showcasing your talents in the Bay.
Happy Retirement, Big Three... Thanks for making me feel so old. <3

Images:
Oakland Athletics