Jim Harbaugh, The Oakland Athletics, and Family

It’s the little things that set the Oakland Athletics apart as a franchise.

The A’s aren’t the team that has won three – its only three – championships in the past five years. The A’s don’t have a breathtaking stadium that is inviting for even the most casual of fans. The A’s don’t have a payroll that affords the luxury of loyalty to its players.

No, all of those things are characteristics of the cross-bay rival San Francisco Giants.

The rivalry between these two teams is more than that though. It is a rivalry between two major cities, two ways of life.

At a time when the world is preoccupied with inclusion the A’s have come out ahead and it is because of the character of the organization.

Despite it’s shabby walls, sewage leaks, and that uneasy feeling you get sometimes when you step off the BART platform, Oakland and its Athletics have always been welcoming.

But some are not good enough for San Francisco.

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Reports within the past few days have surfaced about Pablo Sandoval and his contract negotiations with the Giants. It appears there weren’t any. At least not serious talks anyway.

In an interview with Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller Sandoval said the Giants showed a lack of respect for and his representation. His decision to leave the Bay was made before the season even began.

So, while the Giants were busy making enemies with perhaps their most marketable player in years the A’s were bringing back old friends.

Barry Zito made his return the green and gold despite not playing anywhere in 2014. His return might not be much to get excited about beyond a handful of Cactus League appearances and he might not even make the team. The point is that a once beloved member of Athletics lore has been welcomed back despite his career likely being over.

This past Saturday the Athletics welcomed former San Francisco 49ers and Stanford Cardinal head coach Jim Harbaugh into the fold. During a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Harbaugh was on hand as a coach, occupying the first base coach’s box, and sharing the number four with Coco Crisp.

Unless you had your head under a rock near the tail end of the NFL season you know the relationship between 49ers brass and Harbaugh became strained, to say the least.

Mar 7, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Michigan Wolverines football coach Jim Harbaugh talks with Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin (6) before the spring training baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Harbaugh was unceremoniously relieved of his contract obligations with the team in what was a “mutual” parting of ways. During his time in the Bay Area Harbaugh was seen in Athletics gear attending A’s games.

Harbaugh and Athletics manager Bob Melvin have a friendship dating back to their teenage years. According to an ESPN.com report Melvin has been Harbaugh’s guest on the 49ers sideline and been to other team functions.

Not only does general manager Billy Beane seek out broken-down, forgotten, and past-their-prime players in an effort to spark a rejuvenation, but the sense of reclamation runs deep in the Athletics’ organization.

It’s because the Athletics operate more as a family than a business.

When you enter the gates of the Oakland Coliseum and hear that familiar “Let’s Go Oakland!” or Dick Callahan’s voice welcoming you to O.Co it feels like you’re home. It doesn’t matter what your day job is or what part of the Bay Area’s vast reaches you came from.

You take one look at the bleachers and you’ll find out all about the little communities that have formed and you’ll know anyone can belong in Oakland.

I can’t speak for every A’s fan out there, but if you’re anything like me you would take that feeling over a few splash hits any day.

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