The quote in question went as follows, ”We won the AL West and went to the playoffs without a good team,” Gomes says. “It wasn’t.”

I’ll let that marinate in your mind for a moment.

When I initially saw this quote from Gomes my immediate reaction was that he was more or less a traitor to everything Athletics and that I was no longer proud to have graduated from the same high school he did.  Jeff Passan himself clued me in to the error of that thinking with a simple tweet response to something I said, but that didn’t change the ridiculousness of Gomes’ comments.

No Jonny Gomes, you don’t get to play the A’s beard contest. (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s tough to say whether Gomes truly meant that the 2012 Athletics were just wildly lucky, and willed their way to a 94 win season just by the mere fact that they got along well, or if he was trying to simply state that the team overachieved.  If it was the latter, he’ll get no argument from me.  That team was picked by many to lose anywhere from 90-100 games in 2012, not win that many.  So without a doubt they vastly exceeded expectations, but to say they did it by anything other than talent is disrespectful to the team and everything they accomplished.  That’s not to say the chemistry of that team didn’t play an important role.

Jonny Gomes very much wanted to return to Oakland, but the acquisition of Chris Young sealed his departure.  It came to be known later on that Gomes had been asking for the 2 year/ $10 million contract he eventually received from the Red Sox, which was too much money for a player like Gomes on a team like the Athletics.  Perhaps there are some deep down hard feelings towards the Athletics for essentially replacing Gomes on the team with little hesitation.  Only Gomes knows the answer to that question.

The fact of the matter is this, the 2012 Oakland Athletics were an amazing story, and the team did have an incredible chemistry, but that only takes you so far.  The team pitched incredibly well, with young pitchers who will only get better as they gain more experience, they hit for power in a way not seen in Oakland in many years, and they dominated in the bullpen.  Sure, they struck out more than any other American League team ever, but that doesn’t cancel out all of the positive aspects of the team.

We may very well be reading much more into this quote than is necessary, but at the same time it stems from a long history of the Athletics and their fans being disrespected by everyone from opposing fans, so-called experts, and even C.J. Wilson.  So it needs to be understood that we’re all a little defensive sometimes.  But that doesn’t tell the whole story here.  Plain and simple, what we have is a lack of respect given to the Athletics across the baseball world.  It’s nothing new, and it will probably never go away, and perhaps something like this can help fuel the team to prove that 2012 wasn’t just about good chemistry, that this team is now a force to be reckoned with in the American League.  They may not succeed in the conventional fashion, they may not throw money at their problems like the Red Sox do, but they will continue to show everyone that they aren’t a fluke and should be taken seriously, very seriously.

Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jonny Gomes (31) talks to the media before game two of the 2012 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

To anyone who followed this team throughout the season on a day to day basis, this should not come as a surprise.  One of the essential reasons this team had as much success as it did was because of the character the team possessed.  Jonny Gomes of course was at them helm of this team, and provided a strong leadership quality to the team.  Since he has departed for Beantown, someone else will have to step up and assume that role.  Perhaps someone like Josh Reddick, who was taken under Gomes’ wing will step up.  He certainly has the charisma to do so.

It may not be an earth shattering amount, but $34,325.16 (Cannot neglect the 16 cents) can certainly help out.  What resonates more is the simple gesture being made by the players, who unanimously voted for the donation.  These guys are all making tons of money, even the league minimum guys are making over $400,000 which is more than enough to live a pretty sweet life.  The fact that this team took a moment to think about someone less fortunate than themselves shows a ton of class.  It makes me love the Athletics even more.

September 20, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jonny Gomes (31) in the dugout during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

As I’ve mentioned a number of times here, I’m from Gomes’ home town of Petaluma, and I graduated from the same high school Gomes attended as well.  I was absolutely thrilled when the Athletics signed him, because I knew he would bring some serious fire to the A’s clubhouse, and he was someone I could feel an especially high sense of pride for.  I lost count of how many times I heard Gomes referred to as “the pride of Petaluma” throughout the season.  Quite simply, it was amazing having my home town guy on my favorite team.

Susan Slusser reported that it was a 2 year deal worth $10 million, and that it was about twice the amount that the A’s had reportedly offered Gomes back in September.  Simply put, Gomes wanted to get paid, and the Boston Red Sox were willing to oblige him.

While the loss of Gomes probably won’t hurt the A’s as far as roster composition goes, Chris Young is undoubtedly a superior all around player.  But Gomes clubhouse presence has a value all its own.  In Boston, Gomes will seldom see the DH spot as that role has been occupied for years by David Ortiz who signed his own new two year contract in Boston recently.  So perhaps Gomes will be tasked with battling the Green Monster in left field, his limited range in the outfield can probably be hidden there much like Manny Ramirez‘s was for all those years at Fenway.

Gomes was a great Athletic, he’ll be missed for sure.  And his presence with the Red Sox will have a huge impact in attempting to right that wayward ship.