{"id":3357,"date":"2017-01-21T18:20:14","date_gmt":"2017-01-21T23:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=3357"},"modified":"2017-01-21T18:20:14","modified_gmt":"2017-01-21T23:20:14","slug":"top-ten-reasons-dave-kaval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2017\/01\/21\/top-ten-reasons-dave-kaval\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Ten Reasons to Believe in Dave Kaval"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dave Kaval<\/strong><\/a> was chosen as the next Oakland A\u2019s president primarily for his knowledge on stadium development. In fact, he recently facilitated the construction of a new $100 million\u00a0San Jose Earthquakes soccer stadium<\/a> in just six years.<\/p>\n

Though this is impressive, as an A\u2019s fan, I am more impressed by his willingness to open his door to fans and hear their ideas. Based upon his actions thus far, I believe he is truly listening during his conversations with the community. Though he cannot take action on each and every suggestion, merely being heard is enough to encourage a fan base that has felt forgotten in recent years.<\/p>\n

After meeting with Dave during his weekly office hours, I feel excited about the future, and\u00a0feel I can trust Dave to help move this franchise in the right direction without abandoning that spirit that makes Oakland so great. I now present to you the top ten reasons I believe in Dave Kaval (any chance we hear that chant in the bleachers this year?).<\/p>\n

Top Ten Reasons I believe in Dave Kaval<\/strong><\/h2>\n

10. He has respect for the history of the Oakland A\u2019s and aims to showcase it both at the current stadium and the future stadium.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part of what makes the A\u2019s so great is their colorful history – the Charlie Finley<\/strong><\/a> era, the 1989 World Series<\/a>, Moneyball, and more. Sadly, many people don\u2019t know about how much impact the Oakland A\u2019s have had on the game of baseball. Did you know that the Philadelphia\/Oakland A\u2019s have won the third most World Series, after the Yankees and the Cardinals? Dave would like to display memorabilia from the Philadelphia A\u2019s<\/a> in the new stadium. Also, the West Side Club is currently undergoing renovations to become Shibe Park<\/a> Tavern, a nod to the ballpark that the A\u2019s inhabited in Philadelphia (1909-1954)<\/p>\n

9. \u00a0He spearheaded the effort to build Avaya Stadium – and succeeded!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This speaks for itself. Dave knows the ins and outs of building a new stadium, from finding a location to the grand opening.<\/p>\n

8. He knows the history of the Coliseum.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Prior to my meeting with Dave, I was concerned that he might be unfamiliar with the feel of the Coliseum, or perhaps that he hadn\u2019t even attended a game there. I was relieved to learn that Dave is a Stanford grad who attended many A\u2019s games with his college buddies from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. He had a chance to take in games prior to the monstrosity that is Mt. Davis<\/a><\/strong>, so he understands what a beautiful view of the hills can do for a stadium in Oakland. He also\u00a0attended many $2 Wednesdays, and would love to bring back the dollar hot dogs!<\/p>\n

7. He knows the key players in A\u2019s history and is working to reconnect with them.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dave is reaching out to players from previous years and is attempting to reconnect them with the team. This includes players from the 1970s Swingin\u2019 A\u2019s (Reggie Jackson<\/strong><\/a>) all the way up to players from the 2002 Amazin\u2019 A\u2019s (think Miguel Tejada<\/strong><\/a>, Eric Chavez<\/strong><\/a>, and the 20-game streak<\/a>).<\/p>\n

6. He came across as a kind, genuine human being.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I say Dave is kind because one of the first things he did was thank me for my (27) years of going to games. And one of the last things he did was say he might come down and watch a few innings with me at a game. He was genuine when he gave me his honest opinion on some of the trades that have gone down\u00a0in recent years. He didn\u2019t give me a canned speech or noncommittal answers.<\/p>\n

5. He is completely open to suggestions.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dave has entertained fans with outlandish suggestions, from a floating ballpark<\/a> to a 14-man soccer team. Yet he continues to hold office hours and listen patiently, filling up notebooks full of fan ideas.<\/p>\n

\n

I asked Dave Kaval about his office hours w\/ Earthquakes. He says a Bulgarian gentleman came regularly to suggest using 14 players on field.<\/p>\n

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 17, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n