Joyous Oakland A's Captured by Artist Ming Choi—Plus Balfour Rage

Oakland A's by Ming Choi, 2012

Keith and I actually went out the other night, which almost never happens, and while traipsing about San Francisco, fell in love with this little painting of the Oakland A's by Ming Choi. Choi is part of the artist collective at Creativity Explored, a studio for developmentally disabled adults. If you're ever in the Mission District, stop by and visit the Creativity Explored gallery. It is an eye-popping experience. There are so many wonderful artworks there from the very tiny, to the giant wall-sized. Plus sculptures and even sometimes painted furniture. It's art heaven, trust me, and very affordable.

This 8"x10" painting manages to capture a joyous Athletics season. The low-budget, scrappy A's won their division against all odds. Although they didn't make it to the final playoffs, losing to the best pitcher in the league in an epic and thrilling five-game series with the Detroit Tigers, they played with complete heart and soul on the field. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Congratulations, Oakland A's—I treasure your memorable season and now we have some art to commemorate it.

And as for you, loyal A's fans, perhaps the greatest performance artists in the history of professional baseball—we'll get 'em next year.

Balfour rage is the official headbanging, fist-churning cheer you exhibit when Australian relief pitcher and Metallica fan Grant Balfour is called into the game. It's especially prevalent in the right-field bleachers and is a great upper body workout.

It started out small.



And grew into a movement of sweeping magnitude.



There is no containing the Balfour Rage.



Bonus! A's fans are Moving like Bernie with Mayor Jean Quan.