The A's are celebrating their 50th anniversary in Oakland by "bringing back all their greats," including Harvey the Rabbit -- one of late Owner Charlie O. Finley’s "many colorful marketing ideas," according to Susan Slusser of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The mechanical animal during the team's first years in Oakland after moving from K.C. "popped up from the ground behind home plate and delivered balls at the press of a pedal." The A’s had to "resurrect Harvey from scratch." A's President Dave Kaval said, “We had to get approval from the league to even use it. That was a very big challenge. Anything on the field is subject to the CBA, which is very restrictive." Slusser noted Harvey Jr. will "deliver balls at the start of the game only," but the A’s will "look for spots to highlight their battery-operated bunny." A backpack giveaway is "scheduled for May 26" and the rabbit is "likely to appear during on-field promotions." Harvey Jr. will debut Friday before the A’s game against the Angels (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/27). Kaval said, “The sky’s the limit to what we can do with him. He’s almost like a second mascot for us. There are going to be so many opportunities to kind of share him and embrace the fun spirit that he evokes" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 3/28).
LOOKING FOR A DO-OVER: The A’s will have “Opening Night” tonight against the Angels in their second regular-season game, and festivities include a "tribute to Oakland’s top 50 players of all time, as chosen by fan vote." The ceremony will begin at 6:40pm PT and 27 of the players "will be there, along with the families of four deceased players" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/30). The team for the first time in 24 years played their home opener during the day, and "despite frenetic marketing tap-dancing all winter" by Kaval, the club "didn’t draw a decent crowd." The announced 27,764 in attendance was the "lowest for a home opener" since '80 (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/30).
