OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Reds manager Dusty Baker sat in the visiting manager’s office of the Oakland Coliseum with new black carpet beneath his feet, a sight to celebrate just nine days after a clogged pipe caused a sewage backup and flooding on the bottom floor of the ballpark that sent the Seattle Mariners and Athletics scrambling around in towels.
They headed for higher ground, to shower in the Oakland Raiders’ locker room.
That new carpet smell sure was a pleasant one Tuesday, when the A’s began an eight-game homestand. The cleanup finished in time for the arrival of Cincinnati’s gear Sunday night. A hazmat crew inspected the affected areas for E-coli, and A’s vice president of stadium operations David Rinetti said the report was sent to both the players association and umpire association.
