It’s shortly after 2 p.m. at the A’s new corporate offices in downtown Oakland. Pitchers and catchers don’t report for another month, but runway models are needed right this second: The A’s are about to unveil their new uniforms for 2018.
With former A’s pitcher Dallas Braden serving as the tongue-in-cheek emcee, shortstop Marcus Semien and first baseman Matt Olson trudge across the office carpet. They do so with all the enthusiasm of someone heading out to grab the mail.
And then it’s Matt Chapman’s turn.
The brash third baseman bursts through the swinging glass doors like Derek Zoolander on a Mardi Gras bender.