As the toasts end, Rich Harden, Eric Byrnes and Adam Melhuse walk in. They're here to both support the book, but I think to also listen to Sally Zito and her brother play later in the bar of the steakhouse.
I wind up chatting with Harden. He remembers meeting me before, which is funny because he winds up being the only player I met to remember meeting me already. Harden is also another of the A's classy players. He's got star written all over him, yet he pauses to talk with me about the effect the hockey season cancellation has had on his family back home. Apparently a lot at first, not so much anymore. He also talks about hitting the weights hard in the offseason and working his arm into shape. He feels ready to go and it's only March 23. It's good to be an A's fan.