A’s, Despite Arriving on Later Flight, Are Greeted by 500 Fans

OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics missed a flight from Toronto and didn’t expect many fans to welcome them home early Monday after winning the American League pennant.

But they were surprised.

At least 500 enthusiastic fans were waiting at Oakland International Airport when the A’s appeared shortly after 1 a.m. Monday. Some fans had waited several hours for the team.

“We got ready to leave Toronto and someone said we’d get home too late and there wouldn’t be anybody waiting for us,” A’s Manager Tony La Russa said, as the crowd let out a roar.

Dave Stewart, the winning pitcher in Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays, and La Russa joined several players who walked from the customs clearance area to an outdoor podium in the balmy night air.

“We went to Toronto and we decided to have a little fun, but we still have some unfinished business,” Stewart told the crowd, including some who wore green body paint and blond wigs. “And this time, we’re going to try and get it done.”

The A’s will face the San Francisco Giants in a Bay Bridge World Series beginning Saturday.