A's get into charity groove with SU2C auction
Fans can bid on Griffin guitar session and more to benefit worthy cause
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- While most internships fall well short of qualifying as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Athletics are offering one that's a little different from the rest.
They've introduced the opportunity to be an "A" for a day, with exposure to the entire operation: public relations, marketing, stadium operations, ticket services and Diamond Vision. The package is currently up for bid as part of MLB.com's Auction to benefit Stand Up to Cancer, which MLB has supported since 2008 as founding sponsor.
As of 2 p.m. PT on Monday, the "A's front office for a day" package had garnered four bids, with the highest coming in at $1,220. Bidding for this package, and nearly 80 more representing all 30 teams, runs through 6 p.m. PT on Thursday.
The MLB.com Auction to benefit Stand Up To Cancer involved public relations representatives from all 30 clubs, who were inspired to act based on individual club members impacted by the disease.
They jointly organized the auction and have arranged for dozens of unique baseball-related experiences to go up for bid, ranging from private pitching and batting lessons with players to lunches with general managers to team bus rides and meet-and-greets with Hall of Fame players.
The A's have posted several intriguing items for the auction. In addition to the "A" for a day package, they're also offering a private guitar session with A.J. Griffin (opening bid: $500), the Southern California right-hander who also dabbles in music in his free time, including on game days before his starts.
The winner of this item will get to bring a guitar and hang out with the hurler before a game, and receive a personalized autographed baseball and four tickets to the game.
Finally, the A's are offering a Spring Training experience (opening bid: $500) for one lucky fan. See what goes on at Phoenix Municipal Stadium before the gates open by getting a tour of the park and a backstage look at the A's Minor League Spring Training complex at Papago Park, along with the chance to meet an A's player or coach on the field for playing tips. Four tickets to any game are integrated in this package, which doesn't include travel or hotel expenses.