TOKYO — It was only an exhibition game but the atmosphere inside the Tokyo Dome made the first matchup between the A’s and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters feel like something much more special.
Everything about the pregame batting practice in the A’s 5-1 victory over the Fighters Sunday seemed like an important game. The Japanese fans arrived early and marveled at the show put on by A’s sluggers Khris Davis and Matt Olson. They both took turns peppering the several ads that surround the deepest corners of the stadium well above the bleachers.
A’s legend Rickey Henderson was in the house and got the Elvis treatment as he snuck away from his pregame interviews for a stroll down the right-field line where he signed autographs and was mobbed by fans chanting his name who were hoping to just lay a figure on the Hall of Famer.