MESA, Ariz. — Two weeks ago, reliever Adam Kolarek called his father, Frank, with news: The defending champion Dodgers had just traded him to the A’s.
“I could feel his smile through the phone,” Frank Kolarek said.
For the Kolareks, the A’s already held meaning. Well before Adam emerged as a sinker-slinging left-hander, Frank was a catcher in the A’s minor-league system. He played four seasons, from 1976-79, reaching Triple-A. His teammates included longtime A’s farm director Keith Lieppman — in fact, Frank said, the two were roommates and he later coached under Lieppman in A-ball.
Sometime after, Frank said, Lieppman gave him a green-and-gold A’s bag, the kind players use for equipment.