Oakland ready to make ultimate road trip

Goodbye, Phoenix. Konnichi wa, Tokyo.

Tonight, 30 A's players board a chartered Boeing 747 for a 12-hour flight to Japan and a new season.

This 11,000-mile March road trip threw a curve into the normal spring schedule. To pack for Tokyo, the A's organization had to make some quick decisions.

For one: Who stays behind? "The big-league club had to cut a number of guys not going to Japan," farm director Keith Lieppman said. "Guys who normally had (until) April 1, we have to make a decision by (Wednesday).

"We also have many more players in camp than usual. That's made this the most competitive camp in years. Usually, you come to spring training with the A's, you have a job. But not this year. . . . We have to make some really tough decisions."

After two exhibition games this week in Tokyo against Japanese clubs, the A's open their 41st season against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, also in Tokyo.

Although excited about the trip, some players fretted about the 12-hour flight and 16-hour time change; the team literally loses a day, arriving Friday in Japan.

Although players would be briefed on what to expect, the A's planned no formal cultural immersion before or during the trip, A's general manager Billy Beane said. The schedule has little room for sight-seeing. Beane had no time for player complaints.

"We'll have our own 747 with sleeper seats and DVDs," Beane said. "How hard is it to get on a plane that's all your plane? We'll be staying in five-star hotels. If you start complaining about that, then you really need to check yourself."

During camp in Phoenix, some players practiced Japanese greetings and phrases in between swings and fielding drills. They didn't want to say sayonara to their teammates and be left behind.

"(Spring training) just flew by," said first baseman Dan Johnson, who is battling for a roster spot. "It's crazy how fast."

Johnson hopes to make the plane. "I've never been to Japan," he said. "I would love to see the culture. (The trip) will be something you can talk about your whole life. We have one day off, but we won't have that much time to go see things. We'll probably want to catch up on some sleep, but we'll have plenty of time for that before and after on the flight."

Pitcher Chris Gissell, who signed as a free agent during the offseason, spent the past two years playing with the Seibu Lions in the Tokyo suburbs. Gissell hoped to make the trip as an expert consultant, if not a pitcher and is expected to start the season with the River Cats.

"Baseball is by far the biggest sport (in Japan)," Gissell said. "The fans are awesome. In two years, I never heard a boo. People are brought up to be very respectful over there."

Living full time in Japan with a wife and two small children took a lot of adjusting, Gissell said.

"Where we were living, there were no other Americans around us," he said. "We had no car. You took the train to the ballpark. There was no American supermarket. It was all so different. But I know there are a ton of players over here who would love to have that opportunity to get to do what I did. I was very fortunate."

By their return trip next week, Beane and his staff hope they've made a favorable impression on their host. "Who knows where this will lead?" Beane said. "Some day, we may literally have a World Series."

Domo arigato (thank you), and come again.