I became a fan in '79. We moved to SoCal a few years earlier and I was big into playing baseball at the time. A friends Dad took us to the Big A to see a game that year and I was hooked. I got to see Ryan and Tanana pitch in different games, along with Baylor, Downing and the rest.
We got to enjoy the playoffs that year, and I wasn't too disappointed when we lost to the Royals. It was much harder in '82 when we were so close to the Series before losing to Milwaukee. Don't get me started on the disappointment of '86. However, it all made 2002 that much sweeter!