Tuesday, October 13

Courtesy: Instagram/langeliers23

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the A’s Beat newsletter.

Shea Langeliers did not think it was possible to have a greater admiration for his wife, Raegan, than he already had. Then came the birth of their first child.

The whole process was eye-opening for the Athletics catcher as he watched Raegan carry their son -- Owen Wade, born on Sunday morning -- over the past nine months.

Langeliers has always maintained that Raegan, who played college soccer at Baylor University and is now a doctor of physical therapy, is the most athletic of the two. Pregnancy did not stop her one bit from keeping up that active lifestyle, as she was still doing plenty -- even into her third trimester.

“That’s just my wife,” Langeliers said with a laugh. “That’s who she is. She’s a workout junkie. She’s the healthiest person I know, with what she eats, how she works out and how she takes care of herself. … I think everything she was doing actually helped the baby. Owen is really healthy, and he came out with everything going really well.”

Courtesy: Instagram/langeliers23

Langeliers returned to the A’s from paternity leave on Thursday and was emotional while describing the journey he went on with Raegan, which quickly escalated Saturday night when her water broke while the two were out for dinner. She went into labor soon after and welcomed Owen to the world the next morning.

“I tried not to be so stressed out, because it was very intense to see her go through that,” Langeliers said. “She was designed to be able to do that, so it was kind of understanding that and taking a deep breath. … To birth our baby boy, there’s a whole new level of love and respect and understanding what [she went] through to make that happen. It’s truly the miracle of life.”

It wasn’t easy for Langeliers to leave Raegan and Owen, but he made sure to honor their new son by slugging a majestic two-run homer in his first at-bat back on Thursday night against the Phillies.

The A’s will return home from their current road trip on Sunday night, providing the 28-year-old backstop with some time to take in his wife’s first Mother’s Day as a new mom.

“It’s been awesome just being able to look at him while she’s holding him,” Langeliers said. “It’s really special. It’s like graduating into that next chapter of life. I almost feel older now, like I have to be more responsible and stuff like that. I think that’s just part of it. A really cool experience that both of us will never forget.”

Jonah Heim is back in an A’s uniform after he was acquired from the Braves in exchange for cash earlier this week. His return comes six years after he debuted as a rookie with the A’s during a shortened 2020 season.

MLB.com: You’re obviously familiar with this organization. What was your reaction when you found out the A’s were the team you were being traded to?

Heim: Kind of a full-circle moment for me. Probably 90% of the [coaching] staff is the same. A couple of new faces, but it’s nice to come to a team in the middle of the year and kind of have that familiarity with some of the people already. I don’t have to learn as many new names as I would have. It’s good. Playing against these guys for so many years, you kind of already know them and have relationships with them. It’s been a good transition.

MLB.com: What do you remember about that 2020 A’s team and the run you guys went on to win the AL West?

Heim: It was great. Especially with that team being so veteran-oriented, we had success. We made the playoffs that year and we had a good team. That being my first taste of the big leagues was nice to see what the vets do and how they go about their daily business. I learned a lot from [Sean Murphy] when I was here, and I had a chance to play with him again this year. Again, full-circle moments.

MLB.com: Mark Kotsay was on the coaching staff last time you were here. What has been your impression of watching him as a manager from the other side?

Heim: I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys playing for him. I knew him as just a coach when I was here, but great baseball mind. Good with the guys. He’s going to create an atmosphere around here that the guys want to be a part of. It’s nice to have that familiarity with people coming in. When one of those guys is the manager, it makes it a little easier.

MLB.com: Shea Langeliers had a lot of big games against you when you were a Ranger. What do you think about now joining him in that catcher’s room?

Heim: He’s been unbelievable. Being on the other side from him, I don’t know if [we ever] got him out. It’s been fun to watch him grow. He’s been getting better and better each year. It’s going to be nice to be on this side for once.

• It only took one at-bat for Langeliers to activate his new “Dad Strength” on Thursday. More>>

• This week’s series against the Phillies was a special homecoming for Nick Kurtz. More >>

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