A’s Start Final Oakland Homestand, Aim for a Proper Sendoff

OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics have embarked on their final homestand of what will be their last season in the city. As the team prepares for these six games over the next week, the atmosphere is thick with uncertainty and emotion.

After a long 57-year tenure at the Coliseum, there is no telling how fans and players alike will react to this bittersweet farewell. Left fielder Seth Brown, the longest-tenured Athletic in his sixth season, expressed hope for a positive send-off. “We’ve heard some rumblings, and we’re going to have some more meetings about it,” Brown shared. “The fans have always supported us, and we just hope they support us in a positive manner. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the time and give it its last hurrah, and at the same time, we’re hoping it’s done the right way.”

The A’s have scheduled three concluding games against the New York Yankees, followed by three more against the Texas Rangers. The final match, set for Thursday afternoon, will mark the end of an era, closing the door on professional sports in Oakland after the city lost three major franchises—the Warriors, the Raiders, and now the A’s—over the past five years.

Beginning next spring, the A’s will temporarily relocate to a minor league park in Sacramento and are set to make a permanent move to Las Vegas thereafter.

These recent years have been a whirlwind for the A’s, who have faced ongoing distractions off the field. The announcements regarding Las Vegas last April and the upcoming Sacramento arrangement this April have weighed heavily on the team.

Manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the emotional journey for the players, noting that the feelings around this year’s farewell are different from last year’s. “This isn’t really new for us,” Kotsay remarked. “But the emotion last year was a lot greater in terms of the anger. This year has been really, really calm, and I don’t know if that’s because they’ve gotten the anger out. There’s still going to be that emotion as we near Thursday, but that’s part of whenever the healing process starts.”

Fans have not been silent during this tumultuous time. Protests against team owner John Fisher have been frequent, especially after he abandoned a significant development deal in Oakland last April. This included a well-publicized “reverse boycott” last season and a parking lot protest on Opening Day this year, where fans chose to gather outside the stadium rather than enter.

As of the latest count, the Athletics had drawn 738,438 fans this season, which is the lowest attendance in Major League Baseball.

Outfielder JJ Bleday anticipates an unforgettable atmosphere for the final three games. “The last three games are going to be pretty epic for us and the fan base,” he said. “I’m kind of looking forward to it, though. It’ll be exciting to play some games with a crowd. Obviously, I feel bad for the fan base, but we’ll be a part of history.”

In light of the known tensions, the A’s are taking precautions during this final homestand. Players have been cautioned to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings, especially should fans attempt to rush the field. They have also been instructed to avoid family photographs on the field after games. “Just get on out of there,” advised Bleday.

Leading up to Friday’s opener against the Yankees, fans displayed their frustration by attaching “SELL” signs to the bleachers. Another sign directed at Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive read “VIVEK REPENT,” highlighting his involvement in securing a temporary home for the A’s at Sutter Health Park, where the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats play.

Ranadive, a friend of A’s owner Fisher, orchestrated a deal to provide the A’s a rent-free arrangement as they transition to their future. “I wish we were staying here,” Bleday added. “But it’s not up to me. I do have a jar ready to fill up with some dirt, though.”