Oakland A’s Begin Final Homestand in Emotional Farewell to 57 Seasons in the Coliseum
The Oakland A’s began their final homestand at the Coliseum on Friday night, marking the end of an era after 57 seasons of professional baseball in Oakland. The atmosphere was a mixture of nostalgia, frustration, and uncertainty as no one could predict what might unfold over the remaining six games and seven days.
The A’s, who have been a staple of the Oakland community for decades, will be relocating to Las Vegas after this season, leaving behind a storied history in the Bay Area. While the players and staff are focused on finishing the season, emotions are running high, and fans are expected to express a variety of feelings during this final stretch.
Seth Brown Reflects on Fan Support and the Final Farewell
Oakland A’s Left fielder Seth Brown, now the longest-tenured player on the team in his sixth season, reflected on the strong support from fans throughout the years and their hope for a positive send-off.
“We’ve heard some rumblings, and we’re going to have some more meetings about it,” Brown said. “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 uncertainty surrounding how the fans will react to the A’s departure has the team taking precautions. The emotional toll on both fans and players is palpable, as this homestand serves as a farewell not only to the Coliseum but also to the era of professional baseball in Oakland.
A Tough Loss to the Yankees Begins the Homestand
On Friday night, the Oakland A’s hosted the New York Yankees in a 10-inning battle that resulted in a 4-2 loss. Despite the loss, the game was less about the score and more about the significance of the event — the beginning of the final week of A’s baseball in Oakland. The team will face the Yankees two more times before closing out their home schedule with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.
The final game, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, will officially mark the end of major professional sports in Oakland, a city that has lost three major franchises in five years — the Warriors to San Francisco, the Raiders to Las Vegas, and now the A’s.
The Move to Las Vegas and Its Impact on Players
Beginning next spring, the Oakland A’s will play in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento for at least three seasons while their new permanent stadium in Las Vegas is being built. This has been an ongoing distraction for the team, which first announced its plans to move to Las Vegas in April 2023.
Manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the emotional toll of the situation but mentioned that the anger seen from fans last year has mostly subsided.
“This isn’t really new for us,” Kotsay said. “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.”
Fan Protests and Frustrations with Ownership
Over the past two seasons, Oakland A’s fans have staged multiple protests aimed at team owner John Fisher, whose decision to abandon Oakland for Las Vegas left a bitter taste in many fans’ mouths. In 2023, Fisher pulled out of a large development deal that would have kept the team in Oakland, sparking outrage. Since then, fans have shown their discontent through various actions, including a highly publicized “reverse boycott” last year and a boycott of Opening Day this season, where fans gathered in the parking lot but refused to enter the stadium.
Before Friday’s game against the Yankees, fans taped “SELL” signs to the railings in both the left- and right-field bleachers. Some fans even went as far as referencing Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive with a sign reading “VIVEK REPENT.” Ranadive, who also owns the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, has arranged for the A’s to temporarily play in Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park rent-free while their new stadium in Las Vegas is being constructed.
Despite the protests, the A’s had drawn only 738,438 fans before Friday’s game, the lowest attendance in Major League Baseball this season.
What the Final Homestand Means for the Players
For many A’s players, this homestand is an emotional experience, even for those who have only been with the team for a short period. Outfielder JJ Bleday expressed his mixed feelings about the final games in Oakland:
“The last three games are going to be pretty epic for us and the fan base,” Bleday 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.”
Players have been briefed on the potential of fans rushing the field, and precautions are in place to ensure safety. They’ve been advised to avoid lingering on the field after the games and to remain alert during this emotional week.
The Final Goodbye: What’s Next for Oakland A’s?
While the A’s are moving on to Las Vegas, this final homestand marks the end of a rich baseball tradition in Oakland. For the fans, this is a moment of collective mourning for the loss of their team, a grieving process that started years ago when rumors of relocation began to surface.
As the A’s prepare to leave the Coliseum for the final time, players like JJ Bleday reflect on the personal connection they feel to the city and the ballpark:
“I wish we were staying here,” Bleday admitted, “but it’s not up to me. I do have a jar ready to fill up with some dirt, though.”
For many fans and players, these final games at the Coliseum will be a bittersweet reminder of the highs and lows of Oakland baseball. While the A’s are moving on to a new chapter in Las Vegas, the legacy they leave behind in Oakland will never be forgotten.
FAQs
Why are the Oakland A’s moving to Las Vegas?
The A’s are relocating to Las Vegas due to the failure of a massive development deal in Oakland. The team will play in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento until their new Las Vegas stadium is built.
How long have the A’s played at the Oakland Coliseum?
The A’s have played at the Oakland Coliseum for 57 seasons, from 1968 to 2023.
What protests have Oakland A’s fans staged?
Fans have staged several protests, including a “reverse boycott” in 2023 and an Opening Day boycott in 2024, to protest owner John Fisher’s decision to move the team to Las Vegas.
When is the final game in Oakland?
The A’s final game in Oakland will be on Thursday afternoon against the Texas Rangers.
What will happen to the A’s after they leave Oakland?
The A’s will play a minimum of three seasons in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento before moving to their permanent home in Las Vegas.
