'Today, There is Crying in Baseball’: Athletics Bid Farewell to Oakland with One Final Victory
In a poignant farewell to Oakland, the Athletics clinched a 3-2 triumph over the Texas Rangers on Thursday, marking the end of their 57-year tenure at the Coliseum. The accolade occurred before a sold-out crowd, moving fans to tears and showcasing their all-time loyalty to the team.
Fans, many waiting from the early morning hours, held signs, one notably reading, "Today, there is crying in baseball." Their passion culminated with appearances from A’s legends honoring the franchise’s history. Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson and storied A’s figure Dave Stewart spearheaded the festivities by throwing the ceremonial first pitch, while former ace Barry Zito sang the National Anthem, setting the stage for an emotional send-off.
The game saw the A’s take an early 3-0 lead. In the climactic ninth inning, All-Star closer Mason Miller induced Travis Jankowski's ground out, securing the final out and bringing an end to games played at this historic venue.
Fans' grief was also reflected in expressions of anger; chants of "sell the team" emerged, highlighting frustration over the move to Las Vegas announced last April. Disruptions in the seventh inning, involving a smoke bomb and a projectile bottle, briefly halted the game.
Following their finale victory, A’s players and staff gathered on the field, extending gratitude to their supporters. Manager Mark Kotsay, struggling with emotion, delivered a poignant thank-you to the devoted staff and fans, commending them for their unwavering support of the team.
Turning the page, the Athletics are set to relocate temporarily to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025 season, while their new Las Vegas stadium is under construction. The move to "Sin City" follows the path of the Oakland Raiders, who also left for Las Vegas in 2020, as approved by MLB owners this past November.
Having hosted momentous events such as six World Series and four AFC title games, the Coliseum's legacy endures, with future plans to house USL Championship League soccer team Oakland Roots starting in 2025. Reflecting on this history, owner John Fisher expressed deep regret over failing to secure a new Bay Area stadium, despite focused efforts since 2005.
In a heartfelt farewell letter to fans, Fisher lamented the missed opportunity to keep the team in Oakland and reiterated his gratitude to dedicated supporters and staff. Despite illustrious past championships, including the A’s three-peat from 1972-74 and successes of the Raiders in the '70s and '80s, this chapter in Oakland athletics concludes.
The stadium also witnessed significant no-hitters, with 12 pitched there. Most notably, Dallas Braden threw a perfect game on Mother’s Day in 2010. The full-circle moment of the Athletics’ time at the Coliseum ends as they prep for their final three-game series of the season starting Friday in Seattle against the Mariners.
This deeply emotional goodbye echoes the complexities of legacy and relocation for a long-revered sports institution.
Earlier, SSP wrote that Dubois validated World Title Reign.