In a bittersweet farewell, the Oakland Athletics edged out the Texas Rangers 3-2 in their final home game at the Coliseum. Nearly 47,000 fans packed the stands as they bid farewell to their beloved team in the Bay Area. This game was more than just a win; it was a heartfelt send-off for a franchise that has called the Oakland Coliseum home for an incredible 56 seasons.  

With the planned move to Las Vegas by club owner John Fisher looming, there was a mixed feeling of excitement and sadness among the crowd. It was a night to remember—one last chance to honor the team before they start a new chapter in Sin City. Even though many supporters acknowledged that the Coliseum could use some serious upgrades, the decision to move the Athletics 550 miles to Nevada has sparked a lot of criticism.   

Oakland bids farewell to the Athletics

Fans are understandably torn. It’s hard to say goodbye to a team that has been such a big part of the community. In a letter to fans, owner John Fisher explained that they had exhausted all options in their quest to find land for a new stadium in California. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay also weighed in, expressing his gratitude for the dedication of everyone involved with the team. He acknowledged the tough reality that many will lose their jobs because of the move. “I want to keep this short, because I don’t really know if I’m gonna be able to make it through this,” Kotsay started, as BBC reported, adding, “To the staff who dedicate their lives to the Oakland A’s, especially those who aren’t coming with us, I am forever grateful. I will never forget you.”

For the next three seasons, the Athletics will be calling Sacramento their temporary home while their new stadium in Las Vegas is built. The temporary digs can seat around 14,000 fans. That’s a cozy setup. Significantly smaller than most MLB stadiums. Interestingly, the A’s have had the lowest average home attendance in the league. They draw just over 11,000 fans at the 63,000-capacity Coliseum.

So, maybe, this shift will create a more intimate atmosphere. There’s even an option for a fourth season in Sacramento if the new 33,000-capacity stadium in Vegas isn’t ready on time. Oh how fascinating it will all be to see how this all plays out. After the emotional farewell at the Coliseum, fans are left reflecting on how they got to this point.

What led the Oakland Athletics to this point?

The A’s officially announced they will be hosting games at Sutter Health Park, home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. They will simply go by the Athletics or A’s, without a city identifier. The franchise didn’t make the decision to relocate lightly; they had explored options for a new stadium for years. In 2018, they unveiled an exciting plan for a waterfront ballpark in Oakland’s Jack London Square.

This ambitious project called Howard Terminal project promised a 35,000-seat stadium, 3,000 affordable housing units, offices, retail spaces, and a 400-room hotel. A dream come true for fans? However, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans. By 2021, as progress stalled, the A’s received approval from Major League Baseball to explore relocation. The Oakland City Council approved a non-binding agreement for the ballpark in July 2021, but it just didn’t feel sufficient. In 2022, excitement surged when Oakland officials approved the Environmental Impact Report for Howard Terminal.

Then, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission made a key move by removing the port priority use. However, things shifted in late September 2022 when the A’s missed a crucial deadline to finalize their stadium plans. Speculation grew when the team acquired land for a new stadium in Las Vegas. As it became clear they were targeting Vegas, Oakland city officials decided to end discussions about the Howard Terminal project.