One of Major League Baseball's oldest franchises, the Athletics, is turning the page on a momentous chapter in their storied history. Established in 1901, the Athletics have undergone numerous transformations, transitioning from the Philadelphia Athletics to the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, and finally moving to Oakland in 1968. Now, as they prepare to play their final home game at Oakland Coliseum, they are set to relocate once more—first to Sacramento, and eventually to Las Vegas.
A Storied Past
The Athletics made their mark early, securing three World Series titles by 1913 as the Philadelphia Athletics. Their competitive spirit didn't wane with time. After the move to Oakland in 1968, the team added four more championships to their resume, further solidifying their enduring legacy in baseball history.
An Emotional Farewell
On Thursday, fans converged on Oakland Coliseum hours before the gates opened, eager to be part of this historic moment. The atmosphere inside the venerable stadium was electric, reminiscent of a postseason game. "A's manager Mark Kotsay likened the atmosphere to a postseason game," capturing the intense emotion felt by everyone in attendance.
Groundskeepers were meticulously preparing the field, collecting dirt and setting in place a new set of bases for each inning, a gesture that resulted in 27 new pieces of memorabilia. Both Mark Kotsay and Oakland groundskeeper Clay Wood received one set of these commemorative bases, ensuring that pieces of the Coliseum's storied past will be preserved.
Honoring Legends
The game featured memorable moments, including a rendition of the national anthem by former pitcher Barry Zito. Baseball legends Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson took the field to throw out ceremonial first pitches. Henderson, highly regarded as one of the greatest base-stealers in history, set the MLB record with 130 steals in a season and earned the 1990 MVP award. Stewart, known for his prowess on the mound, won 20-plus games in four consecutive seasons and achieved top-four finishes in Cy Young voting during each of those campaigns. He was named the 1990 ALCS MVP and the 1989 World Series MVP, solidifying his place in Athletics' lore.
Expressing heartfelt emotions, Dave Stewart said, "This day is here and I'll be honest I don't know what to do with it, how to think. What I feel is hurt. A huge piece of my life is being transplanted to someplace else. This is not your fault, but it sure hurts to my core. I hope it's not the end of our relationship, just our relationship as Oakland Athletics. I love you Oakland Coliseum and A's Baseball."
The Future Ahead
The Athletics' move to Sacramento and eventually to Las Vegas underscores the evolving nature of sports franchises. While cities change and arenas get revamped, the core of a team—the loyalty and passion of its players, managers, and fans—remains steadfast. The Athletics' history is a testament to their resilience and adaptability, qualities that will undoubtedly continue to characterize their journey as they forge new paths in Sacramento and Las Vegas.