Athletics Begin Final Homestand in Oakland Before Move to Las Vegas
The Oakland Athletics are set to conclude their storied 57-year tenure in Oakland with an upcoming homestand, marking the end of an era in one of Major League Baseball's most storied franchises. The final series, which will see the Athletics face off against the Texas Rangers, begins Thursday and holds significant emotional weight for fans and players alike.
Since relocating to Oakland in 1968, the Athletics have cemented their legacy with an impressive array of achievements, including four World Series Championships, six pennants, and 17 division titles. "Oakland has been home for the greatest era in the franchise's more than 123-year history," said current owner John Fisher.
The journey of the Athletics, however, extends far beyond their years in Oakland. Founded in 1901 in Philadelphia, the team quickly made its mark on baseball with nine pennants and five World Series titles before moving to Kansas City in 1955. Despite a less remarkable stint in Kansas City, where they saw no postseason appearances, the team found renewed success upon their relocation to Oakland. This era added seven players to the Baseball Hall of Fame, reinforcing their historical significance.
For many, the upcoming final home games in Oakland represent the bittersweet culmination of years filled with unforgettable memories. Yet, the struggles to secure a long-term home for the team within the Bay Area have been a constant challenge for the ownership. When Lew Wolff and John Fisher purchased the team in 2005, they envisioned not only winning world championships but also building a new ballpark to solidify the team's presence in Oakland. However, those efforts ultimately did not bear fruit.
"When Lew Wolff and I bought the team in 2005, our dream was to win world championships and build a new ballpark in Oakland," Fisher shared. "Only in 2021, after 16 years of working exclusively on developing a home in the Bay Area and faced with a binding MLB agreement to find a new home by 2024, did we begin to explore taking the team to Las Vegas."
The team is slated to temporarily play in Sacramento from 2025 to 2027, before settling into a new state-of-the-art ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028. This decision, while driven by logistical and economic factors, leaves a bittersweet sentiment among the Athletics' dedicated fan base in Oakland.
Fisher expressed a sense of nostalgia as he acknowledged the multifaceted legacy of the team in Oakland: "Four World Series Championships. Six pennants and 17 division titles. Seven Baseball Hall of Famers ... The list goes on and on."
Despite the impending departure, Fisher urges fans to remain hopeful and supportive as the team transitions to its new chapter. "Looking ahead, I hope you will join our beloved A's as we move forward on this amazing journey. I hope I will see you again sporting the Green and Gold. And I hope we will make you proud."
As the Athletics prepare to honor their storied past in their final games at the Oakland Coliseum, the organization and its fans are reflecting on decades of memories, achievements, and indelible moments that have defined the franchise. The move to Las Vegas marks a new beginning, one filled with promise and potential, but the essence of Oakland will forever be a significant part of the Athletics' identity.
The final homestand not only signifies the end of an era but also a celebration of the rich history and the unwavering support of the Oakland fans who have been a cornerstone of the team's success. The Athletics are not just preparing for a game against the Texas Rangers; they are preparing to close a memorable chapter and turn the page toward an exciting new future.