The Great Exodus: The Athletics’ Farewell to Oakland

The unique blend of people you find in an Oakland crowd is unlike any other in baseball. It’s a vibrant mix of all walks of life, ethnicities, and backgrounds; fans who save up to buy tickets, not just to snap a photo for social media proof. They passionately follow a team that often challenges their loyalty, a true testament to their undying love for the sport. And there are kids, many kids, a nostalgic nod to the roots of the game as accessible, everyday entertainment, the game of the people. As Major League Baseball bids adieu to Oakland, it also says goodbye to arguably the most diverse fan base in the sport.

A No-Show Owner, A Devoted Crowd

John Fisher, the team’s owner, was conspicuously absent from the final game in Oakland. He has been missing in action for almost two full seasons, and what he missed out on the last Thursday was a testament to the spirit of Oakland baseball. The weather, the crowd, the ambiance – it was all near perfect. The fact that Fisher was absent from this momentous occasion was unsurprising, given his track record of missing out on the rich tapestry of life that unfolds between 66th and Hegenberger.

The Isolation of Privilege and the Pain of Departure

The departure of another beloved Oakland sports team has left many fans exasperated. Some had hoped for a sale to keep the team local, but to no avail. Amid the injustice and harsh reality of the situation, there’s a profound sadness about the isolation that accompanies extreme privilege. If Fisher has his way, he plans to relocate his team to a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento for a few seasons before moving again to Las Vegas. But will he find the same fervor there? Will he witness the same camaraderie, passion, and memories created by the 47,000 fans who gathered to bid their team farewell?

The Challenges Ahead

Mark Kotsay, the A’s manager, has been the team’s spokesperson through this turbulent period. He’s been steering the ship, guiding 26 young and inexperienced players through 162 games while coping with news trickling down from the top. Kotsay faces numerous challenges, such as sharing a minor-league park with a Triple-A team and dealing with the impact of playing on artificial turf in extreme weather. Add to that the prospect of moving twice in a few years, unless he finds a better opportunity sooner.

The Oakland Problem: A Victory for Fisher, A Loss for Many

Fisher’s only PR victory was convincing MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the 29 other owners that Oakland was no longer a viable home for the Athletics. This decision, dubbed “The Oakland Problem,” was a win for Fisher, while everything else was as clumsy as a bucket of paint falling from a moving truck. Despite having every means of communication at his disposal, he has chosen to remain silent, doing only three interviews since announcing his intention to move the team to Las Vegas almost a year and a half ago. His response to the heartfelt pleas of fans to keep the team in Oakland was dismissive, to say the least.

The Farewell Scene: A Mixture of Joy and Sorrow

The stadium’s atmosphere during the final game was a mix of joy and melancholy. While there were moments of silence, there were also periods where the mood lifted, and it was just about 47,000 fans rooting for their team. The entire community, fans, and employees are the losers in this situation, and, although he might not realize it, Fisher loses too.

Embracing the End: A Heartfelt Goodbye

In the aftermath of the game, the security guard at the entrance to the A’s clubhouse had one goal: to hug each coach and player who walked through his door. Handshakes were not allowed. It was a moment that captured the essence of the day, not only for fans but also for the team and stadium crews. As head groundskeeper Clay Wood left the field for the last time, he stopped to usher a few particles of dirt back to where they belonged, a poignant symbol of the end of an era. In that moment, he was every person who had been in the building that Thursday, and for the 57 seasons before it: aware that it’s over, yet still hanging on.