Editor’s Note: Carlos Rivera, who is quoted in this story, is a family member of the reporter.
“Holy Toledo!”
A saying that Carlos Rivera, a fan for more than 50 years of the Oakland A’s, would no longer get to hear or see.
“It is the end of a tradition and memories. In the corner of the Coliseum, there’s a sign that says ‘Holy Toledo.’ Former announcer Bill King used to say that during a home run or a big play. That’s gone now,” said Rivera.
The Athletics lease with the City of Oakland expired at the end of the 2024 season causing the franchise to attempt to strike another deal with the city or relocate.
The A’s were unable to come to an agreement and will relocate for the next three seasons to West Sacramento, where they will host games at Sutter Health Park, home of the Sacramento River Cats.
Additionally, by 2028 the Athletics franchise was approved by Major League Baseball owners for the relocation of the team to the Las Vegas strip on the former Tropicana site.
But, my first memory of the love for the A’s and baseball started in Oakland for me in 2011 and will always be their home to me.
I had attended the most memorable game, after suffering a devastating loss in the family, with my dad and brother all of us hoping that a little joy would come from “America’s favorite pastime.”
As well as a win of course.
It happened to be the year Grant Balfour was on the team. As all A’s fans know, a “Balfour Rage” dance from fans to Metallica’s “One,” featuring arm whirling and merciless lunacy, is a sight to see.
After seeing the joy and fan dedication I knew this was the team I would love and follow no matter the outcome.
From then on I attended as many games as I could cheering the A’s on win or lose.
Up until the last game in the Coliseum where people could be seen shedding tears as they walked down memory lane for the last time.
“I’ve always known the team as the Oakland A’s,” said student Alexis Gomez. “I think the move will take some getting used to. But who knows, sometimes change can be good.”
Gomez isn’t wrong in that case.
History proves when the A’s made their second move in their franchise history from Kansas city in 1968 to Oakland, where they began a new era under Manager Bob Kennedy, that change could be good.
It was just four years later after their move in 1968 that the team won the World Series three consecutive times from 1972 to 1974.
In 2018, the team’s contract to stay in the Coliseum was nearing the future. The A’s needed to find a new home or bargain to stay in the Bay Area.
To their credit, the franchise attempted to stay by proposing a plan to the City of Oakland.
According to Oakland city documents, the 55-acre space the team proposed a plan for would have had, “approximately 35,000-person capacity Major League Baseball park for the Oakland Athletics, up to 1.77 million square feet of commercial development, up to 3,000 residential dwelling units, a new hotel with approximately 400 rooms and a new performance venue with a capacity of approximately 3,500 individuals.”
This plan was stalled during the pandemic and by 2021, the A’s began exploring the possibility of relocation because of slow progress of approval to their proposed plan.
By 2022 the plans were approved in a non-binding agreement, but the A’s were still looking into relocating, specifically into Las Vegas, where the Oakland Raiders relocated after also moving out of the Coliseum.
With the A’s lease up at the end of their 2024 season, and no agreement over the proposed plans in sight, team executives visited Sacramento.
Eventually, striking a deal with Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steingberg to play in the Sacramento River Cats stadium, a Minor League Baseball team Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
For many fans the sorrow of losing the Bay Area team will continue on but won’t stop them from attending games this year.
Student Gilber Trujillo says that now that the Athletics are closer he is, “more likely I guess, I would attend a game with friends or family that are fans.”
No matter the place or the stadium, for me, the Athletics will always be my team. The memories will carry on.
Fans should know that the stadium is smaller and prices for single game tickets according to mlb.tickets.com, range from about $60 to about $300.
The Athletic’s inaugural game will take place on Monday, March 31, as the Athletics take on the Chicago Cubs.
