The move to Sacramento/Las Vegas marks the FOURTH time this franchise has relocated. The Athletics won championships in Philadelphia, survived as mediocre doormats in Kansas City and won more championships in Oakland. The roster of Hall of Famers who wore the uniform stretches from Chief Bender, Eddie Collins and Frank Baker, through Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove to Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. Its owners have included Connie Mack, Charlie Finley and the Haas family. But Oakland is the city most associated with the Athletics, its spiritual home. MLB is a clown car. No other organization would allow this storied franchise to be ruined by a petulant owner who cares so little about the sport or his team. It's embarrassing, both to be a baseball fan and a Sacramentan. I have no idea how this situation will eventually play out, but there is a part of me that believes the A's will end up -- back in Oakland.
The move to Sacramento/Las Vegas marks the FOURTH time this franchise has relocated. The Athletics won championships in Philadelphia, survived as mediocre doormats in Kansas City and won more championships in Oakland. The roster of Hall of Famers who wore the uniform stretches from Chief Bender, Eddie Collins and Frank Baker, through Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove to Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. Its owners have included Connie Mack, Charlie Finley and the Haas family. But Oakland is the city most associated with the Athletics, its spiritual home. MLB is a clown car. No other organization would allow this storied franchise to be ruined by a petulant owner who cares so little about the sport or his team. It's embarrassing, both to be a baseball fan and a Sacramentan. I have no idea how this situation will eventually play out, but there is a part of me that believes the A's will end up -- back in Oakland.
It's a unique fanbase. The drums, the horns, the crazy antics. No other place like it.