Oakland Athletics Prepare for Final Homestand
The Oakland Athletics are approaching the end of an era as they prepare for their final homestand in Oakland in 2024. The team, which has called Oakland home since 1968, will bid farewell to the city after a storied 57-year tenure. The final home game is set for Thursday, with the Athletics closing out their Oakland chapter against the Texas Rangers.
It's been a long journey for the Athletics, whose roots trace back to Philadelphia, where they first took to the field in 1901. During their initial stint in the City of Brotherly Love, the Athletics enjoyed early success, capturing nine pennants and five World Series titles by 1954. The team then moved to Kansas City in 1955, but the Kansas City years lacked postseason appearances, leading to a relocation to Oakland in 1968.
The Oakland years have been particularly kind to the Athletics. Since settling in the Bay Area, the team clinched four World Series Championships, six pennants, and an impressive 17 division titles. Reflecting on the storied history, A’s owner John Fisher stated, “Oakland has been home for the greatest era in the franchise's more than 123-year history.”
Indeed, the Athletics have created countless memories for their fans in Oakland. From the unforgettable dominance of the early '70s teams, which won three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974, to the powerhouse teams of the late '80s and early '90s, the Athletics have left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball.
Despite efforts to secure a long-term future in Oakland, the team's ownership ultimately found it challenging to establish a new ballpark within the Bay Area. John Fisher reminisced, “When Lew Wolff and I bought the team in 2005, our dream was to win world championships and build a new ballpark in Oakland." However, significant obstacles prevented this vision from materializing.
By 2021, faced with a binding MLB agreement mandating a new home by 2024, the Athletics began exploring relocation options, with Las Vegas emerging as the top candidate. “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," Fisher explained.
As the Athletics prepare to embark on a new chapter, they will temporarily play in Sacramento from 2025 to 2027, before moving into a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028. This move marks a significant shift for the franchise, but the team hopes to carry forward the rich legacy built in Oakland.
The Athletics have been a part of many memorable moments and have included notable figures in their history. Seven players from the team have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, highlighting the talent that has passed through the organization. “Four World Series Championships. Six pennants and 17 division titles. Seven Baseball Hall of Famers ... The list goes on and on,” Fisher aptly summarized the team’s achievements.
As fans gear up for the final series against the Texas Rangers, emotions are sure to run high. The end of the Athletics’ era in Oakland is not just about closing a chapter but also celebrating a legacy of triumph and tenacity that has defined the team over its long history. The city of Oakland will forever be a crucial part of the Athletics' story, having provided the backdrop for some of the franchise's most glorious moments.
John Fisher remains hopeful for the future, urging fans to stay connected with the team. “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,” he shared.
The Athletics’ tenure in Oakland may be coming to an end, but the memories and accomplishments achieved will continue to resonate. As the team prepares for its final homestand, it’s a time to reflect on the past and anticipate the future, carrying with them the spirit of Oakland wherever they go.