A Final Farewell: Oakland A’s Last Game at the Coliseum

After 57 memorable seasons, the Oakland Athletics played their final game at the iconic Oakland Coliseum on a bright and beautiful Thursday afternoon. This marked the end of an era for the team and its fans, who have shared countless memories and experiences at this historic venue. The mood was both festive and somber as nearly 47,000 fans gathered to bid farewell to their beloved team. The parking lot opened early, allowing fans to gather, cook breakfast, drink beer, and celebrate one last time. Among the crowd was a man dressed as A’s president Dave Kaval, entertaining fans and adding a touch of humor to the bittersweet occasion.

As fans made their way into the stadium, they were greeted by small-business popups on the pedestrian bridge, offering everything from margaritas to psychedelic mushrooms. Longtime A’s fan Jorge Leon, president of the Oakland 68s, was not surprised by the enthusiastic turnout. The fans’ dedication and passion for their team were evident throughout the day. The A’s had announced their move to Las Vegas in 2023, and with their lease at the Coliseum ending, negotiations for an extension fell apart. Despite the impending move, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao expressed disappointment and a willingness to bring the team back if the Sacramento arrangement did not work out.

The team’s owner, John Fisher, has faced significant criticism for his decisions, including gutting the team and ignoring the fan base. However, the final game was a celebration of the team’s history and the fans’ unwavering support. A’s legends Barry Zito, Dave Stewart, and Rickey Henderson were all involved in the festivities. Zito sang the national anthem, while Stewart and Henderson threw out the first pitches. The starting nine players were greeted with a standing ovation, and the team took impromptu photos in front of the dugout, capturing the emotional moment.

Security was increased for the final game, and two fans ran onto the field during the game but were quickly escorted out. The sellout crowd expressed their feelings through signs and chants, including ‘sell the team,’ directed at Fisher. A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who has a tradition of writing out his lineup card and tearing it in two, thanked the stadium workers and gave a heartfelt tribute to the fans and the stadium after the A’s victory. He asked for one last cheer from the crowd, marking the final game at the Coliseum.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was a mix of celebration and mourning. Fans, including longtime season-ticket holders and casual attendees, were emotional as they said goodbye to their team in Oakland. ‘Krazy George’ Henderson, known for inventing the wave, riled up the crowd as usual, adding to the party-like atmosphere. Despite fears of damage and destruction, the game went smoothly with no major incidents. Some fans carried signs and props to express their displeasure with Fisher and Major League Baseball.

The game was filled with emotional moments, as fans took photos and selfies to commemorate the team’s final game in Oakland. The well-known pungent smell and packed parking lots added to the nostalgic atmosphere. Despite the team’s impending move, fans showed their support for the city of Oakland with signs and flags. The A’s won the game against the Rangers with a final score of 3-2, and the scoreboard read ‘A’s victory’ after the final out. The mascots ran onto the field to celebrate, and fans were given dirt from the playing field as a keepsake from their final home game.

The impact of the team’s move on fans and their emotional connection to the team is significant. Kristin Young, a longtime A’s fan, chose not to attend the final game or the whole season in protest. The A’s will first move to Sacramento in 2025 before settling into their new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028. Young’s grandmother was a huge fan and bought season tickets in 1988, taking her family to games from a young age. The final game was emotional for Young and her family as it marked the end of a tradition and another loss for professional sports in Oakland.

Young will miss the experiences and memories she made at A’s games with her family and being able to share those moments with them. The main reason for the A’s move is due to owner John Fisher’s decision to relocate the team, which has been deemed ‘frankly unforgivable’ by former owner Walter Haas Jr. The A’s have been searching for a new ballpark for a long time, and their current home, the Oakland Coliseum, is in poor condition. The proposed new stadium at Howard Terminal would have been a mixed-use development and had a great location near the waterfront.

Fisher abruptly changed course and decided to pursue a move to Las Vegas, possibly as a bargaining tactic with the city of Oakland. The city did not give in to Fisher’s demands, and the A’s ultimately moved forward with the relocation to Las Vegas regardless. Fisher’s decision has been met with criticism due to the smaller market and funding for the new stadium still being uncertain. Despite all these uncertainties, the move has been approved unanimously by MLB owners, leaving Oakland fans devastated and questioning what happened.

The move has also had a significant impact on Oakland Coliseum concession workers, who will not receive severance or health insurance after the last A’s game. Kenyetta Gentry, who has worked for 24 years for Aramark, the company that runs the concession stands, was shocked to discover that there would be no severance offered to employees. She and her coworkers will also lose their health insurance. Gentry and her colleagues held a news conference outside the Coliseum gates to address the issue, expressing their disappointment and frustration.

For months, workers were led to believe they would receive some form of severance. A’s owner John Fisher apologized for the team’s departure from Oakland, but the apology did little to alleviate the workers’ concerns. Workers like Robert Preston, who has worked at the Coliseum for almost 40 years, rely on the job-provided health insurance for expensive medication. Despite being eligible for Medicare, it does not cover all of Preston’s medical needs. Aramark issued a statement saying they are bargaining with the union and offer roles in other areas of their organization, but workers are concerned as there is no guarantee of other job opportunities.

These workers will miss the fans the most. Gentry thanked the fans for their support and for recognizing the workers’ hard work. The workers’ union has asked the A’s to assist in negotiations with Aramark, but their requests have been unsuccessful. The Coliseum and the A’s hold a special place in many workers’ hearts and will be missed. The workers feel disrespected and disappointed by the lack of support from the A’s and Aramark. Many of these workers have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to working at the Coliseum and are now facing an uncertain future.

Despite the challenges, the workers remain hopeful for potential job opportunities and appreciate the memories made at the Coliseum. The fans’ support throughout the years has been a source of strength for these workers, and they express their gratitude towards the fans. As the A’s prepare to move to their new home, the city of Oakland and its residents are left to reflect on the impact of the team’s departure. The memories, experiences, and connections formed at the Coliseum will forever hold a special place in the hearts of A’s fans and workers alike.