The Oakland Athletics bid an emotional farewell to the Oakland Coliseum, their home since 1968, with a sellout crowd of 46,889 in attendance. Manager Mark Kotsay fought back tears as he thanked the fans and led one last chant of “Let’s go Oakland!” The A’s beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in the matinee finale, with third baseman Max Schuemann running a huge A’s flag around the field to celebrate with the fans.
Longtime supporters and kids alike attended the game, with many taking time off work or school to be there. This marked the end of an era for the A’s, as they are the last team standing in Oakland after the NFL Raiders and Golden State Warriors have moved out of town. The game was full of spontaneous moments, such as Schuemann grabbing the flag from mascot Stomper and running around the field to celebrate with the fans.
After the game, home plate was dug up and the mound rubber removed, marking the end of the Coliseum’s days as a baseball venue. Head groundskeeper Clay Wood’s dog Reba made one final run through the outfield, and Kotsay took home three bases as mementos of the occasion. The stadium has been home to many historic moments and legendary players over the years, from the Bash Brothers to the Big Three to current stars like Marcus Semien.
Former players like Zito, Henderson, and Stewart participated in the day’s events, bringing back memories of past glory days. Fans had the opportunity to take home a piece of history by scooping dirt from the field, and many spent time walking through the concourse and reminiscing about decades of memories. The A’s plan to play the next three years in Sacramento before potentially moving to Las Vegas, marking the end of an era for baseball in Oakland.
For Kotsay and the players, the day was an emotional one filled with gratitude for the fans, the stadium workers, and everyone who has been a part of the organization. The Coliseum may not have had all the modern amenities of other stadiums, but it was a place where the focus was on the game of baseball itself. As the A’s move forward, they will carry with them the memories and history of their time at the Coliseum, a place that has meant so much to so many people over the years.
