The Oakland Athletics are gearing up for a historic and emotional final homestand in Oakland in 2024. As the Athletics prepare to bid farewell to a city they have called home since 1968, the significance of this moment echoes not only through the halls of their stadium but the annals of baseball history as well.
A Storied Journey
The Athletics' journey began in Philadelphia in 1901, where the franchise experienced an era of early dominance, clinching nine pennants and five World Series titles by 1954. Despite these triumphs, the team relocated to Kansas City in 1955. The Kansas City era, which lasted until 1967, was devoid of postseason appearances, marking a period of struggle and transition for the Athletics.
The move to Oakland in 1968 marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would solidify the Athletics’ legacy in Major League Baseball. Over the course of more than five decades, the team has accumulated an impressive array of accolades: four World Series Championships, six pennants, and 17 division titles. This period is fondly remembered by fans who have witnessed countless memorable moments at the Oakland Coliseum.
The End of an Era
This upcoming series against the Texas Rangers will be etched in history as the final games the Oakland Athletics will play at their storied home. For fans and players alike, it’s a bittersweet end to an era that has seen the franchise rise, fall, and rise again.
Team owner John Fisher reflected on this monumental occasion, stating, “Oakland has been home for the greatest era in the franchise's more than 123-year history. Four World Series Championships. Six pennants and 17 division titles. Seven Baseball Hall of Famers ... The list goes on and on.”
A Dream Deferred
The ownership group, which included Lew Wolff and John Fisher since 2005, had big dreams for the team. “When Lew Wolff and I bought the team in 2005, our dream was to win world championships and build a new ballpark in Oakland,” Fisher shared. However, despite 16 years of dedicated efforts to secure a new home in the Bay Area, those aspirations remained unfulfilled. “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.
Looking Ahead
The Athletics’ future now points toward Las Vegas, with plans to temporarily play in Sacramento from 2025 to 2027 before moving into a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028. While leaving Oakland is a poignant moment, Fisher remains hopeful and optimistic about the road ahead. “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 expressed.
The transition marks not just the end of the Oakland era, but the beginning of a new chapter for the Athletics. As the team prepares for this significant shift, fans are reminded of the rich history that has defined the franchise and the numerous players who have contributed to its legacy. The Athletics have the honor of having seven players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a testament to the talent that has graced the diamond over the years.
As the final home game draws near, set for Thursday, emotions will run high in the Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics’ last series in the city, against the Texas Rangers, promises to be a heartfelt farewell to a community that has supported the team through decades of highs and lows. Though Oakland will no longer be the team's home, the memories and legacy forged in this city will endure, cherished by fans and preserved in the annals of baseball history.