A's to change road jersey

[Puckguy14]

I went to the A's Giants game yesterday, and as I was leaving, I noticed the authentic jerseys for sale and that the road jerseys had Athletics instead of Oakland. My guess is that these are for next year, however, could this be the first sign of the team's eventual relocation? Staying in Oakland? Going out to eastern Alameda County in Pleasanton? San Jose (which requires Selig to give in and give up territorial rights from the Giants when they were considering a move to SJ), or Sacramento where Raley Field, the home of the River Cats, can be easily expanded.

[Puckguy14]

OOPS! Forgot the pic!

[CC97]

I'd say this is the first indication that the Athletics will soon no longer be playing in Oakland.

Either they'll move outside the city limits and stay in the region, or are heading out to Las Vegas.

[Suigi]

Why can't that darn Athletics franchise stay PUT?!

First it was Philly, then Kansas City, then Oakland, now what?

[Audiodrama]

I'd say this is the first indication that the Athletics will soon no longer be playing in Oakland.

Either they'll move outside the city limits and stay in the region, or are heading out to Las Vegas.

I absolutely concur. And it's about time, might I add. I can't stand to see the A's play in the coliseum any longer. The place just isn't built for baseball.

[redsfan39]

las vegas here we come. tonite- oakland rays vs the las vegas a's

[Puckguy14]

WEll yeah the city has been trying to grab the Raiders since they left Oakland for Los Angeles. When they were rumored to come back in 1990, the original football configuration (with the bleacher benches were to be placed in the outfield (the Coliseum kept the seating once the Raiders left and the USFL's Invaders came and went. (Note: The Invaders had the field setup with one endzone in centerfield, the other at approximately home plate.) Also note: in 1990, since they were busy trying to grab the Raiders, they lost out on the Sharks at the Coliseum Arena.

When the Raiders OFFICIALLY came back in 1995, to get it to NFL standards, they tore out the Bleachers, and got rid of the view of the Oakland hills in centerfield. All this without consent of the A's, as they were brushed aside as if they were nothing but Bevacqua. The construction was so bad that the team had to play its first couple of series in Las Vegas, and played "under construction" during the 1996 season. Since then the team has tried to get out of the Coliseum lease and demand a new stadium. San Jose and nearby Santa Clara have been choices, but the Giants have cried foul saying that the area is in Giants territory, which was ironically given to them when the team was trying to build a stadium down there in the late 80's and early 90's.

Since then Commisioner Bud Selig has said no. And on the list of teams to contract (yeah, a 100 year franchise to be contracted, that's how much he dislikes the A's) a website began to save the A's prior to their consecutive playoff appearances. The website found an interview of Bud Selig in Washington. Which is quoting him saying:

"I watched 32 years ago the Kansas City A's move to Oakland. They hurt the Giants badly. They never really did very well themselves. It was a horrible mistake."

- Bud Selig, 6/2001, annual congressional baseball, Washington, D.C.

Want official proof? Here's the link to the inteview. http://www.oaklandfans.com/selig/selig_hi.rm

[otherwilds]

Rename them the Vagabond Athletics

[cyandlux]

I don't know about any possible moves involving the A's. BUT...does anyone remember how they drew for those few regular season games in Las Vegas that they played awhile ago? I know Vegas is a little bigger now, Im from Henderson, but those numbers would be important if anyone wanted to move there now, IMO. Just to see if the A's even drew back then.

[Puckguy14]

"I watched 32 years ago the Kansas City A's move to Oakland. They hurt the Giants badly. They never really did very well themselves. It was a horrible mistake."

- Bud Selig, 6/2001, annual congressional baseball, Washington, D.C.

Never did well themselves? Let's see if Selig remembers 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1989. Yeah they did horrible those years. I wonder if Selig forgot the TIE he had in his home ballpark for the ASG 3 years ago.

[Gothamite]

Vegas? No way. There's the whole gambling issue first of all, not to mention the lack of corporate support.

[Grish]

if I remember correctly...they had the "Athletics" on their uni's 20 years ago and they where not moving. Just prior to Bash Brothers era. Just like until a few years ago the Dodgers said Dodgers.

Also if I also remember correctly they wear their green's most the time on the road and they say "Athletics"....

I am sure one day they will move if the city government does not start doing some things to insure their franchises want to stay.

Oakland has to be one of the best sports towns with the worst government representing their interests.

[Puckguy14]

cyandlux, I think the place was sold out and mainly because of the lack of seats. I forget but I think this was prior to Cashman Field expanding its capacity.

Side note: My dad lives in Henderson near Green Valley Ranch. Try and stay cool down there.

[VitaminD]

Who's going to make the season ticket base for a Vegas team? The vast majority of the work force is tied to the casinos. Most of those people are shift workers, and the chances of those people having enough disposable income for 81 games, PLUS the schedule freedom to make all 81 games seems impossible on the surface. Also, most of the income in Vegas is from the transient population of toursits that come through, and those people would almost all have rooting interests in teams besides the A's; why would I go check out an A's/Royals game in Vegas while I am out there if I am not a fan of either team?

Sure, you'd have ample tickets to throw at the high rollers, but I go to Vegas for Vegas - gambling, sports books, shows, et cetera. I can drive 10 miles to see Major League Baseball whenever the Phillies are home.

Vegas just never seems like a great idea for pro sports, but it keeps coming up. I'd love to see it work, but I don't now if it is the wisest move, economically.

[Puckguy14]

They had Oakland or A's on their jerseys prior to going to back to button down and belts. 1987 when they changed was the first time since the blue and red days in KC that they wore Athletics. Next year will be the first time in almost 50 years (I believe) that both home and away have Athletics on their jerseys.

[cyandlux]

Who's going to make the season ticket base for a Vegas team?  The vast majority of the work force is tied to the casinos.  Most of those people are shift workers, and the chances of those people having enough disposable income for 81 games, PLUS the schedule freedom to make all 81 games seems impossible on the surface.  Also, most of the income in Vegas is from the transient population of toursits that come through, and those people would almost all have rooting interests in teams besides the A's; why would I go check out an A's/Royals game in Vegas while I am out there if I am not a fan of either team?

Sure, you'd have ample tickets to throw at the high rollers, but I go to Vegas for Vegas - gambling, sports books, shows, et cetera.  I can drive 10 miles to see Major League Baseball whenever the Phillies are home.

Vegas just never seems like a great idea for pro sports, but it keeps coming up.  I'd love to see it work, but I don't now if it is the wisest move, economically.

If you centeralize the stadium (I dont like the behind Paris idea) there are about 1.5 million people living in the Valley. I'd say 70% of the people are gambling related. But the shift argument actually doesnt hold up because of that 30% are UNLV students & teachers, business owners, lawyers.....yes strippers and cocktail waitresses, but htats where youd get single game ticket sales, not to mention out of towners saying "Hey the Phillies are in Vegas this weekend, lets go to Vegas get drunk and watch a game." Will it work? I dont know.

The 51s are having their problems, and the mayor wants a pro hockey team downtown near the Outlet Center. He also wants a 100,000 seat stadium for the superbowl and other special events. Plus he wants the NBA ASG, so they need to please too many leagues and teams, so who knows.

As for the A's leaving Oakland, I'd rather see it in San Jose - but the dotcommers have left, so theres hardly big leisure money there, they LOVE the Sharks, could they love the A's if they already love the Giants? I dont think so.

BTW - Im actually in Manchester, CT now going to school, its not as hot here, but in the 90's. Man, one day of 90 degree whether and the news called it a heatwave, in Vegas you gotta have 2 weeks of 100 degrees or higher for anyone to take notice

[WSU151]

Who's going to make the season ticket base for a Vegas team? The vast majority of the work force is tied to the casinos. Most of those people are shift workers, and the chances of those people having enough disposable income for 81 games, PLUS the schedule freedom to make all 81 games seems impossible on the surface. Also, most of the income in Vegas is from the transient population of toursits that come through, and those people would almost all have rooting interests in teams besides the A's; why would I go check out an A's/Royals game in Vegas while I am out there if I am not a fan of either team?

Sure, you'd have ample tickets to throw at the high rollers, but I go to Vegas for Vegas - gambling, sports books, shows, et cetera. I can drive 10 miles to see Major League Baseball whenever the Phillies are home.

Vegas just never seems like a great idea for pro sports, but it keeps coming up. I'd love to see it work, but I don't now if it is the wisest move, economically.

Exactly. I think most people who visit Vegas would rather go see a show or a concert for their entertainment rather than a baseball game.

[Gothamite]

Who's going to make the season ticket base for a Vegas team? The vast majority of the work force is tied to the casinos. Most of those people are shift workers, and the chances of those people having enough disposable income for 81 games, PLUS the schedule freedom to make all 81 games seems impossible on the surface. Also, most of the income in Vegas is from the transient population of toursits that come through, and those people would almost all have rooting interests in teams besides the A's; why would I go check out an A's/Royals game in Vegas while I am out there if I am not a fan of either team?

Good points. With very few exceptions, the whole push to get into "emerging markets" has been a disaster for that very reason.

People in growing markets have allegiances to other teams. Those don't go away overnight.

[amare32]

I like "Oakland" on the roadies. And I would feel bad for the City of Oakland to lose there team. But on the upside, I think Las Vegas Athletics would make a more natural "natural rival" for the Diamondbacks in interleague play.

[Perfect Zero]

Does anybody here think of places out of the United States when they think of relocation. I could see a city like San Jose or even Mexico City having a MLB team without any problems. I wouldn't want it to work out like the Expos, but it would be fun to see how a team does in these growing baseball markets.