On a day when there are two MLB Playoff elimination games, one major headline is less than joyous for one big league city. Furthermore, we’re talking about the Oakland Athletics. Fresh off a 97-win season, Oakland has found success while playing at the old Oakland Coliseum. Recently re-named Rickey Henderson Field – there’s a push for them to get a new ballpark.
Moreover, reports are out Wednesday that a new stadium could be needed to keep them rooted in Oakland. Per NBC Sports, Rob Manfred made a statement to the Oakland mayor that could have them moving to Las Vegas otherwise.
Las Vegas A's?
Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf confirmed MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's statement that the team could move to Sin City as a result of the city's lawsuit against the teamhttps://t.co/1GpD1G05L4 pic.twitter.com/6ur20Q3AQd
— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) October 8, 2019
Now in regards to Manfred, it’s important to note that what he says is not always what he means. However, here’s a quote from the MLB commissioner.
“In a recent meeting with the mayor of Oakland, I did mention Las Vegas in the context of pointing out that the A’s might have to relocate if a new stadium can’t be built in Oakland,” Manfred told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “There is, however, no plan to move to Las Vegas.”
The Oakland mayor is Libby Schaaf. Without question, her quote tells of a person who takes Manfred’s words seriously.
“The reports of that are accurate, [Las Vegas] is the city that came out of his mouth. Obviously he chose his city wisely as far as exposing a pain-point that all Oaklanders feel about losing our sports teams.”
The Oakland Coliseum opened in 1972. Obviously, the tie-in here is that the Oakland Raiders are moving to Las Vegas next season; creating a major source of pain for Oakland fans that the mayor speaks of.
While the Athletics don’t draw the best home crowds – ranking 24th in baseball in 2019 (20,500 fans per game) – they have found a way to be successful. Their general manager Billy Beane continually has the team competitive while on a lesser payroll. Indeed, they are the franchise in which the book and film Moneyball was based off. Today they remain a visionary franchise in changing the way other teams value their players.
It goes without saying that it’s probably best for the sport if they remain in Oakland, but eventually they will need a new stadium to remain there.
