Oakland Athletics

[CobaltBlue]

I am currently watching, throught MLB Extra Innings, the Aug. 2 game of Toronto Blue Jays @ Oakland Athletics.

A's are doing really well this year.

I find it sad that there doesn't appear to be a good attendance from Oakland-area residents. It's a good season for the A's, and I'd think the team would get better ticket sales. But I know Oakland isn't what it used to be. 40 years they won the first of three consecutive World Series, and the first in California, and they haven't represented the AL in the Fall Classic since 1990.

Should we bet on Athletics moving out of Oakland and relocating elsewhere?

[KatyMan]

1. Their stadium is awful

At least it was 7 or 8 years ago when we were in the Bay area and went to an A's game. The people were great, had a nice variety of food/vendors, but the building itself is ancient, seemed too large for baseball, and some parts of it, frankly, just smelled like pee. Not dissing Oakland or the A's at all, it just seemed to this visitor that it's time for a new pad for them.

[eninn]

2. Good topic

Good topic

[Auggie]

3. Small market syndrome

The A's must undergo a series of rebuilds every few years to stay in contention. Last season they traded away a chunk of a very good starting pitching staff for a lot or prospects and established (albeit under-achieving) veterans. They struggled up until the All-Star game then unexpectedly caught fire, compiling one of the best (if not the best) records in baseball over July and August.

I think the problem is that the current roster hasn't clicked with fans. We may see an attendance spike as the playoffs near and if the Athletics stay in playoff contention.

I wouldn't blame low attendance on the stadium.

[CreekDog]

5. this is a myth --for years they had millions in that stadium

they fielded good teams consistently and that brought the fans.

i was at a sellout game midseason from the awful, awful Mt. Davis seats back in 2002.

[Auggie]

8. What you said: fielded good teams consistently

This was their first postseason since 2006. It took a while for fans to catch the vibe.

[Aquavit]

4. A's are moving aren't they?

I haven't lived in the Bay Area for a while so my info is probably bad, but aren't they building a new stadium off Hwy 237 and Great America in Santa Clara for the A's? Or is that the 49ers I'm thinking of?

In any case, they're making an improbable run and it's great to see them in the playoff hunt.

[CreekDog]

6. for the 49ers, not the A's

but you'd be correct in making the association. why?

because the Raiders could play at the new Santa Clara stadium, in addition to the 49ers --and the 49ers are open to that arrangement. it would give both a new facility at half the cost of one.

as for the A's?

then the Oakland Coliseum is freed up to be a baseball only facility for the A's. a new park could be built nearby and the old park torn down, like they did with the Vet in Philly.

[glacierbay]

7. The same in NY

with Yankee Stadium, built a new one across the street and tore down the old one. Sad to see the old Yankee Stadium go, lots of history there but it was becoming a hazard.