Elephant Rumblings: Final Coliseum series underway
MLB news roundup
Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!
The final Athletics series at the Oakland Coliseum is underway, with just two games remaining at the A’s storied home of nearly six decades before this rich—and complicated—chapter in baseball history comes to a close.
Unsurprisingly, baseball journalists are putting a bright spotlight on this final week of Oakland A’s baseball. Love it or hate it, the San Francisco Chronicle is marking the occasion with several features, including a five-part oral history of the franchise’s most successful eras that includes perspectives on the A’s moves from many of the team’s stars through the decades.
Melissa Lockard at The Athletic has delivered a wealth of coverage over the years informed by her deep knowledge of baseball and four decades of A’s fandom. You won’t want to miss her poignant reflections on what being an A’s fan has instilled in her. So that’s a second paywall you may want to find a way through this week if you have to.
A’s owner John Fisher sent a letter to fans yesterday on Monday to let us know that he feels our pain, and to invite us along for the team’s continuing journey to Las Vegas via Sacramento. There’s no shortage of deft deconstruction of the heaping pile of BS Fisher served us to be found, but this pitch perfect takedown by Larry Beil at ABC7 is probably my favorite.
A more persuasive case for A’s fans to stick around was made right here on AN by longtime contributor Nico. And fellow contributor FGPolito shared his final experience at the Coliseum.
There’s even a critical postmortem on the Moneyball phenomenon out this week, in which author Michael Lewis shares his thoughts on the analytical movement’s longer term impact on baseball.
Last night’s walk off was quite a treat. On to the final two games at the Coli. Let’s go, Oakland!
A’s Coverage:
- Walk-off! Jacob Wilson’s first sends A’s home winners
- A Final Trip to the Coliseum
- Semien reflects on Coliseum memories before final series
- ‘Maybe something falls through’: A’s greats from ’80s bash team’s move to Sacramento ($)
- Bash Brothers A’s were almost a dynasty, forged unique bonds in Coliseum ($)
- Thank you, Oakland A’s ($)
- The Oakland A’s are leaving. What I’ll carry with me after 4 decades as a fan ($)
- Oakland A’s fans say painful farewell ahead of move to Las Vegas
- Vince Cotroneo, Ken Korach approach final Oakland Athletics games: ‘It’s hard to say goodbye — for everybody’
- What did Oakland A’s owner John Fisher say to fans in his farewell letter? ($)
- A’s exit from Oakland hurts worse as John Fisher adds insult to injury ($)
- Did ‘Moneyball’ ruin baseball? Why author Michael Lewis agrees it hurt the game ($)
- A’s photographer Michael Zagaris zooms in on Coliseum’s final days in MLB ($)
MLB News & Interest:
- Previewing The 2024-25 MLB Free Agent Class: Shortstop
- Giants’ Zaidi accepts job scrutiny, discusses Snell, Luciano and a lost season ($)
- Charlie Blackmon To Retire At Season’s End
- Inside Shohei Ohtani’s historic, tumultuous, as-yet unfulfilled first Dodgers season ($)
- MLB Power Rankings: Mets, Tigers on the upswing; 1 thing each team is playing for ($)
- Marlins To Designate Cristian Pache For Assignment
- As White Sox set a record for futility, their TV postgame show has never been better ($)
- Austin Riley Won’t Return In 2024
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Roster moves.
1B Ryan Noda to MID, IF Darell Hernaiz/RHP Joe Boyle to A’s, A’s RHP Brandon Bielak DFA’d, RHPs Gunnar Hoglund & Jake Pfennigs off LV development list, LHP James Gonzalez to MID, RHP Pedro Santos to LV IL, RHP Jake Garland/SS Joshua Kuroda-Grauer to LV…https://t.co/joKXkyUAPy
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) September 24, 2024
Ruiz surgery update.
A’s announce Esteury Ruiz underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery today in Texas. pic.twitter.com/QCqa4ZO20r
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) September 24, 2024
This tweet is long but worth reading.
The final series of the A’s playing in both Oakland and the Coliseum begins tonight.
— Justice For Oakland Fans (@jvb43) September 24, 2024
Here is what EVERYONE needs to remember ⬇️
Never forget the A’s would’ve had a new stadium in Oakland 20 years ago had Bud Selig not blocked the sale of the A’s to Andy Dolich and Bob Piccinini… pic.twitter.com/tKlsChYqMo
Farewell signage.
The signs in RF as the A's begin their final series at the Oakland Coliseum:
— Matt (@nosoupforgeorge) September 25, 2024
"Rooted in Revenue Share"
"Vivek Repent"
"Moneyball. Major League."
"Doris, 4 Real: Get Him"
"Come Back to Oakland"
"Goodbye MLB"
"SELL"
"No Fans Like Oakland Fans"
"Generational Robbery" pic.twitter.com/2ME1gtmBpG
On. Point.
“You destroyed your family’s great name and legacy because of your cheapness… I would love to see another massive failure by this ownership group and then maybe MLB would force a sale.”
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 24, 2024
This Oakland reporter went scorched earth on A’s owner John Fisher pic.twitter.com/kbx8pIi9Hp
Heavy is the king’s crown asshat.
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) September 24, 2024
Midland All-Stars.
Huge congratulations to Brennan Milone, Cooper Bowman, and Colby Thomas for being named to the Texas League 2024 All-Star Team! https://t.co/VTSiDKmu7Q
— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) September 24, 2024
And a huge honor for Thomas.
BIG CONGRATS to @colby_thomas2 being named Minor League Player of the Year by @BaseballAmerica ⚾ His hard work, dedication, and incredible talent have paid off in a huge way this season.
— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) September 24, 2024
Let’s show him some love in the comments
We know he’ll continue to make big… pic.twitter.com/q7wxZX8hVr
Aviators finish just a skosh under .500
.@AviatorsLV finished their regular season on Sunday with a record of 74-75 (.497) and a 6.01 team ERA & a .856 team OPS.
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) September 24, 2024
Team leaders:
IF Jordan Diaz: Hits (119), RBI (85)
1B Ryan Noda: BB (89), Runs (81)
C Carlos Perez: HR (27), XBH (58)
RHP Robert Dugger: IP (94), K (87)
Do or die today for the Hounds.
Tomorrow night. Winner takes all for the Texas League title.#OurTownOurTeam | @conocophillips pic.twitter.com/Rt1ZOkwK6K
— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) September 25, 2024