The A’s deliver an emotional and memorable victory in their final game in Oakland

OAKLAND — Fans turned out in droves at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday, hours before kickoff, to take part in the Celebration of Life for the A’s.

After 57 years in the city, the A’s are gone, gone… gone.

They will finish the 2024 campaign with a three-game series in Seattle before moving to a temporary home in Sacramento next season. They have their eye on a permanent home in Las Vegas.

Their departure leaves die-hard A’s struggling with a myriad of emotions, from anger and heartache to denial and acceptance. However, Thursday was mainly about joy. It ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory over rookie pitcher Kumar Rocker and the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.

Cue Kool & The Gang “Celebration”.

And celebrate that they did it, players and fans alike. That said, some remained, wiping away tears.

Among the crowd of 46,889 fans dressed in green and gold, hundreds of them carried banners with heartfelt messages. Many of them expressed their thanks to the team. Others spread hate directed at neglectful owner John Fisher.

Some talked about mourning. “Baseball is crying today,” one reads.

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Manager Mark Kotsay intentionally unplugs his microphone after speaking to A’s fans during the team’s final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday. (Brandon Vallance – Santa Cruz Ranger)

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Some of the biggest names shone in Oakland – Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Eric Chavez, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Dennis Eckersley… and delivered the city lots of success.

Over the years, Oakland fans have exhausted their vocal chords on every A’s player, regardless of his success.

Most often it was justified. In Oakland, the A’s won 17 AL West Division crowns, six AL pennants, four World Series, produced seven Hall of Famers, seven MVPs and seven Cy Young award winners.

This legendary franchise went to great lengths to prepare for a memorable home finale. Each fan received a souvenir ticket upon entry and a miniature replica of the Colosseum upon exit.

As fans made their way to their seats, they saw their beloved stadium, a sight painful to see since Mount Davis was built in 1995, but beautiful on this sun-drenched afternoon.

On the lawn in the middle of the field was a message to the city: “Thank you, Oakland.” In the distance, a “Holy Toledo” sign glowed in tribute to legendary announcer Bill King.

Henderson and Stewart threw the ceremonial first pitch. Zito was also there and caused a sensation during the singing of the national anthem, although it was interrupted by the glorious and deafening U-2 flyover.

Once the match started, the highlights kept coming. Most of the A’s “wow” action came on defense.

In between game-long “Sell the Team” chants from fans, they witnessed JT Ginn pitch for over 5 1/2 innings and gave him a standing ovation when he was pulled.

They were also gifted with two internet gems. They roared in approval when second baseman Zach Gelof ran and dived to catch Nathaniel Lowe’s line drive in the fourth inning, and again when center fielder JJ Bleday robbed Carson Kelly of extra bases with his diving hit in the seventh inning.

The fans shouted exceptionally loudly for their team during the seventh inning.

And iconic professional cheerleader “Krazy” George Henderson made his presence felt by hitting his signature snare drum and bringing fans to their feet to perform his masterpiece – the wave.

Closer Mason Miller finished the afternoon with plenty of triple-digit fastballs to give the A’s the win. It achieved a top speed of 103.8 miles per hour.

The A’s dugout and coaching staff emerged from the dugout and met on the pitcher’s mound to celebrate their memorable victory as “Celebration” blared over the loudspeakers. Mascot Stomper waved the A flag furiously before Max Schuemann grabbed it and started running around the stadium.

The team lined up on the third-base line and manager Mark Kotsay thanked the fans for all they had given over the years and for making Oakland a special place. His players nodded to the adoring crowd.

Kotsay then asked the crowd to chant “Lets go Oakland” one last time, and they happily obliged – for a full minute. After each chorus, the “A”s clapped in unison.

The ceremony was a beautiful and unforgettable farewell.

Fans of each A, both die-hard and casual, have their own memories explaining why the A’s and their visits to the Coliseum were special to them. We all have them. And they all run deep.

It will be strange to drive down Interstate 880, see the Coliseum from the road, and allow yourself to realize: We will never see an A’s game there again.

Fan A or not, he will be remembered. And I missed you. Often.

Originally published: September 26, 2024 at 23:24