January 12, 2005
Bad News
I actually knew about this last night, since the Oakland Tribune was breaking this story this morning, but could not say anything until the paper hit the stands.
For those of you in the Bay Area, go get a copy of the Trib (or San Mateo County Times, Argus, Tri-Valley Herald, etc.). Read it an weep.
Oh well, at least I will have no reason to root for an American League team again.
I also am going to continue my current practice of never stepping foot in Las Vegas. I have not done so, and will extend my ban forever. There are too many interesting places to go to. Why waste time and money on that crap?
Posted by erik at January 12, 2005 7:56 AM | TrackBackErik:
The A's will either stay in Oakland or move to San Jose. Las Vegas is a ploy to get Oakland, Alameda County, or San Jose to cough up money for a new ball yard and nothing more.
The Colosseum was never a great venue for watching baseball, although prior to Mt. Davis it had great views of the hills. It was simply a venue more comfortable (for most people) than Candlestick.
I do not think that it would be too bad if the Elephants were to move to San Jose, and the California League (Class A)team move to downtown Oakland in a little park either on the lake or west of Broadway behind Sears and Paramount.
They can re-name the team the Oakland Oaks and use those cool old PCL uniforms. High school leagues and American Legion teams could also use the field for champioship games and Top Dog could open a stand in the bleachers. Life could be a lot worse (like watching games at SkyDome).
You people are all optimists. They have been setting this thing up for a long time, with the Comish grumbling about whether a team can really compete in the Oakland market, etc.
On the other hand, this might be a play to get our idiot city government (and our otherwise smart, but acting idiotic in this issue, Mayor, His Excellency Jerry Brown) to move on a ball park. I have to say I have mixed feelings about this, since the Mayor-designate, Ignacio de la Fuente, ain't the sharpest tack in the box, so if we get a new ballpark, it will probably be at public expense and not nearly as good as PacBell/SBC/Flavor of the Month Park.
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at January 12, 2005 3:57 PMDon't worry about it. 'Tain't happening.
I remember very well the excitement here in '79 about the A's imminent move to Denver. That worked out oh-so-well.
Baseball moved in geological time on the Expos move, it would take quite a while to allow another move so soon. That's even before taking into consideration the whole question about the propriety of a big-league team in Nevada. They're likelier to move to SJ, Sac'to, Portland, Salt Lake Village or even somewhere in the central valley.
Then again, there's a more radical solution. Couldn't they get a good lease at the across the bay? The Giants could use additional the revenue stream to defray their costs and it gives every indication of being as good a ballpark as there is.
Posted by: Gregg the obscure at January 12, 2005 3:13 PMVegas. Pfeh. If the A's go anywhere it should be back to Philadelphia.
Posted by: Mark C N Sullivan at January 12, 2005 2:44 PMWell.. except for that "The Biggest Problem... " issue.
Posted by: Parklife at January 12, 2005 2:02 PMYou seem to be getting a bit ahead of yourself. The A’s are not gone. Yet. Every day for the last five years I light a candle in hope the short move south. The new owner has a history in San Jose. He tried to bring the Warriors and the Giants south. LV does not seem like a realistic option. After all, how could they keep P. Rose out of the HoF?
Ps. Love the site. Keep up the great work.