EMERGENCY NOTICE--SHOW UP- Press conference Tues--Keep the A's in Oakland

by chooseoakland on Nov 13, 2006 7:54 PM PST

Dear Oakland's A's Fans,

Are we going out like that? Like sheep to be slaughtered by the game players. Without even a whimper? I say NOT.

Below is the press release I have sent out. It would be amazing if you all could show up too.

I know it's short notice. I have been out of town on biz, but tomorrow is the big day and there should be a community response from US! All the media outlets have been contacted. I hope you can show up. Please tell your friends. On your mark, get set, Go!

best,

Robert Limon

CHOOSE OR LOSE THE OAKLAND A'S
News Release November 13, 2006

Contact: Robert Limon, Community Organizer

The "Keep the A's in Oakland" Community Responds to A's Ownership

Attend a press conference to empower the community, demand leadership, and provide a public forum for the community to express their perspective about the A's moving out of Oakland.

OAKLAND, CA. The "Keep the A's in Oakland" community is tired of waiting for visionary leadership and integrity, and angered at the profit driven desire by a billionaire owner (John S. Fisher) to dislodge their community asset and resource--The A's. The community is holding a press conference to activate the community, and demand integrity and communication from City leaders and the A's ownership group. The press conference will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, from 6:00-7:00 PM at the Uptown Bar and Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph (at 19th), in downtown Oakland.

Below are the requests and demands that will be elaborated on at the press conference:

Call for Managerial Integrity: In light of the Million$ of current profit garnered this past year, can Lew Wolff and John Fisher defend the potential damage resulting to the cultural fabric of Oakland by tearing the A's out of Oakland?
Call for Civic Leadership: If such a move as planned by Lew Wolff and John Fisher is executed upon, our leaders owe the community an explanation for their actions, or lack thereof, and what-if anything- they will commit to in the near future. We request this critical item be agendized at the City Council level, the County level, and at the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), as soon as possible so that the highest and best plan possible for the A's can be coordinated and advanced.
Call for Community Empowerment: The Keep the A's in Oakland community has created a $250K urban design for the current location. Come see for yourself what can be invented if the community is allowed to have a voice in the decision-making process. This solution will highlight real estate development, the leveraging of Enterprise Zone funds, low interest federal bonds and provide ample assistance for Lew Wolff and John Fisher to use as help for financing their development. The bottom-line question for everyone is: Can we do it right so that everyone wins?
Call for Corporate Responsibility: Can Lew Wolff and Billionaire John S. Fisher outline the terms and conditions necessary to keep the A's in Oakland so that corporations such as Bayer, Pixar, Chiron, Chevron, Clorox, (etc.) and the Chambers of Commerce of Oakland and other East Bay cities can lend their support?

Request to the Oakland / East Bay region Community:
Help empower the community to get into action: please go to keeptheasinoakland.com
get on the email list, and be prepared to show up for city council meetings as we invent a future for the A's.

Please cover this Community event. Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated. The event will begin promptly at 6:00 PM with our demands and requests, and will complete by 7:00 PM at the Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Ave downtown Oakland. For more information, contact Robert Limon at chooseorloseoakland@yahoo.com

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Keep the A's in Oakland!

We don't need no stinkin stadium! Oakland supports the A's fine the way it is now! The A's are privlaged to rank as high as 26th in attendance!

We need to call out to the A's to be as loyal to Oakland as Oakland is to the A's... er...

We need to Call out to the A's to be 5 times as loyal to Oakland as Oakland is to the A's! Yeah, that sounds better.

by Zonis on Nov 13, 2006 7:53 PM PST reply actions

The A's have already been 5 times as loyal...

If the A's were only as loyal to Oakland as Oakland has been to them, they would have vacated the Coliseum as soon as Mt. Davis was built.

Oakland and the Coliseum chose the Raiders and chose to tell the A's to go to hell. Choices have consequences.

by socal on Nov 13, 2006 8:21 PM PST up reply actions

Right on.

And, luckily, the consequences don't involve the team leaving the Bay Area.

Win/win.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 13, 2006 8:27 PM PST up reply actions

How dare the team move 20 miles away

HOW DARE THEY TRY AND KEEP THEIR TEAM NEAR ITS FANS????

HEARTLESS CAPITALISTIC BASTARDS

/sarcasm (just in case it must absolutely be noted)

there's simply no club like the white elephant club

by walk off bunt on Nov 14, 2006 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

Minutes, minutes

20 minutes, before I draw any typo-induced wrath.

there's simply no club like the white elephant club

by walk off bunt on Nov 14, 2006 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

great comment. Share that tuesday night.

I agree with this comment too. But this billionaire John s. Fisher, whose dad started the GAP, put the money in the A's as a strictly corporate investment.

These money hogs want their greenbacks no matter whose backs they have to break. No conscience whatsoever. Reminds me of the documentary "the Corporation"--- no ethics or morals--only to the god of greenbacks. John Fisher is 248th richest person in the world worth close to 2 billion Dollars. He bought the Giants in the 90's b/c he did not want them to move to Florida. Than sold that interest to purchase the A's. He lives in SF. hmmmmmmm

Killing lot's of birds with one stone.

Way to BE JOHN S. FISHER.

YOU OWE US AN EXPLANATION!

80% Owner is 100% responsible for this.

SPEAK JOHN S. FISHER. SPEAK. SPEAK SPEAK SPEAK

OLLEY OLLEY OXEN FREE!

by chooseoakland on Nov 13, 2006 8:06 PM PST reply actions

John Fisher doesn't owe you dick.

You said yourself he bought the Giants to keep them from moving, he lives in the Bay Area, he's clearly found a way to make a profit AND keep the A's around, and he's financing the stadium construction HIMSELF.

So why on earth would he owe you anything after all that?

Maybe, if you're so against the greedheads, you can go earn a few hundy million and buy the team off him. Though, I'm guessing if you did, you'd think that staying in Oakland was a dumb way to use your money.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 13, 2006 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

Gee, HO

You'd almost think baseball is like a business or something. Whoda thunk it?

I agree with you, all this anti-Fisher because of his GAP ties is stupid.

BigLeagueChoo: rerish noooo

by JLaff on Nov 13, 2006 9:05 PM PST up reply actions

Relax...it's only my opinion, but deeper

John Fisher's dad said it best : cities are defined by their Arts and their Sports teams.

I am Oakland through and through. I love having the A's as part of my lifestyle choice. It's sweet. Reggie used to date my next door neighbor the A's ballgirl Mary Barry...back in the '70s.

here's a little Reality check: Wolff got the A's at the last minute through bud selig. There was another group that were one week away from owning the A's, and they would have kept the A's in Oakland. They had the deal wrapped up until Bud stole it away to Lew, and one week later, it was done. Biz right? ok. Enron was biz too. And no bid contracts to Iraq is biz. So is Oil industries cozy relationship to OPEC. It's biz and we should defend it?..I digress.

Back to good ole Bud Selig who has never made any bones about how he wanted the A's out of Oakland.

So yea, I feel Fisher needs to own his silent actions. That's how I think all people should be. Not silent like they have no responsibility after they act and create impacts to communities. It's not even about "right" and "wrong". It's about being straight and complete.

That's why I am also requesting the city's leaders to own their actions and choices. I totally agree they have shrugged their collective shoulders. These leaders have also shrugged their shoulders around important issues like schools, and the cycle of poverty and violence in Oakland. They need to own their silent actions. That's really why I am doing this.

So that's my opinion. Let's just be straight. No candy coatings please---no spin doctoring. No disrespect to John Fisher, or the political leaders. Just OWN your actions and be prepared to communicate with the communities you impact.

By the way, don'think the entire east bay community will not be impacted by game days down 880. Nor will the Fremont community be impacted as they subsidize the infrastructure (police, roads, etc.) for the A's. Or all the commuters who are stuck in traffic everyday on 680 and 880.
I shudder at the thought.

So peace out fellow Oakland A's Fans. Be well,

by chooseoakland on Nov 13, 2006 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

as a Fremonter...

I welcome the impact. It'll be fun.

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Nov 13, 2006 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

Mary Berry? Julia Gulia?

WTF!!!!

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Nov 14, 2006 1:09 AM PST up reply actions

You had your chance to own your own choice.

But when Oakland's city fathers were waving bye bye to the A's, you did nothing.

Now that the A's have packed up and left, now you want to suddenly get organized.

Too little, way too late. You had your team, you had your chance to keep them, and you blew it.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 14, 2006 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Ignorant and mean

Robert Limon has in fact been organizing on this for years, including several well attended pre-game events during the season this year. Whether or not it was effective, he's hardly just now getting organized. Not only do you betray your ignorance here, you compound the error with the "you blew it" taunt. Other than stroking your own sense of self-satisfaction, what possible purpose does that post serve?

Oh, and are you still holding to your repeatedly expressed belief that "Fremont" will never be a part of the team name?

"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" --Johnny Rotten

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 14, 2006 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

The only way Of Fremont works..

...is if they're called the East Bay A's.

So yeah... kinda.

On your statement re: organizers being at it earlier than I said, sorry man, but what I said stands. Too little, too late.

The way to handle this situation wasn't to have a few tailgate parties. It was to organize serious groups of fans and have them actively petition the city, to the point where they controlled an actual voting bloc.

Instead, a whole lot of people bitched and moaned, but also stood right out of the mix and left it to other people to do something (or not do anything).

The deal is done. The team will move. And whether they're Of Fremont or not, they'll be much better off for it.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 15, 2006 12:29 AM PST up reply actions

Someone has a Mr. Fisher Issue

So, let me guess, that job you had at The Gap didn't work out last year?

My man, Our team is staying in the Bay Area. Just 20 miles to the South.

We won, the team will win. There is nothing bad about this.

You would prefer the Portland or Las Vegas A's?

~This is a simple game...You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. YOU GOT IT!?!

by BornInOakland @ Athletics Nation on Nov 13, 2006 8:32 PM PST up reply actions

I'm inclined to say... "dude, chill."

You get to keep the team in the Bay Area. You get a new stadium and a bigger payroll. And all it costs you is a 20 minute drive.

So, like, no. You're wrong.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 13, 2006 8:26 PM PST reply actions

Too Little Too Late

Or, in words that best define the efforts of the city of Oakland for the last 10 years,

A Day Late And A Dollar Short.

Your sentiment and efforts are admirable. But bigger forces and plans are in motion now. It's over for the A's in Oakland.

The new path begins tomorrow morning at their press conference.

~This is a simple game...You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. YOU GOT IT!?!

by BornInOakland @ Athletics Nation on Nov 13, 2006 8:29 PM PST reply actions

I am chilled--but I request you speak truth

20 minutes south? Right!

That's if you're driving down to Fremont during non rush hour. Try getting down there from anywhere bay area for a 7pm anything is a gridlocked mess.

Oh, by the way, Fisher did not earn his money, He inherited it.

I am chilled out. I will have my say tomorrow night, hopefully cause the community to get activated a little bit, and then who knows. With an activated community, maybe miracles can happen in more ways than just a baseball team's development.

peace out

by chooseoakland on Nov 13, 2006 8:43 PM PST reply actions

This All Sounds Pretty High School

Up to and including your line about The the owners tearing the A's out of Oakland.

You haven't done your homework.

The city of Oakland is doing nothing, not a thing, to keep the A's in Oakland. The A's aren't being torn away. The owners have stated their case and the city of Oakland is shrugging its collective shoulders.

Those are the facts. You can't marshal troops for the A's to be kept in Oakland when the city itself doesn't care and hasn't made the time for issue. They can't. Oakland has problems that go well and beyond baseball.

As for your Fisher issues, you sound jealous or something about the guy. I'm glad he's on our side.

~This is a simple game...You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. YOU GOT IT!?!

by BornInOakland @ Athletics Nation on Nov 13, 2006 9:05 PM PST up reply actions

Why on earth

are you jumping on this guy for trying to keep the A's in Oakland? He cares, which is more than I can say for most people here. Sports fandom used to have civic pride attached to it. It still should. Otherwise, it's all just plastic.

Get out the way and let the gentleman do his thing.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 10:18 AM PST up reply actions

Not for Sure

Good luck guys. Thanks for defending Oakland.

by apilgrim on Nov 13, 2006 8:58 PM PST reply actions

this is some funny stuff...

it's a parody of some sort, right?

reztips, is that you?

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Nov 13, 2006 9:43 PM PST reply actions

lol

nice one there. it does remind me of him, if you replaced all of the pro-Oakland sentiment with anti-Oakland sentiment. It's the same tone, though.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Nov 13, 2006 10:44 PM PST up reply actions

huh???

He's the ANTI-REZ, if anything.

by Brian in 317 on Nov 14, 2006 7:12 AM PST up reply actions

Are you serious?

"The event will begin promptly at 6:00 PM with our demands"

When you wrote the original, did you cut and paste the letters from magazine print too?

Seriously, though...

Sorry, but just because Fisher runs one of the largest clothing retailers in the world, doesn't mean I'm going to hate him. I'm happy and excited he's doing this for the A's and us fans. Would you rather they move out of state? Don't forget, Oklahoma City is ready and willing to build a stadium for any sports team that shows any sign of hitching up their wagon. They've already proven their city has many, many sports fans the way they've been selling tickets to the Hornets games.

"I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team." ~ Connie Mack

by Flyin As on Nov 13, 2006 9:51 PM PST reply actions

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COLISEUM WHY ARE THEY GONNA TAKE OUR HOME AWAY FROM US! THEY MUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HISTORY! OH IF THOSE WALLS COULD TALK! SCREW THE REPLAYS ON FANCY LAPTOPS AND CELL PHONE TICKETS! LEW WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING JUST DOESNT GET IT. I CALL FOR A STRIKE!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!

"Im drinking seven and seven and theres only seven in here!"- the old Nick Swisher/ Spring 06

by 15andLovinIt28 on Nov 13, 2006 10:50 PM PST reply actions

Whatever

They took away history when they moved from Shibe in Philly, but I doubt you know what I'm referring to.

Would you rather have the team move 1,000-2,000 miles away like they did the first two times, or simply move 20 miles away to a new state-of-the-art stadium?

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Nov 13, 2006 11:46 PM PST up reply actions

Thank you!

I feel almost guilty for being in support of this move. Yes, I know there's a nostalgia factor at the Coliseum. I know the A's won 4 rings in Oakland.

But we really need a new stadium. I wonder if the people who want to keep the team in Oakland celebrated when we kept losing our stars to free agency. I wonder if they love having the field torn to shreds in October by the Raiders. I sure as hell don't.

As much as I truly love the Coliseum, I love it for the team that plays there, not for its aesthetic beauty.

BigLeagueChoo: rerish noooo

by JLaff on Nov 14, 2006 6:10 AM PST up reply actions

I think s/he was just mocking ChooseOakland

(I think)

"I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team." ~ Connie Mack

by Flyin As on Nov 14, 2006 10:10 AM PST up reply actions

I hope chooseoakland is the only one there

Why are there so many whiny people upset at Wolff and Fisher? So they've made good business decisions in their lives, big deal. Why blame them for being smarter and better at earning and keeping money than you or I? I applaud them.

Go Fremont!

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Nov 13, 2006 11:49 PM PST reply actions

By the way, Bobby....

...are you going to fund the new Oakland stadium, or just make a bunch of worthless "demands"?

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Nov 13, 2006 11:50 PM PST reply actions

To all those wanting the A's to stay in Oakland...

You had your chance for many years. You've wasted your opportunity of having an AMAZING franchise in your city and the A's deserve better. The Selig's have aided this Giant problem, but it still doesn't explain how little was done to keep them around. Oakland sold their soul to Al Davis and with that, they will have the Raiders till they die. Good Riddance. I hope they keep the name, to remind all the people from Oakland how much they missed out when they have to drive a bit further to see our A's play. I hated going to Oakland. As an A's fan who has only lived in SoCal and Ore-Cal (north of sac) i had to drive 3+ hours to see 2-3 home games a year. So this rant should mention that all I care about is the A's having more money to field a team (which will be outside of Oakland, (hell, you could put them in Salinas with more local fanbase) having their TV games not being pre-empted by Giants Highlight Shows, and the A's having a beautiful stadium to enjoy after a long drive to the park. -Ode to '11

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Nov 14, 2006 12:17 AM PST reply actions

We had our chance?

Nice job ripping us Oakland fans who did come out to support the team. I've been a season ticket holder for 15 years now and go to easily 50+ games a year and dump endless dollars into food and merchandise at every game. What else am I supposed to do? You are barking up the wrong tree here...all your shallow comments are directed towards people who I promise you are not on this site reading your snide comments. Anybody on here is obviously a die hard fan who supports the team. Comments like this, are the reason I am giving up on this website. I will follow the A's down to Fremont and make the commute (definetly more then 20 minutes from Oakland but still not a huge deal) but I will no longer read this site. The fan base has been divided and become nasty and hostle towards eachother and it is all because of this stadium issue. I am so tired of reading people's comments on here talking badly about Oakland and its "ghetto" residents saying we don't deserve this or that. I know the term salt in the wounds has been used many times here but it's true and it makes me sick to think that my A's have some really pathetic, petty fans. None of you know me; I've been reading the site for a while and only posted a few times, but I assure you this is my last time logging in. I'm sure there will be some smart ass comments made after this post, and thats fine. But this has become a very childish discussion and while there are many fine posters on here with some of the smartest things to say, the rest of you have made this a sad, bitter place and I can't stand reading this anymore. I always feel bad after I check in on here and I just don't want to anymore. I've morphed into full time Warriors mode anyway, but I will look elsewhere for my A's updates from now on. Have fun guys...see you in Fremont.

by MShake on Nov 14, 2006 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

Know what...

...I'm about halfway there with ya. Good points.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

oakland...

MShake... fans like you have NEVER been the problem with Oakland. Its the majority of the fans. The ones who get into fights in the stands, ala ALCS Game 1 where there were 3 seperate fights in our Field Level section. The police monitored us the rest of the game. Now, all the casual fans who make a trip or two out to the games were able to see this, and laugh, with Oakland police storming into the seats to wrestle a man to the ground. These are not isolated incidents, fortunately, I will live and die by the A's, but the majority of FANS who want to go the games wouldn't come back. Those are the ones that don't want to sit in 880 traffic all night to get to and from a game at a stadium that is run-down and ugly, with little to enhance the fan experience. Oakland CC missed the boat, the electorate doesn't want them, What else can they do? Even the despised LAAAAofWhatever have a much more enjoyable live-game (minus the rally monkey), If i wasn't surrounded by idiots in Red, I'd prefer those games to Oakland anyday.

We don't despise or dislike Oakland or its residents one-bit; however, the city as a whole has done little to support the A's and reach out to regional fans like a certain neighbor. If most MLB cities are creating new parks, why hasn't Oakland?

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Nov 14, 2006 5:00 PM PST up reply actions

The "majority" of fans get in fights?

You're a fucking idiot.

I'll take my penalty for saying that Blez/Nico, but it had to be said.

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Nov 14, 2006 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

I think they meant

that the "majority of the fans" are of the "fair-weather" type, where they're not going to see the point in sitting in all that traffic when they figure there's a decent chance of their family outing being interrupted by a couple of drunks fighting.

"I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team." ~ Connie Mack

by Flyin As on Nov 14, 2006 10:27 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly what I meant...

Wow, Alameda way to jump out. Anyone else in Section 130 in Gm 1 of the ALCS see a guy fight two officers while his kid was in the seat next to him crying? These are the problem fans, and I've seen more of them at my beloved A's games than any other game. This comes not from me missing out on the action, but the older couple in front who said they would never go to another A's game, or several others that were VERY fairweather fans. Gosh, unecessary... maybe. But its truth.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Nov 21, 2006 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Inaccurate, insensitive, and useless.

You hit the "bad post" trifecta.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 15, 2006 7:51 AM PST up reply actions

Funny thing is, I've been to hundreds of games ...

I've seen quite a few things at the park. But I've never once personally witnessed a fight ... in Oakland. I've only been to a half a dozen or so games there, but I have seen a fight in Anaheim plus three in LA and I've seen a fight there.

But, I suppose people will believe what they want to believe and take anything they can find as evidence. So knock yourself out.

Another project of Devo's

by devo on Nov 15, 2006 9:52 AM PST up reply actions

I wish they stay in Oakland.

I am from Oakland, and about a 25 minute walk from the Coli.
The fact they're staying in the bay is cool, but it ain't the same as Oakland.
I doubt if anyone from Oakland is happy that they're moving, but oh well...sports is all about business and making money.
always has been, just not as blatant.
I don't care anymore. all professional sports suck.

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Nov 14, 2006 12:32 AM PST reply actions

"all pro sports suck" -amen brother

I don't know how much more of this I can take. I signed up for season tix again this year, but it left a bad taste in my mouth... that dough- and my loyalty- means a lot to me, and I guess practically nothing to those I give it to. Every year the Lords say "BEND OVER", and the fans just say, "HOW FAR?"

As much as I'd like to think that chooseOak's barroom putsch might have an impact, I'm quite sure the powersthatbe will find it very easy to ignore.

It's interesting how this issue-like the closing of view level- is creating such a factional disturbance in the AN force. I have to say that I find the arguments pro-the move by those who live afar and don't go to games to be extremely disingenuous. If you can't understand the pain that this causes to those who love the A's AND Oakland, then maybe you should just keep your pointed comments to yourselves.

by Brian in 317 on Nov 14, 2006 7:29 AM PST up reply actions

Whoa there Tiger......

I understand that you are upset over the A's leaving Oakland, but get a grip! It is only Fremont! Will there be traffic? Yes. Will it be a little more inconvenient for you? Yes. Will it benefit the team? Yes. I have to travel a hell of a lot farther than you do to get to a game, but I will still do it. The fact is, our team gets a stadium fitting of its status as one of the best in the league and we still have the ability to go to a game. Its time that everyone realized that professional sports is a business. As much as you would like to believe that it is not, it is. People who have enough money to own a professional sports frnachise did not get there by making poor business decisions. Could they have built a stadium in the parking lot? Maybe, but it certainly wouldn't have brought in the same revenue as the ballpark village in Fremont. Now, let's all put on our big boy pants and support our team doing something that will benefit all of us for years to come. Oakland, Fremont, wherever......they're still our A's and they're still in the bay!

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 7:34 AM PST reply actions

big boy pants?

...you don't get it. There are Oakland A's fans here. I assure you, we're all wearing "big boy pants", whatever that means.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 10:24 AM PST up reply actions

It means......

It means there is far too much whining going on about this move. Are we three years old? Yes, it is inconvenient for you. Yes, it is different. The fact is, you still get to go to the game. So it takes you a little longer to get there. What is inconvenient for you may not be in the best interest of the A's community as a whole. The city of Oakland doesn't care, so why should you? You're fighting a losing battle. Its time to just suck it up and support your team no matter what.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

Oh please.

As I've said before, the drive to Fremont is a non-issue. Why do people keep bringing that up? "Sorry it's so inconvenient for you to drive to Fremont". Who the hell cares about a drive to Fremont? I don't.

If that's what you think is the only issue here, you're severely out of touch.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

Am I?

Ok, I'm out of touch. Enlighten me. What is so wrong about a businessman doing what is best for his business? What is wrong with leaving a city that didn't take the necessary steps to keep baseball in the city? What is wrong with moving to the closest possible location to where the currently are?

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

And what's wrong with not wanting that to happen?

This is America, dude. There are differences of feeling here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to keep your hometown baseball team in your hometown.

That's all. No business, just heart. Personally, I find that refreshing. Obviously, most people here don't.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

There's nothing wrong with that

You can want them to stay in your home town. That's perfectly acceptable, but, unfortunately, you can't always get what you want. No amount of complaining will change that. Its time to let go and support the change. Its going to happen, just roll with it.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

I don't understand.

I think we're just two different kinds of people.

I grew up with the Oakland A's. It's important to me. It's important to a lot of people here, and no amount of "Oh grow up" admonishment is going to change that.

It's like going to a funeral and saying, "Come on, buck up. There's a reception afterward."

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 11:11 AM PST up reply actions

I also grew up with the Oakland A's

I understand an appreciate your point of view. All I am saying is that A's baseball is far more important than Oakland A's baseball. I'' have at least an hour added to my round trip, but it beats the hell out of having to go somewhere out of the Bay Area. Its time to be fans of baseball, not just fans of baseball that's really convenient.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

NOOOOO!

Again, convenience has nothing to do with it!! NOTHING!

Forget it, I quit.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 11:24 AM PST up reply actions

It's really, really, really not about convenience.

Really. There's a TON of other issues that people are discussing.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 14, 2006 12:09 PM PST up reply actions

re: It's really...

Kyli, you rock.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

You rock too, man.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 14, 2006 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

How important is OAKLAND to you?

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Re: How important is OAKLAND to you?

Pretty damn important. My first posts on here were tantrums in response to Reztips' taunts, until I learned better.

But to me, the real important thing is the combination -- Oakland Athletics.

It's like when you book a show. You can book two bands that are good on their own but great in tandem. The combination is the attraction.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed.

Reztips bashing Oakland made me angrier than anything else I've seen written on this site. This is the part of the equation that jpl completely doesn't get.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 12:58 PM PST up reply actions

I hope no one thinks I'm bashing Oakland

I just find it extremely frustrating that people keep speaking out against the move, but don't have any reason other than they like having the A's in Oakland. I like them being there too, but I'm not willing to stage a protest over them moving to Fremont. My point is the same as the question you have posed. How important is OAKLAND to you? In my mind, its all about the Athletics. Not Oakland, not Fremont. Just give me accessible A's baseball.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

Oakland is where I would live

if I could afford it. They're two different entities, but they're equally important to me. Thus, I can be upset about the damage the A's are doing to the city by leaving, and happy about the things they're doing to improve themselves by leaving.

Make sense?

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Absolutely

I completely understand your point and if that is what other people are tyring to say, that is OK with me. I do take issue with the people (I'm not sure how many of them are on here) that say they will not follow the A's to Fremont. This is the sentiment I am picking up from many of the "Stay in Oakland" crowd.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 1:18 PM PST up reply actions

Well, that's an interesting subject.

And I know this post is going to be all narrow and hard to read.

But I'm going to have to do some soul searching. On one hand, it's the A's. Great. They've been my team since 3rd grade, 1972, when I first really became aware of major league baseball.

On the other hand, that team has always represented Oakland to me. They go hand in hand. My team, like my city, was scrappy, tough, and thumbed its nose not only at the team across the bay, but at the accepted norms of baseball itself. We fought, had weird moustaches, encouraged fans to wear hot pants, had weird ideas about orange baseballs, threw a bat at an opposing pitcher, paraded a real mule around the stadium, kicked dirt on umpires' shoes, stole a shitload of bases, had taco eating contests, a Black Muslim bakery, an Everett & Jones BBQ, a center fielder who would go to dinner with his TWO fan clubs, stopped stealing shitloads of bases, and found new ways to win that weren't rooted in the conventional wisdom of baseball. Like Oakland itself, the team had personality and it had soul.

What doesn't have soul is money. What also doesn't have soul is high-tech gadgetry. Or (and I'm sorry about this, Fremonters) the suburbs, and some vague, noncommital, regional name.

What this really slams the door on, for me, is my inherent notion of sports teams having any sort of civic attachment to their community. It's about money, and always has been.

So since 3rd grade, I've been naive to that. Now I know. And that loss might also mean I can't support the A's any more. Like I said, I have to do some soul seaching. Like what the Raiders move did for my feelings about the NFL, this may do for my feelings about MLB.

It's only 25 miles, but it's a world away. The Oakland Athletics, or possibly the Silicon Valley Generics, with the nicest, most bell-and-whistly stadium money can buy.

I just don't know if that holds any attraction for me.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 1:54 PM PST up reply actions

Holy Crap

...would ya look at the width of that post...

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 1:54 PM PST up reply actions

Fantastic post.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks. Do they get narrower the farther we go?

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 2:24 PM PST up reply actions

It makes me sad

that people condemn baseball players for not having loyalty to the franchises that raised them when free agency rolls around, yet as fans... we're now expected to be mercenaries ourselves.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 14, 2006 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

I coulnd't have said it better...

one of my favorite posts on AN ever.
I live in Long beach now, but it's all about the teams that play over there on 66th, baby.
Well, if they do leave, can we get something done to change the Warriors name to the Oakland Warriors.

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Nov 16, 2006 5:25 PM PST up reply actions

Hometown team...

There is honor in it. Unfortunately, there are not enough 'Hometown' Fans to support it. Their identity won't change, but i understand your point. Its still why I feel they should remain the Oakland A's. (Location: Anywhere in the bay area we can get a new stadium)

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Nov 14, 2006 5:06 PM PST up reply actions

If we're going to go about it the business angle--

What's wrong with a consumer having complaints about alterations to a product?

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 14, 2006 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

That too!

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

There's no real alteration to the product

Its still A's baseball, just not Oakland A's baseball. This product is entertainment, not a typical consumer product. Entertainment goes where the dollars are, plain and simple. Your access to your team is not being taken away. Its just being put in a better venue. All I am saying is that we are priviliged to have a team like the A's in the area (who wants to be a Giants fan?). The fact that people are getting all worked about about a 20 mile move that will allow out team more financial security is getting ridiculous. You should want what is best for your team, not what is best for you.

by jpl on Nov 14, 2006 11:29 AM PST up reply actions

I'm getting kind of sick of the accusations

of selfishness towards any person who is against the move.

Lining Wolff's pockets with more cash is not automatically good for the team. I want to know exactly what kind of increased payroll we're going to have. I want to know exactly what kind of improved investments are going to be made into the minor league system and international scouting.

You want to talk about good for the team? I want a guarantee that the A's will be in Fremont for the next century in order to ensure the franchise stability that we have NEVER truly had.

I'm sorry that pride in a community is apparently dead. My devotion to the A's isn't just to the team -- my devotion to the A's is about Oakland, the East Bay, and the A's community. People who are accusing people against the move of being about inconvenience and selfishness don't seem to want to believe that there's more to it than that -- that this move could very well be painful and hurtful to the community of A's fans. Going to an A's game isn't about how expensive and cushy the seat you sit in is -- and I'm sure plenty of fans are being just as selfish about wanting to have some shiny new stadium to go to, they don't want to deal with the "inconveniences" of poor line management and the decay of the Coliseum. The A's are about community, as this site has shown, and I am dead terrified that this move is going to cause the same problems for our community that SBC Park caused for the Candlestick Giants fans diehards.

We've gotten to sit and laugh at them for years, so when we find ourselves out in the cold and our community struggling with identity issues the ways the Giants fans have... Are we going to just have to suck it up and get used to it?

With all the threats this franchise has tossed at us, I don't understand why it's now considered so wrong to be wary of the intentions of the ownership and whether it's a short-term improvement for the A's in order to gain cash or something that will genuinely suit the franchise for decades to come.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 14, 2006 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

How important is OAKLAND to you?

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

Good voice, but wrong time

I think you have some good points chooseoakland, but it's just far too late to do anything now. I think if something had been done a year or two ago, there would have been a chance, but the city government just hasn't tried to do much of anything. I'm definitely against spending public money if possible, but there does need to be a lot of support from the government still even in private scenarios. We basically got the BEST possible compromise...this is ALL about compromise. Keep A's in Bay Area, but move 20 miles. Sure there's greed, if I were the owner I would ALSO do the same. It just makes sense financially and to keep the team here.

by tomoyo on Nov 14, 2006 9:13 AM PST reply actions

RIP, baseball in Oakland.

You're a better place for baseball than Fremont. It's too bad that the city and ownership showed so little interest in working together on a new ballpark.

But, baseball is a business, just like any other business, and Fremont is offering them a better deal. Now is the time for fans to focus on making the fan experience at this new ballpark the best it can be. With some of the ideas being floated about the new stadium, it looks like ownership is going to need a lot of help with this.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 10:33 AM PST reply actions

I stand by the sentiments in this

but I should make it clear that today is at least as sad a day for Oakland as it is a happy day for Oakland. Thus, people who are jumping all over the author of this diary for their disappointment in the end result are a bunch of insensitive bastards.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

edit

happy day for the A's, not Oakland.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

There'll be a counter-demonstration...

...at my house, attended by nearly as many people (me).

Seriously, folks, this is verging on the absurd. If we take up a collection and pay everyone at the bar $10 for gas, will you go away? Please??

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 10:33 AM PST reply actions

That's unneccessary.

If you don't have anything nice to say, sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Yay!

..bump for jeepers.

I don't find it any fun...No, not any longer. -- Will Shatter

by 66th Hegenberger on Nov 14, 2006 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

Our mascot is Stomper...

...not Thumper.

"You still here? It's over."

"Go home."

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 11:11 AM PST up reply actions

You're a classy guy.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

Jeepers, man. I could've posted...

....a waah-mbulance rushing to the emergency.

So I think I showed remarkable restraint. 'Tis time for these folks to either buy the team, or work on bringing the Stockton Ports to the Coliseum. 5K Oaklanders/game will be a healthy crowd, at that level. The tix will be inexpensive, and they can set up baseball-only bleachers in foul territory.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

Heaven forbid

that people be sad for the city of Oakland, and express that, not to mention valuing Oakland as much as they do the A's.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 1:11 PM PST up reply actions

Grieving is spozed to be a process.

These folks are stuck in the denial.

It's time to move on. Even "shiva" only lasts seven days.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 1:23 PM PST up reply actions

This is the day that baseball in Oakland died.

I hardly think that the day of something's death is the time to "move on."

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 1:24 PM PST up reply actions

When the patient's been terminally...

...ill for years, and its death was announced weeks ago, we should be talking about release from its misery.

Today is a Day of Resurrection--we should celebrate, as those don't happen often.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Whatever.

If you don't get it yet, you never will.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

Have a cookie.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

Does it have a soul in it?

If so, you should keep it.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 14, 2006 3:13 PM PST up reply actions

Bah. My soul doesn't attach to city limit lines.

Especally when it's a matter of Fate.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

There won't be a stadium in Fremont

We'll see where all the Fremont lovers are when this deal falls through and somehow Wolff and Selig working with the Giants (and potentially the 49ers) figure out a way to put a stadium in Santa Clara. Just watch it happen. The Fremont site has way too many issues. This is just a step towards his ultimate goal.

by McBricks on Nov 14, 2006 11:32 AM PST reply actions

I know--let's call'em the Red Herrings!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

ok

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Nov 14, 2006 5:13 PM PST up reply actions

Or maybe--

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 14, 2006 5:28 PM PST up reply actions

Good Idea, but too late

Choose Oakland, you've got a great idea, but I think this train has left the station ... to fremont.

I'd rather the A's have a great spot in Oakland, somewhere near or on the water. But Jerry Brown and the Oakland City Council never really tried to get the team to stay. Yeah, I know they've been saying "we tried", but lets face it, if they really wanted the A's to stay, they would've been on TV every day -- heck, they would've even made it a campaign issue!

Back to the point. Great idea for the press conference. I wish you luck I hope you have great attendance., if you can get a city council member there, you might get some more press and have a little more clout.

Just remember, it could be worse, they could've been contracted, and not just 20 mins down 880.
Lets Go Oak-Land! Clap - Clap - ClapClapClap

Tear down Mount Davis!

by polytician on Nov 14, 2006 1:25 PM PST reply actions