OF FREMONT

Louismg already did that during AN Day 3, remember?

If they drop the Oakland part of their name, I don't think I can continue to be an A's fan. I'd root for the Giants before I rooted for the San Jose Athletics. I'd root for the Red Sox and even the Yankees before I rooted for the San Jose Athletics.

I know I will piss off the Oakland contingent (who have every right to be sad for their city), but I am a very happy A's fan today.  The new stadium looks great, and I will be there Opening Day 20??.  This may not be the best thing for the "Oakland A's," but it will be great for the A's as an organization and for the vast majority of A's fans.

For creating a new reality for the franchise.   You've given this team a new future through your own hard work and vision.  Big kudos.

(although I'm considering trying to get a Zune at some point since my iPod and 360 communicate about as well as Ken Macha and Adam Melhuse).

Blez, man, wrong direction!  Keep the iPod, junk the 360, and get a WII!

i really wish it could have worked for Oakland. I'm from Fresno and the only tie I have to the city of Oakland is the A's, but that's a major emotional connection I have with that city..

Now I just hope they don't change the colors.

I don't think there was much of a feasible option in Oakland, but it's still unfortunate.

eww Fremont in the name. Might as well move the team to Fresno.

I'll probably still call them Oakland out of habit.

I was rooting for Billy B.  I liked having kids (Haren, Harden, etc) replacing the lost talent.  I liked not being the Yanquis, or even the Tigers for that matter.  This quote from ESPN is like something from the Onion:

"I can't wait to start cashing those checks to start signing some of those players," Beane said.

Uggg...

The dissention among you guys is great.  I dont normally read AN but these last few days have been amusing.  Also enjoyable: you guys making fun of Balco Barry when we know which bathroom stall this mess started from.  making fun of the giants park and it's name changes.  Well, how do you like name changes now.  Oh yeah, non-die hard fans coming out to a techie-park with their laptops.  PRICELESS!

I can kind of understand Oakland residents being upset that the team is leaving Oakland.  However, for the health of the team it had to leave Oakland.  The city was not supporting the team.  Period.  The attendance was, quite simply, pitiful, especially considering the quality of the product.  It's hard to be upset that the team is leaving, when the average attendance was about 14,000.  Why should they stay there?  I'm not even convinced a new stadium in Oakland would have been sufficient.  I don't think that people really find Oakland a great place to visit, and even Jack London Square, which probably would have been the best place for the new stadium, is not the safest or nicest place.

If this move is enough to change your love of the team, when it potentially means getting to keep some of the players that we grow to love, I don't know, it seems wrong.  Oaklanders can't have it both ways, you can't say, "Hey we don't really come out to support the team, but irrespective of that minor point, I'll be pissed if they up and leave."  I live in SF, and I was an A's fan before even moving to the Bay Area.  I just want the team to continue to win, and to be a well-run organization.  If that meant they had to move out of state, I would have welcomed that move, though I'm obviously happy they didn't have to.

As far as new technology at the park, anything that puts butts in the seats is a good thing.  Baseball teams need revenue.  Attendance is a huge factor for revenue.  If some dude is all stoked about the wifi and that gets him to the game.  Great.  That's the point.  I think there's still gonna be plenty of room for working class fans to go to the games.  You may no longer have Mt. Davis to yourself, and there might be someone in the seat next to you, but that's kind of the point.

I think as long as the Giants have their territorial rights, Seling would stop that name. But if Lew can get enough Giants fans in the south bay to switch to the good side, that could eventually change.

Why don't they put Fremont in the park name just like Arlington? "Cisco Field at Fremont" makes more sense than "Milpitas A's of Fremont" or something. Even "Cisco Field at Warm Springs" sounds pretty good (I rarely go south of Oakland, so I don't know how far apart the stadium and W.S. are).

that our team will stay in the Bay!

There is NO PLACE for the A's to move out of state that is better than Oakland.

As far as free agents go, how many of you wish that the A's had locked up Jason Giambi to a $130 Million contract?

Honestly this whole thing stinks to me.  No matter how all of you try and spin it the team will never be the same.  The true green and gold die hards will be lost in a crowd of corporate functions for new software and data storage crap.  Give me the Janky Old Collesium with 10,000 of the most loyal fans in sports.  We're a hell of a lot louder than 45,000 at phone booth playground.  I don't think Lew Wolf has tailgating in mind when he talks about shuttling people in to the stadium from satallite parking lots.  This YouTube video is about the only thing that's made me feel better during this.  Nicely put Nate and Ben, whoever you are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlTvSUCCqPo

First of all, I do not consider myself the wine and cheese baseball fan.  I grew up watching Vida Blue, Ricky Henderson and the Bash Brothers just like the rest of AN. I live in Alameda and ride my bike to day games.  I am a season ticket holder and like many of you, my first stop in the morning after the coffee shop is to ESPN.com to catch up on AL stats and relive the game from the night before.  Why do I say all that?....  because like you, baseball is a huge part of my life and despite the inconvenience of an additional twenty miles drive to the games I do not view a move to Fremont is a bad thing.  For those of you who do, I respect your feelings and offer the following opinions for consideration:

1. Change is okay.  AN has lived with change since the La Russa Dynasty ended with the dismantling of those great teams that took us through the late 80's and early 90's.  Since then, we have had one heart break after another...Jason, Miggy, Two of the Big Three, etc.  The one thing I have learned throughout that time is that change is okay.  The A's have still been good while not having to pay veteran player salaries.  Quite Frankly, as Zito is on his way out the door I think optimistically which no name young talent will rise to the occasion as Zito, Mulder and Hudson did six or seven years ago.  An A's move to Fremont is no different than the change we have come to live with year after year, other than to say it offers a much better fan experience and perhaps will slow or stop the player revolving door.
2. What does Oakland really mean?  I respect the tradition.  I have been there for it all (well truthfully only since the mid 70's).  But the tradition of the franchise is not in its Oakland name.  The tradition goes well beyond Oakland.  Philadelphia and Kansas City are an important part as well.  Fremont is the next chapter and I am sure my great grand children will witness the next step after that.   I have lived in and around Oakland my whole life.  I have tremendous affinity for the City, but it is what it is......economically and politically stifled.  
3. Beer and Nacho Fans v. Wine and Cheese Fans: While I have always loathed the "scene" at Pacbell as being very corporate and full of fans who would rather watch home runs than a pitching dual, I do not think Cisco has to be the same.  I believe the baseball experience in the future is going to be what we the fans make of it.  We have great, knowledgeable fans.  If you do not believe me, listen to Robert Buan's show some time.  We simply need more of them.   Despite a name change and a new park, A's fans will be there to support their team.  Lew Wolff and Cisco and talk all they want about built-in technology.  That means crap to a baseball fan.  It is AN that will create the experience in Fremont not some technology plan!
4. Accepting Baseball Economics:  Remember it was not too long ago that we were all talking about contraction. The A's, despite winning the AL West, were thrown in to the list of teams that were not economically feasible.  I do not doubt that the economics of 10K a night at the coliseum hurts, especially as player payroll increases.  If a new ballpark in Fremont preserves baseball in the East Bay (and yes Fremont is in the East Bay), I am all for that.  
5. Oakland Blew It!:  Oakland was in the negotiating seat with A's ownership long before Lew Wolff came along.  Let us not forget the Telegraph Ave. site that Mayor Brown built his pet "affordable" housing project on.  Or the First Jack London site where condos now sit.  Oakland had been at the table for at least five years before Lew Wolff came along.  The City can point all the fingers they want, but let's face it.....after the Raiders/Joint Powers debacle, no politician in Oakland or in Alameda County has the stomach to pin their legacy on a new A's Park.  Lew Wolff is a businessman.  He could care less about Fremont, San Jose or Oakland.  He cares about building value in the assets he owns and manages.  If he could have made the same return in Oakland that he is in Fremont he would have.  Not because he likes the city, but because it is a hell of a lot easier to pull off.  The PR campaign he now has to launch to win the hearts of Oaklander's will cost the franchise big money.  And that is nothing compared with what the team's financial contribution will be to improving public transportation to the park in Fremont, all of which existed at the proposed Oakland  sites.  The fact is that Oakland did not and will not put a deal on the table with same economics that the Fremont site offers.  In the end Oakland Politicians can cry foul all they want, they f--cked it up!

As I opine on all the reasons to embrace this change, I respect the feelings that many of the AN are experiencing right now.  I remembering being near tears when Giambi & Miggy left.  However, I now choose to look at the brighter side of things......another 20 minutes in the car is not going to kill me, but losing baseball in the East Bay just might.

I thought Cisco bought the naming rights for the A's manager.

...will work out and be accepted. To think that...

"Today is possibly the saddest day in the history of the city of Oakland."

...is silly at best. You all are giving Al Davis, Jerry Brown, Ron Dellums and the rest of that sad bunch of Oakland 'leaders' a pass. IMO, there hasn't been competent leadership in Oakland in decades. The city is a complete mess and has no money and/or talent to see this deal through. Wolff is a businessman and a good one. The Oakland bunch are simply politicians - and not very good ones - I offer you the Raiders as evidence. The loss of the A's will hurt Oakland economically, just as the loss of the 49ers will hurt S.F. If you are in Oakland, look to your leaders. Jerry has already give this answer "God creates land, not the (media), not the mayor".
Sounds to me like Moonbeam couldn't care less.

The stadium would be in Alameda County. It will have to be the Oakland Athletics of Fremont. In fact, maybe even the Alameda County Athletics of Fremont.

That ballpark looks like shiz. Albeit a series of sketches, that park looks seriously devoid of some real flavor. It LOOKS like a shopping center, not just surrounded by one. It looks like an ampitheater clearing in the middle of a big mall. Why are there faux city building facades in the outfield? It's FREMONT. What's up with that hideous outfield shape? Can someone tell me why the classic conic playing field shape has been disregraded in so many new ballparks? These planners turn the outfield into an obstacle course!
Furthermore, this complex definetly takes the attention away from the ballgame. It may appear to be a baseball-specific complex on paper but looking at these sketches it looks like the primary concern is commerce."oh.. huh... i guess someone just hit a home-run, i can't really see what's going on because i'm waiting in line at Cisco's Sizzlin' Silicon Dugout Dogger Duo by Intel, trying to get some kind of 'gourmet' concoction for about 13.50 sans-drink, but you know, it doesn't really matter because i'm just here hanging out - like most of the people in the stands who are just chilling out playing with their blackberrys and on conference calls, a bunch of a-holes who can afford the luxury of lounging around in the atmosphere of a baseball game but who are not actually paying attention because the $40 seat ticket price ain't no thang."
please don't let this be the future... now go look at those sketches again. Looks soul-less to me.

better get used to that. It will be in boxscores and scoreboards for a long time. Prolly the worst three letter abreviation ever. Someone really dropped the ball this time.... this SUCKS!!

Since Bart is probably out of the question. I saw this picture on CBS5's website and they have a section on the other side of 880 that says parking.

Anyone ponder a guess how this will work? Shuttle?

http://cbs5.com/reference/local_file_318191219

Seeing the new Cisco Field logo, will the A's become the green, gold, and red?

romeoDNB, I just want to thank you for your service in helping protect this great nation.  You are one of the true heros!

I feel bad for those of you who have supported the A's during the Oakland years. As a life long fan, who has never lived in Oakland, I am sorry to see them leave the city behind.
With that said...I watched the Rams leave for ST. LOUIS. I didn't want the A's to leave the state  too. They still are our team. I WOULD LIKE THE A'S HAVE AT LEAST ONE PLAYER THAT PLAYS HIS ENTIRE CAREER IN AN A'S UNIFORM, wouldn't you? If the move is what it takes then so be it. There will be the fans that are attracted by the technology. Hey, they will spend the money. For them it is a photo-op, the happening place. At least in the beginning. Let's hope that the A's put their money to good use and win some more World Series. Maybe a few of these fans will start going to the ballpark before the A's move to Fremont. We can hope...
One other thought...any of you that are Raider fans...don't forget that wretch Al Davis in this whole affair. I HATE THAT MAN!! How much did Oakland sale their souls to get that team back. Those of us that were hoping the Rams wouldn't move remember that Al was the deciding vote in whether the Rams could move to St. Louis. He tried to hold up LA and couldn't. However he made sure that he had two markets vying for his team. Oakland never should have paid him to come back. In my opinion that was the end of the A's in Oakland. Since then decisions about the stadium have been to ensure that Al is happy. I respect the Raider fans and their passion, but it cost us the Oakland A's. Just be glad that you will still be able to see our A's games on TV or in person.
Some other thoughts...I wonder how the fans from the Philadelphia years feel about the move? What about the Kansas City Athletic fans? There are some of you still out there. Do you want to weigh in about the passion that it takes to follow a team from far away? You either bleed Green and Gold or you bleed Oakland. The choice is yours.

It will be the 'San Jose A's of Fremont.' For now.

When the A's can clear the way legally to drop the "of Fremont" part of the name that will be it.

When that hurdle is handled, the name will be:

THE SAN JOSE A'S.

Bank on it.

Since so many are in disagreement with the thought of moving to Fremont, I propose a new plan.  How 'bout the 'Traveling Athletics of Oakland'. Kinda like the Globetrotters. Be the constant visiting team without a home.  Of course, they can play about 25% of their games in Oakland to continue using the name, then travel to each major league park to get the rest of the 162 games completed.  Thus there will be an even larger follower of A's fans. They can be dubbed the 'Athletic Supporters'.  There is something to be said about hanging with your guys.

I agree with the post by DCinWC above. It is sad that the A's are leaving Oakland, and I too grew up watching them in the Coliseum. The game/business has changed over the past few decades, and it is what it is right now. Of course there will be some change in fanbase when everything gets more expensive at Cisco Field. But we, as fans, do still have the power to affect change on the atmosphere of the games. I believe that all of the remaining A's fans should come on down to where ever our A's end up and bring the signs, chants and personality to the game on our own accord. It is frustrating to me because most of the negatives I am hearing are based on the assumption that its going to be a whole different group of fans, which just sounds like quitting to me. For the record, I plan to go to the game (albeit fewer of the at a higher cost) and scream my head off cheering for my A's (and hopefully not just 'laundry'). I also plan to bring my daughter and family to those games, as I do now, and hope to see most of those crazy A's fans that I know and love there too.

In retrospect, I believe that the beginning of the end was when the Raiders came back to town and they wrecked the Coliseum. This was the point when the A's were relegated to second team status in the city of Oakland, and things have just been going downhill ever since. Now obviously, at some point the A's were going to need a new stadium, but getting rid of the ivy and implanting Mount Davis instantly alienated many A's fans.

Finally, I do not agree with the logic that the A's will thus become the 'man' that they have been trying to stick it to all of these years. Yes, Billy will have more resources to play with in trying to assemble his dream team, but it likely still will not be a game of just buying all-stars as it is with the Yankees. I would love as much as anyone to show Selig how wrong they have been about small market/revenue teams not being able to compete. However, Billy Bean has an idea that can work with less money or a little bit more: to value players that others overlook, and to not overspend for overpriced commodities - basically to make good decisions with whatever money you have. Let's use the hated Giants as an example (since they are in virtually the same market with a new stadium. They have had increased revenues over the past few years, but have not become one of the top spending teams and also have not made the best decisions with their money and therefore only really have had the one World Series chance.

That's all I've got for now fellow AN'ers, but thanks for hear ing me out and letting me get that off of my chest. You got me thinking a lot after reading all of your passionate posts.

From the pictures/animations i have no idea where they are going to fit the bullpens.

Homer Simpson: I'm not made of money...we'll swim to Oakland!

if oakland was a country it would be a 3rd world hell hole murder rate is so high they dont even keep tabs anymore Raiders arent even worthy of playing there let alone a great baseball team i cant wait till AL Davis kicks the bucket and Oakland even loses the Raiders

For The A's organization.

Ofcourse its a tough day for some in Oakland.

But some of us have been trudging up 880 for many years and wont miss that

Its a wonderful design and I am curious to see how it plays out

There are a bunch of us down here is south bay that cant wait to get to fremont and throw some cash around

ofcourse the ticket will be pricey, ofcourse the atmosphere will change

but thats baseball these days, and most importantly thats baseball remaining in the bay are

Lew Wolff has done big things for this franchise and he continues to impress

Right now my friends and I are much more concerned about resigning Frank Thomas than where out seats will be or how long the drive is

Nice work Lew

the fuss over the name, who cares, what does it matter?
some have commented that the A's will now become the NY Yankees west, that is also ridiculous, this stadium does not come with a $200 million cable contract like the Yankees have.  
It should make them a little more economically competitive but not the rich kids that some on this site are suggesting.  I for one would welcome a little more financial flexibility.
The bottom line is the A's have about 15,000 dedicated fans, and that is not enough to keep them solvent, a move had to happen.  The Giants have about the same number but the new ballpark enlarged the number of people willing to pay to go there, thus they have the money to pay which the A's don't.   For 40 years many fans have been trekking up from the south bay to see the A's, probably a larger fan base is from there than Oakland.  

support the San Jose A's:  I think that you guys are not right in abandoning the team.  I have been an A's fan my entire life and I live in San Jose.  I naturally think it is awesome for the A's to be in Fremont as I will be able to go to more games.  But the team is a bay area team and we should support them as long as they remain in the Bay.  And I read somebodies comment that said San Jose was a pit???  Pshhh come on... Oakland a good place... ha.  The reality is that most of the south bay fans didn't go to a lot of A's games precisely for the reason that it was in Oakland.  I say swallow your anger and start rooting for the San Jose A's.  Hey who else are you going to root for the Giants.  I didn't think so.

i can't seem to get past the comment you made about dropping the team had they left northern california.  it sits like a rock in my stomach.  cheer for whichever team you like, my friend.  with no disrespect towards blez, i have to say that geography has nothing to do with why i'm an a's fan.    

Let's get real...

Pick between Piazza and Durazo. These are your choices. I secretly root for Hee Sop Choi to join the A's and finally prove he can do it.