When the Athletics left the Bay Area, they probably didn’t expect an opposing commentator to call them out. Relocation remains a thread woven into the fabric of American sports, and with billions of dollars in potential revenue at stake, it’s hard not to see the metaphorical gears turning.
Franchises know that new, state-funded stadiums can be a license to print money. By investing less capital, they can get a much higher return. However, some overlook a crucial step in the process.
When leaving a city, a team must match the departure timeline with the completion of stadium construction. If not, finding a suitable temporary home is the next-best option. According to a veteran announcer, the Athletics did neither, leaving the team in a rough spot.
Athletics Temporary Home Doesn’t Meet Standards Proclaim Angels Commentators
With their eyes locked on Las Vegas, the Athletics are still playing in West Sacramento while they wait for their new stadium. For a team heading into its fourth relocation in 124 years, moving isn’t new. But after 56 years in one city, the change hit harder.
Fans who watched a young Reggie Jackson crush fastballs and Rickey Henderson swipe 867 bases now see their beloved team playing in the desert. The A’s didn’t want to stay in Oakland unless the city paid to keep them.
In contrast, the city council had previously denied similar requests from the Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Raiders. As a result, the mayor’s office dismissed the Athletics’ offer, too. Now, the team finds itself in a Triple-A ballpark while their new home is under construction.
Sutter Health Field isn’t a major league park by any standard. Fans notice it, and media members feel something is off as well. Former MLB pitcher Mark Gubicza, now the Los Angeles Angels’ color commentator, and play-by-play voice, Patrick O’Neal, were on the call and voiced strong opinions.
“It feels like a spring training game…it’s Major League Baseball, it’s big league baseball, and you wanna feel Major and big…it feels decidedly different.”
… “and it’s still hard to believe they’re not playing in Oakland anymore.” -Angels Broadcast pic.twitter.com/rjy5WmSaOB
— Last Dive Bar 🏟 (@LastDiveBar)
“It feels like a spring training game…it’s Major League Baseball, it’s big league baseball, and you wanna feel Major and big…it feels decidedly different.”
Other visiting teams have also pointed out issues with the park. That’s not meant as a knock on the staff, who do the absolute best they can.
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Still, Athletics management didn’t seem to grasp what was right in front of them. They focused on the Las Vegas era, while the Sacramento stint continues to push fans away.
The team will likely draw once it lands in Nevada, but the short-term choices could hurt the long term. The A’s are hovering just below .500 and stuck in a six-game losing streak that’s threatening to derail their season.