Lifelong A’s Fan Ruminates on Attending His Last Game in Oakland

Matt Werner at Sept 20, 2024 A’s game

By Matt Werner

On Sunday, July 15, 1962, my father saw the A’s play for the first time. This was a double header of the A’s vs Yankees, where the Yankees won both games–the second one by a landslide. What made those games different from last night’s wasn’t just the number of hall-of-famers on the field, but the fact that he saw them in Kansas. My dad first knew them as the Kansas City Athletics.

Fast-forward to last night, we attended our final A’s game at the Oakland Coliseum, also versus the Yankees. The A’s lost in typical Fisher-era fashion. The Yankees scored three runs in the 10th inning. But last night was not about what happened on the field. It was about joining 14 friends and family to watch the end of an era in Oakland… a town and franchise we have mixed emotions about.

One of my friends arrived late because his car tires were slashed earlier in the day. Driving to the Coliseum through East Oakland, I saw dump sites every few blocks and homeless encampments that have exploded since the pandemic. Having attended Bishop O’Dowd back in the late 90’s, it pained me to see the Hegenberger corridor in such rough shape. Of course, I know that this is what the area looks like, but I was hoping to get a glimpse of that nostalgic, pre-Mount Davis coliseum from my childhood. My memories of that era are snapshots of orange seats and blooming ice plants. And memories of eating chocolate ice cream out of a green helmet bowl, while watching ‘roided out demigods hit the long ball.

But last night was no storybook ending. Some fans were expecting fireworks, but there were no such celebrations when you’re a 67-win team playing its fourth-to-last game. Those who arrived early enough got to see Rickey Henderson catch the first pitch from his daughter Adrianna.

My dad and brother arrived early, and promptly texted me pics of the Rickey Henderson bobblehead fan giveaway. Of course, I planned to arrive early, tailgate, and get my bobblehead, but life happens on a Friday night, and I arrived late.

Rickey Henderson bobblehead giveaway at Sept 20, 2024 A’s game

Inside the coliseum, the feeling was festive. Was it a celebration or a wake? A party or a drunken funeral? A trip down memory lane, or a trip to the dispensary? It was a little bit all of the above. My buddy Josh texted me “Nobody’s at the Treehouse wine bar. $15 for 9 oz of cab = best deal in the house” and sent me this pic:

Man with a sign reading “Thanks for the memories.”

I was glad that so many in my family could make it, especially my young nieces who could watch their last pro game in Oakland. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with Seth Brown at bat, I chanted “Let’s Go Oakland” one last time. 

Exiting the coliseum, my friend Joe Sciarrillo texted me pictures of the merch vendors on the bridge to Coliseum BART. What will happen to all of these vendors once the A’s move away, just like the Warriors and Raiders did?

The merch vendors

Joe also took some shots of OGs wearing Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter jerseys.

OGs wearing Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter jerseys

Remembering my dad’s stories of seeing the Kansas City Athletics as a teenager in 1962, it reminded me that franchises move, and nothing is permanent. Of course there have been fans outraged before, like when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to LA in 1958 for a cash grab. These moves are painful, but not uncommon. The A’s have played in Oakland since 1968, but they previously played in Kansas City from 1955–1967, and in Philadelphia from 1901–1954. They might be the Sacramento A’s, and then the Las Vegas A’s, but that’s just how time moves. Especially if moving to a new market enriches the owner.

Going through the stages of grief of losing the last pro sports team in Oakland, I feel that I’ve now moved to the stage of Acceptance. I plan to watch some games in Sacramento next season—but not on the 110-degree days.

That being said, “Let’s Go Sacramento” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Matt Werner is a writer originally from Oakland and Alameda. He previously wrote about his history with the A’s in An Elegy to the Oakland A’s, and covered the legendary reverse boycott game. Photos from that game—which capture the only-in-Oakland fan experience—are in this album. Additional photos for this article were provided by Joe Sciarrillo, Josh Borkowski, and Mike Werner.