Oakland A's win emotional final match at Coliseum
Oakland Athletics have spent the past 56 years at the Coliseum
- Published
The Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in their final home game at the Coliseum as supporters said farewell to the Bay Area in California.
Nearly 47,000 fans turned out for the game before a planned franchise move to Las Vegas by club owner John Fisher.
Major League Baseball's nine-time World Series champions have spent the past 56 seasons at the Oakland Coliseum.
Despite supporter acceptance that the stadium requires major refurbishment, the decision to move the club out of California and 550 miles to neighbouring Nevada has been widely criticised.
Fisher, in a letter to supporters on Monday, said all options had been exhausted after attempts were made to seek land in the area to build a new stadium.
The Athletics have won the World Series nine times
Some supporters stayed away from the finale, such was the anger at Fisher's decision.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay touched upon those who will lose their jobs as part of the move, thanking those that have dedicated themselves to the side.
"I want to keep this short, because I don't really know if I'm gonna be able to make it through this," Kotsay began.
"To the staff who dedicate their lives to the Oakland A's, especially those who aren't coming with us, I am forever grateful. I will never forget you."
The A's, who will keep their name, will play in Sacramento for the next three seasons while their stadium in Las Vegas is built.
The temporary home in Sacramento is situated 85 miles to the north-east of the Coliseum. It can seat around 14,000 spectators, making it significantly smaller than other MLB grounds. The A's had the lowest average home attendance of all 30 sides, at just over 11,000 in the 63,000-capacity Coliseum, with some fans staying away in protest at the move.
There is an option for a fourth season in Sacramento should their new 33,000-capacity stadium in Las Vegas not be finished on time.
The Athletics are expected to be in their new Las Vegas stadium in time for the 2028 campaign
Nearly 47,000 fans attended the final game at the Coliseum
The Coliseum is based in the Bay Area of San Francisco
Fisher's decision has angered many fans