On April 28, 2024, the last Opening Day game for the Oakland Athletics took place between the then Oakland A’s and the Cleveland Guardians .

I have been lucky enough to be in person for a few moments of Baseball History. All of them have been joyful occasions with the exception of this one, the last Opening Day game played in Oakland.

I have written here before that I grew up rooting for the Oakland A’s and the Oakland Raiders. Both are merely memories at this point. The players and their games live on in the memory of their fans, but their remaining legacy can only be called greed and cynicism.

There is I believe a special Hell of those who are willing to sell what is most important for mere money. The current owner of the Athletics franchise, who will forever go nameless here, is certain to reap what he has sown.

But from 1968 to 2024 Oakland was home to players like:

• Rickey Henderson
• Dave Stewart
• Reggie Jackson
• Vida Blue
• Mark McGwire
• Blue Moon Odom
• Catfish Hunter
• Dennis Eckersley
• Rollie Fingers
• Bert Campaneris
• Gene Tenace
• Carney Lansford
• Joe Rudi

These and hundreds of others will be remembered as long as baseball is played.