Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Athletics

The Athletics have played 43-years in Oakland after a 13-year stint in Kansas City. The original A's, born in 1901, played in Philadelphia for the first 54-years of their existence.
My question is will the Athletics eventually end up playing more years in Oakland than they did in Philadelphia.
If they don't get a new ballpark, soon, I could see the A's leaving Oakland before they surpass the longevity they had in Philadelphia. But we've been saying that a lot these days.
I'm not a fan of owners hijacking cities by playing the "if we don't get a ballpark we might just have to move" card. Many times owners have fine ballparks but just want a new one because it means more money and everyone else is getting a new park. Isn't that right New York Yankees and Mets?
But the Athletics are one of two franchises that really needs a new park, Tampa Bay being the other.
The Raiders have really ruined the Oakland Coliseum. The gigantic eyesore in centerfield makes the park unsightly. That can be traced to "Luxury Box" Al Davis. The park before then wasn't very appealing either. I've never been to the Oakland Coliseum but I wouldn't want to pay for a box seat and have to sit a mile away from the action.
They had a plan for a park in Fremont, California but that apparently fell through. I keep hearing of all these new ballpark plans but year after year the A's are stuck in the Oakland Coliseum.
So I am a little bewildered the A's haven't been more aggressive in getting a new park. I know California doesn't have any money but if the Athletics were adamant about getting new digs I'm sure something could be worked out sooner than later.
If I owned the Athletics, I would tell Oakland and the state of California, I want a new ballpark and if I don't get it I'm gone. It would only be fair if I ponied up most of the money. I'm not a fan of corporate welfare.
If the A's did move, where would they go?
Las Vegas? Vancouver? Montreal? Charlotte? How about going back to Philadelphia. While that would never happen, and the Phillies would block it, it would be pretty neat if they ended up where they started back in 1901.

0 comments:

Post a Comment