Elephant Rumblings: A’s Break Ground In Las Vegas

MLB news roundup

Morning everyone.

Well, they did it. They finally did it. For better or worse (I think we all know which one), the Athletics’ ownership finally got their way, having their formal breaking-ground ceremony on Monday morning as multiple stewards of the storied franchise dug the final grave for the Oakland Athletics. The Vegas era is here, whether we like it or not. Blegh.

For most of us, there is no celebration here. Lifelong East Bay baseball fans have had their hearts ripped out with the departure of what many of us considered a close or extended family member. The memories will never leave us, but watching the A’s play in Las Vegas is not going to be easy to watch. There is plenty of blame to go around, and we’ll all have time to digest and discuss. But for now, it’s time to grieve.

While it’s hard to say goodbye to a team we all loved and cherished, it’s not really gone. They’ve moved, leaving California behind for the rich prospects of the Las Vegas Strip (ha). Whether or not you have chosen to follow the team to its new destination, it’s imperative that us fans do not attack others for simply following the team. For many of us, it’s been a way of life, an escape, or a way to immerse in the community. Athletics legend and current broadcaster Dallas Braden, he of the 19th perfect game in MLB history, has been an embodiment of what the fan base has been going through. Always a die-hard Oakland fan, things change, and it’s alright to change with the times. Even if it is hard. Dallas spoke about this last night after a long day of vitriol towards the beloved Beard:

Yes. Forget that guy who took our team away from us here in Oakland. We are fans of this team, not of this owner. But if there isn’t rain, there won’t be rainbows. That might sound trite, but it’s the truth.

This is happening guys. I hate it as much as the rest of you. The Coliseum will always and forever be the true home of the A’s, at least to this writer. Who knows if Vegas will work out. Signs point to it being a massive failure, but there is enough incentive for a $3 billion-dollar owner to take this massive risk for a degenerate town. The owner has no idea how to run a baseball team, let alone a business. He won’t know how good he had it in Oakland until he sees the crowds that arrive at this upcoming stadium. If Raiders games are any indication, the Athletics will soon be playing 162 road games. It’s a travesty to the sport to strip a baseball town like Oakland of its last and most beloved sport team.

Turn on your replies, social media team. Let’s see how fans really feel. But they won’t, because they are scared and they know this is a hugely unpopular move. Any guesses as to how long it takes them to reactivate replies? Over/under 5 years?

But this is happening. And for all the fans that said they’d believe it when shovels went in the ground, it’s time to start accepting that this will happen. I guess you could never say never; maybe Fisher can’t find the liquid cash to push this over, but that seems like the longest of long shots. It’s disgusting, and Rob Manfred is just as much to blame as John Fisher. But it’s happening. Sigh.

Have a good day everyone. And as always, go A’s.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s Break Ground on Las Vegas stadium site
• Former Athletic Tyler Nevin signs 2-year deal with Seibu Lions

MLB News & Interest:

• Diamondbacks send outfielder Corbin Carroll to IL with wrist fracture
• Blue Jays release former top reliever Erik Swanson
• Fernando Tatis Jr. sues BLA to void deal signed as 17-year-old
• Authorities seek 5-year sentence for Wander Franco
• Twins have exercised manager Rocco Baldelli’s contract for 2026
• Nationals’ Keibert Ruiz struck in head with foul ball, exits game
• Reds DFA $45MM investment Jeimer Candelario
• Cubs select Michael Fulmer, option Nate Pearson
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Don’t give me hope. Just don’t:

Promising prospect making waves:

The first of a series of promotions in the Athletics’ farm system:

Another notable promotion:

This is kind of ridiculous, right?