A New Plan A: A Response to Dieter Kurtenbach’s 12/6/17 Article

I’ll preface what you’re about to read by stating that I know this is going to upset some people, but I challenge all you diehard fans to take a step back and objectively consider what I have to say.

It’s no secret that the Coliseum is a dump. It’ll always have a special place in my heart and the hearts of many others, but it hasn’t been a relevant venue in over 2 decades. It’s not just the facilities that make it irrelevant, it’s the location. I write this because of an article I read this morning by Dieter Kurtenbach that absolutely terrified me as a passionate, life-long A’s fan. The article argues that we need to consider "Plan C" which involves, in Kurtenbach’s words, "fixing" the Coliseum. If the Athletics settle for this option, the franchise will continue to struggle to attract Bay Area fans and free agents.

The Athletics have a rich history as one of the winningest franchises of all-time. This 116 year history spans 3 cities: east coast, mid west and west coast. The city of Oakland is a big part of the Athletics’ identity, but not the whole enchilada. To ignore the Connie Mack’s, Jimmie Foxx’s, Lefty Grove’s and 5 Philadelphia WS titles is a disservice to the Athletic brand. In short, the A’s transcend Oakland.

The A’s are second fiddle. We’re not discussing the New York or Chicago markets. West Coast baseball is an entirely different animal. I’m not sure how many of you fans have had the opportunity to catch a game at Fenway, Yankee Stadium or Wrigley, but, trust me, it’ll change how you view the sport. So how do the A’s compete with the Giants for market equality? First of all, the Giants are not stupid. Their ownership is well aware that the Bay Area market can only truly support one franchise at a time. This is nothing new. They remember playing second fiddle to the A’s during the 70s, 80s and early 90s. They reinvented themselves by signing the best player in baseball at the time (Barry Bonds) and getting out of Candlestick, a venue not dissimilar to the Coliseum. The Giants ownership has fought hard to control the market and will not cede control easily (ie. San Jose).

The San Jose site made the most sense by far. The Peralta site was a decent option. Then there have been other sites like Fremont or ideations of Sacramento that were not really viable options at all. Sticking with the Coliseum site would be a waving of the white flag. It’d be saying, "Alright. We surrender to mediocrity." Just imagine if the Giants had "fixed" the Stick. Where would their franchise be today? Would they be a finalist for Otani?

Speaking of Otani, the shutting down of the Peralta site was not the most painful A’s fan moment this week. The A’s were the only west coast team not granted an interview with Shohei Otani’s reps. The A’s have everything that Otani states he wants: smaller market, young up and coming team, west coast, etc., but he chose not to consider them as option. Why is this? In my opinion, this is incredibly concerning. Is it ownership? Facilities? Location? All the above?? Whatever the reason, this is a loud, painful slap across the face of ownership, reverberating all the way down to us loyal fans. If anything, it’s an indication of how broken the A’s brand is at this time and it begs the question: what’s the solution?

One of my favorite shows these days is Silicon Valley. It’s hilarious, but, at times, it makes me sad. The Bay Area has changed significantly over my lifetime. I was born in the 70s at Alta Bates hospital and raised in Berkeley during the 80s, attending as many games as I could get my grandfather to take me to. My whole family was Bay Area born and raised. By 2010, however, I was the last member of my family still living in the Bay Area, largely due to gentrification and socio-economic displacement. I will never forget the first time I was referred to as a unicorn (defined to me as someone that was actually born in the Bay and still living in Bay as an adult) while I was living in SF about 8 years ago. That was a woke moment. It disturbed me on a personal level, but I also realize that change is inevitable and that we as human beings must adapt whether the change is economic, climate or otherwise. The A’s must adapt as well in order to stay relevant and survive. Please remember, it wasn’t that long ago that the Athletics were discussed as a candidate for contraction. We’re another economic downturn away from that becoming a relevant discussion again, should the Athletics’ ownership fail to right the ship

A year ago this month, I moved to Montana. It was a difficult decision, but I came to the realization that the Bay Area was no longer working for me on the whole. I purchased the MLB package and I caught a few games at Safeco, Target Field and a memorable game in Detroit where Khris Davis gave me his batting gloves and Matt Olson graced me with good conversation as well as an autographed ball. Two things really surprised me: 1. How many A’s fans were in attendance at each away game I attended and 2. How much more I enjoyed watching my beloved team play in a legitimate ballpark in front of a large audience. I realized that the A’s are a national brand. Even in Montana I see A’s hats and A’s bumper stickers on a regular basis.

I don’t want a Plan C. I want a new Plan A. Rob Manfred has stated Portland as a possible expansion city. Portland is a great town with diehard sports fans. Walking around downtown PDX on the day of a Timber’s or Blazer’s game is eye opening, with fans repping their beloved teams in spades. I feel Portland would be the perfect spot for an MLB team and, before the Rays jump aboard the PDX express, I think it’s time the Athletics ownership takes a long, hard look at the potential that exists in that market. A chance to be the number 1 game in town. New Shibe Park right on the Willamette River? I can get down with that.

I’m calling on John Fisher to take a page out of the Charlie Finley playbook; to adapt, evolve and reinvent this team. The Athletics franchise deserves a home and an image worthy of it’s legacy. Go A’s.