“SELL” flag behind home plate makes brief late-game TV appearance before A’s fan removed
OAKLAND — In the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 7-5 win over the Angels, the A’s found themselves the subject of a viral moment. And no, it was not Mason Miller electrifying with a flurry of fastballs.
As Miller faced the Angels’ Jo Adell, a fan wearing a “SELL” t-shirt positioned himself directly behind home plate and held up a “SELL” flag. The fan held their position for only a moment before being whisked away by a security guard.
The television broadcast captured the moment, which made the rounds on social media. Miller, who allowed two earned runs in his one inning of work, confirmed that he saw the flag.
A fan in Oakland made sure that his "SELL" sign got seen during Tuesday's game. pic.twitter.com/SqIokJe6Km
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 3, 2024
According to a team spokesperson, the fan was removed for several infractions.
The club’s long-standing policy prohibits signs in the Diamond Level — regardless of content — to prevent distractions that could impact the game, particularly for pitchers.
Additionally, the fan was removed for obstructing the view of other fans and, according to the spokesperson, for using profane language, which violates the team’s code of conduct. The team spokesperson said the fan received several warnings about the sign and his language before being ejected for failing to comply.
Acts of protest such as Tuesday’s episode are nothing new, both at the Coliseum, specifically, and in the Bay Area, generally.
On any given gameday, a handful of fans can be seen wearing the familiar Kelly green T-shirts, imploring team owner John Fisher to sell the team to a suitor who will keep it in Oakland. Last month, 27,759 fans filed into the Coliseum as part of a “reverse boycott.” The Oakland Ballers of the Pioneer League were created directly in response to the departure of the A’s, too.
Over the next several months, several more acts of protest will likely unfold. But unless something dramatically changes, the A’s will leave Oakland for Sacramento with the long-term goal of landing in Las Vegas.
Following Wednesday’s game against the Angels, the A’s will play just 38 more times at the Coliseum, ending a run of nearly seven decades of the green and gold in the East Bay.
The A’s conclude their three-game series at the Coliseum against the Angels on Thursday at 1 p.m., then start a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday in their last home series before the MLB All-Star break. Next week, Oakland plays at Boston for three games from Tuesday to Thursday, then is in Philadelphia from July 12-14.