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A’s head into final home game in Oakland, hope farewell goes ‘the right way’
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A’s head into final home game in Oakland, hope farewell goes ‘the right way’

OAKLAND, Calif. — The A’s began their final home game of their senior season Friday night in Oakland. No one can predict what will happen over the next six games and seven days.

After 57 seasons at the Colosseum, there will undoubtedly be emotion, but how that emotion will be expressed is the main question on everyone’s mind.

“We’ve heard some rumors and we’re going to have some meetings about it,” said left fielder Seth Brown, who is in his sixth season as the longest-tenured Athletic. “The fans have always supported us and we hope they support us in a positive way. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the time and give it their last hurrah, and at the same time, we hope it’s done the right way.”

The A’s hosted the Yankees on Friday, losing 4-2 in 10 innings. They play two more games against New York before closing out the home portion of their schedule with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. The final game, on Thursday afternoon, is the last major professional game in Oakland, which has lost three major franchises — the Warriors, the Raiders and now the A’s — in five years.

Starting next spring, the A’s will play at least three seasons in a minor league stadium in Sacramento before moving permanently to Las Vegas.

The A’s have been faced with one off-field distraction after another over the past two seasons, from the announcement in Las Vegas last April to the announcement in Sacramento this April.

“This isn’t really new to us,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “But the emotion was a lot higher last year in terms of anger. This year it’s been really, really quiet, and I don’t know if that’s because they’ve gotten the anger out. That emotion will still be there as we get into Thursday, but that’s part of when the healing process starts, too.”

Fans in Oakland have staged numerous protests against owner John Fisher, who backed out of a massive development deal in Oakland in April 2023 and announced a move to Las Vegas. There was a much-publicized “reverse boycott” last year and an Opening Day parking lot boycott this season, with fans gathering in the parking lot but refusing to enter the stadium.

Before Friday, the team had drawn 738,438 fans, the fewest in Major League Baseball.

“The last three games are going to be pretty epic for us and the fans,” outfielder JJ Bleday said. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be exciting to play some games with a crowd. Obviously I feel bad for the fans, but we’re going to be a part of history.”

The A’s have taken some precautions for the last few home games, warning players to be aware of their surroundings in case fans decide to take the field. Players have also been told not to stand on the field with family for photos after games.

“Just get out of there,” Bleday said.

Before Friday’s season opener against the Yankees, fans posted the ubiquitous “SELL” signs on the railings of the bleachers in right and left field. Another sign — “VIVEK REPENT” — was a nod to Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, who also owns the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, who will share Sutter Health Park with the A’s.

Ranadive, a friend of A’s owner Fisher, brokered the deal to provide the A’s with a temporary home without having to pay rent.

“I wish we were staying here,” Bleday said, “but that’s not up to me. I have a pot ready to fill with some soil.”