The atmosphere in Oakland felt nostalgic for Mark Kotsay and Bob Melvin, as well as for Mark Canha and Matt Chapman, two former Athletics stars now with the rival team.
José Canseco, a new member of the A’s Hall of Fame, was emotional and moved, as he never expected this honor. “I’d like to thank the fans. I’m an emotional wreck right now,” said Canseco, who used to play with Mark McGwire.
“I can’t believe I’ve been given this chance, the opportunity to be honored. … I wish I could give the fans right now a forearm bash to everybody. Incredible memories here with the Oakland A’s.”
The first of two games in the final Bay Bridge Series in Oakland had a special atmosphere, with the crowd and even the Wave making an appearance in the upper decks.
With a nostalgic feel and an energetic crowd chanting, “Let’s Go Oakland!” this game was like the franchise’s glory days. A season-high 37,551 fans attended the Saturday game, which the A’s won 2-0.
Tony La Russa was present, along with fellow Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley and Rickey Henderson. Miguel Tejada also returned to be honored alongside Canseco.
“The excitement and the energy in the stadium today was amazing. One thing I want to say is that the A’s fans showed up today, they showed up in big numbers, bigger than the Giants fans today,” said Kotsay, who is now the A’s manager. “That was special, it was something that you can’t replace and that we’ll remember.”
Melvin, the Giants manager who managed the A’s for 11 seasons, was surprised that this weekend would be his team’s last two games at the Coliseum, saying “unfortunately that’s the case.”
The A’s are set to play the next three years in Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
