(Oakland) Boston Red Sox owner John Henry received a special “Stay in Oakland” box from San Francisco Bay Area baseball fans containing a green Athletics cap, a baseball card his likeness and a note explaining to him all the reasons why he should vote against the team’s proposed move to Las Vegas.
These supporters are also trying to influence Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees, another owner who they believe might be convinced to vote against Las Vegas.
They hope Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno can be an ally. Or maybe Ray Davis of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. Or even John Stanton, of the Seattle Mariners.
The group of dedicated supporters chose 15 owners to send the box to, selected because maybe — just maybe — there’s one last chance to keep the Athletics in Oakland.
This last-ditch effort was largely supported by clothing company Last Dive Bar, a loyal supporter of The Athletics. The company made the boxes and a colorful postcard titled “Keep Athletics in…OAKLAND.”
“This project was the culmination of our collective work and we hope it shows owners what we all know to be true,” said Paul Bailey, one of Last Dive Bar’s three owners, in a message to the Associated Press. The fans are not the problem. »
Clothing company Oaklandish provided the caps, while the box also contains a DVD created by the band The Summer of Sell, a USB drive and a personal letter from Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, along with a photo of ‘she wearing an Athletics jersey. The boxes were sent from his office address.
“The box represents everything that has been done before in Oakland and why (owners) should vote no,” said Stephen Lucero, an artist and Alameda firefighter who made the personalized cards for each owner, and who is a long-time supporter of the team.
Last Tuesday, about 200 people showed up to an Oakland City Council meeting and chanted “Stay in Oakland,” part of a new joint effort to stop the team from moving. The City Council unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming its support for keeping the Athletics in Oakland.
Major League Baseball owners are expected to vote on the proposed move Wednesday or Thursday at league meetings, which this year will be held in Arlington, Texas.
The Athletics reached a tentative deal for a new stadium in Las Vegas in May, sparking outrage and frustration.
On June 13, furious fans showed up at the Coliseum and implored owner John Fisher to sell the team in what they called a reverse boycott. Thousands of people wore green jerseys with the word “SELL” printed on them and chanted “Sell the team! » throughout the game, which the Athletics won 2-1 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
A crowd of 27,759 – a season high for the Athletics – was the team’s largest Tuesday game since drawing 33,654 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 7, 2018.
After the season, in a video message announcing his retirement, A’s pitcher Trevor May roundly criticized Fisher and implored him to sell the team.
“Let someone who actually takes pride in the things they own own something,” he added.
Lucero and his wife Chrissy, who is also his business partner at Steevow Custom Cards, spent hours at City Hall last Tuesday as Athletics fans once again mobilized to try to save their team.
“I’m extremely proud,” Lucero said.
“Everyone has stepped up and continues to do so, and it’s not going to stop. »