SACRAMENTO, Calif — Major League Baseball is coming to Sacramento and the city's mayor says its best days are still ahead.
The A's made a blockbuster announcement Thursday saying they were temporarily setting up shop at Sutter Health Park for at least three years before their move to Las Vegas.
While the park is in a different city and county, Sacramento city leaders say the city's assets, such as restaurants, hotels and more, are just a bridge away. They expect the move to bring a major economic impact to the area, but they also think it's a chance to send a message.
"It also sends a signal to the rest of the country, to other professional sports leagues, to other industry leaders who are wondering where should they think about expanding their companies... that this region, Sacramento, West Sacramento, the entire region is a place to do business," said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Steinberg also emphasized Sacramento's past might turn out to be prologue, specifically with how the city stepped up to keep the Kings in Sacramento.
"I want to make this point again because I really believe it. But for the city of Sacramento stepping up 10 years ago and making that hard choice to say "Yes" to keeping the Kings and building the Golden 1 Center, this day would not be happening," said Steinberg.
While the A's stay in Sacramento is just temporary, Steinberg believes it's an audition for MLB as the city continues to seek more in terms of jobs, housing, entertainment and sports.
"I have no doubt that our fans, our people, our ownership and our community will wow them all. We will no longer — as a city and as a region — be the best kept secret in California and this country," he said.
The mayor also spoke to the longtime fans of the A's. He says Oakland doesn't deserve to lose its team, but the decision for the A's to leave was made separate and apart from anything to do with Sacramento.
"My message to the A's fans, obviously here in Sacramento but also in Oakland, is that this will be your team too. For Sacramento, there are several important things to say today. First of all, we will make the A's and Major League Baseball proud. We will make the A's and Major League Baseball very, very proud," Steinberg said.
