OAKLAND, Calif. — It was a historic and bittersweet day in Oakland.
On Thursday, the Athletics played their final home game at the Oakland Coliseum. The next time the A’s have a home game, it will be played at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento as the team waits for their new stadium in Las Vegas.
Fans wrapped themselves in t-shirts and flags, using them as armor as they brace for an emotional day.
A’s fan Hugh Cotton, of San Ramon, was emotional when the team took the field one last time at the Coliseum.
“I’m crying just thinking about it, crying when I got off the BART,” Cotton said. “My family was born and raised here, my daughter she’s been coming to games since she was three months old. She couldn’t even last through the third inning. It’s only right they are sick today.”
As parents were partaking in parking lot traditions one last time, some fans said it’s not only about losing the team. It's also about losing their connections.
“This is where you get together with all your friends and family and you don’t really do that unless there is a ball game,” said Rick Paiz. “Besides birthdays and funerals, baseball is where it's at.”
Through 57 seasons in Oakland, there have been 4,493 regular season games at the Coliseum along with four World Series.
Dating back to 1968, the A’s best baseball has been played at the Coliseum, including the “Swingin A’s” in the 70s, powerhouses like Rickey Henderson in the 80s, Moneyball — But now, its an end of an era.
Fans were in the stands with black roses trying to have a good time and remember their milestones.
“For my eigth birthday, the group got me this flag. It says, 'Right Field Mamacita,'” said Beatriz Sorie, a fan.
“I brought my wife here on our first date,” said Lance Shaw, another A's fan.
Loyal fans in the drumline and flag fliers had the tissues ready. Will, the right field coordinator, said the final game is “one of the saddest days” of his life.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a little kid,” Will said. “It’s going to be very hard to say bye to people.”
There were times where fans couldn’t go half an inning without “Sell the Team” chants. ABC10 asked fans if they’ll come to Sacramento to support the team and they said it’ll be unlikely.
“For what they are leaving behind here, it’s not worth it. It’s not worth it for us to follow them there,” said fan Joey Paiz.
“Seeing the A’s play anywhere else would just be crushing,” said an emotional Bryce Anderman.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | The A's wrapped up a homestand against the Texas Rangers
