‘Absolutely ecstatic’ or ‘Ick’? Sacramento reacts to Oakland A’s move
Sports fans and Sacramento residents are slugging it out on social media after the Oakland A’s announced plans to move to the Sacramento area.
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé and Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher announced Thursday that the A’s will relocate to West Sacramento beginning in 2025 as the team prepares to move to Las Vegas.
The A’s will play three seasons at Sutter Health Park, home to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, with an option to add another year, while their new stadium is being constructed.
The Major League Baseball team’s new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip is expected to be ready by the start of the 2028 season.
Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento will host the A's for the 2025-27 seasons - ahead of the team's move to Vegas in 2028. pic.twitter.com/KryyjzpLMl
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 4, 2024
Sacramento residents, sports fans react to Oakland A’s move
Social media users reacted Thursday to news of the A’s move with a mixture of excitement and skepticism.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic!” Reddit user Digesting Gandhi wrote. “Sorry for Oakland and all this mess, but I’m so happy to have MLB here, if only to show that we should get a permanent team.”
“This is actually so good for the city,” Reddit user s0ysauce09 said. “The MLB actually has A LOT of players that come from Sacramento and the greater surrounding area, Rocklin, Roseville, Elk Grove. I think Sacramento could be a great city to foster an MLB team.”
“Let’s go!” Reddit user Toxik916 wrote. “I’m excited to support Major League Baseball in Sacramento!”
Meanwhile, Reddit user See5Sharp had a single-word reaction to the news: “Ick.”
A’s games in Sacramento for the next 3 years? Sign me tf up
— YOUR*WRLD️ (@WrldWrldWrld) April 4, 2024
Congresswoman: ‘This is a sad day for Oakland’
Not everyone is looking forward to the A’s calling Sacramento its temporary home, including U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, who represents Oakland as part of the 12th Congressional District.
“This is a sad day for Oakland and for generations of A’s fans,” Lee posted on X, formerly called Twitter.
This is a sad day for Oakland and for generations of A's fans.
The A's have been one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball, and have brought immense pride to the city of Oakland. https://t.co/T0HPFzsXyc— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 4, 2024
Many social media commenters criticized the A’s recent record. As of Thursday, the team was ranked last in the MLB’s American League West standings, with just one win and six losses so far this season.
“A’s are crap and if this negatively affects the River Cats, then screw the A’s,” Reddit user Bitgod1 wrote.
While some were sour over the A’s short stay in the capital city, others were worried about the impact of the move on local infrastructure.
“I really don’t want the A’s coming to Sacramento,” Reddit user ChooseWisely83 wrote. “The A’s will be nothing better than a short term renter that will cause more damage than benefits. ... I hope they don’t mess with a good thing.”
Reddit user Badger Sauce wrote, “Traffic is gonna suck soooooo hard.”
I LOVE Oakland and I LOVE Sacramento. I'd definitely support an expansion team in Sac, but this is NOT the way.
The A's belong in Oakland, and It's a shame Sac is being USED to extract MLB out of Oakland. #FJF #FManfraud #FDK— Christopher Brady (@Christo70194490) April 4, 2024
Some sports fans were, overall, torn over the subject.
“I LOVE Oakland and I LOVE Sacramento,” X user Christopher Brady posted. “I’d definitely support an expansion team in Sac, but this is NOT the way.”
“I’m torn on the A’s situation,” CBS Sports journalist Cameron Salerno wrote on X. “I feel horrible for the diehard fans who have been supporting the team for decades. It’s also surreal to think MLB games will be played in Sacramento next year.”
I’m torn on the A’s situation. I feel horrible for the diehard fans who have been supporting the team for decades. It’s also surreal to think MLB games will be played in Sacramento next year. Sacramento is an incredible sports town. Great opportunity under horrible circumstances.
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) April 4, 2024