The Oakland Athletics are entering their final days at the Oakland Coliseum with a series against division rivals, the Texas Rangers. The A’s won the first game in dramatic fashion with a walk-off victory. As only two games remain at the Coliseum, both teams are taking measures to ensure fan safety.
Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reported that the Rangers’ security team briefed their players in preparation for any potential scenarios during the series finale on Thursday. While Athletics fans are understandably angry at the team’s ownership, particularly John Fisher, it’s unlikely they would resort to storming the field or endangering players.
Fans have expressed their frustration by covering the outfield fence with signs criticizing the franchise for its poor treatment of Oakland. Despite several failed attempts to secure the team’s future in the city, Fisher and MLB ultimately secured a relocation to Las Vegas, leaving Oakland behind.
The signs in RF as the A's begin their final series at the Oakland Coliseum:
"Rooted in Revenue Share"
"Vivek Repent"
"Moneyball. Major League."
"Doris, 4 Real: Get Him"
"Come Back to Oakland"
"Goodbye MLB"
"SELL"
"No Fans Like Oakland Fans"
"Generational Robbery" pic.twitter.com/2ME1gtmBpG— Matt (@nosoupforgeorge) September 25, 2024
In his farewell letter to fans, John Fisher couldn’t even manage to correctly spell the name of the mountain peak linked to the infamous 1989 earthquake that interrupted that year’s World Series—a series Oakland ultimately won. This careless mistake feels like a fitting reflection of his tenure, as the team prepares to leave Oakland behind.
Rangers play Athletics in final series at Oakland Coliseum
When the Rangers left behind their identity as the Washington Senators and joined the American League West, they entered a division where the Athletics were a dominant force. In fact, the A’s not only captured the AL pennant but also won the World Series in each of the Rangers’ first three seasons in the division. Over the years, the two teams have experienced their fair share of victories and losses, though Texas has often found itself trying to catch up to Oakland and the many different teams the A’s have successfully assembled.
Marcus Semien, now a key player for the Rangers, enters this series against his former team as one of the most prominent players to wear both the green and yellow of the A’s and the red and blue of the Rangers. Jonah Heim, though he had a brief stint with Oakland, is another connection. The lineage includes names like Elvis Andrus, Jose Canseco, Ruben Sierra, Bert Campaneris, and more—players who’ve represented both franchises. While the A’s might keep their branding in any future home, the identity will never be quite the same.
As these two teams face off, both are nearing the end of seasons where they’ve already been eliminated from playoff contention.
