Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
Reality is sinking in, and I wish I could travel back in time and grab Diamond Level seats to the final A’s game at Oakland Coliseum on September 26 against the Texas Rangers, which has now reportedly sold out.
Fittingly, Marcus Semien should be on hand. The former Athletics shortstop and current World Series champion is a Bay Area native who the A’s didn’t bother offering a competitive extension after the 2020 season. That may have marked an inflection point for the organization at which the A’s ceased to be “Rooted in Oakland” and committed to building a true World Series contender out of the team’s last playoff caliber roster.