The sounds of spring are here. The pop of the catcher’s mitt, the crack of the bat, and the calls of vendors shouting, “Hot dogs!” and “Cold beer here!” have fans eager to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. For 29 Major League Baseball fanbases, it’s a time to celebrate.
For fans of the 30th franchise—the Athletics—it feels like purgatory.
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes with me knows I was an Oakland A’s fan, loyal for over 30 years. But ever since Mason Miller got Travis Jankowski to ground out for the final out at the Oakland Coliseum, I knew my time as an A’s fan had come to an end.
For the next six months, I mourned my fandom, believing I’d never root for another team again. But that mourning period is over. I’ve found a new team to which I can show my loyalty, and maybe, if you’re a fellow former A’s fan, you will too.
There’s no judgment for those who choose to follow the A’s to Sacramento or Las Vegas. Casual Bay Area baseball fans might switch allegiances to the team across the Bay Bridge and become Giants fans. That’s fine—for a casual fan.
But for the diehards?
For two decades, Oakland diehards fought for their team off the field. We endured constant relocation threats, a front office that gutted the roster year after year, and an ownership group more interested in alienating its fans than investing in them.
We fought. And we lost.
Some refuse to give up the fight, but for this diehard, it’s over. I miss enjoying baseball. I’m taking back my fandom.
Finding a new team isn’t easy. It’s a life-changing decision that requires careful thought.
Eliminating the Non-Starters
Let’s start by ruling out the teams that never stood a chance.
No Bandwagon Teams
Jumping on a bandwagon was never an option, so the Dodgers and Yankees were out immediately. The Braves and Phillies? Also no.
The Giants
You couldn’t pay a diehard A’s fan to root for the Giants. Their front office played a key role in forcing the A’s out of the Bay Area by blocking territorial rights in San Jose.
The Astros
Pick a reason—any reason. But let’s just go with the 2017 cheating scandal. With the automatic disqualifiers out of the way, let’s get into what does matter.
The Criteria for a New Team
1. They must keep homegrown talent. That rules out the Rays, Marlins, and Pirates. After years of watching Oakland trade away every promising player, signing up for more heartbreak would be masochistic.
2. They must be willing to spend money. A team that invests in its stars also needs to open the checkbook for free agents. That eliminates the Guardians, Royals, Reds, Brewers, and Rockies.
3. No major stadium issues or threats of relocation. The Coliseum had its own charm—A’s fans affectionately called it Baseball’s Last Dive Bar—but years of neglect ruined the fan experience.
Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is in better shape, but its broken AC, roof issues, and a looming stadium battle with the city make it an unattractive choice for any A’s fan looking to escape ballpark drama.
The Perfect Choice
One team not only meets all the criteria but excels in every category.
A stunning ballpark. A commitment to keeping homegrown talent. A willingness to spend to compete.
That team is the San Diego Padres.
With long-term contracts in place for Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, former A’s fans will finally experience something foreign: stability.
Sure, the Padres share a division with the Dodgers, but coming from a perennial underdog in Oakland, that challenge will feel familiar.
For the first time in a decade, I don’t have to justify a rundown stadium, no-name players, or a poorly run franchise. And most importantly, I don’t have to justify my fandom.
By taking back my fandom, I can finally just enjoy baseball again.
No matter which team you choose, I encourage every former Oakland diehard to do the same.
