On the field, the Giants won today and the A's lost. Off the field, the Giants are set to undergo a shakeup and the A's may have reason to hope. Here's the latest…
- The Giants announced that Bill Neukom will retire from his position at the end of the 2011 calendar year and will serve as Chairman Emeritus in 2012. As anticipated, Baer will become CEO at that point.
- Giants' managing general partner and CEO Bill Neukom will not return in the same role next season, according to Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News. The executive committee has asked Neukom to step aside following a series of disagreements. Larry Baer, the Giants' president and COO, will become the CEO when Neukom steps down.
- ESPN.com’s Buster Olney suggests the leadership change could provide the Athletics with optimism, since Neukom has opposed the possibility that the might A's move to nearby San Jose (Twitter link).
- Baer also opposes the Athletics' proposed move to San Jose, so it's difficult to see the Giants' position changing, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
All the A’s want is the territorial rights to San Jose back. It was only given to the Giants so they wouldn’t move to Tampa. Now that the A’s franchise is in turmoil, it is only fair to give it back to the A’s.
The A’s need a new stadium! Come on Selig, it has been more than three years already! Just make a decision!!!
MLB should tell the Giants and the A’s that the SF/OAK media market will be shared exactly the same as every other 2-team market … equally. No specific territories for either team.
And then if the A’s want to build a park in SJ and SJ wants them, the Giants should have no say in the matter.
I’ll agree with you on this point. Selig should make a decision. It’s not fair to the A’s fanbase. Would be nice to see the A’s return to respectability. It’s not only good for the A’s, it’s good for MLB.
Heck, it’s not fair to the A’s ownership either. They’re trying to stay in the Bay area and with their fanbase, and they’re both (the owner and the fans) getting jerked around by MLB. It’s almost like Selig wants the A’s to have to leave the Bay area.
Make a decision already, Bud!!!
Tell the A’s to pay for their own stadium without taxpayer money and its a done deal. Didn’t work for the Giants in San Jose, and it won’t work for the A’s. Fremont or Oakland is the only chance they have
The A’s are going to pay for their own stadium. They have all the money they need for private financing. The Giants are their only obstacle. Fremont and Oakland are not options for the franchise.
The Fremont never took off and the Oakland locations are next to impossible. Not to mention that if the city of Oakland wanted to keep the A’s, then why hasn’t the Mayor contacted the A’s in years??
Sounds like Oakland, San Jose, and Fremont don’t want them. SF was willing to take the Giants if the Giants paid their own mortgage for the park. If the A’s can’t find that deal in the east bay, why should we pitty them? The San Jose redevelopment agency is nearly bankrupt so don’t ask SJ for a land deal. Oakland doesn’t want them. And Fremont is Fremont. Old man Bud is just praying that Oakland comes up with some extra cash before other states come calling
Not sure why you’d say that final sentence. With all Selig’s delaying, I’m wondering if he really wants the A’s to move out of the Bay area.
Giants are the only reason why the A’s have not gotton their stadium, why couldn’t the giants just have left when they were suppose to back in the 90’s. Your welcome giants!!
If the Giants had left, the A’s would still be nowhere, if not worse.
“If the Giants had left, the A’s would still be nowhere, if not worse.”
Nowhere? Nowhere? How about 4 championships since 1989 (*edit 1968)! The A’s built championship caliber teams when they made a run. Besides the Yankees, the A’s are the only other franchise to pull of a threepeat.
The Giants got lucky by catching lightning in a bottle last year. I love how all of these fair-weather Giants fans came out of nowhere when they won last year.
The A’s may not have many fans, but at least we are faithful.
Your my new best friend green and gold 🙂
The “fair weather Giants fans” you complain about are the same people that will be “fair weather A’s fans” if and when they ever win another championship. It’s so easy to complain about them now, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be embracing them if and when the A’s ever make another run. I still remember the ’89 World Series, I was the only kid in my school who was rooting for the Giants. A’s fans were all of a sudden coming out of the woodwork everywhere. Everyone in the Bay Area was on the A’s bandwagon. From Jose Canseco’s 1-900 number to George Zimmer’s ads, it wasn’t a fun time to be a Giants fan.
I edited out a sarcastic comment about A’s attendance.
I’m confused about the “How about 4 championships since 1989!” statement. The A’s haven’t won dick since 1989. Not 1, not 2, not 3, and definitely not 4. Stop living two decades ago. The Giants are the only team to wear a ring in the last 20 years
Two decades is nothing in terms of baseball. Just talk to a Red Sox or Cubs fan.
The Giants should be very familiar with this too, since this is the the first championship since 1955, when they were the New York Giants.
Or the White Sox. The Blue Jays haven’t won anything since the early 90’s. When was the last time the Orioles won a WS? The 70’s? What about the Pirates? When was the last time they won a WS? The late 70’s?
A lot of different teams win WS’s in baseball, but doesn’t mean that there aren’t some significant droughts too.
Or the White Sox. The Blue Jays haven’t won anything since the early 90’s. When was the last time the Orioles won a WS? The 70’s? What about the Pirates? When was the last time they won a WS? The late 70’s?
A lot of different teams win WS’s in baseball, but doesn’t mean that there aren’t some significant droughts too.
The O’s won the World Series in 1983.
They were THE model franchise in all of baseball from about 1965 through the mid 80’s. They were still quite respectable until ’97.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen…
the orioles have the crappiest lot in the majors. two titans and two super-savvy competitors waiting in the wings – one of which has the ability to spend like a titan. even if they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot constantly, they’d be screwed
division system must go
Whine, whine, whine. “Divisions must go because we’re in one that’s too tough for us!”
Spare me.
I’ve heard enough whining from Toronto fans on this one of late. Now we start hearing it from O’s fans…. You guys ought to try building a .500 team before whining about this. At least, Jays fans can point out that they “might” have a chance in another division. The only think the O’s contend for these days is the top pick in the draft.
Whine, whine, whine. “Divisions must go because we’re in one that’s too tough for us!”
first thing’s first: i’m a red sox fan. so a big swing and miss for you there. came out of your shoes on that one
second thing’s second: a playoff system that can and probably soon will see 2 of the best teams in the AL miss the playoffs simply because they’re in the same division is a broken system by any measure. that’s why divisions ought to go
third thing’s last: the orioles do have it really rough. it isn’t the fault of the fans that their management is horrible
jumped the gun, huh tiger?
So what you’re saying is that they haven’t won 4 titles since 89 like you said before? Oh thats right, we already knew that
Four championships since 1989? What are you talking about? Do you mean they won the AL West that many times? If so, they won the AL West six times. If you meant AL Championships, they have won one since 1989 (in 1990 when they lost to the Reds). If you mean World Championships, you’re smoking crack.
The Giants have had horrific luck in regard to injury this year. With even a league-average offense, their pitching carries them into the post-season again this year. Frankly, I’m amazed they were able to hang in as long as they did after the Posey injury. I think that if Posey returns and is able to continue being an elite-level catcher, the Giants are well positioned to be a championship caliber team for several years to come.
*Edited to four championships since 1968.
Also, the Giants are 8.5 games back in the NL West and 6.5 games back in the Wild Card…how does that get you to the post-season? Just goes to show you what a typical fair-weather Giants fan knows about their team.
Try reading what I wrote before you try and attack it. I said “With even a league-average offense, their pitching carries them into the post-season again this year. Frankly, I’m amazed they were able to hang in as long as they did after the Posey injury.” Where does that sound like I expect them to get to the post-season this year? I was saying that IF they had a league-average offense (which they clearly do NOT), they would be bound for the playoffs.
I’ve followed this team through thick and thin since 1985, don’t speak to me of fair-weather.
well, they don’t have a league average offense. so what’s your point?
if your aunt had a dong, he’d be your uncle.
My point was that without the injuries (especially Posey), they’re a lot closer to being a league-average offense this season.
I like how the fan of the team who packs 6,000 fans into their yard calls the fan of the team that has been drawing an average of 3MM fans for over 10 years “fair-weather.”
Quit crying about territorial rights and buy tickets to your team’s games.
Also, I’m glad that you can arbitrarily pick dates to make you feel better about the franchise you follow. Why don’t you check out their history between 1933 and that magical 1968 cut-off.
How far back are the A’s. Nobody at the Coliseum knows either because they were eliminated in May
in all fairness they were eliminated two days ago lol
I actually like the A’s and do root for them, but man fans like you give your team a bad name.
Say what you want about the 2010 Giants, they won the World Series, pretty easily I might add, get over it.
” I love how all of these fair-weather Giants fans came out of nowhere when they won last year.
The A’s may not have many fans, but at least we are faithful.”
Don’t be so naive, whenever a team that struggled starts winning the fans come pouring in. This isn’t a new phenomenon. The truth is the Giants have a great and loyal fan base that stretches from California all the way to New York City.
As far as the A’s fans being faithful, come on. Where are all the fans that were filling up the stands in 2002? Give me a break, they are no different than fans of any other team. When the team plays well and wins more people show up. Its common sense, its human nature just accept it dude.
What about in 2006 when the A’s last made it to the playoffs? They had a great season and were one team away from the World Series! Even then the A’s didn’t come close to selling out in the playoffs.
So the A’s had a decent team in the 70’s and 80’s. You would still be nowhere if the Giant’s had left in the 90’s. The A’s get half nearly their yearly attendance during Bay Series Games, (and Yankee/Redsox appearances) but it’s still the only time you actually see people in the stands.
Personally, I hate how fair weather fans came out of nowhere. For the first time in many years, they shut down Cal-Train to the park and I couldn’t make it to fan fest because of all the born-again giants fans flocking to AT&T park. But as much as I hate that issue, that is a problem the A’s haven’t had in a while and will never have again in Oakland.
I am telling you, the A’s woulda dissolved and either become the Nationals, Rays (maybe not the Rays, as that’s where the Giants would be theoretically) or Diamondbacks if they hadn’t piggybacked off the Giants sellouts. The only reason the A’s are still in business, is because the Giants gave the Bay Area a soft spot for baseball.
Oh an DH’s are for losers.
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
I hope the A’s can now move to San Jose soon.
I fail to see why anyone would think this gives the A’s any new hope in regard to the Giants’ stance softening on the position of territorial rights. Larry Baer has been every bit as vocal on the subject as Neukom (if not more).
As far as it being a goodwill gesture by the A’s in the past, and that since the reason for giving that territory has since become irrelevant, so the Giants should give it back…Sorry. That’s not the way it works. The Giants built up their value by not only focusing on San Francisco, but also by forging relationships with the people and businesses in the San Jose area. They took a gamble and privately financed their park partially based on that, and now the A’s want it back because they see how valuable a territory it is. That would be like Xerox being upset 35 years later and wanting the patent for the mouse back. Sorry, you gave it up. Just because it’s valuable to you now doesn’t mean it is yours by right.
The A’s don’t want the territory back because because of built up value, they want it back because the franchise is in trouble and San Jose appears to be the only viable option left in the Bay Area. The A’s gave the Giants San Jose out of goodwill so that the franchise wouldn’t have to suffer by moving out of the same market.
Now that the A’s are in the same predicament, the Giants should be just as courteous.
Also, if the A’s were to move to San Jose, they would actually be moving farther away from San Francisco, not closer.
All I hear from Oakland is how much you need a stadium, and all I see in Oakland is a sub par team that sells off anything good it has for nothing, like some yard sale
There is a reason Selig won’t approve your stadium, he knows the cheap Oakland brass will just fill it with crap from ikea and charge you top dollar for an “elite” experience
And even if they did make a top of the line stadium they will trade it to the Yankees for some no name prostpects. And don’t worry if those prospects turn out to be any good they will trade them too.
Oakland you just need to except it, your team isn’t goin any where. They knew that when they named the team. They didn’t even try to pretend your a aaa team, they let you know right up front it’s just single A
Go a’s hahaha
Giants fan?
Yep
Color me surprised…
Surprised = purple?
Well it’s a purplish color with a little extra red, some ultra-black, and of course a little neon clear.
Yeah, you’re right. We do trade off a lot of players, but that is because we can’t afford to keep them when they become stars.
We don’t have money like the Giants to throw away. We can’t sign arguably the worst contract ever in baseball history to Barry Zito, outbid all of baseball to re-sign Barry Bonds, and cut loose over $15 million in currents contracts to Rowand and Tejada.
Also, investing over $30 million of your own money to try and move the A’s to Fremont is not being a cheap owner.
I’ll still argue Vernon Wells tops the list of worst contracts with Mike Hampton coming up in second place.
Though I’m not sure why you’re replying to me… this ain’t my fight.
I really hope the a’s don’t go to fremont, I work in Fremont and day games are going to murder my 680 commute home lol
But seriously, ya the a’s can’t afford to keep players and they really can’t blame anyone but them selves, they operate in one of the most densely populated regions in the country, their stadium is right on bart and on a major highway so its easier to get to and their tickets are way cheaper. And with all that they are lucky to pull in 10,000 fans to their games. This will not change even with a new stadium unless the management starts taking risks on guys like bonds and zito. Ya they might bust but bonds sold out games even when the team blew.
What an intelligent, well thought-out comment…..
If you’re from Fremont, you’re either a new Giants fan or completely ignorant. You talk about how the A’s did this to themselves by not “taking risks on guys like bonds and zito.” Teams don’t win only by throwing money at “risks,” and actually usually get screwed by those bad contracts. Were you not a Giants fan a little over a decade ago when they were in the A’s position? When they were playing in Candlestick and could barely put a competitive team together? Winning seasons for teams go in cycles. Do you think the Yankees have always been dominant and been able to buy a winning team every season? They’ve had their droughts like every other team. Down the road, the A’s WILL have a competitive team eventually, with or without SJ.
I try to make this point to people all the time. The yankees had some dark years, the redsox had some dark years, the a’s had some GREAT years.
It goes in cycles you can’t just constantly win forever, no team has done that in any sport. at some point you have a drought.
And yet with those contracts the Giants still won the world series. Ain’t that something else?
Stop crying about money and territorial rights and buy tickets to your team’s games.
Giants fan?
I think that a move to San Jose would be good for:
1. A’s
2. Fans
3. Giants
5. Baseball in general
A healthy rivalry can go a long way. If the a’s start doing well, there will be waaaay more passionate fans in the bay area imo. There are lines divided already, and they will grow stronger if the A’s can become a better franchise and stay in the area.
A’s would be better off moving out of state to a new city that wants a team.
i agree, it just seems beneficial this way for everyone.
this coming from a giants fan living in the new york area who’s family had to deal with the giants moving across the country. if they could have handled it 50 years ago, the a’s fans can handle it now.
So sayeth the Giants fans… Guys, you’re not exactly unbiased here.
This shouldn’t be a debate about which teams is better or has contributed more to the Bay Area over the last few seasons. It should be a conversation about fairness and equity. The A’s controlled this market in the late 1990s and 2000s when they were running off playoff appearance after playoff appearance. But this doesn’t mean that they should have received full rights to certain sectors of the Bay Area estate market.
The same goes for the Giants right now. In fact, some could argue that a viable San Jose Athletics franchise would benefit the Giants a great deal.
thank you… There is a reason that monopolies aren’t allowed in business. competition is good for business. Any giants fan that wants to hate on the A’s for “not being good” is pretty short sighted, and can’t remember the candlestick days…
You honestly think that they “ran the market” then? Sure, they had some good teams and made the playoffs, but the Giants had all that and Bonds (for better or worse). Fair or not, with all things being equal, the A’s are always going to be second fiddle to the Giants in the eyes of local media. This is where a lot of the bitterness from A’s fans comes from. It’s kind of like the Yankees/Mets dynamic in that sense.
And for all the people who say that the A’s in San Jose would benefit the Giants…how? They rely on the fans coming up and the relationships they’ve forged with the local businesses down there. How is losing any of either of those groups going to help the Giants?
On the contrary, the Giants have only beaten the A’s in attendance by a big margin since they got a new ballpark. In the 70’s and late 90’s the A’s were barely behind in attendance, and dominated the 80’s. Interestingly, in 1968 (Oakland’s first year), SF only beat them by 246 fans… The fact is that when Pac Bell opened, the Giant’s attendance SKYROCKETED to over 3 million. It’s obviously not a coincidence.
This shouldn’t be a debate about which teams is better or has contributed more to the Bay Area over the last few seasons. It should be a conversation about fairness and equity. The A’s controlled this market in the late 1990s and 2000s when they were running off playoff appearance after playoff appearance. But this doesn’t mean that they should have received full rights to certain sectors of the Bay Area estate market.
The same goes for the Giants right now. In fact, some could argue that a viable San Jose Athletics franchise would benefit the Giants a great deal.