There’s not much new to report on around the game, but there has been a bit of chatter relating to the Athletics, so we’ll round it up here …
- In response to a reader question, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle provides an initial assessment of the potential impact of the pandemic on the Athletics’ plans for a new ballpark. As she explains, it’s still far too soon to know how the outlook will change. But there’s little doubt the ambitious project — which has advanced through multiple tough stages and finally seemed on track to being realized — will face new hurdles and potential for delay or modification.
- The A’s are of the few teams that haven’t yet decided how to handle non-team employees during the MLB shutdown. Per Slusser, via Twitter, the Oakland org hasn’t yet promised salaries through the end of May but also hasn’t decided against that course. It’s unclear at this point whether the Athletics will follow the majority of ballclubs that have guaranteed ongoing paychecks at least to that point of the year.
- Perhaps this helps explain why the Mets snapped up Tim Tebow under then-GM Sandy Alderson? It turns out that when Alderson was running the Athletics, he tried to pull off an even bigger cross-sport stunner. Alderson tells ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (audio link) that he tried to keep Michael Jordan from joining the White Sox when the NBA legend decided to try his hand at baseball. To woo Jordan west, Alderson was willing to put him directly onto the A’s active roster. That likely would not have turned out terribly well from a baseball perspective, but it sure would’ve made the MJ saga even more interesting to follow at the time.
- Oh, and one more development: Mark Canha — who is hoping to build off of a breakout 2019 season — is trying not to obliterate private property with his MacGyver’ed batting practice setup.
It’s too bad the construction hadn’t already started. A lot of the work could probably still happen as long as proper protocols were followed. There are lots of construction projects that are continuing to progress. It’s also an economic boost to do these types of projects.
I would assume if the contract isn’t already signed/money committed, then it may not happen. This may be even more of the case if the city/state is flipping some of the bill. Municipalities and state governments are more likely to cut projects and even current staff than take on new building projects.
Not only has the team committed to self-financing the new ballpark, they already handed the city a new revenue stream for infrastructure improvements by doing all the lobbywork to allow the city to create a Tax Infrastructure Financing district for Jack London Square and Howard Terminal.
The TIF pays to the city, not the team, and has specific language (inserted by the Oakland City Council) spelling out that the funds from the TIF are NOT restricted to usage in the immediate ballpark vicinity
Oakland “will likely be interested” in the (bargain) expansion of a waterfront entertainment district that is currently struggling.
Good info CCCTL, what I worry about is the fear of investing in public gathering spaces going forward…who knows how the pandemic will affect things like that?
I’m very interested as my industry is dependent on it
these teams and their stupid stadium concerns.
You’re right. I wish we would be building miles upon miles of 24 foot wide bike paths (2 six foot lanes in both directions) for our recreation and even transportation while maintaining proper distancing.
I agree, most teams who get a new stadium, don’t need it. They can simply renovate the existing stadium. In some cases, like Texas needing a roof, was necessary. However, Oakland truly is a dump. It’s my “home” stadium, so it’s my dump. But Oakland wont ever be able to attract a FA with the quality of the ballpark, let alone quality of the city. I’ve heard of many complaints with sewage at the park….But if The city of Oakland can ever clean itself up, decrease the amount of homeless and crimes, building a stadium (with the owners money, not taxpayers) can really build up what already is a solid fan base, especially with the Warriors moving across the bridge.
If this new stadium doesn’t pass, I think they should just move.
@ Andrew, I agree with you completely. I do think that the Oakland Stadium is truly a dump and with the Raiders gone, the A’s deserve a “real” baseball park. I love the idea of the location at/near Jack London Square and think, it if ever comes together, it would help the City of Oakland in many ways. I also agree that if they don’t pull it off soon, as in: start building the park within 1-3 years, it’ll never happen and the team should pursue a new home. I also think it’s BS that the A’s can’t really move to San Jose. It’s my understanding that the Giants claim SJ as their “territory” and this is what prevents that possibility. SJ would be a good move for the A’s, and, I say this as a Giants fan. Build the park for the A’s!!
Yeah SJ would be great for the team, but not for me! That’s an extra 45 min drive for me
Yeah Andrew, my East Bay diehard A’s friends would be in the same boat. Just get that team out of the present sewer!
The Rays also need a new ballpark, preferably in another city outside of the Snowbird State. Just imagine what that team could do with even decent attendance revenue.
Tebow was only signed to sell minor league tickets. The guy is never going to be on a MLB roster. If a 30 y o can’t hit a 20 y o pitcher he is not going to be able to hit a professional pitcher.
That was probably also the case for Michael Jordan back in the day.
Man they were just about to get the new ballpark and then Corona virus hit. Now they’ll have to start over from scratch
Las Vegas is the New Oakland.