A’s manager Mark Kotsay spilled his heart to the crowd after the franchise’s final game in Oakland on Thursday.
After the final out of the 3-2 win over the Rangers, Kotsay, who spent four seasons with the A’s during his playing days, grabbed a microphone and addressed the 46,889 in attendance at Oakland Coliseum.
“I’m gonna keep this short, I don’t really know if I’m gonna be able to make it through this,” Kotsay said. “To the staff, who dedicated their lives to the Oakland A’s, especially those who aren’t coming with us. I am forever grateful and will never forget you.
“And to all of you, on behalf of my staff, myself, this team, all the past players and coaches, everyone who’s worn the green and gold: there are no better fans than you guys. Thank you all for loving the game of baseball. Thank you all for your lifelong support of the Oakland A’s.
“And last, I want to thank you guys for coming out today to share this moment with a club that I’m so proud of. We played our asses off this year. … I think we should all pay homage to this amazing stadium that we’ve had the privilege and pleasure of enjoying for 57 years. And I ask you one more time, to start the greatest cheer in baseball: ‘Let’s Go Oakland.’”
The crowd erupted behind Kotsay with players and coaches joining in on the chants from the field.
The local broadcast panned to emotional A’s fans as they shouted in unison at the Coliseum one last time.
Thursday’s game marked the end of the Atheletics’ 57-year tenure in Oakland after arriving in the Bay Area from Kansas City in 1968.
The A’s will play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. for at least the next three seasons before moving to Las Vegas.
