Are the A's gone ?

[AntMoOAK]

Where will the A's end up ? In some god forsaken place like Las Vegas ? Portland? Santa Clara (arggh) ? Do the politicos in Oaktown have the ghanas to pull it off ?
http://oaklandfans.com/ballpark/

[Baseball=Life]

I think it's between the Coliseum parking lot (currently being planned, finanancing being sought, land already owned, etc) and Las Vegas. The A's are too big of a product for those other small towns, and MLB isn't ready to put a team south of the border. South Bay, Giants territory. Portland, not big enough town for a baseball team especially... getting the Mariners was even a struggle for Seattle. The northwest isn't baseball country. Uptown Oak? I cannot imagine where that site would be--it is already so densely developed. That's really the advantage to the Coliseum parking lot site.... since already owned it would eliminate so many political obstacles, like clearing already developed land such as businesses or housing. The real question is whether the financing will ever be figured out--especially with voters unwilling to finance anything after feeling burns from the Raiders in the past over the issue. Las Vegas, unfortunately, is totally plausible. I really hope not, the A's are a big part of the Bay Area for me.

It's all about Ignacio de la Fuente on the City Council. Hopefully he can get it done with the soon-to-be-new-owner Lew Wolff. At least I think that's the new guy's name.

[Southpaw Slim]

It is his name.

What many people are overlooking is the fact that West Oakland (in spots) is merely a couple of years away from a renaissance. Lots of land is being purchased between W. Oak BART and downtown, and the city is keeping better care of the streets.

Mandela Pkwy is an indicator of what's to come. (BTW, it took me like 3 minutes to remember indicator.) Commence shit-talking.

[AntMoOAK]

Piggy backing on southpaw... West Oakladn would be nice for a old fashioned basball park... I''ve always thought Raimondi Field at 20th and Wood would make a great location. Have a trolly run down Wood between Raimondi and the Oakland West BART station. Turn the SP station into a museum, fix and liven up Wood street and market it as shorcut to Emeryville (my favorite shortcut to E-ville)

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[Southpaw Slim]

And after the game, everyone can come to DeFremery to watch the post-game show!

BTW: I followed that link on the first post of this topic. Have you noticed how the new proposed field lacks a key element of Oakland history? That's right, say goodbye to our precious foul territory! And I like the look of the current outfield better as well.

[retep]

That would be awsome. If the A's played there, we should move our games to Wednesdays to get the $1 night!

[AntMoOAK]

Alas it will never happen at Raimondi... I think the city fathers and mothers have forgotton about that part of town... I can remember as a kid going to big events at thet park... now it's used for soccer games... So it looks like our only hope is for Ignacio to persuade the 'Town to rally behind the parking lot location... although yes... no more easy outs in foul territory... I can recall a many opposing rallies being stymied by the ample foul territories

[Southpaw Slim]

And without all that foul territory, how does it affect Chavez's play? Does it impact his impact as an impact?

[retep]

I think so. If you have a 3B with that kinda range, its a major advantage when you play in a place like that

[AntMoOAK]

"Does it impact his impact as an impact" WHOA... on that superb play on words I bid you all a good night...

[Southpaw Slim]

Thx, Ant.

Bet the A's wish they'd kept Tejada now!