Anger and determination was in the air among Oakland Athletics fans as they received support from unexpected quarters in their battle against the team’s controversial plan to relocate to Las Vegas.
Amid the outrage, former Golden State Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson and Hollywood icon Tom Hanks added their voices to the growing chorus of opposition.
Sunday’s Bay Bridge series concluded with a resounding two-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants by the Athletics. Among the passionate crowd, Oakland native and former NBA champion Juan Toscano-Anderson stood out, proudly displaying a vibrant green “SELL” t-shirt.
This eye-catching gesture symbolized his alignment with the movement urging A’s owner John Fisher to sell the team and keep it rooted in the city.
Toscano-Anderson’s deep connection with Oakland and the Athletics has long been evident. He previously tweeted his desperate desire to keep the A’s in Oakland: “We really lost all 3 of our sports teams in Oakland. I got some of my best life memories at the coliseum.”
Mission accomplished ✅ @juanonjuan10 @Oakland68s pic.twitter.com/n0ppLafrpH
— Cassandra (@cassmoni_) August 6, 2023
The sentiment reverberated through the crowd, gaining even more traction due to the support of Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hanks.
Hanks, a proud Bay Area native, has long been associated with the Athletics. His allegiance goes beyond being a fan – during his teenage years, he worked as a concession vendor at the Coliseum, where he walked up and down the stands.
Speaking out against the proposed move, Hanks passionately declared: “Damn them all to hell.”
He reiterated his dedication to the Athletics during a recent appearance at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, stating, “A’s fans are the greatest fans in all of baseball. We can’t let this historic team slip away from Oakland.”
I asked Tom Hanks if he would buy the A’s to keep them in Oakland… pic.twitter.com/fhMU2y7v0H
— Mike Ono (@skoshi_tiger) June 14, 2023
When asked if he would consider emulating Ryan Reynolds, who helped save a soccer club, Hanks humorously responded, “I haven’t done that well, guys.” Despite his jest, his commitment to the cause was undeniable.
Screenwriter and director Ryan Fleck, known for his work on Captain Marvel, joined the rallying cry. He harnessed social media, urging Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney to follow their lead and step in to save the Athletics.
Fleck’s Instagram posts urged the stars to “buy my #oaklandathletics and keep them in Oakland.”
While the Athletics have initiated the process of relocating to Las Vegas, the team’s relocation requires approval from 75% of Major League Baseball owners.
As the battle for the future of the franchise continues, the unwavering support from lcoal sports icons and Hollywood celebrities adds weight to the fervent hopes of Oakland fans.
We’ll soon see how all of this turns out – but the reality is Oakland fans shouldn’t hold their breath’s.. The move to Vegas seems inevitable.
How do you think the whole situation will turn out?
If you owned the A’s (wouldn’t that be nice?) would you keep the team in Oakland, or move to the seemingly greener pastures (desert) of Las Vegas?