Mark Kotsay made sure Athletics fans had the final words at the Oakland Coliseum.
Following the A’s 3-2 win against the Texas Rangers in the Coliseum’s finale on Thursday, manager Kotsay, with his entire team and staff by his side, delivered an emotional speech to the 46,889 fans in attendance.
“There are no better fans than you guys,” Kotsay said. “Thank you all for loving the game of baseball and thank you all for your lifelong support of the Oakland A’s.”
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"There are no better fans than you guys."
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
Mark Kotsay delivers parting words to A's fans at the Coliseum 🥲 pic.twitter.com/BcoVvGvIMh
Emotional and with the hopes of soaking up one last feel-good moment in Oakland, Kotsay then asked fans to start “the greatest cheer in baseball” at the Coliseum a final time.
Suddenly, “Let’s. Go. Oakland,” rang loud and clear around Oakland’s ballpark.
"LET'S. GO. OAKLAND. 👏👏👏👏👏"
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
Mark Kotsay leads the final A's chant at the Coliseum 😢 pic.twitter.com/DkkWURsRdB
MLB
Shortly after Kotsay’s speech, Max Schuemann bid farewell to the fans in attendance by flying the A’s flag around Rickey Henderson Field a final time.
Max Schuemann flies the A's flag around the Coliseum one last time 👏 pic.twitter.com/vDTZ5GsR1o
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
Despite three games remaining on the 2024 MLB schedule, Thursday’s emotional game marked the end of the A’s storied 57-season stay at the Coliseum.
A’s legends Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson threw the final first pitches in a stadium that saw both of them write franchise history, while former Oakland pitcher Barry Zito sang the national anthem prior to the game.
A's legends @DSmoke34 and Rickey Henderson throw out the final first pitch at the Coliseum 🥹 pic.twitter.com/kEASQV62cg
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
Former A's ace Barry Zito sings the national anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wDDw9Vwf3Z
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
The A’s will travel up north for a season-ending three-game series against the Seattle Mariners ahead of its move to West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park next year.
In Oakland, though, the voices of A's fans will ring forever.