By Cody Stavenhagen, Sam Blum, and Stephen J. Nesbitt
Tom Hanks, one of the most iconic actors of our time, was once a young boy growing up in the Bay Area. The Oakland Coliseum was a significant landmark visible from his family’s home in the Lower Hills.
When the A’s moved to Oakland while Hanks was 12, it marked a turning point in his fandom. One of his most vivid memories is Game 3 of the 1972 World Series, where he watched Oakland host its first World Series game amidst a freak storm that delayed the first pitch. This event cemented Oakland as the center of the baseball universe for Hanks.
Having witnessed multiple World Series wins by the A’s during his high school years, including attending “Hot Pants Day” and seeing legends like Willie Mays, Hanks’ connection with the team runs deep. The impending departure of the A’s from Oakland has struck a chord not just with die-hard fans but also with prominent figures like Hanks.
The sentiment of losing a beloved team is echoed by various former A’s players and notable fans, each sharing their favorite memories and the pain of saying goodbye. The impending move to Las Vegas has left a void in the hearts of A’s fans, robbing them of the opportunity to create new memories at the beloved Coliseum.
Renowned musicians like Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and MC Hammer, as well as actors and athletes from the East Bay, have all expressed their disappointment at the A’s leaving Oakland. The shared nostalgia for the team and the city is palpable among them.
Even former President Barack Obama, a childhood fan of the A’s, reflects on his fond memories of the team and how they shaped his love for baseball. The connection between the A’s and the spirit of Oakland, especially within the Black community, is a testament to the city’s legacy of excellence and pride.
As the A’s bid farewell to Oakland, the pain of parting with a storied franchise is felt deeply by fans like Tom Hanks and Blake Anderson. Their emotions range from anger and frustration to nostalgia and heartbreak, underscoring the profound impact the A’s have had on the community over the decades.
This departure symbolizes the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will forever remain in the hearts of those who called themselves Oakland A’s fans. The final game at the Coliseum marks not just the end of a chapter but a defining moment in the history of Oakland’s sports culture.
(Illustration by Meech Robinson, The Athletic; Photos: Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images; Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images; Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
