Draconator Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 The management in Oakland have told Oakland city leaders they will pay north of $1 Billion plus and $500 Million in upgrades in infrastructure and housing at the new ballpark site (at Howard Terminal) as well as redevelopment at the Coliseum Site. But in typical Oakland leadership, they are dragging their feet and bringing up what is wrong with the A's plan. Major League Baseball it seems, has had enough. Would a good team like the A's be able to make it in the Buffalo market? How much of a fight would the Blue Jays and Yankess put up keeping another major league team from coming into their markets? I would personally love this as I am a long time A's fan, and all Terry has to do is sell off more land to fund this. Curious as to what you all think. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 No chance. I would love it. Dream scenario. I would trade the Sabres for it at this point (and I used to absolutely bleed blue and gold). But we need a fortune 500 or 2 downtown for this to work, and probably an appetite and budget to build a new state of the art ballpark. There are much better markets waiting in Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville, and even Montreal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I don't think they own the territory (Jays and Yanks) but putting that second deck on the stadium as it was built to be is going to cost money. Also not sure WNY coild support a 2nd major franchise (Sabres are bush league). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 7 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said: Also not sure WNY coild support a 2nd major franchise (Sabres are bush league). That statement gets my goat. Truth hurts, I guess...😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 1 minute ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: That statement gets my goat. Truth hurts, I guess...😁 Sucks to say that. Butttt after yesterdays disaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted May 11, 2021 Author Share Posted May 11, 2021 54 minutes ago, May Day 10 said: No chance. I would love it. Dream scenario. I would trade the Sabres for it at this point (and I used to absolutely bleed blue and gold). But we need a fortune 500 or 2 downtown for this to work, and probably an appetite and budget to build a new state of the art ballpark. There are much better markets waiting in Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville, and even Montreal. That A's are willing to fund a new ballpark themselves. It's just if they move, they're kind of back to square one. They have had measures on ballots for environmental impacts, etc. All has been approved. Just the leadership of Oakland is once again, messing this whole thing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Oakland is a mess. I know. I lived in the hills above the Coliseum for 5 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 The A's have been moving for 25 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 20 minutes ago, Mark Vader said: The A's have been moving for 25 years. How about Arizona? Kyler Smurf can be the next Bo Jackson. ("Bo knows...stepladders...") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 There are few billionaires or large metropolitan areas willing to take on a major sports team with need of a large capacity new or modern updated stadium in these times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted May 11, 2021 Author Share Posted May 11, 2021 23 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: How about Arizona? Kyler Smurf can be the next Bo Jackson. ("Bo knows...stepladders...") Well Kyler was drafted by the A's and they still hold his MLB rights... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PastaJoe Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 More likely they’d go to Montreal and become the Eh’s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Toronto would fight it tooth and nail. I'd love it, but unfortunately it ain't happening! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 24 minutes ago, Draconator said: Well Kyler was drafted by the A's and they still hold his MLB rights... Agreed; exactly my point in suggesting Arizona. If we ever get to the point with Covid disrupted seasons, maybe he can pull a 'day-night two sport doubleheader'. 😁 16 minutes ago, PastaJoe said: More likely they’d go to Montreal and become the Eh’s. Been there, done that, still the best 'home' cap in MLB. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 11 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Agreed; exactly my point in suggesting Arizona. If we ever get to the point with Covid disrupted seasons, maybe he can pull a 'day-night two sport doubleheader'. 😁 Arizona already has a team... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 1 minute ago, LeGOATski said: Arizona already has a team... Details, details! NY and Chicago hosted a team in each league, so too could Arizona! 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PastaJoe Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 17 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Been there, done that, still the best 'home' cap in MLB. When I was a kid I always thought the cap logo was E L B. I figured it was French. There was talk a couple years ago of Tampa moving to Montreal, or at least playing half their games there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
707BillsFan Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 As a lifelong A's fan and pre-covid season ticket holder ... I'd hate it. I don't think the A's are going anywhere. Fisher is the worst owner in sports. He's one of the richest owners: worth $3 Billion, but constantly cries poor. Not sure why he even continues to own the team. This is just a ploy to get Oakland behind the team. They already have the votes w/ the city council to continue (w/ the mayor breaking the tie). It just sucks this has dragged on forever. If they do move anywhere...it will be Vegas. BUT if they did move to Buffalo (won't happen), I'd be happy. All my teams (with the exception of the Dubs) would be in one location. It'll hasten my second home in Buffalo push w/ the wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 17 hours ago, Draconator said: The management in Oakland have told Oakland city leaders they will pay north of $1 Billion plus and $500 Million in upgrades in infrastructure and housing at the new ballpark site (at Howard Terminal) as well as redevelopment at the Coliseum Site. But in typical Oakland leadership, they are dragging their feet and bringing up what is wrong with the A's plan. Major League Baseball it seems, has had enough. Would a good team like the A's be able to make it in the Buffalo market? How much of a fight would the Blue Jays and Yankess put up keeping another major league team from coming into their markets? I would personally love this as I am a long time A's fan, and all Terry has to do is sell off more land to fund this. Curious as to what you all think. As an A's fan I would love it but at the same time I can't see it happening as post covid Coca Cola Field just be too small for MLB team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 7 hours ago, 707BillsFan said: As a lifelong A's fan and pre-covid season ticket holder ... I'd hate it. I don't think the A's are going anywhere. Fisher is the worst owner in sports. He's one of the richest owners: worth $3 Billion, but constantly cries poor. Not sure why he even continues to own the team. This is just a ploy to get Oakland behind the team. They already have the votes w/ the city council to continue (w/ the mayor breaking the tie). It just sucks this has dragged on forever. If they do move anywhere...it will be Vegas. BUT if they did move to Buffalo (won't happen), I'd be happy. All my teams (with the exception of the Dubs) would be in one location. It'll hasten my second home in Buffalo push w/ the wife. I think when they make an overt 'threat' like this, coordinated with MLB, there isnt a ton to worry about. Its when things are more quiet and focused that fans should worry about relocation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 15 hours ago, I am the egg man said: There are few billionaires or large metropolitan areas willing to take on a major sports team with need of a large capacity new or modern updated stadium in these times. I could see them moving to Las Vegas like the Raiders just did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 34 minutes ago, May Day 10 said: Its when things are more quiet and focused that fans should worry about relocation. Ah. The 'Modell Maneuver'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCOrange Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Yeah, Vegas is the obvious move if Oakland doesn't publicly fund the new stadium. Buffalo is certainly not near the top of the list. Vegas, Portland, or San Jose would be the safe bets IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Just now, DCOrange said: Yeah, Vegas is the obvious move if Oakland doesn't publicly fund the new stadium. Buffalo is certainly not near the top of the list. Vegas, Portland, or San Jose would be the safe bets IMO. The only reason I can't see Vegas is the whole gambling thing and then it reopen the case for Pete Rose in the HOF and not sure MLB wants to go through that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
707BillsFan Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 1 hour ago, DCOrange said: Yeah, Vegas is the obvious move if Oakland doesn't publicly fund the new stadium. Buffalo is certainly not near the top of the list. Vegas, Portland, or San Jose would be the safe bets IMO. They tried to move to San Jose about a decade ago (maybe more). The Giants squashed that, claiming it was their territory...even though they gave it up when they built their ballpark in SF. 2 hours ago, May Day 10 said: I think when they make an overt 'threat' like this, coordinated with MLB, there isnt a ton to worry about. Its when things are more quiet and focused that fans should worry about relocation. Exactly. When this is public, there is no need to worry. This is just Fisher & MLB putting pressure (publicly) on the Oakland city managers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCOrange Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 19 minutes ago, 707BillsFan said: They tried to move to San Jose about a decade ago (maybe more). The Giants squashed that, claiming it was their territory...even though they gave it up when they built their ballpark in SF. Exactly. When this is public, there is no need to worry. This is just Fisher & MLB putting pressure (publicly) on the Oakland city managers. Yeah I know. I think at this point MLB would force them to give that up if Oakland really has to move though. They want a conclusion to this so they can start talking about expansion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
major Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 On 5/11/2021 at 4:54 PM, PastaJoe said: More likely they’d go to Montreal and become the Eh’s. This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
707BillsFan Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 A's brass is touring LV for potential sites for a new ballpark. Someone better clue them in about Buffalo before it's too late 😆 --- This sucks. https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/baseball/oakland-as-officials-plan-to-tour-las-vegas-next-week-2356612/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, 707BillsFan said: A's brass is touring LV for potential sites for a new ballpark. Someone better clue them in about Buffalo before it's too late 😆 --- This sucks. They can get the 'pageantry lady' from the NHL finals a few years ago to be the public address announcer! Make way for a six hour game when the Las Vegas A's host a game. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Let's start with this. You'd be building a new ballpark, not enlarging the current one. No MLB team is going to permanently relocate into a 33 year old stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
707BillsFan Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 5 hours ago, That's No Moon said: Let's start with this. You'd be building a new ballpark, not enlarging the current one. No MLB team is going to permanently relocate into a 33 year old stadium. Yeah, it'd be the 7th oldest park in MLB Fenway - 1912 Wrigley - 1914 Dodger Stadium - 1962 Angel Stadium - 1966 Oakland Coli - 1966 Kauffman - 1973 --Sahlen - 1988 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 Since A's President Dave Kaval freely posted this on Twitter, it's my duty to share with y'all. His email is president@athletics.com. I'll be writing him in the next couple of days. Feel free to do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 2 hours ago, 707BillsFan said: Yeah, it'd be the 7th oldest park in MLB Fenway - 1912 Wrigley - 1914 Dodger Stadium - 1962 Angel Stadium - 1966 Oakland Coli - 1966 Kauffman - 1973 --Sahlen - 1988 It's one of the oldest parks in AAA these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 On 5/11/2021 at 2:52 PM, Mike in Horseheads said: I don't think they own the territory (Jays and Yanks) but putting that second deck on the stadium as it was built to be is going to cost money. Also not sure WNY coild support a 2nd major franchise (Sabres are bush league). The Sabres are currently a mess, no doubt. But, win or lose, it still costs the same to go to a Sabres game as it does in most other similar NHL markets. Attendance may be down after a decade of futility...but make no mistake, Buffalo loves hockey. Start winning again, and that arena will be close to capacity most nights. I also think it would support an MLB or NBA team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 On 5/19/2021 at 2:01 AM, That's No Moon said: It's one of the oldest parks in AAA these days. It's time tear it down and build a football/baseball field with a dome in downtown Buffalo then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lamb Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 On 5/18/2021 at 5:24 PM, That's No Moon said: Let's start with this. You'd be building a new ballpark, not enlarging the current one. No MLB team is going to permanently relocate into a 33 year old stadium. With all the dollars that MLBB and the Blue Jays are pouring into Sahlen Park to bring it up to "major league status" - that may not be true. All they need is the second deck - that was designed as an add on when Pilot Field was first built. Not enough luxury boxes though. There is a lot of Canadian demand for those priced out of Toronto (like the Maple Loafs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 11 minutes ago, Bob Lamb said: With all the dollars that MLBB and the Blue Jays are pouring into Sahlen Park to bring it up to "major league status" - that may not be true. All they need is the second deck - that was designed as an add on when Pilot Field was first built. Not enough luxury boxes though. There is a lot of Canadian demand for those priced out of Toronto (like the Maple Loafs) The money they are spending is on ballplayer stuff. Not on revenue generating items. The stadium USED to be the model of AAA baseball, it's not even close to that anymore and it's not even close to any of the newer MLB parks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 2 hours ago, The Jokeman said: It's time tear it down and build a football/baseball field with a dome in downtown Buffalo then. Those combo stadiums never work and they have basically all been replaced at this point. The dimensions of baseball and football don't work well together to build a good stadium for both. You end up with a bad stadium for two sports. The stadium is usually round which is terrible for everything, for baseball you end up with massive amounts of foul territory with seats miles from the field. For football the seats closest to the field end up being the endzones and your prime seats are the furthest away. I hope you were kidding but anyone who ever went to the Vet or Three Rivers or Riverfront or Busch Stadium or Fulton County Stadium or the Astrodome or the Metrodome or Candlestick Park or RFK Stadium or the Kingdome, or old Anaheim Stadium, or Alameda County Stadium, or Shea Stadium know I'm right. All of those places were terrible to watch a game in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 Pilot Field is run down, and is now the oldest ballpark in the International League, I believe. There are really shiny/better/nice ones elsewhere. It did not age particularly well TBH. If Buffalo had one or two fortune 500s headquartered downtown and there was a real appetite for the city/county/state to help fund a plush new baseball park.... I would be F5-ing any news on this. The problem is, we are not in that dimension. As eloquently stated above, multi purpose is not a realistic option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 58 minutes ago, That's No Moon said: Those combo stadiums never work and they have basically all been replaced at this point. The dimensions of baseball and football don't work well together to build a good stadium for both. You end up with a bad stadium for two sports. The stadium is usually round which is terrible for everything, for baseball you end up with massive amounts of foul territory with seats miles from the field. For football the seats closest to the field end up being the endzones and your prime seats are the furthest away. I hope you were kidding but anyone who ever went to the Vet or Three Rivers or Riverfront or Busch Stadium or Fulton County Stadium or the Astrodome or the Metrodome or Candlestick Park or RFK Stadium or the Kingdome, or old Anaheim Stadium, or Alameda County Stadium, or Shea Stadium know I'm right. All of those places were terrible to watch a game in. I saw the Reds play the Mets in 1976 at Riverfront, Seats were great 10 rows behind the Reds dugout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.