Take me out of the ballgame

Oakland lost the A’s, Raiders and Warriors. Now it’s betting on its grassroots entertainment culture to fill the void.

A person in a green cap and shirt stands with arms crossed in front of a large stadium under a clear blue sky.
Tony Perez, 72, near the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Perez grew up near the venue and attended more than 40 A’s games per season before the team left Oakland. (Julian Caballero/Bay City News)

By Adam Sutro • Bay City News

September 18, 2026

Anyone who attended Oakland Athletics baseball games in the team’s final decade at the Oakland Coliseum remembers the heart of the stadium: The Bleacher Diehards of Section 149 in right field, known for their rumbling drums, cheerful flags and crazed fervor.

Tony Perez, 72, grew up in those bleachers and can recall days as a 12-year-old when he and his brother would sit in right field watching the A’s take batting practice.

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A Northwestern University student and Oakland native, Adam has extensive experience covering sports but is excited to branch into topics such as transportation, urban planning and criminal justice closer to home.