A’s play final game at Oakland Coliseum, watch John Facenda narrate Raiders early days there

As the A’s end their final game at Oakland Coliseum, watch John Facenda narrate Raiders early days there

It’s an end of an era in Oakland…again. Nearly five years after the Raiders played their final game at Oakland Coliseum, the A’s have now done the same.

With the A’s planning to also pull up stakes and head for Vegas, they wrapped up their time in Oakland Coliseum Thursday with a win over the Texas Rangers.

https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1839426835358314781

And with this final game in this iconic stadium, let’s take a little trip back to the early days in the A’s first season in Oakland and the Raiders entering their third season at the Coliseum, just after taking the team to Super Bowl II.

https://twitter.com/KevG163/status/1839314870375952856

The plan is for the A’s to play in Sacramento for the next few years until a new stadium is built for them. Plan being the operative word.

Fans in Oakland have been urging owner John Fisher to sell the team in the hopes of a new ownership engaging in actual negotiations to build a new stadium in Oakland.

But Fisher’s intentions were always to take the team away so he could cash in the same way the Raiders did — by landing billions in public money with a move to Las Vegas.

A’s closer Mason Miller amazingly threw the fastest pitch in Oakland Coliseum history in the stadium’s final at-bat

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

For one final time, the Athletics had an opportunity to play in front of their fans in Oakland. And for closer Mason Miller, he was ready to give them his absolute best.

The All-Star righty entered Thursday’s game in the eighth inning against the Rangers to go for a four-out save. And if there’s one thing fans can expect from Miller, it’s absolute gas on the radar gun. But even for Miller, Thursday’s outing was the kind of farewell performance that Oakland Coliseum has never seen — nor will it ever see again.

In front of a crowd of 46,889 and battling through two delays (a fan on the field and a smoke bomb), Miller threw a 103.8 mph fastball that was fouled off. He ended the game on a 103.5 mph fastball the next pitch.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1839427795140948227

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1839426793599873480

That 103.8 mph fastball, though, was the fastest pitch an A’s pitcher has thrown at Oakland Coliseum in the Statcast era. And that just happened to be during the final at-bat in the stadium’s history.

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1374]

A’s staffer shoveled actual dirt from the Oakland Coliseum as a heartwarming souvenir for fans

It was a beautiful moment for those lucky fans who will now always have a physical piece of the Oakland Coliseum.

Before the Oakland Athletics move from the Bay Area, some fans are leaving with unique souvenirs to remember their beloved team.

During the final home series that the team will play at the Oakland Coliseum in California, some fans literally removed seats from the ballpark. While that decision was likely not sanctioned by those who worked for the team, others are getting help from Oakland employees.

One of the groundskeepers for the organization took a shovel and dug up dirt from the field to give to fans. It was a beautiful moment for those lucky fans who will now always have a physical piece of the Oakland Coliseum.

https://twitter.com/NBCSAthletics/status/1839163257413886003

Although many fans are upset with team ownership for how everything about the move to Las Vegas was handled, others will keep fond memories of their time in Oakland.

Those who got the dirt from this kind groundskeeper can transfer it from the water bottles they received it to a more permanent and fitting home.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1374]

Some A’s fans literally removed seats from the ballpark after Game 1 of the final series at Oakland Coliseum

It wasn’t even the last game there!

On Tuesday, the Athletics opened their series against the Rangers to mark the final three games that will be played at Oakland Coliseum. It’s truly the end of an era for A’s fans, and a couple of them may have picked up quite the souvenir in the process.

In fitting fashion, the A’s walked off in the ninth inning to beat the Rangers. And as the team was celebrating on the field, video hit social media that showed a couple of fans lifting up actual stadium seats. Who cares that the A’s still have two more games left to play at the Coliseum? The seats were there for the taking.

https://twitter.com/BRWalkoff/status/1838800967329890647

In all likelihood, the fans didn’t make it out of the stadium with seats. But what if they did? That’s a piece of history.

It also goes to show just how dilapidated Oakland Coliseum truly is as a ballpark. In just a matter of seconds, fans were able to remove seats that should have been drilled into concrete.

Oakland just won’t be the same without the A’s.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1374]

Davante Adams: support at Allegiant Stadium starting to feel like Raiders’ home field advantage in Oakland

Davante Adams: Raiders’ home field advantage at Allegiant improving

To make an understatement, Oakland and Las Vegas are a lot different. So it’s no surprise that Allegiant Stadium has had a different vibe than the Raiders’ previous home, the venerable Oakland Coliseum.

Fans in Oakland were well known for being boisterous, rowdy, and intimidating. That’s despite relatively low attendance, judging by the infamous tarps ownership placed over seats in the upper deck to reduce capacity.

Ticket sales in Las Vegas, on the other hand, aren’t an issue at all, as Allegiant has been sold out from the start. But given the high resale value of tickets and the Raiders’ spotty win-loss record, some games have had an unsightly influx of visiting fans.

Since interim coach Antonio Pierce took over it’s been mostly silver and black in the stands, and Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has taken notice. On Tuesday, he told reporters he felt some Oakland vibes during the team’s last two home games, both wins.

“I came here with the intention of making it tough on teams coming here in this building and not making it a friendly place to play. In Oakland, that’s how it’s been historically,” Adams said. “Everybody coming there, they already knew they were going to have to deal with the fans, and we’re starting to feel that from our fans now.

“So we just got to continue to do our part, team-wise, to make sure we’re applying that pressure and making it not a fun place to come here and play.”

It’s a great sign that Raiders fans have packed Allegiant over the last two home games, but as Adams says, the Raiders must keep giving them a reason to show up. After Pierce took over for ex-coach Josh McDaniels, the fans certainly had a reason to attend and they were rewarded with two home victories.

For now, it appears that attendance at Allegiant will vary depending on the team’s performance. The Raiders are in Las Vegas, after all. There’s a lot to do in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Visiting fans, on the other hand, can’t wait to visit America’s adult playground no matter the price, giving Raiders fans an opportunity to recoup part of what they spent on season tickets.

If the Raiders build a winner, all indications point to a boisterous home crowd at Allegiant that rivals the legendary crowd in Oakland. Having one of the best players in the NFL in Adams will certainly help the cause.

John Madden Celebration of Life to be held at Oakland Coliseum February 14

‘One more Monday Night in Oakland’ Celebration of John Madden set February 14

One more Monday Night in Oakland. That’s what they’re calling it. The place where John Madden’s legacy as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history was made is fittingly the place where his Celebration of Life will take place.

The legendary coach, analyst, and video game pioneer passed away on December 28 at the age of 85.

Also fitting the event will take place on Monday Night at 5:30 pm as Monday Night Football is where Madden would set up shop for decades as an iconic Monday Night Football analyst.

Tickets will be available later this week for anyone interested in attending. Once available, you will be able to secure tickets here.

Here are the details:

What: Celebration of John Madden
When: 5:30 pm, February 14, 2022
Where: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland CA

Madden spent his entire ten-year coaching career in Oakland with the Raiders. He never had a losing season as Raiders coach and ultimately he led them to a Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He retired from football following the 1978 season with the best winning percentage in NFL history (.759).

No one in history has left more of a mark on the game of football than John Madden. Now fans in Oakland will have their chance to honor his life and legacy.

[vertical-gallery id=88751]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Raiders botch last chance in Oakland with this week’s drive of the game

The Raiders exited their last game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to a chorus of boos because of failure on this second-half drive.

The Raiders collapsed in the second half against the Jaguars on Sunday in the franchise’s last game in its historic home, the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The result was a 20-16 loss and a final curtain call to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. There were plenty of disastrous drives in the game to choose from for this week’s offensive series of note, given the Raiders failed to score any points in the third or fourth quarter.

But special recognition goes out to Oakland’s second to last drive of the contest. The Raiders had their chance to ice the game, up 16-13, but they failed in epic fashion.

The Jaguars had just marched down the field for a touchdown, and Oakland took the ball at its own 30-yard line with just over five minutes left to play. Five consecutive carries by running back Josh Jacobs put the Raiders at Jacksonville’s 43-yard line. The Jaguars called their second timeout, and a 2nd-and-9 play awaited.

Carr scrambled for 12 yards and slid before he went out of bounds to keep the clock running. Though he appeared well inbounds, the officials stopped the clock, just before the 2-minute warning. Coach Jon Gruden tried to challenge the play, but that scenario is not reviewable.

Not only did the clock stop, but the Raiders were also called for delay of game for Carr’s celebration after what he figured was a big play. Oakland lost a timeout temporarily, as well, before the officials decided to give it back.

The play saved the Jaguars their own valuable timeout. A short Jacobs carry brought the 2-minute warning, and after another modest Jacobs run, the Jaguars used their last clock stoppage. On 3rd-and-11, Carr fired over the middle to wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who dropped the ball. Though he was not at the marker, Williams would have come close to a first down and kept the clock moving.

A catch would have also made kicker Daniel Carlson’s field goal try easier. He missed, even after a penalty by Jacksonville gave him a second attempt after missing initially.

At the end of it all, the Jaguars had 1:44 to drive for a tieing FG or score a touchdown to surge ahead. They accomplished the latter, and the Raiders left the field in shame after a last-ditch hail mary pass failed.

The Raiders caught a bad break on Carr’s scramble, but they still had an opportunity to seal a win in this historic game. Instead, they lost their composure and came up short.

The offense was horrific, deserving every bit of blame in losing this one and inspiring many in the home crowd to boo their beloved Raiders as the franchise walks out the door.

[vertical-gallery id=59389]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Jaguars’ Chris Conley scores two touchdowns in comeback win at Oakland

Former Georgia Bulldog Chris Conley scored two fourth quarter touchdowns as the Jacksonville Jaguars knocked off the Oakland Raiders.

The Jacksonville Jaguars knocked off the Oakland Raiders in the Raiders final home game in Oakland. Jacksonville won 20-16 thanks in large part to Chris Conley’s pair of late fourth quarter touchdowns.

Conley, a Georgia Bulldog, scored with thirty one seconds left in the fourth quarter to complete the Jaguars comeback. Jacksonville trailed 16-6 prior to Conley’s late touchdowns:

 

The Jaguars are now 5-9  thanks to the comeback win in Oakland. Chris Conley and Gardner Minshew broke the hearts of Oakland fans looking for one final win in the Oakland Coliseum.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Jaguars vs. Raiders: 3 causes for concern against Oakland

The Jags are hoping to end a five-game skid. Here are three causes for concern this Sunday as they face off against Oakland in Week 15.

After an awfully grueling month of November and a tough start to the month of December, the Jacksonville Jaguars travel out west to face off against the Oakland Raiders. With five straight losses by 17 points or more, the Jaguars are looking to just get some traction under their feet. Hopefully, a trip to the west coast can set the team straight.

Here are three causes for concern this Sunday as the Jags face off against Oakland in Week 15:

RB Josh Jacobs

For Jags fans, this is not what you like to see. As a rookie of the year candidate at running back, Josh Jacobs has had a very impressive campaign to start his NFL career. His status for the game is currently unknown as he is dealing with a shoulder injury that has plagued him since Week 7 and sidelined him last Sunday.

However, that hasn’t hindered the rookie’s success. The former Alabama star tailback has ran all over NFL defenses averaging 4.9 yards per carry on his way to a 1,000-yard season as well as seven rushing touchdowns. If Jacobs is a go Sunday against Jacksonville, the Jaguars’ run defense will likely be in for another long game.

A hostile environment

This Sunday’s game in Oakland will be one of the most expensive tickets to purchase in the Jaguars’ franchise history. That’s because this will be the last Raiders’ home game in Oakland. Next season, the Raiders will make their move to Las Vegas. With that in mind, Raiders fans have flocked from all over the country to see the final game at Oakland Coliseum.

This will no doubt he one of the loudest and most hostile environments that the team has ever faced. It will be key to have the team prepared for such a setting. After all, the Oakland fan base isn’t exactly known for being the most mellow group of people.

The West Coast

The Jaguars’ nemesis, the West Coast, has plagued the team for several years. The last time Jacksonville was victorious on the West Coast was way back in 2005. As Associated Press’ beat writer Mark Long found out, rookie Jawaan Taylor was just eight years old at the time.

All streaks come to an end, maybe 2019 is the year the Jaguars get this west Coast monkey off of their backs and fly home winners. I certainly wouldn’t put it past them. It would be the most Jaguar thing ever, ending a losing streak in the one place they seemingly can never win in.