For so long, Oakland A’s fans have mostly steered clear of attending games, a protest of sorts meant to show the displeasure they have with the team tanking and then potentially being moved to Las Vegas.
But on Tuesday, fans tried something different. They packed Oakland Coliseum for a planned “reverse boycott.”
It was pretty awesome. Nearly 28,000 Athletics die-hards were there, with planned chants, incredible signs and messages for ownership. Funny enough, they were there to see the a team that’s struggled mightily win its seventh (!) straight game.
Here are some of those awesome moments, in no particular order, including photos and videos:
Nordstrom Anniversary sale
1
"STAY IN OAKLAND!"
On the one hand …
"Stay in Oakland!" 🗣️
A's fans are out in force for the reverse boycott
(via @FCartoscelli3)pic.twitter.com/BmxNtIYkPG
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 14, 2023
2
"SELL THE TEAM!"
The first batter of the game and the "SELL THE TEAM" chants are raining down in Oakland pic.twitter.com/Rssub45MBL
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 14, 2023
3
There was a planned silence in the fifth inning
Oakland goes silent to start the 5th, then rapturous, in unison: “Sell The Team!” pic.twitter.com/hJBkz5gqu6
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 14, 2023
Listen to the difference between the deafening (planned) silence to the eruption of “Sell the Team” chants.
ONLY in Oakland.#Athletics #RootedInOakland #OAKtogether
pic.twitter.com/nhern88I0z— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) June 14, 2023
4
Listen to the fans celebrate the win
THE OAKLAND A'S HAVE WON THEIR SEVENTH-STRAIGHT GAME
IN FRONT OF 27,000+ FANS AT THE COLISEUM pic.twitter.com/i2vT09FlLx
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 14, 2023
5
The signs were awesome
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Oakland Athletics fans display signs during a reverse boycott game against the Tampa Bay Rays at RingCentral Coliseum on June 13, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)
6
Oakland Athletics fans spell out “Sell Now” during the team’s baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Thousands of frustrated, heartbroken A’s fans arrived early for tailgating and solidarity at the Oakland Coliseum ahead of a Rays-A’s matchup to both celebrate their team and protest a planned relocation to Las Vegas. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
7
Fans look toward the U.S. flag during the national anthem during a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Thousands of frustrated, heartbroken A’s fans arrived early for tailgating and solidarity at the Oakland Coliseum ahead of a Rays-A’s matchup to both celebrate their team and protest a planned relocation to Las Vegas. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
8
Cassandra Wilson and Katie Harrar distribute “Sell” T-shirts before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Thousands of frustrated, heartbroken A’s fans arrived early for tailgating and solidarity at the Oakland Coliseum ahead of a Rays-A’s matchup to both celebrate their team and protest a planned relocation to Las Vegas. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
9
Fans hold signs inside of the Oakland Coliseum to protest the Oakland Athletics’ planned move to Las Vegas during a baseball game between the Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
10
Oakland Athletics fans hold signs and chant “Sell the Team” outside the stadium before the team’s baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Thousands of frustrated, heartbroken A’s fans arrived early for tailgating and solidarity at the Oakland Coliseum ahead of a Rays-A’s matchup to both celebrate their team and protest a planned relocation to Las Vegas. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
