Inside The As

What's in the Box? A's Fans, Oakland Mayor Send Packages to MLB Owners Ahead of Relocation Vote

With the Las Vegas relocation vote looming, Oakland's mayor and A's fans have teamed up to try and set the record straight one last time

Jason Burke

What's in the Box? A's Fans, Oakland Mayor Send Packages to MLB Owners Ahead of Relocation Vote
What's in the Box? A's Fans, Oakland Mayor Send Packages to MLB Owners Ahead of Relocation Vote /

In one final push before the owner's meetings next week where MLB owners are expected to vote yay or nay on the Oakland A's relocation efforts to Las Vegas, Oakland's Mayor Sheng Thao and groups of fans have gotten together to send a little package to a number of owners. 

According to ESPN, the packages are being sent to 15 of the 30 owners, targeting some of the larger market clubs like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers, while also bringing in teams in smaller markets like the Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners. Just a few days ago, we went over why targeting teams like those could be inclined to vote "no" for their own financial reasons. In order to pass, 75% of the owners will need to vote to approve relocation.

So just what's in the box? There is a customer postcard made by Last Dive Bar, a fan group that creates merchandise (and also bought "SELL" billboards outside of the Coliseum at the end of the year), a letter from the Mayor, an Oaklandish hat, a custom trading card made of each team's owner, a relocation fact sheet, and a moving video about how much this team means to the community. 

ESPN obtained a copy of the letter that is being included, which again goes over the facts from Oakland's side. Part of those facts include that the city has raised $428 million in off-site infrastructure funding in addition to the $500 million in on-site infrastructure the city and county would contribute through "tax increment funding." For those doing the math at home, that's $928 million dollars that Oakland put together. Meanwhile, the A's are settling for $380 in public financing on nine acres of leased land in Las Vegas. 

At the press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Thao said that the city is still willing to work with the team in getting a smaller scale project built either at Howard Terminal or the Coliseum. Rebecca Kaplan also mentioned that if the A's wanted to do a smaller project in Oakland, they already have the approvals at either site, which would help the process move along quickly. 

The boxes these gifts are being shipped in were designed by Last Dive Bar and another fan group, the Oakland 68's. The artwork can be seen here, followed by a closer look at the postcard that is being included. 

The video being included has also been posted on YouTube. It's a ten minute watch, but if you're a baseball fan then it's definitely worth your time. 

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Jason Burke
JASON BURKE

Jason is the host of the Locked on A's podcast, and the managing editor of Inside the A's. He's a new father and can't wait to take his son to his first baseball game at the Coliseum. 

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