Washington Nationals Coach Sean Doolittle on A's Relocation

Jason Burke | Apr 10, 2024

Sep 22, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals Sean Doolittle (63) reacts / Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Doolittle spent the first six seasons of his career with the Oakland A's, before the team traded him to the Washington Nationals in 2017. While in D.C., he was part of the 2019 World Series winning Nats team, so it should come as no surprise that he is still hanging around these days as a pitching strategist for the club.

The left-hander went on Foul Territory on Tuesday and talked a little about his new role with the Nationals before he was asked how he feels about the entire A's relocation/interim period in Sacramento ordeal.

"It's heartbreaking, man. It's infuriating. I feel awful for the fans. I feel really bad for the people that work in that organization. They're in limbo right now, and I don't think that's fair for everything that they do. The fans are in limbo because I don't know if this Vegas move, if it's happening or not. I think they're getting more pushback there than they thought they were gonna.

"From a fan standpoint, they lost the Warriors, they lost the Raiders in the last few years, and now it looks like they're losing the A's as well. I feel so lucky to have played in Oakland, for that fan base, for that organization. That organization gave me a shot to change the course of my career when I switched to pitching, so I'll always be grateful for my time in Oakland and playing for those fans. It was a special time."

He went on to say that the Coliseum is past its prime and that the players and fans deserve a better ballpark, but the way they are doing it, by heading to Sacramento then to Vegas or someplace else, "feels like a failure."

Doolittle also mentioned that when he signed his first professional contract in 2007, GM Billy Beane had renderings for a Fremont ballpark in his office. That is how long this entire saga has been going on. Sean Doolittle was drafted, switched positions, made the majors, and had an entire career, meanwhile there have been zero shovels in the ground in that nearly 20-year span.

At the end of his answer to the question, Doolittle even mentioned how Oakland had more money and a spot in downtown right on the water on the table, but the A's decided to pick the nine-acre parcel near the airport in Las Vegas.

He's been keeping tabs on what's been going on with the A's relocation. "None of it adds up."