SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler says A's fans have 'good reason' to be upset
The SF Giants will have an unusual group of fans at Oracle Park on Tuesday night. With the Giants beginning a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics, fans of the team's rivals from across the Bay have organized a #UniteTheBay effort as a show of solidarity between Giants and Athletics fans protesting A's ownership's efforts to move the team to Las Vegas. Prior to the game, Giants manager Gabe Kapler was asked about the situation and said he understood why fans were upset.
"I know that it would be challenging for A's fans," Kapler said. "It's part of the reason A's fans are so upset right now, and I think for good reason. It's challenging to see a team that you may have grown up supporting, you may have spent your most formative years rooting for, and potentially not having them around anymore. That's going to be challenging for any fanbase."
A's ownership, headlined by owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval, clearly gave up on trying to build a successful franchise in the Bay Area over recent years and actively undermined negotiations with the city about building a new stadium. In fact, the team accepted worse terms from the city of Las Vegas than had been offered by Oakland.
The #UniteTheBay effort is the second such event this season, building upon the reverse boycott orchestrated by fans earlier this summer. Kapler endorsed the fans' method of expressing their frustration with team ownership.
"I get it. I'm all for-I don't know if I'd call it peaceful protest, but maybe it is-peaceful protest. Today's game, at least from our side is focused on winning today's baseball game, but totally understand the sentiment in the Bay and totally understand the sentiment in the stadium tonight."
