The Collegian

Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Cooligan

Media Credit: Courtesy of creativeloafing.com

After deciding that Fremont was nothing more than a parking lot with a mayor, the Oakland Athletics have reconsidered and are moving to Los Angeles.

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis made the suggestion to Athletics owner Lew Wolff and Wolff responded by making an offer to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to relocate the team and use the Los Angeles name, following in the footsteps of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Villaraigosa was thrilled by the idea and immediately accepted. "When the Athletics came to me, I thought it would be a great idea for the city of Los Angeles," said Villaraigosa. "We have such a huge baseball environment and the community would greatly enjoy another hard-nosed, classy team like the Athletics in the Los Angeles area."

Athletics first baseman Dan Johnson was also thrilled with the move. "I have always wanted to live in the Los Angeles area," said Johnson. "I won't have to be a victim of the hyphy movement."

The projected site for the new Athletics stadium will be in Compton. Athletics outfielder Milton Bradley said, "Fremont seemed too safe. I would also be closer to home down in Compton." Bradley, a native of Harbor City, was born less than 10 miles from the new home of the Athletics.

The move will not take place until the 2011 season to allow time to clear the land and build the projected $1.2 billion project. The plans include a three-story, 120 store mall, and four car dealerships. As a service to the community, the upper deck of the new stadium will be used to house the homeless of the city. This project was a combined sponsorship from the local churches and Goodwill Stores. "If we couldn't fill a stadium in Oakland, do you think we will fill it in Compton?" said Bradley.

Furthermore, the Athletics will share the stadium with the local high schools. The deal includes a clause that the Athletics will play at the high school fields until May every season while the high schools use the stadium. This is due to the attendance numbers of the high schools in the area as compared to the Athletics in recent years.

The citizens of Oakland responded by organizing a huge ghost riding movement on East 14th Street. The movement saw 54 car crashes, 10 injuries, and a Mac Dre sighting. The Athletics' move has many people concerned with the reaction of the people including the City Council of Oakland, who blames rapper E-40 for the movement. "He is the center of this entire incident," said Councilman Kenneth Salida. "E-40 must be brought forward to justice for inciting this riot."

Hector Gonzalez, 56, an Oakland native, said, "The A's have been my team since I was born. The people need to support this team before we lose them for good." Gonzalez has not been to an Athletics game since he was 12.

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