Thursday marks the final time the Oakland Athletics will play in the city they’ve called home for nearly six decades. As the team prepares for its departure, emotions are running high among fans and even employees. In a symbolic act of defiance, one stadium worker decided to give fans a parting gift during the second-to-last game: sharing an employee discount code online, allowing some attendees to enjoy a 30% discount on food and drinks.
By now, most sports fans are familiar with the unfortunate saga of the Oakland Athletics’ impending relocation. The team, which has been a staple of Oakland since 1968, will be moving to Sacramento next season as a temporary stop while awaiting the completion of a new stadium in Las Vegas.
The move has left a bitter taste in the mouths of loyal A’s fans, many of whom blame owner John Fisher for the team’s downfall. Fisher, a billionaire known for his frugal approach, made what many see as half-hearted attempts to keep the A’s in Oakland. After rejecting the pleas of fans and local officials to sell the team, Fisher decided to relocate, sparking widespread resentment.
The fans’ frustration was palpable during the team’s final homestand, which began on Tuesday when the A’s faced the Texas Rangers. During the game, some fans were seen tearing out stadium seats, hoping to secure a physical memento from the aging Oakland Coliseum. This act of seat-stealing became a small but significant trend, reflecting the desperation of fans to hold onto something tangible as the team departs.
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However, it’s not just fans feeling the sting of the A’s departure. Employees of the franchise, many of whom have spent years working at the Coliseum, are also grappling with the loss of their jobs and community.
One such employee, apparently a member of the stadium’s grounds crew, decided to make their final days at the Coliseum memorable by sharing a QR code for a 30% discount on concessions with the public. The employee, seemingly with nothing to lose, posted the code on social media ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Texas, offering fans one last perk as a way to thumb their nose at the organization.
The post quickly spread on Twitter, with fans eagerly trying to cash in on the discount at the Coliseum’s food and beverage stands. While the code was eventually disabled, several fans reported that they had successfully used it before it was shut down, making for a small but satisfying act of rebellion against the franchise.
For many, this gesture was more than just a discount—it was a show of solidarity from someone who, like them, feels betrayed by the A’s ownership. The anonymous employee’s actions earned praise from fans online, with one user commenting, “Not all heroes wear capes.”
As the Athletics prepare to leave Oakland behind, moments like these underscore the deep connection between the team, the city, and its people—connections that no relocation can easily sever.
Whether it’s fans tearing out stadium seats or a worker sharing a discount code, these small acts of defiance highlight the anger, sadness, and solidarity shared by a community that is losing far more than just a baseball team.
Oakland’s final game will be a bittersweet farewell for many, as the city says goodbye to a franchise that has provided nearly 60 years of memories, triumphs, and heartache.
While the Athletics may be heading to a new city, the spirit of Oakland will live on in the fans, employees, and all those who have stood by the team through thick and thin.
