Barry Zito’s finest baseball talent may need been his gravity-defying curveball. However the one-time Cy Younger Award winner can carry a tune, too — and for that purpose, he briefly took middle stage for Oakland Athletics followers yet one more time.
Zito carried out the nationwide anthem earlier than the Athletics’ remaining recreation in Oakland on Thursday, a part of a collection of pregame festivities that welcomed again A’s greats. Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart every threw out a ceremonial first pitch earlier than the sport started in opposition to the Texas Rangers.
Oakland Coliseum has been the house of the A’s because the franchise moved from Kansas Metropolis in 1968. However the crew will play in Sacramento beginning subsequent season because it finalizes plans to relocate to Las Vegas.
The group roared on the shock look of Zito, who has launched into an expert music profession since retiring from baseball in 2015. On the finish of the efficiency, there was a flyover and a loud “Let’s Go Oakland” chant. Followers waved their caps within the air at Zito.
Former A’s ace Barry Zito sings the nationwide anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wDDw9Vwf3Z
— A’s on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024
Henderson and Stewart, each franchise icons and Oakland natives, had been additionally fundamental points of interest for followers. Earlier than the A’s and Rangers started the sport, each Henderson and Stewart entertained lengthy strains of followers asking for autographs.
Zito, 46, was a part of a dominant Oakland rotation that helped the crew to 4 American League West titles in seven years. He made All-Star appearances in 2002, 2003 and 2006, and earned the Cy Younger in 2002, profitable 23 video games for an A’s crew that went 103-59.
The left-hander spent his subsequent seven seasons throughout the bay with the San Francisco Giants earlier than returning to the A’s for his remaining season in 2015.
The A’s, after 56 years, will relocate to the state’s capital, roughly an hour and half-hour northeast. The crew will play at Sutter Well being Park in West Sacramento. Sutter Well being has been residence to San Francisco’s Triple-A affiliate, the River Cats. The transfer comes 5 years after the Raiders — who performed within the Oakland Coliseum from 1966 to 1981 and 1995 to 2019 left for Las Vegas.
Oakland is 68-90 in its remaining season within the metropolis, a file that ranks forward of solely the Los Angeles Angels (63-95 coming into Thursday) and Chicago White Sox (38-120 coming into Thursday) within the AL. Each the Angels and White Sox set franchise data for losses this season.
Followers paint an indication earlier than the Athletics’ remaining residence recreation in Oakland. (Eakin Howard / Getty Photos)
The A’s did, nevertheless, have a greater file at residence (37-43) than on the street (31-47). And whereas the stakes Thursday had been meaningless because it pertains to Main League Baseball’s playoffs, A’s followers crammed the Oakland Coliseum for one remaining, sentimental ballgame — their indicators showcasing a mix of disappointment and disdain for his or her residence crew’s departure.
The primary pitch from A’s rookie right-hander J.T. Ginn was a strike at 12:37 p.m. native time.
Required studying
(Photograph: Eakin Howard / Getty Photos)
