A’s breaking new ground in futility as final gift to Oakland
The Oakland Athletics are enduring a historically bad season amidst growing uncertainty about the future of the team in the city of Oakland. The club is competing in a run-down stadium and in front of a sparse crowd of just 8,675 fans per home game. Through 59 games, the Athletics’ winning percentage of .203 is the third-worst in major league history, better than only the 1904 Washington Senators and 1932 Red Sox. They lead the league in negative run differential, giving up 199 more runs than they score, and are on pace to lose 129 games, the worst in the modern era. This all comes as team owner John Fisher is attempting to relocate the franchise out of Oakland. As fans grow increasingly frustrated and vocal about the lack of investment in the team, the Athletics are at risk of alienating their fan base and losing their place in the city they’ve called home since 1968.
FAQs:
What is the Athletics’ winning percentage through 59 games?
The Athletics’ winning percentage through 59 games is .203, the third-worst in major league history.
What is the Athletics’ negative run differential?
The Athletics’ have a negative run differential of 199, the worst in MLB history through the first 59 games.
Are the Athletics on pace to set a record for losses in a season?
Yes, the Athletics are on pace to lose 129 games this season, the worst in the modern era.
What is the future of the Athletics in Oakland?
Team owner John Fisher is attempting to relocate the franchise out of Oakland, which has sparked growing uncertainty about the team’s future in the city.
Why are fans frustrated with the Athletics?
Fans are frustrated with the lack of investment in the team, which has resulted in a historically bad season and the potential for the team to leave Oakland.
What is the average attendance at Athletics’ home games this season?
The average attendance at Athletics’ home games this season is just 8,675 fans per game.
As Final Gift to Oakland, A’s Make New Ground in Futility
The Oakland Athletics are enduring a rough 2023 season, competing against ghosts of baseball’s past in a decrepit stadium in front of tens of thousands of empty seats. As of the end of May, the team’s winning percentage was the third-worst in MLB history through 59 games, with the A’s ranking at the bottom of the league in both scoring runs and preventing them. The team’s negative-199 run differential was the worst in MLB history through the first 59 games. The Athletics’ offensive performance was the worst in baseball in batting average and OPS, while their pitching staff gave up more home runs, walks, hits, and hit more batters than anyone. The team’s $56.8 million payroll was also at the bottom of the league. All of this is unfolding before the smallest crowds in MLB, with the A’s averaging just 8,675 fans per home game. Team owner John Fisher is attempting to uproot the organization, which has been based in Oakland since 1968, and move the team to Las Vegas. Many fans are outraged, with some saying that the ownership group has “murdered baseball.”