Texas Rangers player in action during a game, showcasing athleticism and focus. ©Ideogram
OAKLAND – Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien stepped into the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night, feeling an overwhelming wave of memories. Though he no longer wears the green and gold, Oakland remains his home – the place where his journey began, both personally and professionally.
Born and raised in the East Bay, Semien grew up idolizing A’s greats like Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, and Jermaine Dye. Later, he became an All-Star with the team that shaped his career. Now, as a visiting player, Semien is grappling with the bittersweet reality that this week’s games will be his last in the iconic 57-year-old stadium.
The A’s are set to play their final game at the Coliseum on Thursday against the Rangers, marking the end of an era as the team prepares to relocate to Sacramento for the next three seasons before their permanent move to Las Vegas by 2028.
“I’m focused on us playing good baseball,’’ Semien said, “but it’s a pretty surreal thing for someone to tell you these are the last baseball games here. I still don’t believe it.”
The Oakland Coliseum, once the epicenter of four World Series championships, six pennants, and 17 division titles, will soon stand vacant. For Semien, it’s personal. “This place is special for me. They gave me an opportunity here… I played a lot of Major League Baseball here, apparently more than anybody in the league right now. I worked out in this weight room, developed myself into a major-league player here. So that’s the part that really stings.”
As the A’s prepare to leave Oakland, they leave behind not just a stadium, but a community that helped nurture the careers of players like Semien. For fans and former players alike, Thursday’s game will be a bittersweet farewell to a historic ballpark filled with countless memories.
End of an Era: Oakland A’s to leave Coliseum after decades of history.
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