GameDay: A's, Oakland Deserve To Share Field Of Schemes
KPIX 5 Sports Director Dennis O'Donnell hosts "Gameday" every Sunday night at 11:30pm on KPIX 5 and offers his unique sports analysis here.
I can't believe I'm going to quote Mother Teresa in a sports blog, but here goes:
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
That's what I thought when I read the latest manipulations and back-room deals involving the A's and the City of Oakland. For Christ's sake, or at least the A's fans, can't you all just get along? My 10 and 11-year-old kids can teach you people a lesson in diplomacy, relationships, and respect.
If you hadn't heard, Oakland officials tried vote down the A's 10-year lease because some members didn't like the details of the deal. A's owner Lew Wolff then threatened to immediately seek a new home and was given the green light by MLB commissioner Bud Selig. It was only then that Oakland officials caved, realizing they might have a Field of Schemes with no team to play on it.
Hmmm. City officials and a team owner not getting along? Let me dust of my memory banks for the last time that happened. Oh yes. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and 49ers owner John York. Look where that got The City. Learn a lesson, people. Do you need Jimmy Carter to hammer out the Camp Coliseum peace accords?
Oakland and the A's belong to each other. Bud Selig isn't flying in on his magic carpet to announce the 20-year-old findings of the Blue Ribbon committee. There's no way to San Jose. Stop making excuse after excuse and realize that you are in this together. TOGETHER.
Of course, I'm a proponent of a new ballpark in Oakland, as I was in San Francisco. I realize the long-term economic benefits of a stadium built right. But this isn't about my wishes, it is simply about putting your baggage at the door and consummating a constructive plan for the future of Oakland and the Oakland A's.
There came a time when the 49ers stadium deal died in San Francisco, not because it wasn't possible, but because the principals involved could no longer work together. Willie Brown once told me that Gavin Newson's legacy will depend on whether he keeps or loses the 49ers.
What will the legacy of Oakland be?
You belong to each other. Work it out.
