By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer

More than 12,000 fans packed Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on a blustery and chilly Monday evening March 31, officially kicking off what will be at least three years of Major League Baseball in Sacramento.

The historic Opening Day was met with excitement and enthusiasm as fans filled the bleachers and lawn seats, clad in green and gold, ready to watch the Athletics take on the Chicago Cubs. Even after the Athletics allowed four runs in the first inning, fans continued waving yellow towels and erupted in cheers when shortstop Jacob Wilson hit a solo home run in the third.

The A’s added two more runs in the fourth, but after Chicago scored a combined 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings, some fans began to exit. Ultimately, the Athletics suffered a lopsided 18-3 defeat.

Before the game, a video tribute honored A’s great Rickey Henderson, who passed away in December. Henderson’s daughters threw out the ceremonial first pitch and in a touching nod, all A’s on-field personnel wore his famed, retired No. 24.

PHOTO GALLERY

Most fans expressed cautious enthusiasm about the A’s playing in town. Locals were pleased they no longer had to make the nearly two-hour drive to Oakland, but acknowledged the team’s stay in Sacramento is likely temporary.

Sacramento native and lifelong Athletics fan Joe Malone, in a locally purchased shirt that read “Sac Town Athletics,” attended the game with eight friends. He had looked forward to this game ever since the team’s move to Sacramento was announced. When the A’s were in Oakland, he couldn’t attend as often as he wanted, but now he plans to be a regular at games. “It’s easy when it’s here,” Malone told The OBSERVER.

While he hopes the A’s stay here, he is determined to make the most of their time in town. “I don’t know how often I could make it to Las Vegas,” he said.

The family of Athletics legend Ricky Henderson stands on the Sutter Health Park field before throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Henderson, widely considered the game’s greatest leadoff hitter ever and the career leader in steals and runs, passed away in December at age 65. Russell Stiger II, OBSERVER
The family of Athletics legend Ricky Henderson stands on the Sutter Health Park field before throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Henderson, widely considered the game’s greatest leadoff hitter ever and the career leader in steals and runs, passed away in December at age 65. Russell Stiger II, OBSERVER

The Athletics relocated from Oakland for the 2025-2027 seasons, with an option for 2028, as they await completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas. While in Sacramento, the team will be known simply as the Athletics, without a city designation.

The move followed unsuccessful negotiations with the city of Oakland to extend the team’s lease at the Coliseum. Oakland officials proposed a five-year lease with a team opt-out after three years, but the Athletics opted for the Sacramento arrangement instead. Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, who also owns the triple-A River Cats, with whom the A’s are sharing the ballpark, expressed enthusiasm for highlighting the region’s passionate fanbase and potential to become a “mecca for sports.”

Marcus McAllister grew up watching the Giants and A’s and always dreamed of having an MLB team in his hometown. Now that the dream has come true, he’s determined to enjoy every moment before the team departs for Las Vegas despite the drama surrounding the move.

After watching the A’s struggle against the Cubs, McAllister voiced his frustration with the pitching staff. “I knew it could have been bad,” he said, “but that was terrible.

“I’ll keep coming though because [the A’s are] right here, and I don’t quit on my team.”

Other fans, like Patrick Fortune, remain upset with the city of Oakland over how the team and its supporters were treated. Fortune, who spent most of his life in the Bay Area, moved to Sacramento five years ago to live with his girlfriend and was deeply affected by the team’s departure.

Henderson was Fortune’s favorite player, and he fondly recalls attending the game where Henderson broke the career stolen base record, surpassing Cardinals legend Lou Brock. His father let him take the day off from school to witness the historic moment. “I was sitting on the third base line right behind Lou Brock,” Fortune said.

While he prefers Sacramento over Oakland due to the Coliseum’s deteriorating condition, Fortune looks forward to seeing the Athletics join the Raiders in Las Vegas. “I think it’s a good fit, and even though I didn’t want them to go, Las Vegas is a good fit, and the stadium is going to be nice,” he said.