As if 50 years in Oakland wasn’t exciting enough, the Oakland Athletics have announced a completely free game to fans on April 17 as part of its 50 years in Oakland celebration.
In an official statement posted to the Athletics’ website, A’s President Dave Kaval voiced excitement for the offer:
“The entire 2018 season will be a celebration of the A’s rich history, and offering the first free MLB game is another unique way for us to celebrate our team and wonderful fans,” Kaval said in the statement.
An anniversary gift to Oakland: We're celebrating 50 seasons in Oakland with FREE tickets to our regular season game on Apr 17, the exact date we debuted here in Oakland 50 years prior. Tickets for this game will be available at https://t.co/X9z9RBVufQ starting on Jan 10. pic.twitter.com/6m4tyRGDU9
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) January 3, 2018
Fan can sign up for the tickets beginning Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. PT at athletics.com/50. According to the press release, season ticket members will have their free tickets automatically loaded onto their A’s ticket accounts.
After moving from Kansas City the previous year, the Athletics played their first game in Oakland against the Baltimore Orioles on April 17, 1968.
Four-time all-star and league most valuable player Boog Powell of the Baltimore Orioles, (weird how history repeats itself), hit the first homerun in Coliseum history during the second inning to put the Orioles up 1-0. Rick Monday has the honor of being the first Oakland Athletic to cross home plate at the Coliseum after launching a solo homerun over the centerfield wall in the sixth inning. Oakland’s Lew Krausse would eat the loss after giving up four runs in five and third innings pitched.
The Coliseum, which most will agree has seen better days, is the fourth-oldest MLB stadium in the league, trailing Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium.
The move continues a trend for Kaval, who, last year, won support from fans for re-opening the tarped area of the coliseum. The tarps blocked off the View Level of the Coliseum since 2006 and was a noticeable eyesore for fans both at the stadium , and watching at home.