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Dave Stewart finally getting his long overdue reward

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 25: Former pitcher Dave Stewart of the Oakland Athletics throws out the ceremonial first pitch during a ceremony honoring the 1989 World Series championship team before the game against the San Francisco Giants at the RingCentral Coliseum on August 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Oakland Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 25: Former pitcher Dave Stewart of the Oakland Athletics throws out the ceremonial first pitch during a ceremony honoring the 1989 World Series championship team before the game against the San Francisco Giants at the RingCentral Coliseum on August 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Oakland Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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This was supposed to happen two years ago. The Oakland A’s had announced that Dave Stewart’s jersey would be retired, his name attached to number 34 in perpetuity as he joined Rollie Fingers as being honored with that uniform. At some point in 2020, Stewart would get his due.

Then the pandemic happened. Yes, games were played, but no one was in the stands. It did not make sense to have that ceremony to honor Stewart if no one was there. So the ceremony was postponed until some later date.

Oakland A’s finally announce date to honor Dave Stewart

One would have expected that would happen in 2021, but that was not the case. Nothing had been announced for 2022 either, with Stewart himself wondering what was happening. However, on Friday, the A’s finally stepped up and announced that the ceremony would take place on Sunday, September 11, while the White Sox are in town, with fans in attendance receiving a replica jersey.

The White Sox as the opponent is not a coincidence. Tony La Russa, the current White Sox manager, was Stewart’s manager during his run of dominance in Oakland. Having him there for that moment, and being a part of the festivities, is a great decision.

One does have to wonder how many fans will be in attendance for Stewart’s day. A’s fans have been sending ownership a message by staying away from the ballpark in droves, to the point where there may be more feral cats at the Coliseum than people watching the game. Hopefully, that animosity does not ruin a ceremony that is long overdue for one of the greatest players in Oakland A’s history.

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The Oakland A’s have finally scheduled Dave Stewart’s ceremony. He will finally get his due and see his number 34 retired in his honor.