‘Just glad they’re here’: Athletics fans share feelings on home opener in West Sacramento

The Athletics played their first game in Sacramento on Tuesday, drawing thousands to Sutter Health Park. But the team’s 18-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs wasn’t the only story of the night.

For many longtime A’s fans, the game marked a bittersweet milestone — Major League Baseball had arrived in Sacramento, but only after leaving Oakland behind.

“It’s really sad,” said Teresa Pardo Prieto, a Sacramento resident who moved from Oakland 12 years ago. “I’m just looking at everything like, wow, they really are here in Sacramento.”

Pardo Prieto and her husband, Tony, have followed the A’s since the early 1990s. They attended the team’s final game at the Oakland Coliseum and are now adjusting to a new chapter at the home of the River Cats, a 14,000-seat stadium with less than a quarter of the Coliseum’s 57,000-seat capacity.

Accepting a new normal, Pardo Prieto said “change is alright.”

“It’s very quiet,” Pardo Prieto said. “The energy is here, it’s just a little bit quieter than what I’m accustomed to.”

Tony Pardo Prieto said he was “psyched” the team is closer, even if temporarily but still had his critiques of the move: “They could have done a better job and tried to keep them in Oakland. It is what it is.”

“At this point, I’m just glad they’re here.”

The A’s plan to play at least three seasons in West Sacramento while their permanent stadium is built in Las Vegas.

For Mike Plaa, who attended the home opener, Sacramento offers hope. “Sacramento needs it,” he said.

Still, some fans are still reeling from the team’s departure.

Bryan Nieves, who drove nearly 60 miles from Napa, wore a “sell” T-shirt aimed at A’s owner John Fisher. “This interim stuff is b-------,” he said. “How can somebody be so selfish. ... He ruined it for everybody.”

Others leaned on tradition. Sierra Soltis, a San Jose resident who grew up in the Bay Area, recalled singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with her family during the A’s final game in Oakland.

It was a different feeling. She recalled at that game seeing her dad shed tears, she said.

“I was expecting to bring my kids to the Coliseum,” she said. “But we’re here, we’re going to support the A’s wherever they are.”

“It’s a smaller stadium, but it’s really nice to see all the seats filled,” Soltis said. “The tailgating was a little different from what we usually see. There wasn’t much of it.”

Nevertheless, she plans to continue their family outings and get her dad and brother out to Sacramento to support their baseball team, the Athletics.

Julian Chavez of San Jose noticed a difference in vibe — and in logistics. He’s used to taking the BART public transportation to the Oakland Coliseum, now he has to drive a little more than three hours.

“This was the first time I had to reserve a hotel for an A’s home game,” he said.

Chavez has been going to A’s games with family since he was 5 — going to Opening Day is a must. However, this time was different. Something was missing for Chavez.

“One difference is not hearing that Oakland spirit,” Chavez said. “They’re trying to figure it out, too.”

Chavez suggested playing music from big-time Sacramento artists. He is hopeful that fans will emulate the energy that made Oakland one of the best places to play, being loud, colorful and boisterous in support of their team as players get used to Sacramento.

“They’re nervous as well,” he said. “This is all their first time playing here in the stadium. So they’re trying to figure it out, too. They’re trying to see how the wind goes, how the crowd feels when they come up to bat.”

Anthony Tarrant, who grew up in Oakland but now lives in Sacramento, said he plans to attend most of the season’s 81 home games.

Growing up, Tarrant attended games with grandmother and her friends. It became one of his favorite pastimes. He’s passing the game down to his daughters, as he recognizes that the games “give you a time to hang out and just do some family things”.

“I know Sacramento is ready to embrace it,” he said. “And I thank the city ... for coming through.”

Some A’s fans felt an energy shift as their team made their Sacramento debut but the vibe felt the same to Tarrant.

“I’m having fun with it. Some people might be upset, but I’m not,” he said.

Lamont Bufford enjoyed chicken tenders and fries with his son as they watched their favorite team visit Sacramento. Bufford moved to California’s capital in 2005 from Chicago. He’s a longtime Cubs fan so it was a no-brainer to show up, especially with the commute from his home only being 15 minutes.

“I like going to Oakland to see Major League Baseball but they’re here in my new hometown,” Bufford said.

On the concourse, 6-year-old Noah Cecceto clutched a baseball and glove, excited to see his favorite player, outfielder Lawrence Butler. “My favorite part is seeing home runs,” he said.

This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM.