Sports

Developers aim to purchase A’s share of Coliseum

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2024

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ESPN News Services

Feb 13, 2024, 08:19 PM ET

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland-based African American Sports & Entertainment Group has reached out to the Athletics and their representation with an offer to acquire what was previously Alameda County’s 50% interest in the site where the Oakland Coliseum sits with the intent to develop.

AASEG Land LLC wrote to A’s owner John Fisher, president Dave Kaval and their Coliseum Way Partners representatives in a letter dated Feb. 8 that was acquired and viewed by The Associated Press.

The correspondence states that AASEG initially reached out with a purchasing offer in September and the sides exchanged letters, with the A’s responding they were not interested in relinquishing their share. AASEG said it is trying again given the club’s plan to relocate to Las Vegas.

In 2019, the A’s purchased the county’s 50% share of the Coliseum site for $85 million and the team still is paying that off. The city of Oakland owns the other half of the stadium.

The development group said it decided to make a follow-up offer now following Major League Baseball’s approval in November of the team’s relocation to Las Vegas.

AASEG wrote it would “expect to discuss equitable buyout conditions” in the coming weeks in order to transfer contractual entitlement. The letter states “there is increasing public demand for prompt redevelopment of the site” and that AASEG has “significant community support.”

The AASEG website says it was founded in 2020 “with the primary purpose of using the vehicle of sports and entertainment to create a path for enhanced economic equity for the Black community.”

One stated goal is “the formation of the first majority Black owned NFL franchise” in Oakland with the Coliseum site vision as “a thriving sports, entertainment, educational and business district in East Oakland.”

The A’s are in the final year of their lease agreement to play in the Coliseum, and it remains unclear where they will play before a new Las Vegas ballpark opens in 2028 at the earliest. One option could be extending the current lease.

Last week, at the MLB’s owner meetings, commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters he was confident the Las Vegas plan will come together in time, both in the short and longer term.

“I would be disappointed if we didn’t open that stadium, Opening Day, 2028,” Manfred said. “In terms of an interim home [from 2025 to 2028], I’m comfortable with where they are in the process.

“It’s not like we don’t know where they’ll be in 2024. They’re doing a good job of exploring them and find the best possible opportunity.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sports

MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

Published

56 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 04:27 PM ET

NEW YORK — Dan Iassogna will be the umpire crew chief and work the plate during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

His crew will include Marvin Hudson at first, Chris Segal at second, Jansen Visconti at third, Jeremie Rehak in left and Erich Bacchus in right, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

Iassogna, 56, will work his second All-Star Game. He was at third base for the 2011 game at Arizona.

He worked his first big league game in 1999, was hired to the major league staff in 2004 and appointed a crew chief ahead of the 2020 season. Iassogna umpired the World Series in 2012, ’17 and ’22 along with eight League Championship Series and seven Division Series.

Segal, Visconti, Rehak and Bacchus will work their first All-Star Games and Hudson his second after being in left field in 2004 at Houston.

Tony Randazzo will be the replay umpire in New York.

Sports

A’s Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

Published

56 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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A's Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 01:16 PM ET

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to the list of Home Run Derby participants.

Rooker announced Thursday that he’s participating in the event, which takes place Monday in Atlanta. He will become the first Athletics player in the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”

Rooker, 30, entered Thursday with a .270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace for a third straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 and had 39 homers in 2024.

His 58 homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third among all American League players.

The only A’s to win the Derby were Mark McGwire in 1992 and Yoenis Céspedes in 2013 and 2014.

Other announced participants include Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

Sports

Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

Published

56 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 01:54 PM ET

BALTIMORE — The New York Mets recalled 23-year-old utility man Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday’s split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.

The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June.

Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuna had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors.

“He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We got to a point where we felt like, ‘Hey, let’s get him some everyday playing time. ‘And now it’s time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games.”

In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment.

Acuna was on the bench for New York’s first game of the doubleheader.