Marcus Semien Reflects on the Final Days of Baseball at Oakland Coliseum

**Marcus Semien: A Surreal Farewell to Oakland Coliseum**

Marcus Semien established himself as a major leaguer during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics from 2015 to 2020. Now playing for the Texas Rangers, the Bay Area native is witnessing the final games at the Oakland Coliseum.

Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Semien reflected on the situation, describing it as surreal. “It’s hard to believe that these are the last baseball games here. I can’t quite accept it. I believe there will be baseball in Oakland again at some point,” he said.

When asked why he believes the A’s could return, Semien pointed to the enduring baseball culture in the Bay Area. “This region has a strong fan base, and the land will still be here for someone to potentially build a stadium. Even though the Jack London (Howard Terminal) project didn’t pan out, this location remains viable. If someone takes the initiative to bring the team back, I think a stadium here should have been the plan all along, but it didn’t work out this time.”

During his time with the A’s, Semien was often the unsung hero of the team. While stars like Matt Chapman and Matt Olson garnered the spotlight as the corner infielders, Semien played a crucial role, particularly in 2019 when he hit 33 home runs and boasted a .285 batting average, all while providing stellar defense that energized the lineup. After the A’s opted not to extend him a qualifying offer following the 2020 season, the team missed the postseason entirely in 2021.

Reflecting on his experience with the A’s, Semien emphasized that he never focused on the quality of the ballpark itself. Instead, he cherished the opportunity given to him by Billy Beane and Bob Melvin to play regularly. “When I arrived, it was a chance to play every day. I didn’t consider the facilities; I was just excited to have the opportunity I didn’t have in Chicago. I aimed to make the most of it.”