Lew Wolff, Bud Selig and the Oakland A’s of San Jose and Fremont
By Matt Artz
Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm in Uncategorized.
The following probably wasn’t the best use of my weekend, but with reports that Major League Baseball Commissioner (and former Milwaukee Brewers owner) Bud Selig will hear from his committee on the Oakland A’s stadium situation, I dreamed up a conversation between Selig and his old University of Wisconsin fraternity brother, A’s co-owner Lew Wolff. Although the popular assumption is that Wolff will be able to move the team to San Jose, this make believe dialogue is premised on Selig telling Wolff that he’ll have to stay in the East Bay. BTW, the above photo is from a recent San Francisco Magazine story on the A’s.
Here she goes:
Bud: Lew, you know what I like best about you besides those green sweaters? You’re sense of humor. When something doesn’t go your way, even back in our fraternity days, you can always crack a joke about it.
Lew: You want a joke? What do Mormons and the World Series have in common?
Bud: Huh?
Lew: No Brewers.
Bud: You’re forgetting 1982, but anyway … Lew, I’m sorry. I can’t let you go to San Jose.
Lew: You’d rather we take the team to Charlotte? Better yet, Vegas?
Bud: What about Fremont? They’ve got all that land near BART and the freeways. You’d be the team of Silicon Valley, and the Giants couldn’t do anything about it.
Lew: Fremont? I wouldn’t go back there if it were home to the last Applebee’s on earth. I tried, Bud. Most people pass through Fremont in two minutes. I was there for two years. How do you build a stadium in a city that doesn’t even let people to add second stories to their tract homes?
Bud: Then all that’s left is Oakland.
Lew: Who’s going to buy the luxury suites and season tickets? Have your consultants thought about that? By the time the stadium’s built, the top 10 businesses in town will all be indoor marijuana farms. Do you really want to throw out the first pitch at Oaksterdam University Field? It would give a whole new meaning to “the green and gold.”
Bud: It doesn’t sound much worse than the A’s “Greenies and Gold” championship teams of the early ‘70s. Besides, if Oakland isn’t viable, why have the A’s won four World Series there while the Giants haven’t won anything in San Francisco?
Lew: Look in the mirror, Bud. You’re the one who’s led the charge for taxpayer-funded stadiums filled with corporate luxury suites. Nineteen new stadiums have opened since you became commissioner, almost all of them with major public financing, cheap rent and oodles of luxury boxes to maximize revenue. It’s bad enough no one will build me a stadium, now you’re not going to let me follow the money?
Bud: If you move to San Jose, you’ll be stuck paying the Giants for the territorial rights.
Lew: Maybe, but maybe not. Think about it, Bud. It’ll take five years to build the stadium. I’ve already antagonized the Oakland fans so no one comes to games anymore. We’ll have the lowest payroll and the lowest attendance in baseball through 2015. That means I’ll get the most money from rich teams under the revenue sharing agreement. I’ll use that to pay off the Giants.
Bud: It seemed like you genuinely wanted to move to Fremont when there wasn’t a truly good stadium site. Now they’ve got a better site, but you’re not interested.
Lew: The ballpark village was a development deal, not a stadium deal. This isn’t Milwaukee. There’s more to do here in the summer than watch sausage races. No one’s going to build you a $400 million stadium with a retractable roof. The 3,000 homes were going to pay for the Fremont stadium. Now I’d have to pay for it.
Bud: You’d still have to pay for stadium construction in San Jose?
Lew: Let’s say you’re going to borrow $500 million for a ballpark. I know you didn’t have to do that, because Wisconsin taxpayers gave you most of the money, but let’s pretend. Don’t you want to tell your lenders that you’re building in the heart of the Bay Area’s largest city, where the darn hockey team draws more fans per game than we do in Oakland?
Or do you want to tell them you’re going to build it in the fourth largest Bay Area city, next to a shuttered factory and across the freeway from a neighborhood full of rich engineers and angry lawyers?
Bud: If San Jose is such a sure bet, why are the Sharks valued only 19th out of the 30 NHL franchises?
Lew: You think the Sharks still exist if they played in Oakland?
Bud: Sure, as long as they don’t tarp off the upper deck, cancel FanFest and claim poverty while guaranteeing $10 million to a player with more scar tissue in his right elbow than Jose Canseco has in left buttock.
Lew: Listen, map out the 50 or so Bay Area companies on the Forbes 1000 list –- the companies we need to buy the luxury suites and season tickets and signage to pay for the stadium and make the team viable. If we stay in Oakland, it would be more convenient for four-fifths of those companies to send their employees to AT&T Park.
Bud: Oakland did propose three waterfront sites that total almost 100 acres. You don’t think there’s any business development potential there?
Lew: Bud, please, it doesn’t make sense to have two teams in one metropolitan area, and have both of them 40 miles from the area’s largest city.
Bud: That brings us back to Fremont. You’ll be closer to Silicon Valley, but not in the Giants’ territory. Plus, if push came to shove, Fremont still might give you and Cisco rights to develop those 3,000 houses even though the ballpark would be a mile away. It would just take a little longer to see a profit.
Lew: It would take a lot longer, too much longer. Look, San Jose is almost a done deal. They just need to acquire a bit more land, solve the parking issue, take a vote, and we’re there.
Bud: Too many complications with the Giants.
Lew: Think about it, Bud. You’re telling me to leave all that on the table in a city where they like me and go back to Fremont knowing that the city doesn’t control the stadium land and the nearest residents have threatened a lawsuit that could delay construction for two years. I don’t get it. The Giants were granted territorial rights for Santa Clara County in 1992. How has that become baseball’s sacred oath?
Bud: You know the answers: Corporate sponsorships and leverage. What happens in 40 years when the Giants want a new home? If you’re in San Jose, where can they threaten to move? Pebble Beach?
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
February 8th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Irresponsible. Not funny. Bad taste. Those are a few of my printable thoughts. Get a life.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Responsible. Funny. Good taste. Have a wonderful life.
To Aaron–get a sense of humor and a life yourself. This is a blog, not a newspaper. If people can’t make fun of millionaires here, where can they?
February 8th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
That was great–creative, interesting, & funny. I’ve had disorganized bits and pieces of the thoughts in that fictional dialogue, and I know others have too. It contributes to the conversation (with artistic license, yes) from an angle none of us will ever actually be exposed to except the MLB insiders like these two.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Typical NY sports fan. Their team isn’t in the championship game so they don’t even watch it, and instead spend their evening fantasizing about two men.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Btw, Matt. I’m kidding. That was clever.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
We can only imagine the content of their dialogue. This will suffice nicely.
As it is said, oh to be a fly on the wall.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Well done Matt Twain!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I believe the term I’m looking for is lol.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:56 am
It’s funny, I really like it. Thanks for the laugh, Matt, or Mutt?
February 9th, 2010 at 6:45 am
NUMMI being considered for High Speed Rail factory
http://www.ktvu.com/news/22042153/detail.html
February 9th, 2010 at 8:03 am
KTVU Morning News reported this morning, 2/9/10, that Fremont’s City Council will discuss the future of the NUMMI facility at tonight’s meeting. I don’t expect any major announcements. They’ll probably kick it around the dais and then shelve it for future discussion.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:15 am
VOR, the council is just going to authorize the city to apply for a federal grant to help them masterplan the NUMMI site. I would be surprised is there’s any real discussion.
http://www.fremont.gov/archives/35/020910%20CC%20Agenda-WEBSITE.pdf
February 9th, 2010 at 10:07 am
The item asks for permission from the Council to submit a grant application that staff have already prepared. If the grant is funded, the funds will be used to finance a series of studies concerning the potential uses of the NUMMI site. Basically, it’s slow-walking the development of that site to death, at a time when other cities are spending their money to encourage actual businesses to come to their town. Have to wonder, if the City hadn’t blown $100K on the A’s study, would they need grant money for more studies?
Bear in mind, a couple of weeks ago FCN proposed that the City make an honest and direct effort to see what other concepts could be generated for the NUMMI site by issuing a public invitation seeking proposals for an economic incubator zone. If you want business, go directly to business.
Which approach do you think would generate faster, better, more concrete results?
The City is thinking and planning like government, moving with the glacial speed that government is accustomed to. If we want to make something happen, we have to expand and update our approach. We also have to think about making some improvements in our City management.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Maybe council could discuss the timeline for replacement of the now defunct skatepark. Or, maybe the city should just hire these kids from Uganda.
Frustrated with the lack of concrete around for skating, kids in Kitintale, a poor suburb of Kampula, Uganda, decided to take matters into their own hands. Without any help from the government or large NGOs, the kids decided to make their own skate park.
http://vimeo.com/6640603
February 9th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Please, Lew Wolff, stay away from Fremont! We don’t want that stadium here. Can’t you understand that?
February 9th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Great statement, Sam. If you have the time, please visit the FCN website and send your message directly to MLB so they’ll know what you think before they make a decision on where to locate the stadium.
Try:
http://community.fremontcitizensnetwork.org/forum/topics/send-letter-to-mlb-committee
or directly from your e-mail, use:
LetterToMLB@gmail.com
February 9th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
City clouncil will 5-0 (or at the best 4-1) APPROVE anything presented before them. Time to change !
February 9th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
PBS Newshour carried a ten minute report on NUMMI’s closing this afternoon. It airs again tonight on KQED at 6 p.m. It included interviews with NUMMI management, line workers and union reps. It included the amateur video of the union hall scuffle and a ride-along with Mayor Wasserman who showed off the construction of the Solyndra plant.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Okay, I’m making it way too easy for y’all.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/video/
Scroll down Tuesday, 2/9 and look for:
California Braces for NUMMI Auto Plant’s Closure
February 9th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
WOW!!! & OMG!!!
Of all the posts that are on the FCN site, there’s one particular post that is mind blowing.
“on January 28, 2010 at 12:44am Let the A’s stay in San Jose!”
I’m amazed how this person says “The A’s will trash Fremont down like Oakland”.. The A’s haven’t trashed Oakland.. What kind of talk is that..
I understand everyone’s concern but, this person to me seems like a selfish individual who is more concern about status than anything else.
I been here in the tri-city city area for 46 yrs and this is the first I have come across ignorance as much as this person has show. I’m hoping that this one post is just a fluke.
For everyone else who has posted, thanks for not trash talking.
As for “Linh” MOVE TO PLEASANTON!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I hope that you will bear in mind, Tony, that the FCN site is open to all comers, the only restrictions being Fremont residency and refraining from obscenity. The site has often provided a venue for folks with widely divergent opinions, not all of which I have agreed with, but of course the FCN site is not there to serve my interests or those of any individual. Thanks for visiting the site; I hope you will return often, join and post what you think.
I can’t make a case that the A’s alone have trashed Oakland, but the City of Oakland certainly has more than its fair share of problems these days. I’m relieved that we’re dealing primarily with Fremont’s problems; Oakland’s problems are a bit too much for me.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
TonyG, that is typical of the scare tactics and self centered nimbyism coming from the elitist Mission Hills associated FCN. I suggest that if you support the stadium, you send mail or call MLB.
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
Phone: (212) 931-7800
There are many factors much larger than the FCN working against Fremont, and unfortunately Fremont’s window closed last year. The best resource is to ensure that Vinnie Bacon or any other FCN sponsored candidate is defeated in November, or expect a more emboldened nimby network who will work to shelter their property values and API scores and the expense of greater Fremont.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
If you support the A’s move to Fremont, please write a letter to support@astofremont.org that you want the A’s in Fremont. They will send you letter to major league baseball ASAP.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Also join A’s to Fremont support group on Facebook. Facebook.com/astofremont
February 10th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Yes, if you DO NOT support the A’s to Fremont, write to the address given by Marty at #22.
The best resource is to make sure FCN-sponsored candidates win in November.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Who is Marty?? Fred Diaz????
February 10th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Marty will benefit from indiscriminate, massive developments and having the A’s at the expense of greater Fremont.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Good point, Nononsense, about electing candidates in November who actually represent the best interests of Fremont as a whole. I hope we can count on you to lend a hand where you can in the campaigns of those candidates who have not been bred in the swamps of developers and special interests.
Things will start moving soon, and get busier as the spring and summer go by, so if you can walk a precinct, hand out signs, or help in other ways I’m sure it would be appreciated. You’ll most likely see the URL’s for the candidates websites posted here and on other local sites fairly soon so you’ll be able to get in touch with the campaigns.
And for those who want to make their opinions on the stadium proposal known to MLB, please contact them at:
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
Phone: (212) 931-7800
It appears to me that Fremont is at an important crossroads. For better or worse, this city is going to be what we make it, so don’t just sit there and comlain. Find out about local issues, local candidates, get involved and vote.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Mutt, thanks for the story. Very funny and educational (^O_O^)
http://community.fremontcitizensnetwork.org/forum/topics/imaginary-conversation-between
February 10th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
very funny! hahah
February 11th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
reply to post #19 Voice of Reason (VOR)
thanks for the link
it will be interesting to hear if Mayor Wasserman is really working with the UAW union to help get them laid off workers employment at Solyndra. I was not aware Mayor Wasserman was on bottle oxygen. Is he okay to lead?
February 13th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
He’s not OK to lead, but it’s questionable if that’s as a result of the oxygen or just a permanently-fixed 1950′s mindset. As my Italian friend says, Bob “pensa come una vecchia persona”.
February 13th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
FNC saying they are an open forum for discussion is bogus. All the anti A’s info is on their home page and the pro point of view is buried or comes only from the responses. They do the same thing with the rest of their issues…because a handful of people are pretending to represent the views of a 1000 who came together on the A’s issue only. IF FNC were brave enough to post the pros and cons side by side, they would still probably persuade me the stadium is a bad idea. But they should not act like they are some sort of open forum for open communication when they deliberately promote only one side.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:02 am
“because a handful of people are pretending to represent the views of a 1000 who came together on the A’s issue only”
If the forum is any indication of active participation, the FCN is about 6 people.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Sheeesh Marty I thought you had more self-confidence than that.
Isn’t this ongoing speculation about which side has more in the way of supporters in their camp just a civic variant on small penis envy ?
Get a life – stay focussed on issues, the proposed vote will ultimately decide who’s “bigger” . . right ?
February 14th, 2010 at 8:21 am
MassCommAddict, Marty…
Why does it bother you so much that concerned citizens get together for a better Fremont. It is true that the A’s issue drew them together, but they have expanded there interests beyond that.
I rejoice in the fact that residents are trying to make Fremont a better place to live.
They do not sit on there butts and criticize people that are trying to make a difference in Fremont.
Perhaps you opinion is not that popular or relevant.
FCN welcomes you!
February 14th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Bill, can you provide an example of where the opinions of the FCN steering committee diverge?
I think your solicitation just proves MassComm’s comment on the FCN being a few claiming to represent many. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the FCN email list over a 1000 people long, but it is blatantly obvious that the FCN has a dozen max active members, and those members are against the A’s and against the Patterson Ranch development. If you missed this simple observation, then perhaps you need to get checked out upstairs (or you’re just lying).
February 14th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Re # 35.
Box, I know I’ve belittled you many many times, and surely that is frustrating. But to act like a child is even beneath your level.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:59 am
So let me get this right, someone deceives you, cheats you, takes money from you and then tries to tell you it’s good for you. Then you and several others who are going through the same thing get together to call this out to the greater publics attention.
Then a spokesperson for the bullie(s) that have been doing this says that he/she thinks that nothing wrong has been done and that this is just:
“scare tactics and self centered nimbyism coming from the elitist Mission Hills associated FCN.” (#22 above)
You know, it does sound like Fred around here.
February 14th, 2010 at 9:25 am
“One of the objects of a newspaper is to understand popular feeling and to give expression to it, another is to arouse among the people certain desirable sentiments, and the third is fearlessly to expose popular defects.”
Gandhi
February 14th, 2010 at 10:51 am
MassCommAddict and Marty, there are several pro-stadium posts in FCN. The post “Chamber of Commerce supports the A’s stadium because…” (with their original content) is even in the center of the front page for a few weeks now.
So far, none of “pro-stadium” sites post any “no stadium” opinion. Marty and MassCommAddict, could you also encourage them to post more “no stadium” opinions?
February 15th, 2010 at 9:14 am
NoAsWs, that is exactly my point. The ‘no stadium’ sites say what they stand for, the FNC site pretends it wants to be a forum and then just promotes the hell out of its own point of view. Take a look at the other issues on its site, it is the same story. I’m not pro or anti stadium because so far it is all pie in the sky, but if NLB says they can come to Fremont, I won’t waste my time visiting the FNC site for both sides of the issue.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:19 am
MassCommAddict,
Perhaps you get the real info from Fred Diaz or Mayor Wasserman.
So far Diaz and Wasserman have treated Fremont residents like growing mushrooms, keep them in the dark and feed them Horse Shit
February 15th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Coyote Bill,
I think they treat them like little children who don’t know what’s good for them! :}