After the team's final game in Auckland on Thursday, A's manager Mark Coetzee poured his heart out to the crowd.
After a 3-2 win over the Rangers in the final, Kossais, who spent four seasons with the Athletics, grabbed the microphone and addressed the crowd of 46,889 at the Oakland Coliseum.
“I'm going to try to keep this short, but I really don't know if I'll be able to see it through to the end,” Coetzei said. “To the staff who have dedicated their lives to the Oakland Athletics, especially those who are no longer with us. I am forever grateful and will never forget you.
“And on behalf of my staff, myself, this team, past players and coaches, and everyone who has ever worn the green and gold, let me say this to you: There is no greater fan than you. Thank you to everyone who loved me and thank you for your lifelong support. auckland As.
“And finally, I want to thank everyone for coming today to share this moment with a club that I'm so proud of. We played our hearts out this year. I think we should pay our respects to this wonderful stadium. And once again, let's start cheering for the biggest thing in baseball, “Let's Go Oakland.''
The crowd erupted behind Kossais, and players and coaches joined in the chants from the field.
Local broadcasters showed emotional A's fans shouting in unison one last time at the Coliseum.
Thursday's game marked the end of the Athletics' 57-year tenure in Oakland since arriving in the Bay Area from Kansas City in 1968.
The Athletics will play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., for at least the next three seasons before moving to Las Vegas.
