If you are a fan of the Oakland Athletics staying in Oakland and dislike the recently instituted ghost runner, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has some bad news for you.
, Manfred expressed pessimism the Athletics will be able to figure out a new stadium in Oakland, though he had something different to say about the Tampa Bay Rays' situation:
"I think the mayor in Oakland [Libby Schaaf] has made a huge effort to try to get it done in Oakland. It just doesn't look like it's going to happen ... I'm not positive about it." "I think the A's have proceeded prudently in terms of exploring the Las Vegas alternative, given the lack of pace in Oakland. I think they have to look for an alternative. I see Tampa differently. I think a properly located facility in Tampa, that Tampa's a viable major league market. I've got a lot of faith in [Rays owner] Stu Sternberg. I think they will find a place to get a ballpark built and I think baseball can thrive in Tampa.
When asked if Oakland could leave within the next five years, Manfred said"Oh yeah" twice then added"Something has to happen, we can't go five more years in the Coliseum." The Athletics, currently playing the widely maligned RingCentral Coliseum, have been looking for a new home for years. They landed on their current plans for a ballpark at Howard Terminal