Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his confidence is the A's Howard Terminal site for a future ballpark on Tuesday, despite a recent report from the San Francisco Chronicle on hazardous chemicals and a costly cleanup.
“I am aware of some of the issues that have been raised with respect to the site,” Manfred said to reporters during a news conference at the Glendale Civic Center. “I’m optimistic that we’re going to find a way that the A’s and government officials in Oakland will find a way to work through those issues to everyone’s satisfaction."
Manfred praised the A's ownership and front office for their creativity in landing at Howard Terminal, too.
“I give (owner) John Fisher and (president) Dave Kaval really high marks for the level of effort, creativity and commitment they have put into the project in terms of trying to find a site in Oakland that’s workable. They deserve a ton of credit.”
The A's have long been looking for a new ballpark. It seems every year, we hear rumblings of either a new location in Oakland, or a possible relocation outside of the Bay Area. Manfred made one thing clear -- he wants the team right here in Oakland.
[PHOTOS: Howard Terminal ballpark and Coliseum site redevelopment renderings]
“I think it’s important for us to stay in Oakland,” he said. “Most fundamentally because of our commitment to communities. But, you know, Oakland is a major-league market. We should have a club there.”
Oakland Athletics
The A's moved from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968, and have remained at the Coliseum -- with its many names -- ever since.