Matt Chapman has nothing but love for his former teammates and Athletics fans.
After being traded from Oakland to the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason, Chapman made his return to the Oakland Coliseum for a three-game series against the A's this week.
In speaking to reporters prior to Monday's game, Chapman recalled fond memories from his time with the A's and believes that the team should stay in Oakland and deserves a new stadium. (h/t San Francisco Chronicle)
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“I think that the A’s should stay in Oakland,” Chapman said. “I’ve seen this place packed before. They have the fans. I think there’s more that goes into it than just getting people in the stands. I think it’s become a little bit — maybe some people aren’t happy with the front office, whatever it is.
“But I hope that they can get a stadium. They deserve a stadium in Oakland. They deserve a nice stadium that people can come and enjoy baseball at. But I think that it’s still not going to be an easy task, so I’m still not sure.”
The A's have won each of the first two games of the series against the Blue Jays, but overall, have struggled mightily throughout the 2022 season. With plenty of former teammates still wearing the green and gold, it hasn't been easy for Chapman to watch his former team struggle the way that they have.
“I know they’re grinding a little right now,” Chapman added. “We played with a lot of guys over there, so it’s tough. Because we were all together, we were all kind of making a run multiple years in a row, and then it all happens really fast. So I know that it’s a big change in gears for everybody over there.”
Oakland Athletics
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Chapman experienced plenty of highs and lows throughout his five years with the A's, so he understands the frustrations both players and fans are experiencing this season.
As the A's quest for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal continues, Chapman is one of many current and former players, along with most people throughout the game of baseball, that are rooting for a new stadium to be built and for the A's to stay in Oakland.