Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Kotsay treated this moment, this discouraging day, like the World Series he had never experienced as a player or manager.

Kotsay, like so many others, fought back tears Thursday as the A’s said an emotional goodbye to the beloved Coliseum they called home since 1968, with all its quirks like plumbing problems and rally possums — and those stray cats that inspired Hall former Animal Rescue Foundation of Famer Tony La Russa.

“I’ve never been to a World Series,” Kotsay said. “But I feel like today is one of those days where you can experience the emotion, the magnitude of it. Driving through the gates today and seeing the fullness of a parking lot, feeling the energy and the emotion is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Longtime fans and children alike stole away from work or school to attend the matinee finale against the Texas Rangers before a sellout crowd of 46,889 under a cloudless blue September sky.

Kotsay made a souvenir request: He took home three bases, which were changed out each inning, leaving 27 available as souvenirs – and longtime, outgoing groundskeeper Clay Wood donated the first-inning bags.

From Kotsay’s days as an outfielder and back to the 1989 World Series that was interrupted by an earthquake when the A’s beat the Giants, to the Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire and that particular 20-game winning streak in 2002 and the Big Three by Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito, before “I Believe in Stephen Vogt” later became a rallying cry, this building was home to so many glorious moments across all eras and stars of different generations.

Zito sang the national anthem to great applause while Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart threw ceremonial first pitches.

Not far from the A’s dugout, Kelly Mattson of the ground crew had fans shoveling dirt right out of his shovel.

Hours before first pitch, A’s bullpen catcher Dustin Hughes and his Oakland scout father John played catch in left field before climbing Mount Davis and then exploring the inside of the scoreboard and other hidden spots beneath the center field bleachers.

Hundreds of fans spent the last few days strolling through the hall and taking photos or videos of all the images and memories from the past decades. The parking spaces were already full before breakfast, and the crowded drivers grabbed everything again.

Former A’s fan favorite and current Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien had 10 to 15 family members and friends – including his parents and grandparents – in the stands for the special occasion.

“Thank you to all the security guards, concession workers and everyone who made this place a major league stadium,” Semien said on the field. “I truly appreciate you welcoming me, an East Bay kid, to your workplace. I’m very sorry to everyone who can’t carry on with Oakland but carry on as you always have.”

Longtime manager and former catcher Bruce Bochy became emotional in the visitors’ dugout. The Colosseum is also very important to him.

The A’s plan to play in Sacramento for the next three years, with hopes of opening a new ballpark in Las Vegas before the 2028 season.

“Great day,” said Bochy, a former catcher who led the San Francisco Giants to World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. “A memorable day for so many people, but for me it’s starting to hit home now that baseball is over here. It’s kind of sad. Because I love this place, love the field and everything.”

Of his team, he added, “I think they really appreciate this place.”

Kotsay planned to take it all in.

“It’s a day that will come and go pretty quickly,” he said, “and you just don’t want to miss an opportunity to express your gratitude to the fans, the people who mean everything, the workers at the stadium.” It was difficult to share moments with them today. There are many people here who have invested their lives and souls in this organization, in this stadium and in the sport of baseball. The love of the game of baseball, but more so the love of the people and the relationships built over 57 years in this stadium.”

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