West Sacramento businesses see boost as A’s lead division

Baseball fans flocked to West Sacramento as the Athletics hosted the Seattle Mariners in a divisional rivalry, bringing crowds to Sutter Health Park and boosting local businesses. Keith Lee, an A’s fan, expressed his confidence in the team, saying, “Write it down, drop the mic, whatever you want to do, the A’s are going to win tonight.” Fans from both sides showed their dedication.“Born and raised die-hard,” said Jeff Shoji, a Mariners supporter from Reno, Nevada. Meanwhile, Corey Lewis flew down from Seattle to see his team play, saying, “We’re big, huge Mariners fans, so glad to see them in another city.” Local businesses like Drake’s and Birdies saw a surge in customers, with Birdies’ owner reporting two to three times the usual number of patrons on game days compared to days the A’s aren’t playing. Corey Lewis highlighted the appeal of supporting local establishments.“It’s going to be way better going to a local spot than going to some corporate restaurant or bar,” Lewis said. “You’re going to have a better time.” Jordan Montoya, an A’s fan from the Bay Area, reflected on the importance of supporting the team, especially as they prepare to move to Las Vegas.“I’m sure most of these fans, it’s our childhood. I think it’s important for us growing up A’s fans. Now we’re grown, we have our own money to come support the team,” Montoya said. West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero welcomed the influx of visitors, emphasizing the positive impact on the city.“One of our goals more heads and beds and being able to get our hotels filled up,” Guerrero said. “I see that local businesses are doing a lot better. They’re getting their message out as to where they are.” Lee, who often visits Birdies before heading to the stadium, praised the economic benefits of the games.“I think it’s great for the local economy. It brings business to our local businesses and keeps, so the folks that live in Sacramento have a nice place to go hang out and enjoy the game,” Lee said. After the Mariners series, the A’s will host Linden native Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees this weekend, one of the most famous sports franchises in the world. Guerrero also revealed during her State of the City address last week that the city is in talks to bring its own Major League Baseball team once the A’s leave for Las Vegas. Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty previously announced in February that he and Guerrero were working on a campaign called “MLB Forever.”Further details about the city’s plans are expected to be shared on Thursday.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Baseball fans flocked to West Sacramento as the Athletics hosted the Seattle Mariners in a divisional rivalry, bringing crowds to Sutter Health Park and boosting local businesses.

Keith Lee, an A’s fan, expressed his confidence in the team, saying, “Write it down, drop the mic, whatever you want to do, the A’s are going to win tonight.”

Fans from both sides showed their dedication.

“Born and raised die-hard,” said Jeff Shoji, a Mariners supporter from Reno, Nevada.

Meanwhile, Corey Lewis flew down from Seattle to see his team play, saying, “We’re big, huge Mariners fans, so glad to see them in another city.”

Local businesses like Drake’s and Birdies saw a surge in customers, with Birdies’ owner reporting two to three times the usual number of patrons on game days compared to days the A’s aren’t playing.

Corey Lewis highlighted the appeal of supporting local establishments.

“It’s going to be way better going to a local spot than going to some corporate restaurant or bar,” Lewis said. “You’re going to have a better time.”

Jordan Montoya, an A’s fan from the Bay Area, reflected on the importance of supporting the team, especially as they prepare to move to Las Vegas.

“I’m sure most of these fans, it’s our childhood. I think it’s important for us growing up A’s fans. Now we’re grown, we have our own money to come support the team,” Montoya said.

West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero welcomed the influx of visitors, emphasizing the positive impact on the city.

“One of our goals [is] more heads and beds and being able to get our hotels filled up,” Guerrero said. “I see that local businesses are doing a lot better. They’re getting their message out as to where they are.”

Lee, who often visits Birdies before heading to the stadium, praised the economic benefits of the games.

“I think it’s great for the local economy. It brings business to our local businesses and keeps, so the folks that live in Sacramento have a nice place to go hang out and enjoy the game,” Lee said.

After the Mariners series, the A’s will host Linden native Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees this weekend, one of the most famous sports franchises in the world.

Guerrero also revealed during her State of the City address last week that the city is in talks to bring its own Major League Baseball team once the A’s leave for Las Vegas. Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty previously announced in February that he and Guerrero were working on a campaign called “MLB Forever.”

Further details about the city’s plans are expected to be shared on Thursday.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel