West Sacramento is formally exploring the possibility of becoming home to a future Major League Baseball expansion team, Mayor Martha Guerrero announced during the city’s State of the City address.”And yes, it’s true, West Sacramento is in dialogue to consider becoming a host to a Major League Baseball expansion team,” Guerrero said.The announcement marks the clearest sign yet that West Sacramento is pursuing a long-term big league future as the Athletics continue playing at Sutter Health Park.Guerrero said the effort is a collaboration with the city of Sacramento.”I want to say thank you to Mayor McCarty and his team and our city council for the great teamwork in making pitches to boost attendance and the level of sponsorships,” Guerrero said.Guerrero said West Sacramento has been working toward this possibility for years and sees the Bridge District as the right location for a future stadium project.”West Sacramento has been thinking about this and had a vision of this for a long time,” Guerrero said. “And we know that that area in the Bridge District is the best place.”She added that hosting Major League Baseball games now is helping raise the city’s profile.”Having MLB teams play in West Sacramento elevates our visibility and our viability,” Guerrero said.The Athletics, now in their second season in West Sacramento, say they support the region’s efforts.”This community has shown in spades that they are absolutely ready to be a Major League Baseball town, and we are 100 percent behind them,” said D’Lonra Ellis, the Athletics’ chief legal officer and head of the Sacramento transition.Ellis said fan support has grown since the team arrived, with many in the region embracing the club.”We have really become, in a lot of ways, Sacramento’s team,” Ellis said. “The number of people who show up with Sacramento script jerseys across their chests, the kids coming in and getting their first game certificates — just the sheer number of people who are in that ballpark any given Tuesday night or Tuesday during the day has been extraordinary.”Although the Athletics are scheduled to remain in West Sacramento for only one more season, Ellis said the team wants to use its time there to help raise the region’s profile.”While we are here, we are going to make sure that whether it’s Mayor McCarty or Mayor Guerrero, we show up big as the Athletics,” Ellis said. “And when we show up big as the Athletics, that will be able to bring a spotlight on to Sacramento and the region.”For now, city leaders are keeping many details private. Guerrero said more information will be unveiled at an event scheduled for May 28, where officials plan to share renderings of what a potential new stadium could look like.Earlier this month, West Sacramento approved the purchase of a nearly 3-acre property near Sutter Health Park as the city continues investing in the Bridge District.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
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
West Sacramento is formally exploring the possibility of becoming home to a future Major League Baseball expansion team, Mayor Martha Guerrero announced during the city’s State of the City address.
“And yes, it’s true, West Sacramento is in dialogue to consider becoming a host to a Major League Baseball expansion team,” Guerrero said.
The announcement marks the clearest sign yet that West Sacramento is pursuing a long-term big league future as the Athletics continue playing at Sutter Health Park.
Guerrero said the effort is a collaboration with the city of Sacramento.
“I want to say thank you to Mayor McCarty and his team and our city council for the great teamwork in making pitches to boost attendance and the level of sponsorships,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero said West Sacramento has been working toward this possibility for years and sees the Bridge District as the right location for a future stadium project.
“West Sacramento has been thinking about this and had a vision of this for a long time,” Guerrero said. “And we know that that area in the Bridge District is the best place.”
She added that hosting Major League Baseball games now is helping raise the city’s profile.
“Having MLB teams play in West Sacramento elevates our visibility and our viability,” Guerrero said.
The Athletics, now in their second season in West Sacramento, say they support the region’s efforts.
“This community has shown in spades that they are absolutely ready to be a Major League Baseball town, and we are 100 percent behind them,” said D’Lonra Ellis, the Athletics’ chief legal officer and head of the Sacramento transition.
Ellis said fan support has grown since the team arrived, with many in the region embracing the club.
“We have really become, in a lot of ways, Sacramento’s team,” Ellis said. “The number of people who show up with Sacramento script jerseys across their chests, the kids coming in and getting their first game certificates — just the sheer number of people who are in that ballpark any given Tuesday night or Tuesday during the day has been extraordinary.”
Although the Athletics are scheduled to remain in West Sacramento for only one more season, Ellis said the team wants to use its time there to help raise the region’s profile.
“While we are here, we are going to make sure that whether it’s Mayor McCarty or Mayor Guerrero, we show up big as the Athletics,” Ellis said. “And when we show up big as the Athletics, that will be able to bring a spotlight on to Sacramento and the region.”
For now, city leaders are keeping many details private. Guerrero said more information will be unveiled at an event scheduled for May 28, where officials plan to share renderings of what a potential new stadium could look like.
Earlier this month, West Sacramento approved the purchase of a nearly 3-acre property near Sutter Health Park as the city continues investing in the Bridge District.
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