Former Oakland Athletics reliever Trevor May made headlines on Monday when he announced his retirement from professional baseball and told team owner John Fisher to “sell the team.” May’s comments shed light on the frustrations felt by players and fans alike regarding Fisher’s ownership of the A’s. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
May, 34, played nine MLB seasons, spending six with the Minnesota Twins, two with the New York Mets, and one with the A’s. Throughout his career, he achieved an ERA of 4.24, with 36 wins, 28 losses, and 33 saves. May’s retirement announcement came as a surprise to many, but it was his criticism of Fisher that garnered the most attention.
The A’s are expected to relocate to Las Vegas after the 2024 season. In May, the team released renderings of their proposed new ballpark, which features a partially retractable roof and a seating capacity of 30,000. If the relocation takes place, Las Vegas will become the franchise’s fourth city. The A’s previously played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, Kansas City from 1955 to 1967, and Oakland since 1968.
The discontent among fans towards Fisher reached a boiling point on June 13 when a “reverse boycott” was organized. Over 27,000 people packed the Coliseum, many wearing shirts that read “SELL.” This demonstration highlighted the frustration and dissatisfaction with Fisher’s ownership.
May’s comments during his retirement announcement echoed the sentiments expressed by fans and other members of the baseball community. He called on Fisher to sell the team and criticized him for not taking pride in his ownership and not caring about the game. May also expressed frustration with Fisher’s greed and lack of accountability.
While fans and critics had already voiced their opinions about Fisher, it was significant to hear these sentiments from a player who had been part of the A’s organization. May’s comments shed light on the conversations that may have been happening within the clubhouse during the team’s disappointing season, where they lost 112 games, a franchise record.
It’s important to note that May’s comments do not represent the entire A’s roster. Many players are young or fringe major leaguers who may not feel comfortable speaking out against ownership. However, May’s words provided a sense of catharsis for fans and potentially resonated with his teammates.
The situation with Fisher and the A’s ownership has been a topic of discussion for some time. The team’s plans to relocate to Las Vegas and Fisher’s cost-cutting measures have drawn criticism from fans, writers, broadcasters, and even politicians. May’s retirement announcement and his scathing comments about Fisher have only amplified these concerns.
In conclusion, Trevor May’s retirement announcement and his criticism of A’s owner John Fisher have brought attention to the frustrations felt by players and fans regarding the team’s ownership. May’s comments reflect the discontent that has been brewing for some time and highlight the need for change within the organization. As the A’s prepare to potentially relocate to Las Vegas, it remains to be seen how Fisher will respond to these criticisms and what the future holds for the franchise.