Reliving the memories: Reggie Jackson and other A’s legends hit the Coliseum field one more time

The Oakland Coliseum came alive with baseball over the weekend. A month after fans said a teary goodbye to their beloved A’s, some of the team’s legendary players hit the field one more time, giving thousands of fans something to cheer about and enjoy.

On Sunday, baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson partnered with Change The Game Sports, a Los Angeles based entertainment firm, to do something special for Oakland A’s fans — a softball game to coincide with the fall classic. In April, the A’s announced their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 MLB season, with plans to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento from 2025 to 2027, when their new ballpark should be ready. Jackson wanted to recapture the A’s spirit one more time, as a gift to the fans. 

“We’re just hoping to bring people out and have a good time,” Jackson said. “So people get together and have a good moment and relive some of their memories.”

The event featured a game between the gold team, led by former A’s pitcher Dennis Eckersley, and the green team, led by Dave Stewart, who pitched for the World Series champion 1989 A’s. Both team jerseys, sporting the A’s colors, had the name “Jackson” on the back, along with his number, 9. 

Former Major League players such Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, CoCo Crisp, Tony La Russa, Billy North and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson were there, as well as former NBA star Matt Barnes, who grew up in the Bay Area, and former football standout Terrell Owens. 

Oakland celebrities and entertainers such as Mistah F.A.B, Lewis Belt, Too Short and others either participated in the game or just came to watch it.  

Canseco, who was a World Series champion with the Oakland A’s in 1989, won the home-run derby that took place before the game. 

The green team won the game 18 to 15 and Crisp was honored with the MVP trophy.  

“We started this to preserve legacies,” said Briann Amlani, founder and CEO of Change the Game. “We wanted to celebrate the icons who didn’t look like the typical icon. Growing up, guys who looked like me, talked like me and had certain swag or who I wanted to steal their swag … I never saw those guys really get their flowers.”

Jackson, known as “Mr.October” for his clutch hitting during the MLB playoffs and World Series, won three World Series with the Oakland A’s during his 10-year run with the team.  

He is beloved in Oakland for his wins, his ability to hit homeruns and the way he entertained fans.   

Reggie Jackson was a clutch player, said Joshua Anderson, a fan who was there to watch the game said. “To me, Reggie Jackson is all about what you love about sports.” 

Mistah F.A.B, a rapper and community organizer who was born and raised in Oakland, said sharing the field with Oakland legends was a dream come true

Even Amlani, who grew up in Los Angeles as a Dodgers fan, considers Jackson one of his favorite athletes.  

“Growing up, Reggie was like a superhero to me because he was an icon,” Amlani said. “Then getting to know him and then being able to do this event for him. You go, ‘Man, he’s an icon.’ But one of the most honest, sweetest gentlemen on earth. So I’m a fan, I’m a friend, and I’m just glad we were able to do this for him.” 

With cheers and tears, fans say goodbye to the A’s and the Coliseum: “I have so many memories here’