OAKLAND — Of the more than 4,000 fans in attendance for the Ballers’ first-ever home game at Raimondi Park Tuesday night, few have seen more baseball in Oakland than Tony Jackson.
Born and raised in Oakland, Jackson, 68, played baseball at Raimondi Park while at Saint Mary’s College High School. He attended the first game at the Coliseum, hopping the fence as a 13-year-old. He considers Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart and Bip Roberts as his contemporaries. As he sat in the stands of his old stomping grounds, Jackson shared a sentiment that has become common in the East Bay.
“To see what’s going on with (the A’s), it ripped my heart out as it did with a whole lot of people here in the community,” Jackson said. “When I saw what they were doing with the Ballers, I had to support them.”
Kandice Jackson, left, and her father Tony Jackson, of Oakland, hold up souvenir towels before the Oakland Ballers take on the Yolo High Wheelers during their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Cristina Mariscal, left, Mikhail Yanogacio, Kela Mariscal, 3, Alicia Mariscal and Emilio Mariscal, all of Oakland, take a selfie with mural before the Oakland Ballers take on the Yolo High Wheelers during their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao attends the Oakland Ballers inaugural home game against the Yolo High Wheelers at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Ballers cofounders Bryan Carmel and Paul Freedman address to the fans before the Ballers take on the Yolo High Wheelers during their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Mistah F.A.B. reacts after his second strike of the ceremonial at bat before the Oakland Ballers take on the Yolo High Wheelers in the first inning of their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A pedestrian walks past the logo of the Oakland Ballers in front of their new home at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. Ballers, the new Pioneer League baseball team will play their inaugural and first ever home game in the West Oakland ballpark. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Jackson was among those who squeezed into the stadium for the B’s sold out home opener — a Pioneer League contest that unfolded as the A’s played at the Coliseum. While the major-league stadium has lost much of its soul as the team prepares to move to Sacramento, Tuesday’s warm, nostalgic night at Raimondi Park served as a reminder of what makes baseball in Oakland special.
“It’s a rebirth in a way,” said Emilio Mariscal, 48, from San Leandro. “I grew up going to the Coliseum. I have a lot of great memories there. When the A’s announced they were leaving. It was sad. It kind of broke our hearts a little bit. But this is taking it back to the roots.
“This is not billionaire business. This is community baseball.”
The vibe was, unsurprisingly, hella Oakland.
The pregame playlist included “Put Me On Something” by P-Lo, “Tell Me When to Go” by E-40 and “’93 til Infinity” by Souls of Mischief. A drum line provided a bevy of beats. Mistah F.A.B., an Oakland-based rapper and local legend, swung thrice in an honorary first at-bat, connecting with the ball on his last attempt.
There were, of course, loud, cathartic chants of “Let’s go Oakland!”
The B’s succeeded in bringing the masses to West Oakland on this night, but the ballpark remains a work in progress. The team did not receive permission to begin construction on the infrastructure until early May, giving the team only several weeks to put everything together. Leading up to first pitch, dozens of employees were still scrambling to prepare the ballpark.
Hiccups aside, Raimondi Park permeated an unquestionable aura of joy — a joy many fans of Oakland baseball have desperately been seeking.
“I’ve been to dozens of games every year, but I haven’t been to one Oakland A’s game this year,” Mariscal said. “Even though it’s our last (season), I can’t get my heart into it.
“But I’m here on Opening Day and we plan on continuing to come back. It’s much more affordable. It’s accessible. The Ballers are welcoming us.”
Added Jackson: “This is really unbelievable because I kind of grew up down here. … I’ve seen all this redevelopment. So, to see what they’re doing right here, this isn’t even finished, man.
“This is just the beginning.”
Staff writer Shomik Mukherjee contributed to this story.
Oakland Ballers’ Dondrei Hubbard (20) connects a two-run home run against the Yolo High Wheelers in the first inning of their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Ballers’ Dondrei Hubbard (20) toses his bat up in the air as he celebrates his two-run home run against the Yolo High Wheelers in the first inning of their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Ballers’ Dondrei Hubbard (20) points skywards as he celebrates his two-run home run against the Yolo High Wheelers in the first inning of their inaugural home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Oakland Ballers, the new Pioneer League baseball team, during batting practice before their inaugural and first ever home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Oakland Ballers, the new Pioneer League baseball team, during batting practice before their inaugural and first ever home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Oakland Ballers players talk in the dugout after batting practice before their inaugural and first ever home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Oakland Ballers pitching coach Jim Dedrick, left, talks to his players in the dugout after practice before their inaugural and first ever home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Oakland Ballers players head to the locker room after batting practice before their inaugural and first ever home game at Raimnodi Park in Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
