In this episode of Locked On A’s, Booney breaks down the often-overlooked complexities of the Oakland A’s stadium saga, focusing on the Lew Wolff ownership years. While the mainstream narrative paints A’s ownership as solely responsible for the team’s departure, Booney dives into the documented history of failed ballpark proposals, political roadblocks, and economic challenges that made staying in Oakland nearly impossible. From the Coliseum North project to the Fremont and San Jose efforts, he unpacks why each attempt fell apart—often due to external factors beyond ownership’s control.

Booney also challenges the idea that better ownership alone could have saved the A’s in Oakland, citing hard data on attendance, corporate backing, and public funding issues that put the city at a disadvantage compared to markets like San Jose. With the departures of the Raiders, Warriors, and now the A’s, he questions why history keeps repeating itself and whether Oakland’s leadership ever had a real path to keeping its teams. If you want the full story—not just the popular narrative—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Today on Locked on A’s, we begin to shatter the narrative surrounding the A’s history beginning with Schott and Hoffman’s tenure as owners of the Oakland A’s has long been blamed for the team’s supposed downfall, but the real story is far more complex. While they did cut payroll and fail to re-sign stars like Jason Giambi, the widely accepted narrative ignores key facts. Oakland was struggling economically and had one of the highest crime rates in the country, making relocation an understandable consideration. Meanwhile, Giambi was never going to stay—he actively pursued a move to the Yankees, making the no-trade clause debate irrelevant. Despite the perception that the team became a laughingstock, Schott’s A’s actually posted the best winning percentage in franchise history and made four playoff appearances in nine years, nearly matching the success of the beloved Walter Haas era.

Additionally, claims of a drastic attendance drop under Schott are misleading. The A’s averaged 21,145 fans per game during his ownership, an 11% decline from the Haas years but still significantly higher than attendance under previous owner Charlie Finley. While Schott’s personality and approach alienated fans, the idea that his ownership single-handedly ruined the franchise does not hold up to scrutiny. The narrative surrounding the A’s demise conveniently leaves out crucial details, creating an incomplete and distorted version of history.

In this episode, we interview Scott Brosius and his inspiring journey. A man who turned challenges into triumphs and setbacks into stepping stones. From his humble beginnings in Milwaukie, Oregon, to becoming a World Series hero with the New York Yankees, Scott’s story is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and unwavering dedication. We explore his rise through the ranks of Major League Baseball, his unforgettable moments on the biggest stage, and the invaluable lessons he learned along the way.

Beyond his playing career, Scott’s passion for the game continued as he transitioned into coaching and leadership roles, impacting countless lives at Linfield University and beyond. His journey reminds us that true success isn’t just about trophies and accolades but about resilience, character, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Tune in as we uncover the mindset and values that have defined Scott Brosius’s incredible career and legacy.

The latest episode of Locked On A's dives into the Oakland A's recent announcement of their 20 non-roster invitees (NRIs) to spring training. Host Booney, a lifelong A's fan, breaks down the roster dynamics and explores the potential impact of these invitees on the upcoming season. With the 40-man roster set and the NRIs competing for limited spots, Booney examines the challenges these players face in securing a place on the 26-man roster. He explains the mechanics of roster moves, detailing how players can be added or removed through trades, releases, or injury designations. A key focus is on the A's infield situation, highlighting players like Colby Thomas, Nick Kurtz, and Max Muncy, who need strong performances to break into the major league lineup.

Booney also discusses the biggest battles to watch in spring training, particularly in the outfield and pitching rotation. The outfield competition features Andujar, Bleday, and Butler, with Denzel Clarke positioned as a potential game-changer if he can prove his hitting capabilities. On the pitching front, Booney evaluates the current rotation candidates and the potential for standout performances from prospects like Jack Perkins. With two open spots on the 40-man roster due to injuries, opportunities are available, but the competition remains fierce. As spring training approaches, fans can look forward to an exciting battle for roster spots and key positional decisions that will shape the A's 2024 season.

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on corruption charges, raising questions about whether Major League Baseball (MLB) was aware of her alleged misconduct before it became public. In this episode, we explore the possibility that MLB insiders knew about the pay-to-play scheme involving Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and the Duong family, and whether this knowledge influenced the decision to relocate the A’s to Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas. We break down the timeline of events, the financial implications, and why MLB may have viewed Thao’s administration as a roadblock to keeping the team in Oakland.

We also dive into how this scandal impacts the A’s organization and their future, touching on the team's bullpen moves and offseason developments. With the 2025 season on the horizon, the A’s are poised to field one of the strongest bullpens in baseball, led by key additions like José Leclerc and returning stars such as Mason Miller. Despite the off-field drama, the team is focused on competing at a high level and preparing for their temporary stay in Sacramento.

In this episode of Locked on A’s, we break down the exciting signing of veteran reliever José Leclerc to a one-year deal for the 2025 season. We dive into Leclerc's impressive career—from his dominant 2018 season and postseason heroics with the Rangers to his remarkable comeback from injury—and discuss how his high strikeout rate and big-game experience will bolster the A's bullpen. Tune in as we explore how Leclerc's addition brings leadership, resilience, and electric stuff to the A’s pitching staff, making him a key piece in the A’s pursuit of success this season!

In this episode of Locked On A's, we dive deep into the Oakland Athletics' groundbreaking signing of Japanese two-way sensation Shotaro Morii. At just 18 years old, Morii is defying decades of tradition by skipping Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to join MLB directly, making him a trailblazer for future Japanese prospects. We break down Morii’s impressive skill set as both a shortstop and pitcher, his $1.51 million signing bonus, and how his unique development path aligns with the A's long-term vision—especially with the team's upcoming move to Las Vegas.

We spotlight outfielder Lawrence Butler's inspiring journey and his bold pursuit of a 2025 MLB All-Star Game appearance in his hometown of Atlanta. From overcoming early career struggles to breaking out in the second half of the 2024 season. Lastly, we confidently break down why the Oakland Athletics are destined to win the 2025 AL West.

Forget the skeptics—the A's young core is thriving, Meanwhile, division rivals are crumbling: the Astros are aging and unraveling, the Mariners can't find a bat to save their lives, the Rangers are a chemistry experiment waiting to fail, and the Angels are, well, still the Angels. The AL West is ripe for the taking, and the A's are ready to seize it.

Today on Locked on A's, special guest Javier Reyes joins us to talk Moneyball, the definition of success and does spending equals winning. Check out Javi's writings and all of his contributions. @baseballvsworld @LO_Padres @nerdist @mental_floss @inversedotcom @FilmCred @DenOfGeekUS @JustBB_Media