The Fancestor Episode 3: Fans of the Oakland Ballers

The Fancestor Episode 3: Fans of the Oakland Ballers

This week’s episode features Dr. Roberto Santiago, a long-time Oakland Athletics fan who has recently stopped following the team due to their relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas. Berto shared his origins as an A’s fan, tracing back to childhood games with his father and later taking his own children to games. He discussed his experience with A’s Access, the team’s innovative season ticket program, and his disappointment with the organization’s departure from Oakland after the failed Howard Terminal stadium project.

The conversation also covered Berto’s current support for the Oakland Ballers, a Pioneer League baseball team, and how he instills Bay Area pride in his transgender children. Throughout the discussion, Roberto emphasized that Oakland’s identity extends beyond its sports teams, highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage and welcoming community as reasons for his continued love of the area despite the sports teams’ departures.

The Fancestor is a podcast about that will speak to 30 fans from 30 Major League Baseball teams to determine exactly why we are fans. Through interesting conversations, it strives to understand and explain fandom: how we became fans, the moments that tested our fandom and why – at the end of the day – we are still fans.

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