OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Manager and former Oakland outfielder Mark Kotsay fought tears as the Athletics bid an emotional farewell to their beloved Coliseum they’ve called home since 1968, complete with all its quirks like plumbing problems and rally possums.

Also those stray cats who helped inspire Hall of Famer Tony La Russa’s former Animal Rescue Foundation.

Longtime supporters and kids alike stole away from work or school to be at the park for the matinee finale against the Texas Rangers.

Kotsay says he will treasure this for the rest of his life.

MLB’S CHANGES ARE WORKING

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Major League Baseball is thriving two years after introducing sweeping measures to make the game more exciting.

The decision to introduce a pitch clock, ban defensive shifts and limit throwovers has produced a more compelling product for fans. Attendance is up 11% over 2022. Younger fans are buying more tickets and watching more games than they were five years ago.

The increased popularity of content creators around the game has also introduced baseball to a new audience.

ATTORNEYS TWEAK COLLEGE DEAL

By The Associated Press

Three weeks after being asked to modify a $2.78 billion deal that would dramatically change college sports, attorneys redefined the word “booster” in the plan.

They hope that will satisfy a judge’s concerns about the landmark settlement designed to pay players some of the money they help produce. As expected, the changes did not amount to an overhaul but the hope is that it will clear the way for U.S District Judge Claudia Wilken to give the agreement preliminary approval.

The replacing of the term “booster” is designed to better outline which sort of deals will come under scrutiny.

FLORIDA MAN FILES A LAWSUIT

MIAMI (AP) — A Florida man is seeking a temporary injunction to stop Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from going to auction, saying it was stolen from him moments after he secured it.

Max Matus’ representatives say caught the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s historic 50th home run ball before Chris Belanski stole it from him.