The Athletics, as they are more formally known, began as the American League franchise in Philadelphia. They were successful there, more successful than their National League counterparts, the Phillies, over the years. Jimmie Fox was the face of the organization for a time, enroute to the Hall of Fame.

Then they moved to Kansas City where they didn’t exactly fare too well, but they would begin to build what would eventually become a dynasty.

That dynasty was realized in Oakland, where they would win five consecutive Western Division titles – 1971-1975 -  and three consecutive World Series championship from 1972 to 1974.

Those were the days of Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers; the days of mustaches, beards, and mutton chops.

After a Charlie Finley meltdown, and the dismantling of that team, came the brief resurrection under Billy Martin in 1980 with an exciting outfield of Rickey Henderson, Dwayne Murphy, and Tony Armas, and a pitching rotation that was amazing except for the fact that Martin pitched them until their arms all fell off.

But then they had a second dominant stretch under Tony LaRussa from 1988 to 1992 thanks to the Bash Brothers – Jose Canceco and Mark McGwire – and the pitching of Dave Stewart and Dennis Eckersley. They were truly an exciting team.

Billy Beane brought the concept of Moneyball to Oakland and his crew of Harvard-educated analysts led a crusade to impart computer-generated algorithms rather than the gut feelings of long-time baseball “lifers.” They even made a movie about it.

Beane made his mark with a very low budget, utilizing players that other clubs believed they had no use for, and winning some games, even some AL Western Division titles. Although never making it to the World Series under Beane, they have more often than not fielded a competitive team.

The last three seasons, though, have been rather brutal. If not for the demise of the Chicago White Sox, the A’s would be more of topic for pundits.

So what happened? Why can’t they attract fans even when they have been a winning franchise?

The ballpark is brutal. It’s a horrible place to play. Looking back at that 1973 World Series, it was torturous watching Willie Mays trying to catch a fly ball in the middle of the day. The sun played havoc with the outfielders and they all pretty much looked like bungling idiots. The foul territory is IMMENSE. It is not a stadium made for baseball. And the neighborhood is awful.

Now they are going to where? Las Vegas. No…they were SUPPOSED to go to Las Vegas. Oh yeah…they are going to Sacramento. Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. California. For the next three seasons. Then what?

Seems like history means nothing. Players are forgotten. Franchises are forgotten. It can happen even to the most storied franchises. The fans of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers learned that. And so was born the New York Mets.