As the Athletics’ first season of their temporary stay in Sacramento came to an end on September 28, the team finished 76-86, falling short of the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

Even in their new “home in West Sacramento”, the rollercoaster of ups and downs felt all too familiar for many fans. The longest win streak of the season was five games, while at one point the team lost 20 of 21 games from late April to early May. 

While the 12th-place finish in the American League is not ideal, the team saw a seven-win increase from last season and the most wins since 2021.

All this aside, one thing was apparent throughout the season.

The team’s young core was a bright spot. Shortstop Jacob Wilson, 23, led the team with a .311 batting average. Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, also 23, led the team in RBIs with 93. Rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz, 22, stole the show with a .290 average, 86 RBIs, and a team-high of 36 home runs. The team also re-signed emerging right fielder Lawrence Butler, 25, to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract in March.

Still, the young talent couldn’t save the team from finishing last in attendance for the fourth consecutive year. Even the Tampa Bay Rays, also playing in a temporary minor league ballpark, which holds just under 3,000 fewer fans than Sutter Health Park, drew more fans than the A’s.

While the team’s performance likely played a role in low attendance, other factors contributed.

“Because of the franchise’s refusal to embrace Sacramento all season long, treating the city like a couch they are crashing on… the fan excitement eroded quickly,” ABC 10 reporter Matt George said. 

The team’s only nod to the city this season was a sleeve patch of the Tower Bridge with “Sacramento” written in script lettering on their jerseys. 

The team announced an alternate jersey with “Sacramento” written in script lettering on the chest for the 2026 season. 

The A’s did not have an official city designation this season, and there has been no word from the team on whether they plan on changing that.