ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Oakland Athletics, Mesa come to spring training deal

Mar 5, 2013, 1:44 AM | Updated: 1:48 am

The City of Mesa formalized an agreement last week with the Oakland Athletics on a 20-year deal that will fill the void left at Hohokam Stadium by the departing Chicago Cubs.

“We are excited to renew our relationship with the Oakland A’s,” Mayor Scott Smith said in a release. “We look forward to them being a part of Mesa’s spring training family for decades to come.”

The deal goes into effect in February 2015.

As part of the deal, the A’s have two five-year extension options that could extend the deal to 30 years.

The City of Mesa also announced it is receiving an $8.2 million advance from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to improve Hohokam Stadium ahead of the A’s arrival.

Prior to their move to Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the A’s took spring training in Mesa from 1969 to 1978 and were the first team to play at Hohokam Stadium.

The Cubs will depart Hohokam in 2013 for a new facility Mesa Riverview.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

4 hours ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

7 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

10 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

14 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

15 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

16 hours ago

Oakland Athletics, Mesa come to spring training deal