Billy Beane is planning to continue in the Bay Area for the long haul. On Tuesday, Lew Wolff, Oakland Athletics owner said that the team has decided to expand the contracts of the general manager as well as team President Michael Crowley throughout the 2019 season. In an email to the Associated Press, Wolff said that the deals are in the process of being completed. In order to lead the club in a new stadium in the San Jose area, Wolff is counting on Beane’s novelty and headship. Moreover, in order to move to the South Bay, the franchise needs support for Major League Baseball.
The A’s are eager for a resolution to the long standing quarrel soon. Both, Crowley and Beane hold small ownership stakes in the team. At the end of 1998 season, Crowley was sworn in as the president of the team. Furthermore, since 1997 Beane has been the general manager of Oakland. Beane is also the main subject of Michael Lewis’ 2003 book titled Money Ball. Additionally, a movie called Money Ball was also released in 2011. The movie, which stars Brad Pitt, centers on the 2002 edition of the self described blue collar athletics and an exciting 20-game winning streak. Eventually, Oakland lost in the first round of the playoffs. For the A’s, the 2002 run was the 3rd of a total of 4 straight playoff appearances. However, little has remained the same for the team. Last year, Oakland finished 74-88. This was their 5th losing season consecutively.
The A’s have said that they cannot race with big market clubs without a deal to move out of the obsolete Oakland Coliseum. In this winter, Oakland shed several of its leasing players. Names like Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey and Trevor Cahill were a part of the list. Beane, who is currently 49 years old, is considered among baseball’s finest general managers. Last summer, there were even rumors that he could replace Jim Hendry of Curbs.
