3. Resolution of SupportThere are other instructions outlining how related issues should be addressed, such as the EIR, site and area development plans, community outreach efforts, etc. But the meat is in the new Resolution, which is on the third page of the memo.
Authorize the Mayor to send a letter to Major League Baseball with the October 5, 2004 Resolution of the City Council of the City of San José, (Resolution 72344), which includes a request to be freed of territorial rights.
Direct staff to prepare and return to Council with a Resolution indicating the desire of the City of San José to support the A's if MLB favors a relocation of the A's to San José along the lines of the attached draft.
Again, just like with the Dellums letter to Selig, I have to ask if this is the most effective way to deal with the T-rights problem. It could be said that Dellums got some traction by getting the blue ribbon committee to evaluate Oakland (cynics like me would say that traction is very slight). A city resolution doesn't carry much weight unless it comes with a plan, or least a proper leadup to a plan. That's definitely what the City is putting together, but we're still around two months from seeing it.
This might be more of an indicator that it's time for MLB to take the negotiating reins from Lew Wolff, who would take more of Samson/Loria-in-the-background role.
Here's the full resolution for those who are interested:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE REQUESTING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AWARD TERRITORIAL RIGHTS TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA TO THE A'SNext week's gonna be very interesting. One more thing: Santa Clara County's Board of Supervisors is on board too.
WHEREAS, the local and regional economies would benefit from the relocation of the A's to San José; and,
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Giants currently have territorial rights to the County of Santa Clara, which were granted in 1992, during its consideration of a move to the County of Santa Clara; and,
WHEREAS, the A's have identified San José as its principal choice for its new location; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed site is immediately accessible by multiple transportation networks, including bus, light rail transit, Caltrain, and High Speed Rail and BART in the future; and,
WHEREAS, the City of San José's rights of self-determination, autonomy and independence are being compromised through a decision over which it has no control; and,
WHEREAS, the A's were gracious and cooperative in 1992 when asked to agree with the assignment of the territory; and,
WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara is one of two primary economic markets in Northern California, and includes San José which is third largest city in California.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby respectfullly request that Major League Baseball allow the A's a fair opportunity to move to San José.
39 comments:
Good move on Reed's part. Seems like he's not only countering Dellums, but as a south bay resident it's nice to see the city request to be freed from a "territorial right" it had no say in establishing.
WHEREAS, the City of San José's rights of self-determination, autonomy and independence are being compromised through a decision over which it has no control; and,
...let's hear the Giants explain why its a good and moral thing to deny San Jose major league baseball and make residents travel 40 miles to see a game in a smaller city.
Give the Giants two choices: relinquish the so-called rights, or a build a stadium and play all their games here within 2 years.
As we can see, the Giants are left to defend the indefensible.
I agree with you regarding the wisdom (or lack thereof) of this choice. I'm not sure the Giants have any leverage here, but it sure is going to make them dig in their heels.
The work you are doing here is at the forefront of all coverage on the topic, anywhere. Thanks for doing it.
I think this is a dumb move honestly. Just like I thought Dellums move was dumb...
In Reed's case, he is challenging the establishment. Respectfully or no, a challenge is a challenge and I don't think MLB responds well to those. The flip side is that this shows a strong willingness to accept the A's into his community should that actually be considered by the "Blue Ribbon Panel." The whole question of "good and moral" doesn't really matter. If it means more money and less revenue sharing checks to the A's it is a winner, if it doesn't it isn't.
Which leads me to Dellums letter... I think his letter really played into the hands of Bud Sleig. I am nto one for conspiracy theorists, but the "Blue Ribbon Panel" seems to me most likely a straw man to "prove" Oakland sucks and San Jose is a good place to go. I definitely think Lew Wolff wants it to be that. In effect, Dellums has made it possible for Lew to go after this angle and seem as if he was still considering Oakland. The headline could read "Dellums Requested Committee Finds A's Should Move."
Sorry for the length of my post. It is getting very, very interesting around these parts.
I'm sure the County of Santa Clara Supervisors have issued a similar statement or are about to. Where is it ML?
I'm also quite sure that other cities, pols, and leaders in Santa Clara County will do similiar resolutions - rather quickly.
This will be painted and lit in a light most unfavorable to the SF Giants Organization.
Bad PR is not good PR.
The Giants are going to look like greedy SOBS when this is all said and done - and in the end they may not get compensated at all.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will have an Agenda item on April 7th also which will ask the Giants to remove or share the territory with the A's.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12059265
Here comes an avalanche of political fallout from the Giants boorish behavior.
Neukom calls Santa Clara County the "heart of Giants territory." Obviously, then, he will have no problem building a ballpark here and moving the team here within two years - privatey funded, of course.
Move on it or get out of the way, Giants. He won't even need to build any flagpoles to erect World Series Championship flags, since the Giants don't have any of those.
It's going to be fun to watch the Giants look pretty darned selfish trying to defend their "territorial rights" nonsense that denies social and economic opportunity to a larger city 40 miles away.
Anyone questioning the wisdom on SC County Sups, SJ council, Mayor Reed need to understand that this is all part of a very scripted move and expected by MLB--they are not acting without insight into what is deemed appropriate-
The battle with the Giants will go on long after the T-rights are opened up--you can bet they will meddle significantly to try and influence the outcome of any referendum in SJ---not to mention that Oakland will also--
But meddling could actually benefit San Jose and the A's to San Jose movement. Any meddling would be fairly easily found out and reported on. And if there's one thing that might incite a movement to support a stadium in SJ if public funds are needed it's the idea that San Francisco and Oakland are trying to keep San Jose and the south bay down. Never underestimate the south bay's inferiority complex and desire to stick it to the "big" cities.
Dan--they will be much more discreet---you find the NIMBY's and you provide support to them to make sure they sound like an army rather than a few individuals--
Bottom line SJ knows it will happen and will need to manage it--will be very important for those of us who support it to make sure that we are actively involved--
This was a great move by Mayor Reed and the Santa Clara County supervisors! If the Giants don't play in San Jose it isn't their territory.
When I lived in Santa Clara the vote to bring the Giants to town was defeated. I highly doubt that anything has changed. In my opinion though the main obstacle for bringing professional baseball to the south bay has been that interfering senator to the north. Neither San Francisco or Oakland own their teams. They have no right what so ever in dictating where a team can go. The same thing is true for the Forty Niners. If thet want to move to Santa Clara and if the city supports it, then why in heck does that medelsome senator have to stick her two sense into it. If I could, I'd love to sue her and San Francisco for anything i could.
WHEREAS, the City of San José's rights of self-determination, autonomy and independence are being compromised through a decision over which it has no control;---Hmm, I didn't realize San Jose needed a baseball team to exist. This is the equivalent of San Jose telling Wal Mart that they have to open a store in it's city. So, what if MLB decides to uphold the Giant's T-Rights? Then what are you going to do? Nothing, that's what. There is nothing you can do. The MLB is a private company, not a public resource. It's just dumb.
"Hmm, I didn't realize San Jose needed a baseball team to exist. This is the equivalent of San Jose telling Wal Mart that they have to open a store in it's city."
I didn't see that extreme implied in what was written. It says merely that SJ is doing what it would normally have to in order to bring MLB to town (self-determination). The decision is not in their hands, though (autonomy). The fate of MLB in San Jose is up to a team elsewhere (independence). There is nothing so drastic as you stated.
No, Nathan. This is equivalent to San Jose telling Walmart that they can't ban someone from wanting to open a Walmart Franchise in San Jose.
"This is the equivalent of San Jose telling Wal Mart that they have to open a store in it's city."
This is a terrible analogy. The A's want to come here. The analogy would be, "This is the equivalent of San Jose telling the Federation of Department Stores that they should not interfere with Wal Mart opening a store in its city because they have arbitrarily assigned territorial rights to Target."
Sounds un-American, right? And in any other business but MLB, it would be grounds for an injunction and treble-damages.
Maybe its just me,
But I find this kinda rude, for a lack of better words, on Reed's part...The MLB has addressed the A's situation and is checking current availability in Oakland, just out of respect I feel like SJ should just pipe down a little, much like how Reed and Dellums did during Fremont, where they were virtually quite the whole time...
If you want the T-Rights removed, great, but at least wait until the MLB is done with Oakland, because who knows, they might cook up something in Oakland and that letter becomes irrealivent...
If Reed would have wrote this before Blue Ribbon than I can understand...to be fair, maybe he did and were not getting wind of it until now?
Frankly I see it as a response to Dellums doing exactly what you accuse Reed of doing. Wolff says he's giving up on Oakland and looking to SJ, and what does Dellums do, goes straight to Selig with Boxer following soon after. Selig comes up with this blue ribbon commission (for show or not) pulling the attention from SJ back to Oakland. Reed has now just returned the favor pulling some measure of attention back to his city, and he's being backed by Santa Clara County now. Turnabout is fair play.
That's a great point LeAndre!
LeAndre,
I smell what you are cooking, except for a couple days ago there was a quote from Rich Levin was quoted as saying that Santa Clara COunty would be addressed in the study (if that is even what it is).
I agree with your main point though, if I was a huge San Jose supporter I'd be getting nervous when the city government was getting involved so publicly. Maybe as one of the people who have no names said earlier, the Mayor knows what is okay to say and this is scripted. I'd just prefer that the posturing stay out of sight for a while.
Along the lines of anon 1:50,
I to was scratching my head about this SJ letter to MLB, at first thinking it was a bad idea. As Jeffrey stated, don't challenge the establishment.
But than again, I want to believe that San Jose won't do anything unless they're instructed/encouraged to do so by Wolff/A's. Also, this letter probably won't go to Selig himself but to the recently formed committee (along with the HP Pavilion report, to be inlcuded as part of their study of the region).
Also, I disagree with Leandre. SJ shouldn't wait for MLB to be done with Oakland. "The O" has had nearly 10 years to get this thing going, and Mr. Wolff has no interest in re-treading old turf.
Lastly, for all SJ supporters: Doesn't Neukom/Baer stating that Santa Clara Co./San Jose is the "heart of their fanbase" really piss you off? If this was really the case, AT&T Park would be in downtown San Jose, the Big Giants would be San Jose's, and this blog would be focusing on a "new A's ballpark" in San Francisco.
LeAndre, San Jose resents the territorial rights independently of the Oakland Athletics. If the Giants were the only team around, Reed would still be vocal on the issue.
It's not a question of rudeness; this is a competition. San Jose needs to show they have their ducks in a row; if they do, they have a great chance of getting the team.
Time is of the essence: a major advantage San Jose has (along with its innate economic strength) is the fact it is much further along in the process. Demonstrating it has a site, EIR, political will and public support ready to go are things which will help win this for San Jose.
Giving up that edge by sitting on its hands on the off chance Oakland can get its sh-- together would be idiotic. The fact that Oakland did so with Fremont wasn't a matter of respect; it was a matter of incompetence.
It sounds to me like half the fans in the South Bay can't make up their minds on which team they support?? Either you're an A's fan or a Giant's fan. It appears that San Jose is just filled with "fair weather" fans looking for a team to call their own.
Well if the entire East Bay supported the A's, this wouldn't even be an issue.
Boy, I'm sure ashamed we don't measure up to those stalwart East Bay fans who constantly threaten to abandon the team if it moves even as far as Fremont.
There wouldn't be an issue if we got a new ballpark in Oakland.
I wonder how some of the die hard Sharks fans would react if the owner threatened to leave San Jose for some other part of the Bay Area...go figure???
I personally don't think there would've even been an issue if Lew Wolff really put in honest effort to work with Oakland rather than dismissing them so quick to look towards Fremont.
For all the city of Oakland advocates---answer 1 question--and answer it honestly--why are both the Giants and A's fighting over San Jose? Hummm.....
"I wonder how some of the die hard Sharks fans would react if the owner threatened to leave San Jose for some other part of the Bay Area...go figure???"
The Sharks manage to draw from their entire region. San Jose did not choose an NBA team over them, building the arena to basketball standards which conflict with those of hockey.
Hint: that's an analogy.
Anon 7:11---die-hard Sharks fan here--if it meant staying in the Bay Area I am all for it---and if you are a true A's fan you should be all for the A's moving to SJ--
Anon 7:11,
I am a true A's fan more than you can imagine. I go to close to 45 games a year and I'm not even a season ticket holder. I pay for every single game myself.
First of all regardless of where they end up, they won't be leaving the Bay Area that's for sure. There's just no where to go right now. So if it's between Oakland and San Jose, then Oakland for sure. Even if I wasn't from Oakland or even the Bay Area for that matter. There's just no comparison to all the great history and championships they've achieved...more than any other city in the Bay Area.
If I was from San Jose I probably would also want the A's to play in my home town. I mean who wouldn't??? But I wouldn't be mad that Oakland would want to try to do all that they could to save them from leaving after all those years.
Here's what I think...If Oakland really gives a great effort this final time around in trying to come up with a can't fail plan but for whatever reasons they can't seem to get it done, then I will say yes, more power to San Jose and keep them in the Bay Area. I mean with absolute fairness from Lew Wolff, Bud Selig, MLB and of course Oakland City Officials,then yes...move them to San Jose. But if they are able get it done and quick enough, then more power to Oakland.
They've been a fabric of our city for 40 years!! One of the few positive images our beautiful city gets nationwide attention for...since the rest of the country only seems to see the violence and crime through the media. Seriously though, Oaklnd is a great and obviously a very proud city and there's just no others out there.
OKLND just wouldn't be the same without the A's.
Anon 8:40--the city of Seattle shared your confidence...or better yet arrogance...and we all know where they are now---the ownership group that bought them spent $420+M---and moved them within a year after committing to at least 3 years to try and work something out in Seattle--
New ownership for the A's wouldn't give 'em a year---they would be gone before the ink is dry on the contract--
Oakland is a lost cause. Two ownership groups couldn't get anything worked out with the city. How is it going to magically happen now? Is Oakland hoping for another ownership group to come in and lose millions of dollars like the Haas family? Apparently Barbara Boxer does.
The A's need to move, but I'm hoping they can stay in the Bay Area. And right now San Jose seems like the only chance.
San Jose is a lost cause. Two ownership groups couldn't get anything worked out with the city. How is it going to magically Lew Wolff to come in and lose millions of dollars like he already did? Apparently Chuck Reed does.
The A's need to stay, so I'm hoping they can stay in the Bay Area. And right now Oakland seems like the only chance.
Anon 11:06 I think you have it backward. Two ownership groups have tried to get it done in Oakland with no success. San Jose may be the only hope for the A's in the Bay Area.
Same tired arguments, then mimicry? Time to close the thread.
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