Matt York/AP
The Oakland Athletics recently made a roster change, leading some people online to believe that the team is punishing particular players for supporting efforts to compel the ownership to sell the team.
On Monday, the A’s announced they had sent outfielder Esteury Ruiz back down to the team’s Triple-A affiliate just five games into the season. Despite the team’s 1-4 record, Ruiz had the best start on the team with a .429 batting average.
We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/MMDFxIgYPQ
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) April 1, 2024
The move left A’s fans confused and angry, with many questioning why Ruiz was demoted after such a promising beginning. Some quickly speculated that it might have been done out of spite by the team's ownership.
Ruiz, along with other players who have faced similar consequences, has sported gear from an organization called Last Dive Bar.
Since team owner John Fisher has publicly announced his plan to relocate the team from Oakland to Las Vegas, A’s fans have urged him to sell the team instead. While ownership has stated that the move is motivated by low attendance, fans have argued by pointing out that the current product isn’t worth watching due to the lack of a competitive team. At one point, fans even organized “reverse boycotts” and filled the stadium to chant, “Sell the team,” during games.
Then, Last Dive Bar started selling merchandise expressing the same anti-ownership standpoint. Last Dive Bar has clarified that it was established to honor the history of the Oakland Coliseum. The organization’s Opening Day collection includes several clothing items that allude to the recent boycotts.
Keen-eyed fans observed that Ruiz and others have worn wristbands from the organization. The wristbands only bear the name Last Dive Bar.
Outfielder Brent Rooker was benched; outfielder Cristian Pache was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last March; and pitcher James Kaprielian was released in November. All of them have expressed support for Last Dive Bar.
Here’s a hilarious MLB conspiracy theory for you.
Last Dive Bar is an online store that describes itself as a “premier online store for unique and stylish apparel that celebrates the iconic Oakland Coliseum”. Go to the website and you’ll see that their apparel seems to have a… pic.twitter.com/vM35HE1Raq
— BigBobsCards (@BigBobsCards) April 2, 2024
Last Dive Bar has also endorsed the theory and has been using the hashtag #WristbandGate on social media.
Pache gone! Ruiz sent down! Rooker benched! Kap gone!
Join the conspiracy here: https://t.co/iAFyCxLwkL
The truth is out there!!!! pic.twitter.com/lveTbqQb80
— Last Dive Bar 🏟 (@LastDiveBar) April 1, 2024
The A’s have not acknowledged the theory.
