"From Tom Hanks to Dame Lillard, mourning the Oakland A’s: ‘It’s pretty heartbreaking’

"​​The A’s won three World Series while Hanks was in high school. He went to “Hot Pants Day.” He witnessed Willie Mays’ final at-bat. He served as a Coliseum vendor, selling popcorn in the stands and sweating profusely on Opening Day when Vida Blue dazzled (“phee-nom”). Those A’s and the memories they gave him remain imprinted in Hanks’ memory. “Vida Blue. Joe Rudi. Mudcat Grant,” he wrote. “Campy Campaneris. Sal Bando. Ray Fosse. The original Reggie Jackson. Thank you, boys!” https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5795210/2024/09/26/oakland-as-famous-fans-mourn/