Athletics' GM search includes interview with World Series winner

Mike Rizzo, the man who built the Washington Nationals into a power and led them to the 2019 World Series championship, recently had a formal interview with the Athletics for their vacant GM position.

The Athletics, who have also interviewed assistant GM Billy Owens, and have identified James Click, vice president of baseball strategy with the Toronto Blue Jays as a strong candidate, would like to make their hire before the season’s conclusion.

Rizzo, who lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., also has strong interest in the Houston Astros‘ GM vacancy, but the Astros aren’t expected to begin their interview process until after their season concludes.

The Athletics also made wholesale firings on their minor-league development staff.

There have been rumblings in the industry about manager Mark Kotsay’s future, but he has a contract through 2028 and is considered safe.

The club is relocating to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, currently playing the second of three years in a minor-league ballpark in West Sacramento, California.

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No. 9. Camden Yards, Baltimore: Meet the godfather, with its famous B&O Warehouse. This is the original retro-classic ballpark that not only dramatically influenced the look of new stadiums, but changed the fabric of some major cities. Denver, Cleveland, San Francisco and San Diego followed its lead and built downtown ballparks that completely invigorated growth.

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No. 2. Wrigley Field, Chicago: There’s not a more beautiful sight than walking into the ballpark and taking your first look at that beautiful green grass, the ivy on the walls and the iconic scoreboard in center field. Taking in a Friday afternoon game, hitting Murphy Bleachers afterward, and enjoying the Chicago nightlife is utopia for any baseball fan.

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No. 1 Fenway Park, Boston: No ballpark in America has the romantic feel or the unique quirks of Fenway Park, from the Green Monster to Pesky’s Pole. It’s not a baseball game, but a religious experience watching games at Fenway.