The final day for the Oakland Athletics arrives ahead of next season's move away from the Bay

SEATTLE (AP) — When manager Mark Kotsay removed his Oakland jersey for the final time Sunday, it was bound for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Brent Rooker? His final jersey with the name Oakland across the front will be preserved in a frame and displayed on his wall at home.

“That’ll kind of be my thing. The last jersey that says Oakland and the last time you’re representing that city specifically,” Rooker said.

The name Oakland being attached to the Athletics ended on Sunday after the final out of their season finale against the Seattle Mariners, a 6-4 defeat for the A's. When the 2025 season begins, the A’s will still exist — and oddly enough open the year in Seattle — but the name Oakland no longer will be there.

Kotsay, who played four seasons in Oakland and finished his third season as the manager, said it was an honor to be asked to give his final jersey to the Hall of Fame.

“We talked about it on Thursday, the pride that I have of managing this club, of representing the city and the jersey and the front of it being Oakland one last time,” Kotsay said.

The last few weeks have been waves of emotion for those associated with the A’s franchise, hitting a crescendo in the last few days. There was the final home series and final game at the Coliseum in Oakland on Thursday, followed by the final games in Seattle.

There were plenty of fans in green and gold in attendance at T-Mobile Park for the finale, many wearing shirts or holding signs that continued to implore A's ownership to sell the team. No matter which team they were supporting, fans were treated to the surprise of Rickey Henderson throwing out the first pitch in a custom half-A's, half-Mariners jersey.

Before JJ Bleday stepped to the plate for the first at-bat to open the game, a loud chant of “Let's go Oakland,” rung out through the stadium. That chant continued and reached its peak in the ninth inning when it seemed like even the Seattle fans were joining in.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping things in perspective and by that I mean making sure that we understand the weight, the gravity of the moment, the situation, and how much it means to a lot of people,” Rooker said. “And doing our best to honor that and to pay homage and respect to everything else to the city of Oakland and the organization, the franchise, the people, the fans, the workers, all the people deserve.”

Like Rooker, Seth Brown intends to hold on to his jersey from the final game. He said knowing what the future looks like, with the A’s relocating to Sacramento for at least three years beginning next season before a planned move to Las Vegas, has been a relief for players.

But that doesn’t minimize the emotional ties that come with the final day as Oakland.

“Every day that you get to put on that uniform is something special and for everybody who puts it on today, it’s kind of one of those things where you got to feel lucky to do what you do and lucky that you get to wear a jersey that says Oakland across the front of it,” Brown said.

Even in the opposing dugout, the thought of the A’s no longer being connected to Oakland was hard to grasp. Seattle manager Dan Wilson played in 109 career games against the A’s and while there was nostalgia when the Mariners visited Oakland earlier this month, the finality of the situation hit on Sunday.

“To have an opportunity to play them for the last time as the Oakland A’s does feel different. It’s a little bit of history passing in a way,” said Wilson, who caught the first pitch from Henderson. “I think anybody that’s around the game can appreciate the history of the game and so when that begins to change, that changes something inside of you, too.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Fans are seen at Oakland Coliseum during a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Fans sit near a "sell" flag during the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Fans hold signs for the Oakland Athletics before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Former Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson delivers the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Mariners and Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay looks out to the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics' Shea Langeliers, right, is greeted by Max Schuemann at home after hitting a three-run home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Collin Snider during the ninth inning in a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Fan Michael Marler, also known as "Road Trip Mike," greets Oakland Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A base showing the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners logos is seen before a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Former Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson walks out to deliver the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Mariners and Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics third base coach Eric Martins signs autographs for fans before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A person casts a shadow on the Oakland Athletics on-deck circle before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics fans hug each other and look towards the team's dugout following the Athletics' 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A fan wears an Oakland Athletics hat with a pin referencing the end of the team's time in Oakland before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

An Oakland Athletics fan cries while holding up a "thank you" sign towards the team's dugout following the Athletics' 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics third base coach Eric Martins (3) poses with fans before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

DETROIT (AP) — Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf labeled his team's record-shattering losing season “embarrassing” and a “failure” that he said was his responsibility.

Reinsdorf released a letter to fans as the White Sox entered their final game with a 40-121 record, the most losses of any major league club since 1900.

“By all measures, our on-field performance this season was a failure,” Reinsdorf wrote. “As the leader of this organization, that is my ultimate responsibility. There are no excuses.”

“I want to thank you for continuing to support the team throughout what was an embarrassing season,” he added. “You all deserved better. This season’s performance was completely unacceptable and the varying reactions and emotions from our fanbase are completely understandable.”

The White Sox beat playoff-bound Detroit 9-5 in their finale to finish 41-121.

Chicago broke the post-1900 record for losses, which had been held by the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 during the franchise's inaugural season. The overall big league mark was set by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders at 20-134.

Reinsdorf, 88, headed a group that purchased control of the White Sox in 1981 and the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1985. The only World Series title under Reinsdorf came in 2005.

“Every blown save, every defensive miscue, every shutout, every sweep — hurt,” he said. “It was a long, painful season for us all. We recognize, on a daily basis, that it is our responsibility to earn your trust, attention, time and support. We vow to take that approach daily as we put the work in this offseason to be better.”

Grady Sizemore took over as interim manager on Aug. 8 after Pedro Grifol was fired and guided Chicago to a 13-32 (.289) record — a 47-115 pace.

“This wasn’t the year we wanted and these aren’t the numbers we wanted,” Sizemore said. “But that doesn’t mean this is a total loss. We can build from this and get better.”

Sizemore was proud of his team's play down the stretch. Chicago finished 8-6 and won five of its last six games.

That included taking two of three in Detroit against the hottest team in baseball. Those two losses cost the Tigers the second American League wild card and a first-round date with the Baltimore Orioles instead of the AL West champion Houston Astros.

“It isn't just the record, it is the way the guys competed in the last couple of weeks, even the last two months,” Sizemore said. "The guys kept fighting, putting the work in and trying to get better.

“This last stretch was really good for us.”

Sizemore pointed to a different era for the Tigers, who reached the 2006 World Series three years after losing 119 games.

“Anything can happen in this game, and that’s a good example,” he said. “We have a lot to improve on, but I think we have the right guys and the right staff in place to get this turned around.”

White Sox general manager Chris Getz has said Sizemore will be considered for the manager job.

“Our organization’s most important decision in the coming months is to evaluate and identify a new manager and leadership voice for this organization,” Reinsdorf wrote. “Chris is well underway with this search. He has identified the key attributes and preferences for our next manager and has already begun an exhaustive search with a wide range of candidates to lead the White Sox in the clubhouse and dugout.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Chicago White Sox's Bryan Ramos reacts to striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

FILE - Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf during a baseball news conference Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)