Bay Bridge Series

Lore & Background

The term 'Bay Bridge Series' originally described exhibition games played between the two clubs after spring training, before the regular season. It was first used to refer to the 1989 World Series, which the Athletics won in a sweep. That series was interrupted for ten days by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Bay Area, causing the collapse of a portion of the Bay Bridge and the Cypress Street Viaduct. Experts suggested the series saved lives because many commuters had left work early or stayed home to watch the game, reducing traffic on the collapsed structures.

Interleague play began in 1997, and the teams met regularly during the regular season. A notable moment came when Giants pitcher Barry Zito, who had previously played for the Athletics, started 0–4 against his former team before finally beating them on June 12, 2010. Beginning in 2018, the winner of the annual series retained a trophy fashioned from a piece of the original Bay Bridge.

The Athletics' attempts to relocate to San Jose were blocked by the Giants, who claimed territorial rights to Santa Clara County. The Athletics argued that former owner Walter A. Haas Jr. had agreed to let the Giants take over the area when the Giants were considering moving to Florida. The dispute was a point of contention for A's fans. After failing to secure a new stadium in Oakland, the Athletics announced plans to move to Las Vegas, with a temporary home in West Sacramento starting in 2025. The final Bay Bridge Series game took place on August 18, 2024, with the Giants winning 4–2.

Reader's Guide

The Bay Bridge Series represents a unique chapter in baseball history, blending regional identity with a largely amicable rivalry. Unlike the animosity seen in other intracity matchups, fans of both teams often wore hats displaying both logos and cheered for the other club when they were not playing each other. The series was a fixture of Bay Area culture, with the name 'Bay Bridge Series' preferred by locals over the less popular 'BART Series.' The 1989 World Series, interrupted by a devastating earthquake, became a defining moment not just for the rivalry but for the region, as the games helped reduce traffic on collapsed roadways. The rivalry's end in 2024 marked the conclusion of a 57-year era of major league baseball in Oakland. The Athletics' move to West Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas transformed the series into the 'I-80 Series' during the interim period. The legacy of the Bay Bridge Series includes a minor league continuation called 'Battle of the Bay 2.0,' featuring the San Jose Giants and the Oakland Ballers. The series remains a symbol of the Bay Area's baseball heritage and the complex relationship between two franchises that shared a metropolitan area.

Did You Know?

• The 1989 World Series was interrupted for 10 days by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, the longest interval between games in World Series history.
• Beginning in 2018, the winner of the annual series received a trophy made from a piece of the original San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.
• The final Bay Bridge Series game was played on August 18, 2024, with the Giants winning 4–2.
• A minor league version called 'Battle of the Bay 2.0' began on April 2, 2025, between the San Jose Giants and the Oakland Ballers.