A’s to Host FanFest at Oracle Arena Sunday, Jan. 27

OAKLAND, Calif. — The defending American League West Division champion Oakland Athletics will get an early start on the 2013 season Sunday, Jan. 27 as the club hosts Oakland A’s FanFest 2013 at Oracle Arena from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free autographs and question-and-answer sessions with Manager Bob Melvin, fan favorites such as Yoenis Céspedes, Grant Balfour and Coco Crisp, and former legends like Swingin’ A’s captain Sal Bando will be among the up-close-and-personal features at this month’s event, which will be sponsored by Comcast SportsNet California, the team’s local television partner.

“We are thrilled to give our fans the chance to welcome back the 2012 AL West Division Champions,” said Jim Leahey, A’s vice president of sales and marketing. “The Oracle Arena will provide a wonderful environment in which fans will have special access to current players as well as legends from our 1973 team.”

With 2013 representing the 40-year anniversary of the 1973 World Series Championship, the A’s have announced a planned in-season celebration of this historic accomplishment April 27 vs. Baltimore when 10,000 fans will receive a Reggie Jackson bobblehead, sponsored by Pepsi. FanFest will initiate those festivities by featuring some of the icons from 1973. In addition to Bando, FanFest will include appearances by 1973 team members Bill North and catcher and current A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse.

Admission tickets for Oakland A’s FanFest 2013 are priced at $10 for the general public and $5 for current A’s season ticket holders and fans who put a deposit on a 2013 season ticket package. Children age six and under will be admitted for free. Admission tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 4 for season ticket holders and Friday, Jan. 11 to the general public and can be purchased online www.oaklandathletics.com/fanfest. Tickets are limited and may sell out in advance of the event. Parking for the event is FREE to all fans.

Oakland A’s FanFest 2013 activities include free autograph, photo, and question-and-answer sessions, free photos with the team’s four World Series Trophies and former A’s legends, a memorabilia sale to benefit the A’s Community Fund, tours of the A’s clubhouse, a coach’s corner, Comcast SportsNet sportscaster experience booth, and A’s Kids Club signup booth, sponsored by the Oakland Zoo and Round Table Pizza­.

FanFest also serves as the first opportunity for fans to purchase individual game tickets for the upcoming season. Tickets will be on sale at the O.co Coliseum Box Office, online at www.oaklandathletics.com/tickets or over the phone by calling 877-493-BALL (2255).