So was Philadelphia, as home to the Phillies and the American League A's.
The A's...formally the Athletics...were here from the American League's inception in 1901 until they left town after the 1954 season.
They played in Kansas City from 1955 to 1967. In 1968, they moved into Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and they've been there ever since.
Problem is, that stadium is aging and the city of Oakland can afford neither repairs nor a replacement. So the A's want to move.
Some Northern California towns are interested but the San Francisco Giants threaten to block any move as a violation of their territorial rights.
So Phillies season ticket holder J.T. Ramsay, who can't get enough baseball, has launched a campaign to bring the team back here.
True, the Phillies could invoke territorial rights, too, but given that you can't just walk up to Citizens Bank Park and buy tickets, the thinking is that the Phils might accept a buyout.
Were they to return, where the A's would play is an open question.
Ramsay favors Broad and Huntingdon in North Philadelphia, once home to the Phillies' park, Baker Bowl.
It would be convenient to mass transit, with SEPTA buses, the Broad Street Subway, commuter rail lines and even Amtrak is just footsteps away.
Ramsay has launched a website, "Bring Your A's Game", to build fan support and let A's management know the team would be welcome here.
The campaign has pages on Facebook and Twitter you can join to lend your name to the cause. Center City sports memorabilia retailer Mitchell & Ness has never been without A's gear.
You can buy authentic shirts from their Philly days. Daily News columnist Ted Taylor owns a basement-full of A's artifacts and still considers himself a fan.
You can visit his Philadelphia Athletics Historical society online where they maintain a list of meeting dates and times and much additional information.
Ramsay's homepage. Facebook page and Twitter .
Mitchell & Ness has long offered A's gear. Like everything they sell, A's wearables have been meticulously researched and are accurate in every detail. Products are available at their main retail store, 1201 Chestnut Street in Center City, at their shop in xfinity Live.
