The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners were forced to use the same locker room following a sewage problem at the Coliseum in Oakland following Sunday's game. The pipes of the team's locker room were backed up, which created a foul odor and pools of water in the clubhouses of the players and umpires.
Both teams were moved to a higher floor and shared the locker room used by the Raiders during postgame action. Stadium officials claimed the plumbing system was overtaxed during the six-day homestand. The Coliseum drew a total of 171,756 fans over that span.
"Make sure everybody finds out about this sewage thing," Oakland starter A.J. Griffin said. "We need to get a new stadium."
According to The San Francisco Chronicle, leaking pipes and backed up drains occur frequently at the 47-year-old stadium even when it is empty. The location may also play a factor as the field is 22 feet below sea level, while the clubhouse is three.
Michael Crowley, the team's president, added to the sentiments of his pitcher when referring to Sunday's altercation. "It's clear, right? This isn't the first time this has happened," Crowley told The Chronicle.
Mariners manager Eric Wedge held his postgame news conference in the hallway after his office was flooded with a foot of liquid sewage. Several of his players reportedly left the stadium without showering as towels were used to block the running sewage from entering the players' dressing area.
Oakland will be on the road against Texas on Monday night and will likely have their dressing areas repaired before their return home. However, the extent of the damage to the lower area of the Coliseum is unknown.
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