Jaime Cox wouldn’t say he’s mad that the Nuts won’t return to Modesto after the 2024 season. But disappointed, sad? Both are perfect ways to describe his feelings, he said.
That the Seattle Mariners and the city of Modesto could not reach agreement on a long-term lease extension for the city-owned John Thurman Field. The hangup, the Bee reported , is the estimated $32 million in improvements for John Thurman Field mandated by Major League Baseball as part of an effort to improve minor league facilities at all levels across the MLB.
Cox said he wasn’t surprised when the news dropped Wednesday morning. He’s been a season ticket holder for 19 seasons and people talk. “I’ve heard some rumors,” he said. “As a season ticket holder, you hear stuff. When there’s rumors, there’s some truth behind it. It’s a sad day for baseball in Modesto, for sure.”
The move brings up a question that Cox and likely many other sports fans in Modesto are asking themselves and one another. “What does the city have to offer? Nothing, as far as sports are concerned,” Cox said. “The only thing the city has is the Modesto Nuts. … After the high school season is over and MJC is over, what is there?”
The Nuts are the only pro sports team in town. They will play the rest of the 2024 season as the city’s current lease with the Nuts for John Thurman Field ends Sept. 30.
For Cox, association with the Nuts was a family affair. His brother Jeff was a bat boy for the Nuts when he was a teenager, his dad was the team’s insurance agent, his mom was a season ticket holder up until a few years ago and he was a usher for a season.
“Our family has a lot of history (with the Nuts),” Cox said.
The Nuts’ general manager said Wednesday morning that the team does not have a place to relocate for 2025 and beyond at this time. She noted that the team is looking at “all opportunities right now” but “nothing is for certain.”
When the news hit social media via the Nuts and City of Modesto accounts, fans wasted no time making their voices heard and reminiscing on their time attending games at John Thurman Field. Here’s what they had to say:
People replied to the Nuts’ post on X.
A similar situation is also happening in Visalia with the Rawhide, reporter Gabe Camarillo says.
The news was describes as “absolutely awful” by one fan.
Fans also replied to the Nuts’ post on Facebook .
Adam Dunn had this to say: “This is outrageous! Modesto Nuts are our team! We’ve loved and supported them! It’s a fun way for us to enjoy baseball without driving to the Bay Area and spending ridiculous amounts of money! It’s a great family event or something to do with your friends. This really sucks!”
Nuts mascots were also favorites among young fans, Angelica Crosswhite says: “Our three (year) old is sad that Wally, Shelley and Al are leaving. Our family loves the Modesto Nuts. This is very sad news.”
Carmen House-Jacobo thought about all of the future stars who came through Modesto: “I remember watching Reggie Jackson, Dave Monday and others play baseball at that field. My son played baseball at that field. My parents were longtime season ticket holders and housed many players over the years. This breaks my heart.”
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