Thank You, Oakland

After 14 years of working with the Oakland Athletics, Dr. Workman is stepping down as Head Team Physician. A lot of time, thought, and grace went into making this difficult decision. Upon reflection, this era in Oakland will be missed deeply by both Dr. Workman and the WCOSM family. Though his time with the A’s has come to a close, Dr. Workman’s 14 years were nothing short of transformative.

(Dr. Workman and kids, 2013.)

(Dr. Workman's family, 2012.)

(Dr. Workman biking to work at the Coliseum.)

As a former professional baseball pitcher, Dr. Workman appreciated the opportunity to be on a team again, though now in a supporting role, beyond measure. A day comes for every competitive athlete when they must walk off the field one last time. But within each competitor, the sport lives on, a flame that is kept a dim glow waiting and hoping to burn bright again, in some way, someday. Serving as Head Team Physician rekindled Dr. Workman’s glow into a fire.

(Cal night at the Coliseum when the A's played the Angels. Dr. Workman pitched for both Cal and the Angels organization.)

(Dr. Workman pitching for the Anaheim Angels Organization)

Dr. Workman’s previous career as an athlete inspired his sports medicine path as a physician. Going from playing professional baseball to becoming an orthopedic surgeon to now delivering the best medical care to the best players in baseball is an astounding full-circle career.

(Family on the field for fireworks night.)

(Family, friends, and the bobbleheads!)

Not only was Oakland a place where Dr. Workman’s career flourished, but the Coliseum, the home of the Oakland A’s, also became a second home for his family. Dr. Workman has three kids who, since before his time working with the team, were die-hard Oakland fans. Taking his kids to games from the time they were in elementary school through their college graduations was a highlight of their childhood. As his daughter, I can say with a full heart that, in a way, the Coliseum raised me. Visiting my Dad at work while cheering on the team that my middle-school self would have sold my organs for, made for some of my most cherished childhood memories.

(Banjo Man!)

(Emma with Kara, the best on-screen reporter in the MLB! 2012.)

(Stomper!)

(Growing up at the Coliseum.)

The Oakland Athletics are sadly no longer. After a long-fought battle by the fans, city, and baseball supporters nationwide to keep the A’s in Oakland, the Athletics' owner successfully stripped the A’s of its roots and is relocating the team – temporarily to West Sacramento and eventually to Vegas. After much deliberation, Dr. Workman concluded that he could no longer provide excellent care to both the team and his patients at WCOSM, so he reluctantly bid farewell to his time with the A’s.