Stephen Vogt, a former player at the Coliseum, made his debut as the Cleveland Guardians’ manager on Thursday. Vogt, who played for the A’s for six seasons, expressed his excitement about returning to Oakland for his first game as a manager. The 39-year-old former catcher, known for his memorable moments with the A’s and the Giants, is set to lead the Guardians in the upcoming season.

During his time with the A’s, Vogt became a fan favorite, with chants of ‘I believe in Stephen Vogt’ echoing in the stadium. His game-ending single in the 2013 playoffs against Detroit is still remembered as a significant moment in the A’s franchise history. Vogt’s return to Oakland stirred up memories of the electric playoff atmosphere at the Coliseum, which he described as unmatched in baseball.

Prior to his managerial role with the Guardians, Vogt served as a bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners in 2023. His transition to coaching was a long-held aspiration, and now, he is ready to lead the Guardians following his appointment to replace Terry Francona.