OAKLAND, Calif. – “Peanuts! Cracker Jacks! Ice cold beer here!” Tom Hanks, one of the most famous former Oakland A’s employees, will serve as a (virtual) guest hawker during A’s home games at the Oakland Coliseum this season. Oakland’s own Hanks, whose first job was selling concessions at the Coliseum, will be featured as part of the piped-in crowd noise at the ballpark. 

 In accordance with local health and safety guidelines, fans will not be permitted to attend Oakland A’s games this season. With no natural crowd noise, the A’s will pipe in sounds of the Green and Gold loyal, including the sounds of the beloved drums, vuvuzelas, and “Let’s Go Oakland” chants. Hanks’ audio recordings of himself hawking peanuts, hot dogs, programs, and other ballpark favorites will also be heard on the ballpark speakers. 

 To give fans the opportunity to “attend” games this season, the A’s also introduced the Coliseum Cutouts program. Fans, A’s alumni, local celebrities, media, and pets are all represented by cardboard cutouts in the stands at the Coliseum. Proceeds from the Coliseum Cutouts program benefit local organizations, like the Alameda County Community Food Bank and East Oakland Youth Development Center, through the Oakland A’s Community Fund. Fans can still purchase a cutout at athletics.com/cutouts.