# @oakland.ballers on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kwEZNTTll
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/28416065-oaklandballers-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e5a7a4f783.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-07-18T18:33:12.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Oakland Ballers (@oakland.ballers) — https://gondola.cc/oakland.ballers

## Caption

Meet Earl James Johnson, an Oakland native who is from “all parts of Oakland”. Earl grew up in the Raimondi area of West Oakland, and fondly remembers when singers, musicians, and local artists would perform free shows at the park for the community. He’s even been golfing at the putting green located behind the center field wall since the early 90’s! As the park fell on tough times, Earl watched families move out of the neighborhood. But after watching the area do a 180 in recent years, Earl remains optimistic that families will start moving back and that the future for West Oakland is bright.

Earl is especially excited about the Ballers choosing Raimondi Park as their home. “Bay Area people are sports people,” he said “because sports are a family thing”. When asked to describe the people of Oakland and the Bay Area as a whole, Earl described it as one big family where “everyone has a role”. Earl explained that even Oakland legends like Marshawn Lynch, Mistah F.A.B., Too $hort, and more continue to show that family love to the entire city of Oakland.

Earl hopes that the Ballers can become a symbol of hope for not only Oakland but for the Bay Area as a whole, and hopes to see families out there putting before the games!

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 668
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 2

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Logan Nickels | @ShotOnLog | https://gondola.cc/ShotOnLog | Graphic Designer |
| Logan Nickels | @ShotOnLog | https://gondola.cc/ShotOnLog | Videographer |
| Logan Nickels | @ShotOnLog | https://gondola.cc/ShotOnLog | Creative Media Intern |

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