OAKLAND — Civil rights activist and labor leader Cesar Chavez spent a majority of his time battling for better wages and working conditions for migrant workers throughout Northern and Central California, so it was only fitting that the A’s were the first team in baseball to dedicate a day in his honor.

The A’s hosted over 200 members of the Chavez family for Cesar Chavez Day at the Coliseum on Saturday. Cesar’s sisters, Rita and Eduwieges, as well as his nephew, Rudy Medina-Chavez, threw out ceremonial first pitches before the game.

The Chavez family throws out ceremonial firs pitches as the A’s honor Cesar Chavez today pic.twitter.com/DUxm4bQiyc — Martin Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) March 31, 2018

“We’re honoring a great and courageous leader,” A’s President Dave Kaval said. “It’s just an incredible opportunity to have his family here and educate the next generation on who Cesar Chavez was and the impact he’s had on not only California, but really the entire country.”

Chavez has a connection to Oakland, having organized marches in the Fruitvale district back in the 1950’s. The A’s will also commemorate Chavez by putting up a billboard near that area in his honor.

Kaval said the idea was presented to him by a sales worker for the A’s. After reaching out to the Chavez family and finding out many of them were big A’s fans, the decision to put the event together became a no-brainer.

“We’ve always been an organization at the vanguard, honoring people who have the courage to take these bold steps,” Kaval said. “Cesar Chavez is a great example of that.”