Michael Taylor was Cats’ meow

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When the A’s traded minor-league outfielder Michael Taylor to the White Sox in June, Taylor left as Triple-A Sacramento’s all-time leader in games (511), at-bats (1,900), hits (521), and RBIs (325).

Without Taylor around after parts of five seasons, no wonder the River Cats are expected to jump affiliations from the A’s to the Giants, Taylor joked Tuesday. “What’s the point? Just shut it down and move on,” Taylor said.

After so many years in Sacramento, Taylor said, he is sorry that the A’s affiliation there is ending. “It’s kind of sad,” he said. “The A’s and Sacramento had a special connection. I guess Sacramento feels like there are more Giants fans in that area, but I thought Oakland helped Sacramento — that team had a lot of success during that time.”

Recent call-ups from Sacramento all hear Nashville mentioned prominently as the possible replacement for Sacramento. Starter Sonny Gray is from Nashville and he believes the brand-new Triple-A stadium there will make the city a great match for the A’s.

“They’ve been pushing for that stadium since I was a little kid,” Gray said. “It will be great — and Nashville would be awesome for the A’s.”

The A’s did extend their agreement with their ClassA short-season Vermont team Tuesday.

Facial follies: At the behest of outfielder Craig Gentry, outfielder Sam Fuld has grown just about the worst mustache ever, one that makes him appear so creepy that he realized that people were looking at him askance at the mall.

But, Fuld said, that’s the point. “I’m not doing it to look good or make a fashion statement,” he said. “I’m trying to mix it up, make people laugh.”

It’s working.

“I love it, it’s awesome — it’s really grimy,” reliever Sean Doolittle said. “Sam’s got the potential for a real Ned Flanders mustache.”

Rookie outfielder Billy Burns is also growing a fairly heinous mustache, as is Gentry. “What Sam does, I do,” Burns said. “I look up to him.”

Catch this: Taylor made a diving catch to rob former teammate Coco Crisp of extra bases Monday. “I sent him a text with a smiley face after the game and Coco texted me, 'Don’t do that again. I’m going to get you back,’” Taylor said.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Wednesday

at White Sox

5:10 p.m. CSNCA

Samardzija (4-5) vs. Bassitt (0-1)

Thursday

at White Sox

11:10 a.m. MLB

Kazmir (14-7) vs.

Sale (11-3)

Friday

at Mariners

7:10 p.m. CSNCA

Hammel (2-5) vs. Paxton (5-2)