MESA, Ariz. -- Stephen Vogt contemplated the ultimate opportunity to go out on top as a champion. But given the way his season played out -- injured and confined to watching games from the bench as the Braves won the 2021 World Series -- walking away from the game now just didn¡¯t feel right.

Navigating through an arduous rehab process in the aftermath of the sports hernia surgery he underwent just a few days after the World Series, Vogt was leaning toward continuing his career for at least one more season. Once A¡¯s general manager David Forst came calling, the decision was a no-brainer.

Signing a one-year Major League deal with the A¡¯s on Thursday was more than just a reunion for the 37-year-old catcher. It¡¯s a homecoming. The Visalia, Calif., native enjoyed his best years in Oakland, where over a five-year period he became a two-time All-Star and starred on A¡¯s teams that reached the playoffs in 2013 and '14. More special to Vogt, though, was the connection he developed with the Oakland Coliseum fans and employees, with whom he resonated so deeply.

¡°I loved it here,¡± said Vogt, who arrived at Hohokam Stadium on Friday for his first day of camp. ¡°My family, we grew up as Oakland A¡¯s. I established myself as a Major Leaguer in Oakland. We had some really special moments. Two playoff runs and a couple of All-Star Games, there¡¯s a lot of things we accomplished here. I couldn¡¯t be more thrilled to be back and see familiar faces.

¡°Obviously, there¡¯s a lot of new [faces] in there. But this is kind of like a dream come true to come back here and play one more time.¡±

Over the past decade, few players who've donned the green and gold have been as beloved by fans quite like Vogt. His popularity led to the creation of the ¡°I believe in Stephen Vogt¡± chant by passionate fans in the Coliseum bleachers during his first stint with the club from 2013-17.

¡°I can¡¯t wait to see the fans,¡± Vogt said. ¡°The security personnel. Concessions people. The people that make Oakland A¡¯s games happen and the people that I haven¡¯t been able to say hello to in the last five years. They¡¯re such a big part of our family. Oakland has always been such a special place, and it¡¯s the fans and the people that work at the stadium, as well as the people who work in the organization. I couldn¡¯t be more excited to come back to that.¡±

Spending time with both the D-backs and Braves in 2021, Vogt hit .195 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs over 78 games. The magical postseason run with Atlanta was somewhat bittersweet after his season ended Sept. 9, when he was last seen limping off the field in the seventh inning of a game against the Nationals in which he hit two home runs.

Now fully recovered from the injury, Vogt can play first base -- a position up for grabs with the A¡¯s this spring -- in addition to catcher. Asked about a possible role on this club, manager Mark Kotsay said he envisions Vogt splitting time between first, catcher and designated hitter.

Off the field, Vogt¡¯s veteran experience of nine Major League seasons will no doubt provide Kotsay with a valuable source of clubhouse leadership as he goes through his rookie season as manager. It¡¯s a similar role Kotsay recalled filling himself as a veteran outfielder with the Padres near the end of his playing career.

¡°He¡¯s been here. He understands the culture. He represents the culture of the grind and the grit. That¡¯s exciting for me,¡± Kotsay said. ¡°When I was 37 years old with San Diego, my last year playing, I was an extension of that for Bud Black. Stephen, his experience, he¡¯s done it all.¡±

After four straight years of postseason contention, the A¡¯s have been projected by many to take a step back in 2022 following the trades of core players Chris Bassitt, Matt Chapman and Matt Olson this month. It¡¯s clear that Oakland is entering a new direction. But Vogt grew accustomed to the expectation of winning during his first stint with the club, and that mentality is not about to change in his second go.

¡°My message is this: We have an opportunity,¡± Vogt said. ¡°We¡¯re going to have a great year. It¡¯s what we take with this opportunity that we¡¯re given. There¡¯s a lot of young guys trying to establish themselves now as Major League Baseball players, and that¡¯s not always easy to do.

¡°We have an opportunity every night to go out and showcase your ability and help this organization win games. The goal every night is to go out and win the game every single night. We¡¯re gonna do whatever it takes to do that.¡±