Oakland Athletics Franchise: A Deeper Dive
The Oakland Athletics franchise has a rich history that has spanned over a century. This team has won nine World Series titles, including three straight from 1972 to 1974.
They have also produced some of the most talented players in baseball history. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the team’s history and examine ten of the best players to ever wear the green and gold uniform.
Oakland Athletics Franchise History
The Oakland Athletics, often called the A’s, were founded in 1901 in Philadelphia. They moved to Kansas City in 1955 and finally landed in Oakland in 1968.
The team has won nine World Series championships, fifteen American League pennants, and sixteen West Division titles. During the 1970s, the A’s had one of the most dominant teams in baseball history.
They won three straight World Series championships from 1972-1974, making them one of only two teams to do so during the post-WWII era. The A’s were known for their iconic “Swinging A’s” uniforms and their flamboyant owner, Charlie Finley.
Ten Best Oakland Athletics Players of All Time
1. Rickey Henderson – Rickey Henderson is arguably the most well-known player in A’s history.
He played for the team from 1979-1984 and then again from 1989-1993. Henderson was an All-Star ten times during his A’s career and won the MVP award in 1990.
He holds the MLB record for most stolen bases in a season (130) and most career stolen bases (1,406). 2.
Jimmie Foxx – Foxx played for the A’s from 1925-1935, during which time he won two MVP awards and hit 302 home runs. He was one of the most powerful hitters of his generation and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.
3. Reggie Jackson – Jackson played for the A’s from 1967-1975 and helped the team win three straight World Series titles.
He was known for his clutch hitting and was named the MVP of the 1973 World Series. Jackson hit 269 home runs during his A’s career.
4. Eddie Collins – Collins played for the A’s from 1906-1914 and was part of the team’s first three World Series victories.
He was a career .333 hitter and was also known for his defensive prowess. 5.
Catfish Hunter – Hunter played for the A’s from 1965-1974 and was a key part of the team’s championship run from 1972-1974. He won the Cy Young award in 1974 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
6. Bert Campaneris – Campaneris played for the A’s from 1964-1976 and was known for his speed and versatility.
He played every position except for catcher during his career and holds the A’s franchise record for stolen bases (566). 7.
Mark McGwire – McGwire played for the A’s from 1986-1997 and hit 363 home runs during his time with the team. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987 and was an All-Star six times during his A’s career.
8. Dave Stewart – Stewart played for the A’s from 1986-1992 and helped the team win one of their World Series titles in 1989.
He was known for his clutch performances in big games and won 20 games in four consecutive seasons. 9.
Vida Blue – Blue played for the A’s from 1969-1977 and won the Cy Young award in 1971. He was an All-Star six times and helped the team win two of their World Series titles.
10. Jose Canseco – Canseco played for the A’s from 1985-1992 and was known for his power hitting.
He won the MVP award in 1988 and hit 254 home runs during his A’s career.
Rickey Henderson – The Greatest Athletic of All Time
Rickey Henderson is arguably the greatest baseball player to ever wear an Oakland Athletics uniform. Henderson played for the A’s for two different stints in his career and set numerous records during his time with the team.
Career with the Oakland Athletics
Henderson played for the A’s from 1979-1984 and then again from 1989-1993. During his first stint with the team, he won the MVP award in 1990 and was named an All-Star three times.
He hit .295 and stole 474 bases during his time with the A’s from 1979-1984. Henderson returned to the A’s in 1989 and helped the team win the World Series in 1989.
During that season, he had a .274 batting average, 57 stolen bases, and 126 walks. Henderson was named the MVP of the American League Championship Series that year.
All-Star team appearances and awards
Throughout his career, Henderson was named to ten All-Star teams. He also won the Gold Glove award during the 1981 season and the Silver Slugger award in 1981 and 1982.
Henderson was named the MVP of the All-Star game in 1991.
Athletics all-time franchise ranks
Henderson holds several records in A’s franchise history. He is the all-time leader in stolen bases (867) and runs scored (1,270).
He is also second in career on-base percentage (.401) and third in career batting average (.288).
Stolen base records in MLB history
Henderson is the all-time leader in stolen bases in MLB history with 1,406. He also holds the record for most stolen bases in a single season with 130 in 1982.
Henderson is the only player in MLB history with over 1,000 stolen bases and over 3,000 hits.
Conclusion
The Oakland Athletics have a storied history that includes nine World Series championships and some of the most talented players in baseball history. Rickey Henderson stands out as arguably the greatest player to ever wear an A’s uniform.
With his dominant performance on the field and numerous records, it’s no wonder that he remains a beloved figure in the world of baseball. Jimmie Foxx: The Early MLB Star
Jimmie Foxx was one of the most dominant ballplayers in the early days of Major League Baseball.
Known as “Double X,” he was a power-hitting first baseman who terrorized opposing pitchers during his career.
Early Career
Foxx made his debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925 at just 17 years old. He struggled in his first season but quickly established himself as one of the most feared hitters in the league.
He hit 33 home runs in 1929, leading the league and establishing himself as one of the top hitters in baseball.
Achievements with the Philadelphia Athletics
Foxx played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1925-1935, during which time he won two American League MVP awards (1932 and 1933). In 1932, he hit .364 with 58 home runs and 169 RBI, setting new records for the era.
His performance that year earned him the Triple Crown and made him one of the most dominant hitters in baseball history.
Athletics Franchise Records
Foxx holds several records in A’s franchise history, including the most home runs in a season (58 in 1932) and the most RBI in a season (169 in 1932). He is also ranks among the top five in career home runs (163), runs batted in (702), and batting average (.326).
Performance in World Series Victories
Foxx was a key figure in the A’s World Series victories in 1929 and 1930. In Game 4 of the 1929 World Series, he hit two home runs to help the A’s win the game and eventually win the series.
In the 1930 World Series, Foxx hit .348 with two home runs and nine RBI to lead the A’s to victory. His performance in the World Series cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in A’s franchise history.
Dennis Eckersley: From Starting Pitcher to Reliever
Dennis Eckersley is one of the most successful relief pitchers in baseball history. He underwent a transformation in his career, moving from a starting pitcher to a dominant reliever in the latter stages of his career.
Early Career
Eckersley was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1972 and made his debut in 1975 as a starting pitcher. He had several successful seasons with the Indians before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1978.
He continued to pitch as a starter for the Red Sox, but his performance declined and he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1984.
Transformation to Reliever
Eckersley’s transformation to a reliever happened during his time with the Oakland Athletics. In 1987, then-manager Tony La Russa made the decision to move Eckersley to the bullpen.
The move proved to be a stroke of genius, as Eckersley emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball history.
Awards and Accolades
Eckersley’s success as a reliever was recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He was named the American League Cy Young award winner and the American League MVP in 1992, becoming the first reliever to ever win both awards in the same season.
He was also a six-time All-Star and won the American League Rolaids Relief Man Award four times.
Athletics All-Time Franchise Ranks
Eckersley is one of the most successful pitchers in A’s franchise history. He ranks third all-time in saves (320) and holds the franchise record for lowest ERA in a single season (0.61 in 1990).
He also ranks third all-time in games pitched (505) and fifth all-time in strikeouts (740).
Role in 1989 World Series Victory
Eckersley played a critical role in the A’s 1989 World Series victory. He saved all four games for the A’s in the series, allowing just one hit and no runs in four innings pitched.
His performance in the World Series helped solidify his legacy as one of the greatest relief pitchers in baseball history.
Conclusion
Jimmie Foxx and Dennis Eckersley are two of the most iconic players in Oakland Athletics franchise history. Foxx was a power-hitting first baseman who dominated the early days of Major League Baseball, while Eckersley’s transformation from starting pitcher to reliever made him one of the most successful pitchers in baseball history.
Together, they represent the rich history and tradition of the Oakland Athletics franchise. Eddie Plank: The Veteran Pitcher of the Original Philadelphia Athletics Team
Eddie Plank was a legendary pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics during the early 1900s.
He was a member of the original A’s team that moved to Philadelphia in 1901 and helped lead the team to several championships.
Member of the Original Philadelphia Athletics Team
Plank was a part of the original Philadelphia Athletics team that moved from Kansas City to Philadelphia in 1901. He was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher who quickly emerged as one of the top pitchers in baseball during the early 1900s.
Achievements and Championships with Team
During his time with the A’s, Plank was part of a dominant pitching staff that led the team to several championships. He won six American League pennants and four World Series championships during his career.
Plank was known for his pinpoint control and his ability to pitch deep into games.
Athletics Franchise Records
Plank holds several records in A’s franchise history, including most career innings pitched (4,303.1) and most career complete games (410). He is also second all-time in career strikeouts (1,606) and ranks fifth all-time in career wins (284).
Performance in World Series Victories
Plank was a vital part of the A’s World Series victories in 1910, 1911, 1913, and 1914. He won two games in the 1910 World Series and pitched a complete game shutout in Game 2 of the 1913 World Series.
His performance in the World Series helped cement his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in A’s franchise history. Reggie Jackson: The Role Player of the Greatest Athletics Franchise Run
Reggie Jackson, also known as “Mr. October,” was a key player for the Oakland Athletics during their dominant run in the 1970s.
He was known for his clutch hitting and his ability to rise to the occasion in big games.
Role in Greatest Athletics Franchise Run
Jackson played for the A’s from 1967-1975 and helped lead the team to three consecutive World Series championships from 1972-1974. He was named the MVP of the 1973 World Series and hit a home run in his final at-bat with the team in the championship-clinching Game 5 of the 1974 World Series.
All-Star Team Appearances and Awards
Jackson was named to the All-Star team six times during his career and won the American League MVP award in 1973. He led the league in home runs twice and in RBI once during his time with the A’s.
Athletics All-Time Franchise Ranks
Jackson ranks among the top players in several categories in A’s franchise history. He is fifth all-time in home runs (269) and ranks sixth all-time in slugging percentage (.515).
He is also ninth all-time in RBI (776).
Performance in World Series Victories
Jackson’s performance in the World Series helped solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players in baseball history. He hit five home runs in the 1977 World Series for the New York Yankees, earning him the nickname “Mr. October.” His performance in the World Series cemented his reputation as a clutch hitter and a big-game player.
Conclusion
Eddie Plank and Reggie Jackson are two of the most iconic players in Oakland Athletics franchise history. Plank was a legendary pitcher who helped lead the team to several championships during the early 1900s, while Jackson played a key role in the team’s dominant run in the 1970s, earning him the nickname “Mr. October.” Together, they represent the rich history and tradition of the Oakland Athletics franchise.
Lefty Grove: The Dominant Pitcher of the Philadelphia Athletics
Lefty Grove was a dominant pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics during the 1930s. He helped lead the team to multiple championships and is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball history.
Achievements and Championships with Philadelphia Athletics
Grove played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1925-1933 and helped lead the team to three straight American League pennants from 1929-1931. He won two MVP awards in his career, one in 1931 and another in 1933.
Grove also helped the A’s win two World Series championships in 1929 and 1930.
Athletics All-Time Franchise Ranks
Grove holds a number of franchise records for the Athletics. He is the all-time leader in strikeouts (1,937), ranks third in wins (195), and is fourth all-time in innings pitched (2,499.2).
Grove’s dominant pitching helped secure the Athletics’ success during the 1930s.
Performance in World Series Victories
Grove had a dominant performance in the 1929 World Series. He started and won two games against the Chicago Cubs, allowing a total of only four runs over 18 innings.
His performance helped lead the Athletics to their first World Series championship. Mark McGwire: The Iconic Home Run Hitter
Mark McGwire was one of the most dominant power hitters in baseball history.
He played for the Oakland Athletics from 1986-1997 and set numerous franchise records during his time with the team.
All-Star Team Appearances and Awards
McGwire was a perennial All-Star during his career and was named to the team 12 times. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987 and was the runner-up for the MVP award in both 1990 and 1992.
He also won the Silver Slugger award three times during his career with the Athletics.
Athletics All-Time Franchise Records
McGwire holds several records for the Athletics franchise. He is the all-time leader in home runs (363), ranks second in slugging percentage (.582), and is fifth all-time in RBI (941).
Role in 1989 World Series Victory
McGwire played a key role in the Athletics’ 1989 World Series victory. He hit a home run in Game 2 of the series off