Mlb – History Of The Oakland Athletics Franchise, Highs And Lows

There are a lot of great Major League BaseballChampionships in 1973, and 1974.  During the
teams out there that have rich histories and haveperiod of 1971 to 1975 they actually won five
basically created their own cultures.  One ofconsecutive division titles as well
these teams is the Oakland Athletics.  TheIn the next ten years following this barrage of
Oakland Athletics are currently in the Westernsuccess, the Oakland Athletics went into
Division of the American League and are based insomewhat of a slump, only playing in one series in
Oakland, California.  They currently play theirthe postseason in 1981.  There were, however,
home games in the Oakland Coliseum and havesome notable players during this time including
done so since 1968.  They are affectionatelyRickey Henderson who stole his 132nd base in the
known as the "A's" because of the large Black A1982 season to hold the stole base record in a
that has become a trademark of the team, andsingle season.  The next few years the Athletics
they are usually referred to as the "A's" moreused the minor league system to produce some
than they are referred to as the "Athletics". incredible new additions to the team including Jose
Another nickname they have been know by isCanseco in 1986, Mark McGwire in 1987, and Walt
the "White Elephants" in reference to JohnWeiss in 1988.  All of these players were named
McGraw's statement years ago.A.L. rookies of the year and went on to have
The Oakland A's were founded in 1901 inimpressive careers.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  They were first knownAnother notable addition to the team's
as the Philadelphia Athletics and then later as themanagement came in 1986 when Tony La Russa
Kansas City Athletics when they were movedjoined the ranks as the manager for the
there in the mid fifties.  This Major LeagueAthletics.  He would lead the team to multiple
Baseball team didn't have a winning season untildivision crowns (4), as well as a World Series
1968 when they finished with a record of 82-80. Championship in 1989.
That is 46 years of a less than desirable record. In 1992, Dennis Eckersley achieved the AL MVP
This was the start of a new kind of team whereas well as the Cy Young award and helped lead
winning became expected of them.  In 1970the team's pitching situation alongside Dave
they finished second place in their division, and inStewart.  For the next ten years Oakland would
1971 they won the American League West Title. have its ups and downs until in 2000 AL MVP
They went on that year to the American LeagueJason Giambi would bring new life back into the
Championship Series but ended up losing to theteam.  Since then the team has continued to
Baltimore Orioles.  The next year they regroupedstruggle with mediocrity but are working to bring
and captured their first World Cup Championship inback their glory days.
1972 and followed that success with World