As the Oakland Athletics prepare to host the Texas Rangers this Thursday afternoon, it marks the end of an era for Oakland baseball fans. This game represents the last time the Athletics will take their home field under the banner of Oakland, with the team set to relocate to Sacramento after the season’s conclusion. This move preludes yet another significant relocation to a new, state-of-the-art ballpark off the Las Vegas Strip in the future.
Over the decades, the Athletics' history in Oakland has been rich with iconic moments and legendary players. Central to this lore is Rickey Henderson, a name synonymous with baseball excellence. During his illustrious career, Rickey donned nine different team jerseys, but it was with the Athletics that he truly made his mark, winning the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player Award and earning six All-Star nods in the green and gold. Henderson’s 72.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) are 20 more than any other player in Oakland's history, underscoring his unparalleled contribution to the franchise.
With more than 1,700 games played for the Athletics, Henderson’s statistics further cement his legacy: a career batting average of .288, an on-base percentage of .409, and a slugging percentage of .430, highlighted by 167 home runs and a staggering 867 stolen bases. As Bill James famously remarked, "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."
The story of the Athletics also features other illustrious names like Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Mark McGwire, all of whom have added to the team's storied past. The early 2000s saw the rise of standout pitchers Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder, who became the cornerstones of the Athletics’ pitching rotation.
The franchise’s proud heritage includes four World Series titles and six American League pennants. Another significant figure in the Athletics’ history, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, became baseball’s first modern free agent in 1974 and later signed a groundbreaking five-year, $3.2 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Perhaps no discussion about the Athletics would be complete without acknowledging Dennis Eckersley’s incredible achievements. In 1992, Eckersley notched 51 saves and earned the Cy Young Award, solidifying his status as one of the greatest closers in the game’s history. This notion of creating rather than buying a closer plays right into the famed "Moneyball" philosophy popularized by Michael Lewis, which revolutionized baseball management and strategy.
Sandy Alderson’s tenure with the Athletics drew heavily from Bill James' yearly abstracts and Eric Walker’s "The Sinister First Baseman," creating a foundation for the analytical approach in player evaluation. Billy Beane, who succeeded Alderson, adopted the central insight that "it was more efficient to create a closer than to buy one," a principle that would come to define the Athletics’ operations for years to come.
Reflecting on the team's journey, one cannot overlook the words of former owner Charles Finley who said, "I bought the team in Kansas City. I have brought it to Oakland. There is a difference. Bringing it to Oakland was my choice. Once I make a decision, I stand by it. I give my word of that."
As Oakland bids farewell to its beloved Athletics, the emotional weight of this transition is palpable. Yet, the franchise’s history and its many contributions to the sport will continue to resonate, even as it embarks on this new chapter. The Athletics' legacy, forged through legendary players, groundbreaking achievements, and a pioneering approach to baseball management, will forever be a testament to the city of Oakland and its storied connection with the team.