Oakland Athletics (original) (raw)

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. They are in the Western Division of the American League. The team is often called simply the "A's".

Founded: 1893, as the Indianapolis, Indiana franchise in the minor Western League. Moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1900 when that league became the American League. Moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1955 and to Oakland in 1967.

Formerly known as: Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954), Kansas City Athletics (1955-1966)

Home ballpark: Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland

Uniform colors: Green, White and Gold

Logo design: A stylized capital "A's". The team also occasionally uses a white elephant logo.

Wild Card titles won (1): 2001

Division titles won (13): 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003

American League pennants won: 1901, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1990.

Franchise history

The "White Elephants: Connie Mack, the Lajoie scandal, early success
The $100,000 Infield: Baker, Barry, Collins, McInnis; dominance, 1910-1913; upset by Miracle Braves in 1914; dismantling of the team and subsequent cellar-dwelling
1928-1932: Rebuilding of team in 1920s. Cochrane, Grove, Foxx, Simmons, others

During the Kansas City years, the team generally did not draw well or do well. Kansas City was involved in so many bad trades with the Yankees (in which they gave up Roger Maris, Bob Cerv, and others, and got little in return) that they were jokingly considered to be a Yankee farm club.

Charlie Finley and the "Swingin' A's: Fingers, Hunter, Jackson. Colorful uniforms. Mustaches return to baseball in 1972.
The Bash Brothers: McGwire, Canseco, Stewart, Eck
Big Three pitchers: Hudson, Mulder, Zito