Oakland Athletics

TEAM HISTORY

Founded in 1901 and based in Philadelphia, the A’s were one of the original eight members of the AL. The first half century of the franchise’s existence was dominated by the iconic Connie Mack, who managed the A’s from the team’s inaugural year to 1950. The team’s prolonged poor play, combined with the emergence of the crosstown Phillies of the National League, led to increased financial strain on the A’s ownership and the sale of the team to an out-of-town businessman in 1954, who in turn moved the A’s to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1955. The A’s did not post a single winning season in their 13 years in Kansas City, and their tenure in the city was most notable for flamboyant businessman Charlie Finley’s purchase of the team in 1960. Finley introduced a number of quirky innovations to the team and its ballpark in an attempt to stimulate attendance, but these failed to have much of an impact, and the resulting loss of income—combined with his clashes with local civic leaders—led Finley to move the team to Oakland in 1968.

Throughout their history, the Athletics have won nine World Series championships.

One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the team was founded in Philadelphia in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics. They won three World Series championships in 1910, 1911, and 1913, and back-to-back titles in 1929 and 1930. The team's owner and manager for its first 50 years was Connie Mack and Hall of Fame players included Chief Bender, Frank "Home Run" Baker, Jimmie Foxx, and Lefty Grove. The team left Philadelphia for Kansas City in 1955 and became the Kansas City Athletics before moving to Oakland in 1968. They won three consecutive World Series in 1972, 1973, and 1974, led by players including Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, and owner Charlie O. Finley. After being sold by Finley to Walter A. Haas Jr., the team won three consecutive pennants and the 1989 World Series behind the "Bash Brothers", Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, as well as Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson and manager Tony La Russa.