As the Athletics prepare to host the Texas Rangers this Thursday afternoon, it marks the end of an era for Oakland baseball fans. This will be the last time the Athletics take their home field representing the city of Oakland, as the team gears up for a relocation to Sacramento after the season concludes. Eventually, the Athletics will make another significant move to a new ballpark off the Las Vegas Strip, closing a historic chapter in their storied history.
One indelible part of this history is Rickey Henderson, a name synonymous with Athletics’ greatness. The literal field at the Oakland Coliseum is named in Henderson's honor, a testament to his unmatched contributions to the franchise. Henderson’s career, which spanned nine teams, saw him win the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player Award and earn six All-Star nods while wearing the green and gold.
Rickey Henderson: A Legend Remembered
Bill James once remarked, "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers." This comment encapsulates Henderson’s immense impact on the game. Over more than 1,700 games with the Athletics, Henderson batted .288/.409/.430, totaling 167 home runs and an astonishing 867 stolen bases. His 72.7 Wins Above Replacement are 20 more than any other player in Oakland history.
Tom Verducci evoked the mythic status Henderson achieved: "There are certain figures in American history who have passed into the realm of cultural mythology, as if reality could no longer contain their stories: Johnny Appleseed. Wild Bill Hickok. Davy Crockett. Rickey Henderson." Such high praise puts into perspective the iconic status Henderson holds, not just within the Athletics organization, but in all of baseball.
The Athletics’ storied past is further decorated with names like Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Mark McGwire, who form part of the franchise’s top ten most productive players by WAR. Reggie Jackson, another titan of the sport, had many of his best seasons with the Athletics, while McGwire and Jose Canseco gave fans five individual 40-homer seasons during their tenures in Oakland.
Oakland's Golden Baseball Era
The early 2000s were a golden era for Athletics’ pitching, spotlighted by Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder, whose performances captured the hearts of Oakland’s faithful. During this period, the Athletics won four World Series titles and six American League pennants, appearing in the playoffs a total of 21 times.
The team’s foundation has never been static. Relocating from Kansas City to Oakland, the Athletics have a legacy of change. Despite standing by his decisions, Charles Finley’s move to Oakland wasn't without its trials. "I bought the team in Kansas City. I have brought it to Oakland. There is a difference," Finley declared. "Bringing it to Oakland was my choice. Once I make a decision, I stand by it. I give my word of that."
In 1974, Jim "Catfish" Hunter was catapulted into history as baseball’s first modern free agent, transforming his newfound status into a lucrative five-year, $3.2 million pact with the New York Yankees. This move set the stage for Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith, who employed the same arbitrator as Hunter to dismantle MLB’s reserve clause, thus creating free agency. Dennis Eckersley further solidified the team's legacy, achieving 51 saves in 1992 and earning the Cy Young Award, all under the stewardship of manager Tony La Russa.
The "Moneyball" Revolution
The philosophy behind "Moneyball," immortalized by Michael Lewis, revolutionized baseball by focusing on market inefficiencies. Sandy Alderson, a pivotal figure in this revolution before Billy Beane took the helm, was deeply influenced by Bill James' yearly abstracts and Eric Walker’s "The Sinister First Baseman." The legacy continued under Beane, who adopted a central insight summarized by Michael Lewis: "It was more efficient to create a closer than to buy one."
As the Athletics prepare to complete their time in Oakland, fans have a moment to reflect on the rich tapestry of triumphs, legends, and innovations that define this storied franchise. From Rickey Henderson’s breathtaking exploits on the field to the seismic shifts in the front office, the Athletics' history is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and, above all, excellence in the sport of baseball.