Oakland Athletics: Facts, History, Stats, and Resources

• Buffer
• Tweet

History of the Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics was first founded as the Philadelphia Athletics in 1901. Connie Mack was the team’s manager for the first 50 years of its existence. He brought the Athletics to World Series championships in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929 and 1930. In 1955, the team moved its franchise to Kansas City, Missouri. They win their first game against the Detroit Tigers, but during their time in Missouri, the team fails to win a World Series championship. In 1968, the team moves once again, this time to Oakland under the management of Bob Kennedy. Since they moved to Oakland, the Athletics have won the World Series in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989.

Fun Facts about the Oakland Athletics

What are Oakland Athletics team colors?
Green, Gold, White

Where did the Oakland Athletics get their name and why are they called it?
The team name originated from the “athletic clubs,” which were prominent in the late 1800s. As the Oakland Athletics originated in Philadelphia, the team was specifically named after the Philadelphia Athletics baseball club. The team received the nickname “A’s” because of their logo, which featured a prominent letter “A.”

Who designed the Oakland Athletics logo?
The Oakland A’s team logo was originally from an unknown source. Over the course of the team’s 100+ year history, the logo has undergone a series of iterations of the letter “A.” In the mid 1900s, team owner Charles O. Finley changed the team colors to “Kelly Green, Wedding Gown White and Fort Knox Gold.”

Who is the mascot for the Oakland Athletics?
The mascot for the Oakland Athletics was a White Elephant for a number of years because of a comment made by New York Giant’s manager, John McGraw. McGraw told the media that the new owner of the Athletics, Benjamin Shibe, had a white elephant on his hands, meaning that the team was costing the owner more than it was worth. Shibe took the comment well and in 1918 he actually adopted it as the official mascot for the team. In 1963, owner Charles Finley changed the mascot to a Missouri mule instead of the White Elephant. In 1988, the elephant once again returned as the symbol for the team.

Who owns the Oakland Athletics?
John Fisher, Lew Wolff

What numbers have been retired by the Oakland Athletics?
9 Reggie Jackson
24 Rickey Henderson
27 Catfish Hunter
34 Rollie Fingers
43 Dennis Eckersley
42 Jackie Robinson (all of MLB)

What players from the Oakland Athletics are in the Baseball Hall Of Fame?
John Franklin Baker
Chief Bender
Jimmie Foxx
Lefty Grove
Connie Mack
Eddie Plank
Al Simmons
Rube Waddell
Dennis Eckersley
Rollie Fingers
Rickey Henderson
Dick Williams

How many World Series have the Oakland Athletics won?
Nine (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989)

Fun Facts about Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

What is Oakland Athletics stadium called?
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

What is the address of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
7000 Coliseum Way
Oakland, CA 94621

How many seats are in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
35,067

Items NOT allowed in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Inappropriate attire or signage
bags larger than 18″w x 12″h x 8″d
hard-sided containers of any size, including coolers and thermoses
glass bottles, aluminum cans, flasks and camelbacks
containers carrying liquids of any kind
alcoholic beverages
illegal drugs
weapons of any kind
fireworks
projectiles, including frisbees, footballs and inflatable balls
any size pole or stick
umbrellas of any kind
artificial noisemakers of any kind
video cameras
still cameras with lenses longer than 3″
laser pointers, computers and large radios
portable chairs
scooters, bicycles, rollerskates and skateboards
non service animals
any item deemed by management to be dangerous or inappropriate that may disrupt other fans’ enjoyment of the game

When was Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum built?
Ground was broken for the new Athletics stadium in 1962. The construction was completed on September 18. 1966

How far is it down the right field line in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
330 feet

How far is it down the left field line in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
330 feet

How far is the center field wall in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
400 feet

Travel Information if You’re going to watch the Oakland Athletics

Best restaurants in the area of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
1. Francesco’s Restaurant
8520 Pardee Drive
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 569-0653

2. Otaez Mexican Restaurant
3872 International Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 536-0909
otaezrestaurant.com

3. Doug’s 1 BBQ Place
7127 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 777-9632

Best hotels near Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
1. Days Hotel Oakland Airport
8350 Edes Avenue
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 568-1880
dayshoteloakland.com

2. La Quinta Inn Oakland Airport Coliseum
8465 Enterprise Way
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-8900
lq.com

3. Park Plaza Hotel Oakland
150 Hegenberger Road
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 639-7891
parkplazaoakland.com

Top 5 Players of all time for the Oakland Athletics

5. Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 1985. He played for the team until 1992, and then ran around and played for a number of other MLB teams, including the Texas Rangers (1992-1994), Boston Red Sox (1995-1996), Oakland Athletics (again in 1997), Toronto Blue Jays (1998), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999-2000), New York Yankees (2000) and the Chicago White Sox (2001). It was during the beginning of his career that he gathered five of his six All-Star selections. He also helped the A’s to win the 1989 Word Series championship. He was a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and AL Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
Batting Average: .266
Home Runs: 462
Runs Batted In: 1,407

4. Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire was the first baseman for the Oakland Athletics from 1986 until 1997. During his entire career, McGwire accumulated 12 All-Star selections and three Silver Slugger Awards. He won the Gold Glove Award in 1990, and one year before, he helped the A’s to a World Series championship. He won the 1987 AL Rookie of the Year Award and the 1999 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. He was named to the MLB All-Century Team.
Batting Average: .263
Home Runs: 583
Runs Batted In: 1,414

3. Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1975. He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1978 until 1984, and then for the Chicago Cubs from 1984 until 1986. In 1987, he became an Oakland Athletic. He stayed with the team through the 1995 season. He became one of the team’s best ever closing pitchers, saving 16 saves in 1987 alone. In 1988, he dominated this record, by saving 45 games. Eckersley was also credited with the game winning save of the final game in the 1989 World Series. He was a six-time All-Star selection. In 1992, Eckersley was named the American League MVP and won the American League Cy Young Award. In the same year, he was named the American League TSN Pitcher of the Year. His number, 43, was retired by the Oakland Athletics. In 2004, Dennis Eckersley was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Win-Loss Record: 197-171
ERA 3.50
Strikeouts: 2,401
Saves: 390

2. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson was the right fielder for the Kansas City A’s from 1967 to 1975. He moved with the team in 1968 to their new location in Oakland. During his entire professional career (which included years with the Orioles, Yankees, Angels and Athletics), Jackson was a 14-time All-Star selection and a five-time World Series champion, winning the 1972, 1973 and 1974 dynasty with the Oakland A’s. He won the Silver Slugger Award twice and was twice named the World Series MVP. His number, 9, was retired by the Oakland Athletics. In 1993, Jackson was inducted as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Batting Average: .262
Home Runs: 563
Hits: 2,584
Runs Batted In: 1,702

1. Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson made his way around the MLB block, playing in order for the Athletics, Yankees, Athletics (again), Blue Jays, Athletics (again), Padres, Angels, Athletics (again), Mets, Mariners, Padres, Red Sox and Dodgers. He started with the Athletics in Oakland in 1979. During his very long career, which ended in 2003 with the LA Dodgers, Henderson ranked himself as the leader in walks, runs, stolen bases (130 in a single season, 1,406 in his entire career) and leadoff home runs (81). Henderson was a ten-time All-Star selection and a two-time World Series champion (one was won with the Athletics in 1989). He was a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he also won the Golden Glove in 1981. In 2009, the first year in which he was eligible, Rickey Henderson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Batting Average: .279
Hits: 3,055
Home Runs: 297
Runs scored: 2,295

Resources about the Oakland Athletics

The Official Site of the Oakland Athletics
website

Oakland Athletics – Athletics Baseball Clubhouse – ESPN
website

Oakland Athletics News, Schedule, Photos, Stats, Players, MLB Baseball
website

Athletics Nation – For Oakland Athletics Fans
website

Resource by A.Moore

I just moved to Michigan from South Carolina. This is my first winter here and so far it's freezing. I enjoy traveling, drawing, camping, writing, and doing community service in my spare time. I work for a education company and help them with their outreach to teachers and students. Hope everyone enjoys my articles.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids