Oakland Athletics Baseball
The team was founded in the year 1901. The Oakland Athletics have been known as Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954) and the Kansas City Athletics (1955-1966). The team was then moved to Oakland. On May 8th, 1968 in front of the new home fans of Oakland, Jim "Catfish" hunter throws the 1st regular season perfect game in 46 years.
In 1970, eccentric owner Charles O. Finley of the Oakland Athletics uses yellow bases during their home opener; this was the only time they were used. In 1971, Finley makes news again, by giving his players bonuses for growing a mustache. This becomes the trademark for the team including reliever Rollie Fingers' classic handlebar look.
The Oakland Athletics won World Series championships in 1972, 1973 and 1974. They won five consecutive division titles from 1971 to 1975. In 1973, AL MVP Reggie Jackson won both the HR and RBI crowns.
Rickey Henderson stole his 130th base in 1982 and establishes himself as one of the greatest base stealers in history. He smashed the old record of 118 held by Lou Brock.
In 1986, Jose Canseco hits 33 HR and drives in 117 runs on his way to claiming the Rookie of the Year for the Oakland Athletics. The following year, Mark McGwire bursts out of the gate with a rookie record 49 HR and claims the Rookie of the Year. From 1988 to 1992 the Athletics won four division crowns, three AL pennants, and a World Series title under manager Tony LaRussa.
A group of young players led by 2000 AL MVP Jason Giambi helped the Oakland Athletics win the AL West in 2000. With the sixth lowest payroll in baseball in 2002, the Athletics won an American League best 103 games. Pitcher Huston Street was voted the A.L. Rookie of the Year in 2005.
McAfee Coliseum
Constructed in 1966 at a cost of $25.5 million and resting on 120 acres, the McAfee Coliseum is a multi-use sports complex home for the Oakland Athletics Baseball Company and Oakland's NFL franchise.
McAfee Coliseum is located just five minutes from downtown Oakland and Oakland International Airport. It is connected to a local Bay Area Rapid Transit station, (B.A.R.T.). Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment are just minutes away in every direction.
The expansive foul territory reduces batting average by roughly five to seven points, making this the best pitcher’s park in the AL. The winds favor the left-handed batters. Fans sitting at the foul poles can catch home run fair balls by reaching in front of the foul pole screens. The Athletics closed the third deck for the 2006 season.