Hendu, Ellis lead class of A's legends inducted into club's Hall of Fame

ARLINGTON -- The A’s are honoring franchise icons later this season.

The team announced this year’s Athletics Hall of Fame class on Friday, featuring center fielder Dave Henderson, second baseman Mark Ellis, pitcher John “Blue Moon” Odom and executive Sandy Alderson. They will be inducted on Saturday, Sept. 12, prior to the A’s 6:40 PT game against Seattle.

Henderson spent six seasons with the A’s from 1988-93, helping them to three World Series from 1988-90, including a championship in the 1989 Fall Classic. He belted two home runs in Game 3 of the ‘89 World Series as the A’s went on to a 13-7 victory in that game and swept the Giants.

Henderson earned an All-Star selection during the 1991 season, a year in which he hit a career-high 25 home runs. Over his tenure with the A’s, he batted .263 with 104 home runs and 377 RBIs. Henderson also spent time with the Mariners, Red Sox, Royals and Giants over his 14-year career.

Ellis joined the A’s organization via trade before the 2001 season. He reached the Major Leagues in 2002 and spent nine seasons with the A’s, batting .265 with 86 home runs and 204 doubles during his time with the team.

Ellis was a key member of the A’s that won back-to-back AL West championships in 2002 and ‘03. He was also on the AL West-winning squad in ‘06 alongside current manager Mark Kotsay.

“He’s the most consistent second baseman I’ve ever watched play the game, really a fundamentally sound player and just in all facets,” Kotsay said of Ellis. “His time here with us, [Bobby] Crosby [our third base coach] can speak to it as well, those two played up the middle together for a while. Mark did everything right on the baseball field … well deserved for Mark to be in the Hall of Fame.

“He’s going in with some other quality names in ‘Blue Moon’ Odom and [Henderson] and Sandy, three pretty iconic names in the organization that Mark gets to join in the Hall of Fame.”

Odom pitched 12 seasons with the A’s from 1964-75, being part of the dynasty run when the organization won three straight World Series from 1972-74. Odom went 80-76 with a 3.53 ERA over 214 career starts with the franchise.

Alderson was an executive for the A’s for 17 seasons, winning three consecutive American League pennants and the 1989 title as GM. He is a decorated former Marine who fought in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.