Athletics to pay tribute to 1973 world championship team
Two-Day Celebration Scheduled for April 26-27 Against Baltimore
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club's 1973 World Series title -- the second of three consecutive World Championships -- Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 vs. Baltimore.
The two-day celebration will feature appearances by players from the 1973 team, including '73 World Series Most Valuable Player and Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, former Cy Young Award winner and American League MVP Vida Blue, All-Stars Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Ray Fosse, Ken Holtzman, Darold Knowles, John "Blue Moon" Odom, Joe Rudi and Gene Tenace, in addition to Pat Bourque, Billy Conigliaro, Dick Green, Ted Kubiak and Billy North, coaches Irv Noren and Wes Stock and former broadcaster Monte Moore.
On Friday, April 26, there will be special '73 autograph sessions in the Bar & Grille (formerly called the Westside Club) with various members of the team, with proceeds benefitting the Jim "Catfish" Hunter ALS Foundation. A limited number of tickets priced at $20 will go on sale at 5:35 p.m. outside the Bar & Grille doors, near Section 217, with the autograph session beginning at 6:15 p.m.
On Saturday, April 27, there will be an exclusive Hall of Fame autograph session with Rollie Fingers and Reggie Jackson prior to the game. Autograph tickets are $50 per session with each session lasting 20 minutes and featuring one player. A limited number of tickets will go on sale outside the Bar & Grille doors at 11:05 a.m. with proceeds benefitting the Jim "Catfish" Hunter ALS Foundation. In addition, a limited number of fans who made a donation to the foundation will take part in a special sold-out meet-and-greet with members of '73 team before the game.
The celebration continues with a special pre-game on-field reunion honoring the members of this historical 1973 team beginning at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Ten thousand fans in attendance will receive a Reggie Jackson bobblehead, sponsored by Pepsi, and Jackson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game.
The Oakland Athletics captured their second straight world championship in 1973, defeating the New York Mets in a memorable, seven-game World Series. The A's won their third straight West Division title with a regular season record of 94-68 and then disposed of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series to set up the showdown with the Mets. It was the second of three straight World Championships for Oakland.
The '73 A's featured three 20-game winners in Jim "Catfish" Hunter (21-5, 3.34), Vida Blue (20-9, 3.28) and Ken Holtzman (21-13, 2.97). Outfielder Reggie Jackson was named the American League's Most Valuable Player after batting .293 while leading the league in home runs (32), RBI (117) and runs scored (99). Jackson was also named the Most Valuable Player of the '73 World Series after batting .310 (9-29) with three doubles, a triple and a home run to go along with six RBI in seven-game series vs. the Mets.
Tickets for A's home games can be purchased at all usual ticket outlets, including the O.co Coliseum Box Office, online at www.oaklandathletics.com/tickets, or over the phone by calling 877-493-BALL (2255). Season, group (including all fundraising options) and suite tickets can be purchased by calling 510-638-GoA's (4627).
More information about the 1973 World Series Reunion can be found online at www.oaklandathletics.com/1973.