On Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 during a pregame ceremony before the win over the San Francisco Giants, the A's honored five members of the 2023 Class of the Athletics Hall of Fame. League MVP Jason Giambi, World Series Champions Carney Lansford and Gene Tenace, Philadelphia Athletic Bob Johnson, and "Voice of God" public address announcer Roy Steele will be enshrined in franchise history forever.
Oakland A's 1978-1992
Carney Lansford was part of the A's dynasty team that won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series Championship in 1989 against the Bay Area-rival San Francisco Giants. The third baseman led the A's in batting in 1984 (.300) and 1989 (.336) and finished his Oakland career with a .288 batting average, which is second best in Oakland history. Lansford was selected as an American League All-Star in 1988.
Oakland A's 1969-1976
A three-time World Series Champion from 1972 to 1974, Gene Tenace had four home runs and nine RBI in the 1972 World Series to earn MVP honors. He was also named to the American League All-Star Team in 1975. Tenace had a .245 batting average in his eight seasons with the A's, but his on-base percentage was more than 100 points better at .374. He led the Club in walks four straight seasons from 1973 to 1976 and drew 475 free passes as an Athletic to go with 121 home runs and 389 RBI. Tenace ranks among the Oakland top 10 in most games caught (446) and most games at first base (385).
Philadelphia A's 1933-1942
Bob Johnson's 13-year career was highlighted by 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics. He was a five-time All-Star and his 997 runs scored were a franchise record until Rickey Henderson broke the mark in 1993. Johnson still ranks among the Athletics all-time leaders in runs (2nd, 997), RBI (3rd, 1040), walks (3rd, 853), extra-base hits (3rd, 631), doubles (4th, 307), hits (5th, 1617), and home runs (5th, 252). He slugged 20 or more home runs and scored 90 or more runs in each of his first nine seasons and had seven consecutive 100-RBI seasons from 1935 to 1941. Johnson led the Club in RBI seven times, home runs, walks and slugging percentage six times, runs five times, and batting average three times.
Oakland A's 1968-2005
Roy Steele was the PA voice of the A's for nearly four decades. Steele began announcing for the A’s in 1968, the team's inaugural season in Oakland, and remained the public address announcer for 38 seasons. He worked through six World Series, an All-Star Game, and through A's eras from the Mustache Gang to Billy Ball, the Bash Brothers, and Moneyball. His booming baritone was beloved by A's fans and earned him the nickname "Voice of God."
Oakland A's 1995-2001, 2009
Jason Giambi began his Major League career with the Oakland A’s in 1995. Giambi led the team with 27 home runs, 110 RBI, and a .295 batting average in 1998. The following year, he hit .315 with 33 homers, 105 walks, and 123 RBI. His impressive hitting continued in 2000, notching a career-high 43 home runs and 137 RBI, earning himself American League MVP honors. With a nearly identical 2001 season, Giambi finished in second in MVP voting and won the Silver Slugger Award. A five-time All-Star in his career, Giambi represented the A’s in the Midsummer Classic twice (2000, 2001). Giambi holds the Oakland records for batting average in a season (.342 in 2001) and career (.300). He also holds the Oakland single-season records for RBI (137 in 2000), walks (137 in 2000), extra-base hits (87 in 2001), and on-base percentage (.477 in 2001).
Oakland A's 1973-75, 1985-2021
Ray Fosse blazed a unique trail to A’s immortality. It began with three years as a player from 1973-75 and concluded with 37 seasons in the front office, including 36 as a broadcaster. Fosse was a catcher for the A’s World Champion teams in 1973 and 1974 and he returned to Oakland in 1985 in a front office role. He moved into the radio booth in 1986 and was a mainstay on A’s radio and television broadcasts until passing away following the 2021 season.
Kansas City A's 1966-67
Oakland A's 1968-76
"Captain Sal" was the leader that held the A's together in the early 70's when Oakland won five straight American League West titles and three consecutive World Series. Bando finished in the top four in Most Valuable Player voting three times and was a four-time All-Star. His durability put him atop the AL leader board in games played four times and although he never led the league in any other major category, his 33.0 WAR from 1969-73 was the best in baseball.
Oakland A's 1998-2010
Eric Chavez was a mainstay of the third era of great Oakland teams that won four American League West titles and made five playoff appearances from 2000-06. He won six straight Gold Gloves at third base from 2001-06, hit 20 or more home runs in seven straight seasons from 2000-06 and drove in 100 runs four times. Much like the A's teams of his era, Chavez excelled in the second half of the season and retired as the best player in Oakland history never named to an All-Star Team.
Kansas City A's 1967
Oakland A's 1968-76, 82
The A's reached the World Series three straight years from 1972-74 but winning those series required clutch performances, and Joe Rudi delivered. He made one of the greatest catches in World Series history in 1972 against the Reds and then hit .333 with four RBI in both 1973 against the Mets and 1974 against the Dodgers. Rudi won three consecutive Gold Gloves from 1974-76, was a three-time All-Star and finished second in American League MVP balloting in 1972 and 1974.
Oakland A's 1971-present
Keith Lieppman grew up in Missouri in the 1960's attending Kansas City A's games and would end up spending over 50 years with the club after it moved to Oakland. He played for nine seasons in the minors from 1971-79, managed for eight from 1980-87 and then served for more than 25 years as Director of Player Development. In his roles, he tutored many of the players that would win 11 American League West titles and make 15 playoff appearances from 1988-2020.
Oakland A's 1968-2021
The one constant in the A’s first 54 years in Oakland was Steve Vucinich. The A’s have been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and then erased again. But Vuc has marked the time. From the first batter in Oakland history, Bert Campaneris, to the most recent acquisitions, Steve has known them all. He joined the organization as a ballboy in 1968, moved to the visiting clubhouse in 1974 and then returned to the home clubhouse as equipment manager in 1994. Steve retired at the end of the 2021 season.
Philadelphia A's 1903-14
Charles "Chief" Bender was a Native American who pitched in five World Series for the A's. He had his finest season in 1910 when he authored a no-hitter while compiling a 23-5 record and a 1.58 ERA before helping the A's to their first World Championship. Bender, who was Connie Mack's choice "if there was one game I wanted to win above all others" won five of his seven World Series starts in 1910, 11 and 13 to lead the A's to their first three World Championships.
Philadelphia A's 1925-33
One of baseball's greatest catchers, Mickey Cochrane was the backstop for the A's three consecutive American League Pennant winning teams from 1929-31. He was named AL MVP 1928 and homered twice in the 1930 World Series as the A's won their second straight World Championship. Cochrane had a .321 batting average in nine seasons with the A's and also had a .419 on-base percentage nearly 70 years before it gained mainstream acceptance.
Philadelphia A's 1906-14; 27-30
The first Athletic to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Eddie Collins batted .337 and stole 373 bases in 13 seasons over two stints with the A's. He finished in the top six in Chalmer's Award Voting, a precursor to the MVP, in four straight seasons from 1911-14 and won the award in 1914. He hit .429 in the 1910 World Series to start the A's championship run of three Series titles in four years. The second baseman led the AL in steals in 1910 and runs from 1912-14.
Philadelphia A's 1925-35
Jimmie Foxx did not finish his senior year of high school as he went to spring training with the Philadelphia A's in 1925 and made his Major League debut later that year at the age of 17. He would go on to hit 302 home runs in 11 seasons as an Athletic, a franchise record that stood for 61 years. Foxx earned back-to-back MVP awards from 1932-33 and a Triple Crown in 1933. He represented the A's in the first three All-Star Games from 1933-35 and was a World Champion in 1929 and 30.
Philadelphia A's 1901-54
Connie Mack managed the A's for 50 seasons from 1901-50 and was part-owner of the club for all 54 seasons in Philadelphia. Under his leadership, the A's would win five World Championship and nine American League Pennants. He built two dynasties, winning back-to-back World Series in 1910-11 as well as 1913, and then did it again in 1929-30. Known for managing in a suit, with a derby or bowler in place of a baseball cap, the A's won 3,582 games with Mack at the helm.
Philadelphia A's 1925-33
Lefty Grove pitched for nine seasons with the Philadelphia A's, leading the league in strikeouts seven times, ERA five times and wins four times. He won the pitching Triple Crown by leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts in back-to-back seasons from 1930-31. Grove capped that streak by going 31-4 with a 2.06 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 1931 to earn American League MVP honors. He was a member of the A's back-to-back World Champions in 1929-30 and was a 1933 All-Star.
Philadelphia A's 1901-14
Eddie Plank was a member of the original 1901 Philadelphia A's and in 14 seasons as Athletic, he won 284 games, started 459, completed 362, had 59 shutouts and struck out 1,985, all franchise records that still stand today. He never led the American League in wins, strikeouts or ERA but was always one of the top pitchers in the game, earning him a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Plank's tenure with the A's included six AL Pennants and three World Championships.
Philadelphia A's 1924-32; 40-41; 44
Al Simmons was a major factor in the A's three consecutive American League pennant winning clubs from 1929-31, hitting .346 with 92 home runs and 450 RBI. He led the AL in RBI in 1929 and then won back-to-back batting titles in 1930 and 31. Simmons hit .341 or better in seven consecutive seasons from 1925-31 and had a .356 average in 12 seasons with Philadelphia. He drove in at least 100 runs in each of his first nine seasons with the A's and had at least 200 hits five times.
Philadelphia A's 1902-07
A fan favorite at the turn of the century not only for his skills on the mound but for his eccentricities that earned him the nickname Rube, George Waddell pitched six seasons for the Philadelphia A's from 1902-07. He led the AL in strikeouts in each of those six campaigns and won the pitching Triple Crown in 1905 with a 27-10 record, a 1.48 ERA and 287 strikeouts. Waddell fanned a career-high 349 batters in 1904 and his 24 wins in 1902 led the A's to their first AL Pennant.
Philadelphia A's 1908-14
Frank "Home Run" Baker led the American League in home runs from 1911-13 and tied for the lead in 1914, but earned his nickname by hitting two home runs in the 1911 World Series against the Giants, the second of three World Champion A's teams that featured Baker as the A's third baseman. A member of the A's famed $100,000 infield, Baker led the league in triples in his rookie season of 1909 and topped the AL in RBI from 1912-13.
The A’s may never have been Rooted in Oakland had Walter A. Haas, Jr. not purchased the team following the 1980 season. Haas owned the club for 15 years from 1981 to 1995 and during that time the A’s won five American League West titles, three AL Pennants, and the 1989 World Championship. But Haas will be remembered just as much for what went on off the field, beginning with a commitment to the community.
The Athletics all-time leader in games played (1,795) and hits (1,882), Bert “Campy” Campaneris played 13 seasons for the A’s, including four in Kansas City (1964 to 1967) and nine in Oakland (1968 to 1976). When you trace the roots of the A’s three straight World Championships from 1972 to 1974, it all began on April 25, 1961, when the Kansas City A’s signed a 19-year-old Cuban named Dagoberto Campaneris. Campy made his Major League debut on July 23, 1964 and homered twice in his first game. He famously played all nine positions in a nine-inning game on Sept. 8, 1965.
Tony La Russa managed the A’s for 10 seasons from 1986 to 1995 and, under his guidance, won four American League West titles, three consecutive AL Pennants from 1988 to 1990, and the World Championship in 1989. La Russa won 798 games during his tenure with the A’s, which are the most in Oakland history and second only in Athletics history to Connie Mack’s 3,582. The A’s won an Oakland-record 104 games in 1988 and La Russa was named AL Manager of the Year, an honor he would garner again in 1992. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
The A’s all-time home run king with 363, Mark McGwire played 12 seasons with Oakland from 1986-97. He broke the Major League record for home runs by a rookie with a league leading 49 in 1987 and was named American League Rookie of the Year. McGwire was tabbed to his first of an Athletics-record nine All-Star Games that year, including six straight from 1987 to 1992. The A’s reached the Postseason four times with McGwire, highlighted by a World Championship in 1989.
No pitcher in Oakland history has struck out more batters (1,315) or started more games (262) than Vida Blue. Drafted by the Kansas City A’s in 1967, Blue made his Major League debut in 1969 just eight days before his 20th birthday. He tossed a no-hitter in 1970 and then burst onto the national scene in 1971 when he won both the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award as a 21-year-old. Blue set Oakland records with 301 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.82 ERA while compiling a 24-8 record.
Rollie Fingers spent the first nine seasons of his 17-year Hall of Fame career with Oakland. Fans remember him for his trademark mustache and 341 career saves. During the A's dynasty years, Fingers won or saved eight World Series games. The right-hander was a seven-time All-Star (four-time All-Star with Oakland). He was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
A man ahead of his time, Charlie Finley challenged baseball traditions and introduced a number of innovations to the game designed to make the fan experience more entertaining. The franchise's owner from 1961-1980, he moved the club from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968 and built the most dominant team of the early 1970s with three straight World Series titles.
The first number the A's ever retired belongs to Catfish Hunter. With four consecutive 20-win seasons with Oakland, including a career-high 25 victories in 1974, he won the Cy Young Award that year. The eight-time All-Star (six with Oakland), threw the first perfect game in Oakland A's history on May 8, 1968. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Rickey "Man of Steal" Henderson holds the all-time record for stolen bases. Also known as the "greatest lead-off hitter of all time," he scored more runs than any player in history and won the World Series with the A's in 1989. The 10-time All-Star (six with the A's) was the AL MVP in 1990 and a member of the 1989 A's World Champions. Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dave Stewart's famous "Death Stare" was nearly as merciless as his pitching. He won 20 games in four consecutive seasons from 1987 to 1990 and recorded two wins in the 1989 World Series, earning MVP honors in the A's sweep of the Giants. Stewart was an All-Star in 1989. The Oakland native takes great pride in his community and charitable involvement. In 1990, he was named Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award winner, honoring the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual's contribution to his team. To honor his commitment to the community, the A's created the Dave Stewart Community Award that annually recognizes an A's player for his charitable contributions in the Bay Area and nationwide.
Reggie Jackson left his mark on the A's in more way than one. By the time he finished his career, he had 563 home runs and was named "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason. He earned World Series MVP honors when the A's won their second of three straight World Series titles in 1973. He was also named AL MVP that year after leading the league in runs, home runs, and RBI. Jackson was a 14-time All-Star (six with Oakland). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.
The game's most dominant closer of his time, Dennis Eckersley was born in Oakland and spent 12 seasons with the A's. Eck's powerful and precise pitching made him the only Major League pitcher with 100 saves and 100 complete games. He was a six-time All-Star (four with Oakland), a member of the 1989 World Series team, the American League MVP and Cy Young winner in 1992, and the two-time MLB saves leader in 1988 and 1992. He was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.
