A's plan two-day celebration for '74 World Series squad

OAKLAND -- In honor of the 40th anniversary of the A's 1974 World Series championship team, the club will hold a two-day celebration on Friday and Saturday when the A's host the Los Angeles Angels.

The A's of 1972, '73 and '74 became one of just four teams in Major League history to win three consecutive titles -- and they remain the only franchise to three-peat that is not named the Yankees. They are also the only Bay Area sports franchise ever to win three straight championships.

Many of the players from the 1974 team will be on hand for the celebration. Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers and Reggie Jackson will make appearances, as will former American League Cy Young Award winner and AL MVP Vida Blue.

Also scheduled to attend are Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Ray Fosse, Darold Knowles, John "Blue Moon" Odom, Joe Rudi, Gene Tenace, Dick Green, Dave Hamilton, Larry Haney, Jim Holt, Ted Kubiak, Billy North and Herb Washington.

On Saturday at 6:30 pm PT, there will be a pregame on-field reunion to honor the 1974 squad. Tenace, Jackson and Fingers -- the respective MVP's for the three World Series teams -- will throw out the ceremonial first pitches. The first 15,000 fans on Saturday will receive a Catfish Hunter bobblehead.

The weekend's festivities will also include several autograph sessions with members of the 1974 team, with proceeds going to the Jim "Catfish" Hunter ALS Foundation. Four autograph sessions are scheduled for Friday beginning at 6:15 pm; the players' names will be released earlier that afternoon. On Saturday, Fingers and Jackson will hold an exclusive autograph session starting at 7:45 pm.

Tickets for the autograph sessions go on sale at Section 216 at 4:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

For more information on the reunion, fans can visit www.athletics.com/1974.