OAKLAND, Calif. – Longtime Bay Area sportswriter Ron Bergman will be enshrined in Athletics franchise history forever as the inaugural journalist inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Bergman joins Baseball Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter, and Reggie Jackson; 1989 World Series MVP Dave Stewart; and former A’s owner Charlie Finley in the Athletics Hall of Fame.
Bergman covered the A’s for the Oakland Tribune and San Jose Mercury News, and he was the author of Mustache Gang, which chronicled the A’s first World Championship in Oakland in 1972. His children, Adam and Anne, will accept the award on their father’s behalf during an on-field ceremony before the start of the A’s versus New York Yankees game at 7:07 p.m. on Tuesday.
“Last season, we inducted the inaugural class of the Athletics Hall of Fame to honor the legends who have helped shape our identity and bring us success,” said Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval. “Likewise, we have to recognize the individuals who have helped cover our franchise and share stories with our fans throughout the years. We are excited to celebrate Ron Bergman’s journalistic contributions and to establish this award in his honor.”
The Ron Bergman Award will be given annually to honor a journalist for their meritorious contributions to the coverage of the Athletics. The second Athletics Hall of Fame class will be announced and inducted in September.