As the Athletics gear up to host the Texas Rangers this Thursday afternoon, it's more than just the final game of the season—it's the end of an era for Oakland baseball fans. This game marks the last time the Athletics will take their home field representing the city of Oakland, as the team prepares for relocation to Sacramento after the season concludes. Beyond Sacramento, the Athletics have their sights set on a new ballpark off the Las Vegas Strip.
Reflecting on the past, the Athletics have an illustrious history that has left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball. Few players have embodied that history quite like Rickey Henderson, whose career spanned an impressive nine teams. During his time with the Athletics, Henderson’s achievements were nothing short of extraordinary. He won the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player Award, earned six All-Star nods, and batted an impressive .288/.409/.430 over more than 1,700 games. He also tallied 167 home runs and a staggering 867 stolen bases. Henderson’s 72.7 Wins Above Replacement are 20 more than any other player in Oakland history. As Bill James once said, "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."
The Athletics’ storied past includes other legends such as Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Mark McGwire, each of whom left an indelible mark on the franchise. In the early 2000s, the team boasted standout pitchers Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder, who anchored one of the most formidable rotations in baseball at the time. Collectively, the Athletics have secured four World Series titles and six American League pennants, solidifying their place in MLB lore.
An integral part of the Athletics' history is the transformation brought about by the "Moneyball" philosophy, popularized by Michael Lewis. General Manager Billy Beane adopted it with a central insight that "it was more efficient to create a closer than to buy one." This revolutionary approach reshaped how teams evaluated players and constructed their rosters. Sandy Alderson, influenced by Bill James' yearly abstracts and Eric Walker’s "The Sinister First Baseman," also played a pivotal role in this transformation.
The legendary manager Charles Finley is another emblematic figure in the Athletics’ history. His commitment to the team and the city was encapsulated in his words: "I bought the team in Kansas City. I have brought it to Oakland. There is a difference. Bringing it to Oakland was my choice. Once I make a decision, I stand by it. I give my word of that." Under Finley's ownership, the Athletics experienced some of their most successful years, including groundbreaking moments such as Jim "Catfish" Hunter becoming baseball’s first modern free agent in 1974.
Hunter subsequently signed a five-year, $3.2 million deal with the New York Yankees, setting a precedent for player movement and free agency in the modern era. Similarly, Dennis Eckersley achieved legendary status with 51 saves and a Cy Young Award in 1992, further enhancing the Athletics' rich tapestry of historic accomplishments.
Reflecting on this momentous juncture, it's impossible to overlook the cultural impact the Athletics have had not just on baseball, but on American sports history. As Tom Verducci eloquently stated, "There are certain figures in American history who have passed into the realm of cultural mythology, as if reality could no longer contain their stories: Johnny Appleseed. Wild Bill Hickok. Davy Crockett. Rickey Henderson." This encapsulates the mythic stature of players who have donned the green and gold of the Athletics.
As the Athletics prepare for a new chapter in Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas, fans and historians alike will cherish the memories and milestones that have defined Oakland baseball. This final home game represents not just an ending, but a celebration of a remarkable legacy that will continue to influence and inspire future generations.