1965 Kansas City Athletics season
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Athletics
season involved the A's finishing 10th in the American League
with a record of 59 wins and 103 losses. The paid attendance for the season was 528,344, the lowest in the major leagues (and the lowest ever by the A's in Kansas City). The club won 59 games, their worst showing since the A's moved to Kansas City.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
season involved the A's finishing 10th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with a record of 59 wins and 103 losses. The paid attendance for the season was 528,344, the lowest in the major leagues (and the lowest ever by the A's in Kansas City). The club won 59 games, their worst showing since the A's moved to Kansas City.
Offseason
- January 20, 1965: Rocky ColavitoRocky ColavitoRocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
was traded by the Athletics to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
as part of a three-team trade. Jim LandisJim LandisJames Henry Landis is a retired American baseball player. Landis was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1952 shortly after graduating from Richmond High School...
, Mike HershbergerMike HershbergerNorman Michael Hershberger was an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Seattle Pilots and Milwaukee Brewers ....
and a player to be named later were sent by the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to the Athletics. Tommy JohnTommy JohnThomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
, Tommie AgeeTommie AgeeTommie Lee Agee was a Major League Baseball center fielder most noted for making two of the greatest catches in World Series history, both of which occurred in game three of the 1969 World Series.-Cleveland Indians:...
and Johnny RomanoJohnny RomanoJohn Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
were sent by the Indians to the White Sox, and Cam CarreonCam CarreonCamilo Carreon was an American Major League Baseball player from 1959 to 1966 for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. His son Mark was also a Major League player....
was sent by the White Sox to the Indians. The White Sox completed the deal by sending Fred TalbotFred Talbot (baseball)Frederick Lealand Talbot , is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1963-1970 for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Seattle Pilots, Chicago White Sox, and the Oakland Athletics....
to the Athletics on February 10.
Regular season
- April 6, 1965: Hank Peters was named General Manager.
- The A's lost 21 of their first 26 games. On May 15, manager Mel McGaha was replaced by AAA manager Haywood SullivanHaywood SullivanHaywood Cooper Sullivan was an American college and professional baseball player who was a catcher, manager, general manager and club owner in Major League Baseball...
. At the age of 34, Sullivan was the youngest manager in the major leagues.
- Owner Charlie Finley steadily built up the team's farm system. He was assisted by the creation of the baseball draft in 1965, which forced young prospects to sign with the team that drafted them—at the price offered by the team—if they wanted to play professional baseball. Thus, Finley was spared from having to compete with wealthier teams for top talent. The Athletics, owners of the worst record in the American League in 19641964 Kansas City Athletics seasonThe Kansas City Athletics season involved the A's finishing 10th in the American League with a record of 57 wins and 105 losses.- Offseason :...
, had the first pick in the first draft1965 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
, selecting Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
on June 8, 1965.
Promotions
- Club owner Charlie Finley had a pitchometer on the scoreboard. In an attempt to speed up the game, it was a way to measure the time a pitcher spent in between pitches thrown. Finley installed a small zoo in the club picnic area to generate interest in the ball club with small children.
- September 8, 1965: The Campy Camp Night promotion was held as Bert Campaneris played every position in the field.
- In a promotional move, Finley signed Satchel PaigeSatchel PaigeLeroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
on September 10 , 58 years old at the time, for one game. On September 25, against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Finley invited several Negro League veterans, including Cool Papa Bell, to be introduced before the game. Paige was in the bullpen, sitting on a rocking chair, being served coffee by a “nurse” between innings. He started the game by getting Jim GosgerJim GosgerJames Charles Gosger is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played from 1963-1974 for six different teams. Gosger was listed at and and batted and threw left-handed...
out on a pop foul. The next man, Dalton JonesDalton JonesJames Dalton Jones is a former Major League Baseball player who played nine seasons in the big leagues for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Texas Rangers .-Biography:...
, reached first and went to second on an infield error, but was thrown out trying to reach third on a pitch in the dirt. Carl YastrzemskiCarl YastrzemskiCarl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
doubled and Tony ConigliaroTony ConigliaroAnthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
hit a fly ball to end the inning. The next six batters went down in order, including a strikeout of Bill MonbouquetteBill MonbouquetteWilliam Charles Monbouquette is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher...
. In the fourth inning, Paige took the mound, to be removed according to plan by Haywood SullivanHaywood SullivanHaywood Cooper Sullivan was an American college and professional baseball player who was a catcher, manager, general manager and club owner in Major League Baseball...
. He walked off to a boisterous ovation despite the small crowd of 9,000. The lights dimmed and, led by the PA announcer, the fans lit matches and cigarette lighters while singing "The Old Gray Mare."
Notable transactions
- May 3, 1965: Joe RudiJoe RudiJoseph Oden Rudi is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
was selected off waivers from the Athletics by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
as a first-year waiver pick. - May 3, 1965: Doc EdwardsDoc EdwardsHoward Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years...
was traded by the Athletics to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Johnny BlanchardJohnny BlanchardJohn Edwin Blanchard was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder and catcher from 1955 and 1959-1965. A defensive liability for the New York Yankees for most of his career, Blanchard is probably best-known for his play in the 1961 World Series...
and Rollie SheldonRollie SheldonRoland Frank Sheldon , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1961 to 1962 and 1964 to 1966. In 1961, Sheldon had a sensational rookie season for the New York Yankees with 11 wins, but would never match that total ever again in his career...
. - May 28, 1965: Don MossiDon MossiDonald Louis Mossi, , was an American major league pitcher from 1954 to 1965. He was a left-handed control pitcher whose strikeout-to-walk ratio was regularly amongst the league leaders . He retired with a career earned run average of 3.43, 101 wins, and 50 saves.- Biography :Mossi was born in St...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - June 8, 1965: 1965 Major League Baseball Draft1965 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
notable picks:
-
- Round 1: Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
(1st pick). Player signed June 15, 1965. - Round 2: Joe KeoughJoe KeoughJoseph William Keough is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1968 through 1973 for the Oakland Athletics , Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox . Keough batted and threw left-handed...
- Round 3: Bob StinsonBob Stinson (baseball)Gorrell Robert Stinson III is a former switch-hitting catcher in Major League Baseball from -. Stinson played for six major league franchises, most notably the Seattle Mariners....
(did not sign) - Round 4: Pete KoegelPete KoegelPete Koegel is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, catcher, and outfielder. Koegel was drafted in the fourth round of the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Athletics. He remained in the organization through its move to Oakland, California before being traded along with...
- Round 6: Sal BandoSal BandoSalvatore Leonard Bando is a former third baseman and executive in professional baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed. During the A's championship years of 1971-75, he captained the team and led the club in runs batted...
- Round 7: Scott ReidScott Reid (baseball)Scott Donald Reid , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to with the Philadelphia Phillies. He batted left and threw right-handed....
(did not sign) - Round 10: George LauzeriqueGeorge LauzeriqueGeorge Albert Lauzerique is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for four years from 1967 to 1970 for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Milwaukee Brewers.-1967:...
- Round 15: Bobby BrooksBobby BrooksRobert Brooks was a professional baseball player who played 4 seasons for the Oakland Athletics and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
- Round 20: Gene TenaceGene TenaceFury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
- Round 28: Greg GarrettGreg GarrettGregory Garrett was a professional baseball player who played 2 seasons for the California Angels and Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball.-References:...
(did not sign)- September 10, 1965: Satchel PaigeSatchel PaigeLeroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
- September 10, 1965: Satchel Paige
- Round 1: Rick Monday
Roster
| 1965 Kansas City Athletics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF | 118 | 364 | 87 | .239 | 3 | 36 | |
| RF | 150 | 494 | 114 | .231 | 5 | 48 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 184 | 39 | .212 | 2 | 15 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 4.35 | 9 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3.47 | 54 | |
| 65 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 3.25 | 70 | |
| 34 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.16 | 26 | |