1969 Oakland Athletics season
Encyclopedia
The Oakland Athletics
season involved the A's compiling a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. With its expansion to 12 teams in 1969, the American League
had been divided into two 6-team divisions. In their first year in the newly-established American League West
, the Athletics finished second, nine games behind the Minnesota Twins
. It was the first time they had finished in the first division
since 1952
. Paid attendance for the season was 778,232.
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 compiling a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. With its expansion to 12 teams in 1969, 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...
had been divided into two 6-team divisions. In their first year in the newly-established American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
, the Athletics finished second, nine games behind the Minnesota Twins
1969 Minnesota Twins season
Led by new manager Billy Martin, the Minnesota Twins won the newly formed American League West with a 97-65 record, nine games over the second-place Oakland Athletics...
. It was the first time they had finished in the first division
First division (baseball)
First division is a term that has had various meanings, at various times, in the sport of baseball, but originally referred to the rankings within a league...
since 1952
1952 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing fourth in the American League with a record of 79 wins and 75 losses.- Regular season :...
. Paid attendance for the season was 778,232.
Offseason
- October 15, 1968: 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...
was drafted from the Athletics by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
as the 8th pick in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. - December 2, 1968: Darrell EvansDarrell EvansDarrell Wayne Evans is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers . He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball...
was drafted from the Athletics by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 1968 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
.
Regular season
- Reggie JacksonReggie JacksonReginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
hit 47 home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in , and was briefly ahead of the pace that Roger MarisRoger MarisRoger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
set when he broke the single-season record for home runs with 61 in , and that of Babe RuthBabe RuthGeorge Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
when he set the previous record of 60 in . - The club ranked second in the American League Western division. With 13 games left in the season, Hank BauerHank BauerHenry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
was replaced as Field Manager by John McNamara. McNamara compiled a won loss record of 8-5 to help the A’s finish with 88 wins and 74 losses. An improved of six wins compared to the past season.
Opening Day starters
- 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...
- Bert CampanerisBert CampanerisDagoberto Campaneris Blanco , nicknamed "Campy", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics...
- Danny CaterDanny CaterDanny Anderson Cater is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, third baseman, and outfielder. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies at the age of 18 on June 8,...
- Dave DuncanDave Duncan (baseball)David Edwin Duncan is an American former professional baseball player and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
- Dick GreenDick GreenRichard Larry Green , is a former Major League Baseball player.He was raised in Rapid City, S.D., where his ability as a baseball player was first noted....
- Mike HershbergerMike HershbergerNorman Michael Hershberger was an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Seattle Pilots and Milwaukee Brewers ....
- Reggie JacksonReggie JacksonReginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
- 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...
- Blue Moon OdomBlue Moon OdomJohnny Lee Odom was a Major League Baseball pitcher who won three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in , and .-Early years:...
Notable transactions
- June 5, 1969: 1969 Major League Baseball Draft1969 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
(June Draft) notable picks:
-
- Round 1: Don StanhouseDon StanhouseDonald Joseph Stanhouse is a retired baseball pitcher who had a ten-year major league career from 1972–1980, 1982...
(9th pick). - Round 2: Tommy SandtTommy SandtThomas James Sandt is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He graduated from Pacifica High School in West Garden Grove, CA in 1968 where he excelled as a varsity player.An infielder, Sandt played for the Oakland Athletics in and .Sandt managed in teams in the Eastern...
- Round 3: Steve LawsonSteve Lawson (baseball)Steven George Lawson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He played for the Texas Rangers for 13 games during the 1972 Texas Rangers season.-External links:...
- Round 6: Jim SundbergJim SundbergJames Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
(did not sign) - Round 8: Glenn AbbottGlenn AbbottWilliam Glenn Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During an 11-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , Seattle Mariners , and the Detroit Tigers...
- Round 13: John StearnsJohn StearnsJohn Hardin Stearns is a former major league catcher who played for the New York Mets from to , and played a single game for the Philadelphia Phillies in ....
(did not sign) - Round 19: Charlie ChantCharlie ChantCharles Joseph Chant is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Oakland Athletics during the season and the St. Louis Cardinals during the season.-References:...
- June 14, 1969: John DonaldsonJohn Donaldson (second baseman)John David Donaldson is an American former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played from 1966-1969 and in 1970 and 1974, primarily for the Athletics, in Kansas City and in Oakland.-External links:...
was traded by the Athletics to the Seattle PilotsMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Larry HaneyLarry HaneyWallace Larry Haney is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played from 1966-1978 for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Pilots, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers. Haney later served as bullpen coach with the Brewers...
.
- June 14, 1969: John Donaldson
- Round 1: Don Stanhouse
Reggie Jackson
In the offseason, Jackson demanded a salary increase from $10,000 to $25,000. Jackson would settle at $20,000. Reggie Jackson hit two home runs versus the Washington Senators, with President Richard Nixon in the crowd. By July 1, the A’s had played in 71 games and Jackson had hit 30 home runs, 62 RBI, .287 batting average and a 1.145 OPS. On July 2, Reggie Jackson would hit three home runs versus the Seattle Pilots to raise his season total to 34 home runs. He was on pace to break the home run record set by Roger Maris eight years earlier. By the end of July, Jackson had 40 home runs but he only hit 5 home runs in August. In September, Jackson was hospitalized with a skin rash and was only able to hit 2 home runs. Jackson still managed to lead the American League with 123 runs scored.Roster
| 1969 Oakland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 106 | 247 | 58 | .235 | 2 | 19 | |
| 1B | 152 | 584 | 153 | .262 | 10 | 76 | |
| 2B | 136 | 483 | 133 | .275 | 12 | 64 | |
| 3B | 162 | 609 | 171 | .281 | 31 | 113 | |
| SS | 135 | 547 | 142 | .260 | 2 | 25 | |
| LF | 107 | 315 | 81 | .257 | 2 | 20 | |
| CF | 122 | 399 | 108 | .271 | 12 | 54 | |
| RF | 152 | 549 | 151 | .275 | 47 | 118 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 305 | 76 | .249 | 2 | 27 | |
| 75 | 266 | 71 | .267 | 0 | 11 | |
| 51 | 129 | 26 | .202 | 1 | 10 | |
| 58 | 127 | 16 | .126 | 3 | 22 | |
| 35 | 122 | 23 | .189 | 2 | 6 | |
| 53 | 86 | 13 | .151 | 2 | 12 | |
| 32 | 85 | 29 | .341 | 3 | 20 | |
| 29 | 79 | 19 | .241 | 3 | 10 | |
| 64 | 77 | 20 | .260 | 1 | 13 | |
| 51 | 67 | 23 | .343 | 1 | 9 | |
| 16 | 38 | 6 | .158 | 1 | 2 | |
| 14 | 27 | 4 | .148 | 1 | 2 | |
| 5 | 17 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | 13 | 1 | .077 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 247 | 12 | 15 | 3.35 | 150 | |
| 35 | 235.1 | 15 | 13 | 3.86 | 137 | |
| 32 | 231.1 | 15 | 6 | 2.92 | 150 | |
| 26 | 115.1 | 8 | 8 | 3.67 | 75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 140 | 7 | 7 | 4.44 | 85 | |
| 19 | 61.1 | 3 | 4 | 4.70 | 39 | |
| 12 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 6.64 | 24 | |
| 12 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 5.21 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 3.71 | 61 | |
| 60 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 4.14 | 64 | |
| 39 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2.19 | 48 | |
| 28 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3.95 | 16 | |
| 27 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.47 | 20 | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5.40 | 5 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2.35 | 4 |