1977 Oakland Athletics season
Encyclopedia
The 1977 Oakland Athletics
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished 7th in the American League West
with a record of 63 wins and 98 losses. Paid attendance for the season was 495,578, one of the worst attendance figures for the franchise during the 1970’s.
, most of the Athletics’ veteran players who had become eligible for free agency left. In 1977, only three years after winning the World Series
, the A's finished with the worst record in the American League West, behind even the expansion Seattle Mariners
(though by only 1/2 game, as one game with the Minnesota Twins
was canceled by weather and never made up).
On June 10, Jack McKeon
was fired as manager and replaced by former Arizona State University coach Bobby Winkles
.
After the season, owner Charlie Finley attempted to trade Vida Blue
to the Cincinnati Reds
for a player of lesser stature and cash, but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
vetoed the deal. The commissioner claimed that it was tantamount to the sale of the star pitcher to the New York Yankees
that the commissioner voided in 1976. The commissioner claimed that adding Blue to the Reds' already formidable pitching staff would make a mockery of the National League West
race. Instead, Blue was traded across the bay to the San Francisco Giants
in a multi-player trade that received the Commissioner's blessing.
.
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 was a season in American baseball. The team finished 7th in the 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...
with a record of 63 wins and 98 losses. Paid attendance for the season was 495,578, one of the worst attendance figures for the franchise during the 1970’s.
Offseason
- November 5, 1976: Manager Chuck TannerChuck TannerCharles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Manny SanguillénManny SanguillenManuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
. - November 9, 1976: Billy Williams was released by the Athletics.
- January 9, 1977: Craig MinettoCraig MinettoCraig Stephen Minetto is a former professional baseball pitcher. Minetto pitched in parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball from 1978 until 1981 for the Oakland Athletics....
was signed by the Athletics as a free agent. - February 25, 1977: Ken McMullen was purchased from the Athletics by the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee 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...
. - March 15, 1977: Phil GarnerPhil GarnerPhilip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
, Tommy HelmsTommy HelmsTommy Vann Helms is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Over a fourteen year career , Helms played for four different teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Houston Astros, and one apiece with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox...
, and Chris BattonChris BattonChristopher Sean Batton is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball in 1976 for the Oakland Athletics....
were traded by the Athletics to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Rick LangfordRick LangfordJames Rick Langford , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1976-1986...
, Tony ArmasTony ArmasAntonio Rafael Armas Machado is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was one of the top sluggers in the American League in the early 1980s. Twice Armas led the league in home runs, and led all of Major League Baseball in RBIs in...
, Doug BairDoug BairCharles Douglas Bair is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of fifteen seasons in the majors, from until , for seven different teams...
, Dave GiustiDave GiustiDavid John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977....
, Doc MedichDoc MedichGeorge Francis "Doc" Medich in Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1982...
, and Mitchell PageMitchell PageMitchell Otis Page is a former Major League Baseball player. He finished second to Hall of Famer Eddie Murray in American League Rookie of the Year balloting when he came up with the Oakland Athletics in .-Early years:...
. - March 15, 1977: Jim ToddJim Todd (baseball)James Richard Todd, Jr. is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball from until .Todd was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. He pitched in their organization through his major league debut...
was traded by the Athletics to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Joe Coleman. - March 15, 1977: Jerry TabbJerry TabbJerry Lynn Tabb is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played all or part of three seasons in the major leagues, from until , for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics.- Amateur career :...
was purchased by the Athletics from the Chicago Cubs. - March 15, 1977: Gaylen PittsGaylen PittsGaylen Richard Pitts is an American professional baseball manager and coach, and a former third baseman at the Major League Baseball level. He is currently the special assistant for player development for the St...
was traded by the Athletics to the Chicago Cubs for Jim TyroneJim TyroneJames Vernon Tyrone is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, between and , for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. He also played four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, from until , for the Seibu Lions and Nankai...
. - March 16, 1977: Dick AllenDick AllenRichard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
Regular season
After the 1976 season1976 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 74 losses, 2½ games behind the Kansas City Royals, meaning that the A's failed to make the playoffs for the first time since...
, most of the Athletics’ veteran players who had become eligible for free agency left. In 1977, only three years after winning the World Series
1974 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaReggie Jackson put the A's on the board first with a solo homer in the top of the second off 20-game winner Andy Messersmith...
, the A's finished with the worst record in the American League West, behind even the expansion Seattle Mariners
1977 Seattle Mariners season
The 1977 Seattle Mariners season was the first season in franchise history. The creation of the Mariners brought baseball back to Seattle, which had been devoid of baseball since the Seattle Pilots left for Milwaukee to become the Brewers following the 1969 season...
(though by only 1/2 game, as one game with the Minnesota Twins
1977 Minnesota Twins season
The 1977 Minnesota Twins season was a season in American baseball. The team finished 84-77, fourth in the American League West.- Regular season :...
was canceled by weather and never made up).
On June 10, Jack McKeon
Jack McKeon
John Aloysius McKeon , nicknamed Trader Jack, is a former Major League Baseball manager. In 2003, he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins...
was fired as manager and replaced by former Arizona State University coach Bobby Winkles
Bobby Winkles
Bobby Brooks Winkles is a former baseball coach at Arizona State University. Bobby Winkles coached from 1959–1971 and was the first varsity baseball coach at Arizona State University. Winkles laid the foundation for the legacy that has become Sun Devil baseball. His overall record while head coach...
.
After the season, owner Charlie Finley attempted to trade Vida Blue
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 17-year career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , and Kansas City Royals He won the American League Cy Young award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971...
to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for a player of lesser stature and cash, but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...
vetoed the deal. The commissioner claimed that it was tantamount to the sale of the star pitcher to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The 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...
that the commissioner voided in 1976. The commissioner claimed that adding Blue to the Reds' already formidable pitching staff would make a mockery of the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
race. Instead, Blue was traded across the bay to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in a multi-player trade that received the Commissioner's blessing.
Proposed sale
Kuhn and other owners thought that the Athletics relocating would alleviate baseball’s problems in the Bay Area regarding poor attendance. Kuhn attempted to get an ownership group to purchase the Athletics and relocate to Washington, D.C., with the intention of moving them to the National LeagueNational League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
Opening Day lineup
- Billy NorthBilly NorthWilliam Alex North is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1971 to 1981, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Oakland Athletics , Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants...
, CFCenter fielderA center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... - Rodney ScottRodney Scott (baseball)Rodney Darrell Scott was a infielder in Major League Baseball. Primarily used as a second baseman and shortstop, Scott also played third base, designated hitter and outfield during his eight-year career....
, 2BSecond basemanSecond base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... - Mitchell PageMitchell PageMitchell Otis Page is a former Major League Baseball player. He finished second to Hall of Famer Eddie Murray in American League Rookie of the Year balloting when he came up with the Oakland Athletics in .-Early years:...
. LFLeft fielderIn baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... - Dick AllenDick AllenRichard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
, 1BFirst basemanFirst base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... - Manny SanguillénManny SanguillenManuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
, CCatcherCatcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... - Wayne GrossWayne GrossWayne Dale Gross , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a third baseman from 1976-1986. Gross was an All-Star as a rookie in 1977, belting 22 home runs that year...
, 3BThird basemanA third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... - Earl Williams, DHDesignated hitterIn baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
- Tony ArmasTony ArmasAntonio Rafael Armas Machado is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was one of the top sluggers in the American League in the early 1980s. Twice Armas led the league in home runs, and led all of Major League Baseball in RBIs in...
, RFRight fielderA right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... - Rob PiccioloRob PiccioloRobert Michael Picciolo is a former Major League Baseball player who currently serves as the bench coach of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He played nine seasons in the major leagues, from 1977–1985, for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and California Angels, the predecessor of his...
, SSShortstopShortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
- Mike Torrez, PStarting pitcherIn baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
- Mike Torrez, P
Notable transactions
- April 4, 1977: Sheldon MallorySheldon MallorySheldon Mallory is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played one season in the major leagues in for the Oakland Athletics....
was purchased by the Athletics from the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - April 27, 1977: Mike TorrezMike TorrezMichael Augustine Torrez is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Torrez had an 18-year career from 1967 to 1984. He played for the St...
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 Dock EllisDock EllisDock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
, Larry MurrayLarry Murray (baseball)Larry Murray is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of six seasons in the majors, two for the New York Yankees and one for the Oakland Athletics.-Yankees:...
and Marty PerezMarty PerezMartin Roman Perez Jr. was a shortstop and second baseman for the California Angels , Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics ....
. - June 7, 1977: Shooty BabittShooty BabittMack Neal "Shooty" Babitt was an American baseball second baseman. Babitt was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 25th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He began his career with a seven-game hitting streak, the second such longest streak in Oakland A's history...
was drafted by the Athletics in the 25th round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft1977 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
. - June 15, 1977: Dock Ellis was purchased from the Athletics by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. - June 15, 1977: Denny WallingDenny WallingDennis Martin Walling is a former Major League Baseball player. Walling played all or part of eighteen seasons in the majors, from 1975 to 1992. He played his most games as a third baseman, but also saw significant time as an outfielder and first baseman.Walling may be best known as a...
was traded by the Athletics to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Willie CrawfordWillie CrawfordWillie Murphy Crawford was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played with Los Angeles Dodgers , St. Louis Cardinals , Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics . Crawford was born in Los Angeles, California. He batted and threw left-handed...
.
Roster
| 1977 Oakland Athletics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
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 | 152 | 571 | 157 | .275 | 6 | 58 | |
| 1B | 54 | 171 | 41 | .240 | 5 | 31 | |
| 2B | 115 | 373 | 86 | .231 | 2 | 23 | |
| 3B | 146 | 485 | 113 | .233 | 22 | 63 | |
| SS | 148 | 419 | 84 | .200 | 2 | 22 | |
| LF | 145 | 501 | 154 | .307 | 21 | 75 | |
| CF | 118 | 363 | 87 | .240 | 13 | 53 | |
| RF | 96 | 294 | 72 | .245 | 5 | 26 | |
| DH | 100 | 348 | 84 | .241 | 13 | 38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 133 | 364 | 95 | .261 | 0 | 20 | |
| 66 | 203 | 50 | .246 | 8 | 32 | |
| 86 | 198 | 35 | .177 | 6 | 21 | |
| 56 | 184 | 48 | .261 | 1 | 9 | |
| 90 | 162 | 29 | .179 | 1 | 9 | |
| 94 | 162 | 36 | .222 | 4 | 15 | |
| 51 | 144 | 32 | .222 | 6 | 19 | |
| 59 | 136 | 25 | .184 | 1 | 16 | |
| 64 | 126 | 27 | .214 | 0 | 5 | |
| 39 | 78 | 15 | .192 | 1 | 10 | |
| 90 | 42 | 10 | .238 | 0 | 2 | |
| 41 | 30 | 4 | .133 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 |
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 | 279.2 | 14 | 19 | 3.83 | 157 | |
| 37 | 208.1 | 8 | 19 | 4.02 | 141 | |
| 26 | 147.2 | 10 | 6 | 4.69 | 74 | |
| 16 | 77.1 | 2 | 7 | 4.77 | 35 | |
| 7 | 42.2 | 1 | 3 | 4.85 | 23 | |
| 7 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 9.69 | 11 | |
| 4 | 26.1 | 3 | 1 | 4.44 | 12 |
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 | 127.2 | 4 | 4 | 2.96 | 55 | |
| 41 | 116.2 | 4 | 6 | 2.62 | 51 | |
| 12 | 44 | 1 | 5 | 6.55 | 24 | |
| 11 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 6.14 | 21 | |
| 5 | 13.2 | 0 | 3 | 10.54 | 5 | |
| 4 | 14.1 | 0 | 0 | 5.02 | 9 | |
| 3 | 5.2 | 0 | 1 | 7.94 | 1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 3.46 | 68 | |
| 64 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3.03 | 69 | |
| 40 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2.98 | 28 | |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.93 | 4 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
All-Stars
- Vida BlueVida BlueVida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 17-year career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , and Kansas City Royals He won the American League Cy Young award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971...
, reserve - Wayne GrossWayne GrossWayne Dale Gross , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a third baseman from 1976-1986. Gross was an All-Star as a rookie in 1977, belting 22 home runs that year...
, reserve