Retired Numbers: Oakland Athletics
By: Baseball Names, Numbers Thomas Holmes
Tags: MLB, Numbers, Baseball, Oakland Athletics, Hall of Fame

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics franchise began with the birth of the American League in Philadelphia. Yes, the mighty powerful team of early 1970s and the “Bash Brothers” of the late 1980s was founded on the east coast. At one time the St Louis Cardinals was the most western team in both American and National League. Relocation of the Dodgers and Giants in 1958 changed all that and opened new possibilities.

During his rein in Philadelphia, Owner/manager Connie Mack battled relentlessly to shine a spotlight on his Athletics in a baseball saturated city. One obstacle, Quakers/Phillies have been playing ball in Philly since 1883. A second hurdle, a Negro League called the Stars shared the city from 1933 to 1952. Solid and loyal legions of Cranks was established for each team. The term “Cranks” was replaced by “fans” in 20th Century. After the passionate founder and architect of A’s baseball Mack died, his family sold the team to a business owner in Kansas City.

1955 was the perfect time to move Kansas City. The Negro League folded due to integration of baseball and the Monarchs no longer exists. Mack’s vision came true, to be the only baseball team in the city. It just did not happen in Philadelphia. Poor attendance records forced ownership to relocate. This time to Oakland, where the Athletics have resided since 1968.

The Athletics franchise only has seven retired number. All seven players and all have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Let’s explore these fine players.

Reggie Jackson

9 — Reggie Jackson — Jackson is a star among stars. This Class of 1993 Hall of Fame inductee had an immediate impact on the success of the Athletics in the early 1970s. Jackson spent 10 years in an A’s uniform where he received MVP (1973), World Series MVP (1973), and three World Series Championships (1972, 1973 & 1974). Over Jackson’s 21-year career, he was named to 14 All-Star games and reached the 500-HR club with a total of 563. Additionally, Jackson holds the unwanted record of most career strike outs in MLB with 2597.

Rickey Henderson

24 — Ricky Henderson — Known as the Man of Steal, is unarguably the greatest lead-off hitter in baseball. Henderson holds the MLB record in lead-off HRs (81), runs (2295), stolen bases (1406), and intentional walks (2,129). His career spanned from 1979 to 2003. During that time, Henderson was a 10 time All-Star and World Series champion with the Athletics in 1989 and the Blue Jays in 1993. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. To top it off, he boosts a WAR of 111.2.

Catfish Hunter

27 — Catfish Hunter — James “Catfish” Hunter (224–166) was part of the dominant A’s pitching staff in the three championships seasons (1972–1974); earning a Cy Young Award in 1974. In 15 years, Hunter made eight All-Star games, had five 20-win seasons and a total of five championships. Hunter did not reach the monumental milestone of 300 win; however, he joined Cy Young, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson as the only pitchers in big league history to win 200 games by the age of 31. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Rollie Fingers

34 — Rollie Fingers — As another part of the A’s threepeat championships, Fingers provide solid relief pitching and was named World Series MVP in 1974. Fingers continued to have success after his time in Oakland. In 1981, Fingers won both the MVP and Cy Young Award. The one-time all-time saves leader was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Dennis Eckersley

43 — Dennis Eckersley — This well-known closer began his career as a starter. For his 24-years career on the mound, Eckersley most lucrative years were with the Athletics (1987–1995). Eckersley earned 320 of his career 390 saves and four of six All-Star games for Oakland. In the 1988 season, Eck lead the American League in Saves with 45 and won the MVP of American League Champion Series. The next season, 1989, Eck reached the top of the mountain by winning his only World Series. Three years later in 1992, Eck won a Cy Young Award and the league MVP. Finally, in 2004, he received the call to Hall of Fame.

42 — Jackie Robinson — Retired by all MLB teams in 1997.

https://sportsteamhistory.com/timeline/move-to-kansas-city-2

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/henderi01.shtml

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/henderson-rickey

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksre01.shtml

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/jackson-reggie

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hunteca01.shtml

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/hunter-catfish

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fingero01.shtml

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/fingers-rollie

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eckerde01.shtml

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/eckersley-dennis