1976 Oakland Athletics season
Encyclopedia
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 . This team set and still holds the American League
team record for most stolen base
s in a season with 341.
only bound players for one season after their contract expired. All players not signed to multi-year contracts would be eligible for free agency at the end of the 1976 season. Finley reacted by trading star players and attempting to sell others. On June 15, 1976, Finley sold left fielder Joe Rudi
and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers
to Boston for $1 million each, and pitcher Vida Blue
to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million. Three days later, Bowie Kuhn
voided the transactions in the "best interests of baseball." Amid the turmoil, the A's still finished second in the A.L. West, 2.5 games behind the Royals.
O’Connell had contacted Detroit Tigers General manager Jim Campbell to purchase Vida Blue for one million dollars so that the New York Yankees could not get him. Gabe Paul of the New York Yankees advised that he would pay $1.5 million dollars for the opportunity to acquire Vida Blue. Finley offered Blue a three year extension worth $485,000 per season to make the sale more attractive to the Yankees. With the extension, the Yankees agreed to purchase Blue.
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 second 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 87 wins and 74 losses, 2½ games behind the Kansas City Royals
1976 Kansas City Royals season
The 1976 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses...
, meaning that the A's failed to make the playoffs for the first time since . This team set and still holds 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...
team record for most stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in a season with 341.
Offseason
- October 10, 1975: Dal MaxvillDal MaxvillCharles Dallan Maxvill is a former shortstop, coach and general manager in Major League Baseball. A graduate of St. Louis' Washington University, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering, Maxvill signed a professional baseball contract in 1960 with the hometown St...
was released by the Athletics. - December 9, 1975: Ray FosseRay FosseRaymond Earl Fosse is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the first round of the 1965 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. Fosse also holds the distinction of being the Indians' first ever draft pick, as 1965 was the first year of the...
was purchased 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...
.
Regular season
As the season got underway, the basic rules of player contracts were changing. It was ruled that baseball’s reserve clauseReserve clause
The reserve clause is a term formerly employed in North American professional sports contracts. The reserve clause, contained in all standard player contracts, stated that, upon the contract's expiration the rights to the player were to be retained by the team to which he had been signed...
only bound players for one season after their contract expired. All players not signed to multi-year contracts would be eligible for free agency at the end of the 1976 season. Finley reacted by trading star players and attempting to sell others. On June 15, 1976, Finley sold left fielder Joe Rudi
Joe Rudi
Joseph 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...
and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
to Boston for $1 million each, and pitcher 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 New York Yankees for $1.5 million. Three days later, 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,...
voided the transactions in the "best interests of baseball." Amid the turmoil, the A's still finished second in the A.L. West, 2.5 games behind the Royals.
Fire sale
- Before the June 15, 1976 trading deadline, Finley contacted the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. He had proposed a trade to the Boston Red Sox that would have involved Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, Gene Tenace and Sal Bando for Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk and prospects. In trade talks with the Yankees, Finley proposed Vida Blue for Thurman Munson along with either Roy White or Elliott Maddox. Finley also offered Joe Rudi for Thurman Munson.
- On June 14, 1976, Finley was unable to make any trades. He had started contacting other teams about the possibility of selling his player’s contracts. Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, Don Baylor, and Gene Tenace were worth $1 million each, while Sal Bando could be acquired for $500,000. Boston Red Sox General manager Dick O’Connell was in Oakland as the Red Sox would play the Athletics on June 15. Field manager Darrell Johnson had declared that he was interested in Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers. The Red Sox had agreed to purchase both contracts for one million dollars each.
O’Connell had contacted Detroit Tigers General manager Jim Campbell to purchase Vida Blue for one million dollars so that the New York Yankees could not get him. Gabe Paul of the New York Yankees advised that he would pay $1.5 million dollars for the opportunity to acquire Vida Blue. Finley offered Blue a three year extension worth $485,000 per season to make the sale more attractive to the Yankees. With the extension, the Yankees agreed to purchase Blue.
- Finley had then proceeded to contact Bill Veeck of the Chicago White Sox about purchasing Sal Bando. He then contacted the Texas Rangers, as they were interested in acquiring Don Baylor for the one million dollar asking price.
Season standings
- By May 18, 1976, the Athletics were 18-24, and seven and a half games out of first place.
Notable transactions
- April 2, 1976: 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...
, Ken HoltzmanKen HoltzmanKenneth Dale Holtzman is a left-handed former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics...
, and Bill Van Bommell (minors) were traded by the Athletics to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Don BaylorDon BaylorDonald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
, 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...
, and Paul Mitchell. Charlie Finley stated that he made the trade to obtain more pitching for the club. He later admitted, that he had refused to agree to Jackson’s salary demands. - April 5, 1976: Ken McMullen was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
- April 19, 1976: Tim HosleyTim HosleyTimothy Kenneth Hosley is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played parts of nine seasons in the majors between and . He played for the and World Series champion Oakland Athletics, though he was never on a postseason roster....
was selected by the Athletics off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. - June 8, 1976: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
- Rickey HendersonRickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
was drafted by the Athletics in the 4th round. Henderson signed on July 9, 1976. - Ernie CamachoErnie CamachoErnest Carlos Camacho is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1980–1981 and 1983-1990.In 1984, Camacho lead the Cleveland Indians in saves with 23.-External links:...
was drafted by the Athletics in the 1st round (18th pick) of the Secondary Phase.
- Rickey Henderson
- June 9, 1976: Nate ColbertNate ColbertNathan Colbert Jr. , is a former American Major League Baseball player who was a first baseman with the Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Detroit Tigers , Montreal Expos and Oakland Athletics .Signed by his hometown St...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - August 30, 1976: Willie McCoveyWillie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
was purchased by the Athletics from the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
Roster
| 1976 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 | 88 | 177 | 40 | .226 | 0 | 10 | |
| 1B | 128 | 417 | 104 | .249 | 22 | 66 | |
| 2B | 159 | 555 | 145 | .261 | 8 | 74 | |
| 3B | 158 | 550 | 132 | .240 | 27 | 84 | |
| SS | 149 | 536 | 137 | .256 | 1 | 52 | |
| LF | 130 | 500 | 135 | .270 | 13 | 94 | |
| CF | 154 | 590 | 163 | .276 | 2 | 31 | |
| RF | 134 | 490 | 126 | .257 | 5 | 53 | |
| DH | 120 | 351 | 74 | .211 | 11 | 41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 157 | 595 | 147 | .247 | 15 | 68 | |
| 98 | 186 | 41 | .220 | 5 | 23 | |
| 43 | 77 | 15 | .195 | 0 | 4 | |
| 41 | 67 | 14 | .209 | 0 | 3 | |
| 37 | 55 | 9 | .164 | 1 | 4 | |
| 15 | 46 | 11 | .239 | 3 | 10 | |
| 29 | 45 | 8 | .178 | 0 | 4 | |
| 61 | 30 | 1 | .033 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | 24 | 5 | .208 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | 18 | 4 | .222 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | 12 | 2 | .167 | 0 | 1 | |
| 3 | 11 | 3 | .273 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 7 | 2 | .286 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | 8 | 1 | .125 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 68 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 298.1 | 18 | 13 | 2.35 | 166 | |
| 39 | 266.1 | 16 | 12 | 2.50 | 115 | |
| 26 | 142 | 9 | 7 | 4.25 | 67 | |
| 24 | 96 | 4 | 5 | 4.78 | 44 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 143 | 8 | 7 | 3.34 | 82 | |
| 27 | 112 | 4 | 2 | 4.10 | 34 | |
| 19 | 62.1 | 2 | 4 | 5.49 | 27 | |
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 13 | 11 | 20 | 2.47 | 113 | |
| 65 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3.06 | 37 | |
| 49 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 3.81 | 22 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.70 | 0 |