1991 Oakland Athletics season
Encyclopedia
The Oakland Athletics
' 1991 season
involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West
with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.
. However, Henderson's achievement was somewhat overshadowed because Nolan Ryan
, at age 44, set a record that same night by throwing a no-hitter
against Toronto
, the seventh of his career. Two years earlier, Ryan had previously achieved glory at Henderson's expense by making him his 5,000th strikeout victim. Henderson took an odd delight in the occurrence, saying, "If you haven't been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you're nobody."
Rickey's speech (at right) after breaking Lou Brock
's all-time steals record sounds like the standard victory/award speech. Henderson thanked God and his mother, as well as the people that helped him in baseball. All that is remembered, however, is the "I am the greatest of all time" quote, which has been taken by many to support the notion that Henderson is selfish and arrogant. Years later, Henderson revealed that he had gone over his planned remarks ahead of time with Brock, and the Cardinals Hall of Famer "had no problem with it. In fact, he helped me write what I was going to say that day."
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....
' 1991 season
1991 Major League Baseball season
-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles, SS **Terry Pendleton, Atlanta Braves, 3B *Cy Young Award**Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox **Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves *Rookie of the Year...
involved the A's finishing 4th 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 84 wins and 78 losses.
Offseason
- December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
- December 4, 1990: Darren LewisDarren LewisDarren Joel Lewis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox ; he played his final season in 2002 with the Chicago Cubs...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Athletics to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Ernest RilesErnest RilesErnest Riles is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1985 through 1993, Riles played for the Milwaukee Brewers , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics , Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox...
. The Athletics completed the deal by sending Pedro Pena (minors) to the Giants on December 17. - December 19, 1990: Scott SandersonScott SandersonScott Douglas Sanderson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven teams from 1978 to 1996.-Baseball career:...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - December 20, 1990: Ozzie CansecoOzzie CansecoOsvaldo "Ozzie" Canseco Capas is a former Major League Baseball player and the identical twin brother of former Major League Baseball player José Canseco....
was released by the Athletics. - December 31, 1990: Scott Sanderson was purchased from the Athletics by 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...
. - January 7, 1991: Vance LawVance LawVance Aaron Law is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago White Sox , Montreal Expos , Chicago Cubs , and Oakland Athletics . He also played one season in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons in 1990. Law batted and threw...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - January 14, 1991: Webster GarrisonWebster GarrisonWebster Leotis Garrson is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Garrison played for the Oakland Athletics in...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - January 15, 1991: Dave VeresDave VeresDavid Scott Veres is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1994-2003. On January 4, 2007, he signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. However, he was released after appearing in just 5 games for their AAA affiliate in Colorado Springs...
was traded by the Athletics to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Kevin CampbellKevin Campbell (baseball)Kevin Wade Campbell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played in parts of five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1991 until 1995, for the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins....
. - January 16, 1991: Troy NeelTroy NeelTroy Lee Neel is a former professional baseball player who played in the major leagues for the Oakland Athletics primarily as a first baseman and designated hitter from -...
was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Oakland Athletics for Larry Arndt. - February 8, 1991: Tony Batista was signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
Regular season
On May 15, 1991, President George H.W. Bush attended a baseball game in Baltimore with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The two saw the Oakland Athletics play the Baltimore Orioles for two innings.Opening Day starters
- Harold Baines
- José Canseco
- Mike Gallego
- Dave Henderson
- Rickey Henderson
- Mark McGwire
- Ernest Riles
- Terry Steinbach
- Dave Stewart
- Walt Weiss
Notable transactions
- May 18, 1991: Andy HawkinsAndy HawkinsMelton Andrew "Andy" Hawkins is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.A right-handed starter, Hawkins spent most of his career with the San Diego Padres, and also played for the New York Yankees and briefly for the Oakland Athletics...
was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. - July 26, 1991: Lee TinsleyLee TinsleyLee Owen Tinsley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Playing career:Lee had a 5-year Major League playing career that included stops with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies...
and Apolinar Garcia (minors) were 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...
for Brook JacobyBrook JacobyBrook Wallace Jacoby is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr...
. - July 31, 1991: Matt Grott and Russell Cormier (minors) were traded by the Athletics to the Montreal ExposWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
for Ron DarlingRon DarlingRonald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
. - August 5, 1991: Mark Acre was signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
- August 20, 1991: Andy Hawkins was released by the Athletics.
Draft Picks
- June 3, 1991: Scott Sheldon was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 8th round of the 1991 amateur draft. Player signed June 5, 1991.
- June 3, 1991: Damon Mashore was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 9th round of the 1991 amateur draft. Player signed June 5, 1991.
- June 3, 1991: George Williams was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 24th round of the 1991 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1991.
Roster
| 1991 Oakland Athletics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other Batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Rickey Henderson's Stolen Base Record
On May 1, 1991, Henderson broke one of baseball's most famous records when he stole the 939th base of his career, one more than Lou BrockLou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
. However, Henderson's achievement was somewhat overshadowed because Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, at age 44, set a record that same night by throwing a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, the seventh of his career. Two years earlier, Ryan had previously achieved glory at Henderson's expense by making him his 5,000th strikeout victim. Henderson took an odd delight in the occurrence, saying, "If you haven't been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you're nobody."
Rickey's speech (at right) after breaking Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
's all-time steals record sounds like the standard victory/award speech. Henderson thanked God and his mother, as well as the people that helped him in baseball. All that is remembered, however, is the "I am the greatest of all time" quote, which has been taken by many to support the notion that Henderson is selfish and arrogant. Years later, Henderson revealed that he had gone over his planned remarks ahead of time with Brock, and the Cardinals Hall of Famer "had no problem with it. In fact, he helped me write what I was going to say that day."
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: 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 | Terry Steinbach Terry Steinbach Terry Lee Steinbach is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for 14 years from to . He was drafted in 1980 out of New Ulm High School by the Cleveland Indians. He was the starting catcher for Oakland Athletics teams that won three straight American League pennants from 1988 to... |
129 | 456 | 125 | .274 | 6 | 67 |
| 1B | Mark McGwire Mark McGwire Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St... |
154 | 483 | 97 | .201 | 22 | 75 |
| 2B | Mike Gallego Mike Gallego Michael Anthony Gallego is the Oakland Athletics third base and infield coach, and a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Athletics, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals from 1985 to 1997.-Baseball career:Gallego was the A's starting second baseman during their three-year... |
159 | 482 | 119 | .247 | 12 | 49 |
| 3B | Ernest Riles Ernest Riles Ernest Riles is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1985 through 1993, Riles played for the Milwaukee Brewers , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics , Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox... |
108 | 281 | 60 | .214 | 5 | 32 |
| SS | Mike Bordick Mike Bordick Michael Todd Bordick is an American retired professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball from 1990 to 2003 with four different teams: the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays.-Early life:Bordick's father, Michael, was in the Air Force,... |
90 | 235 | 56 | .238 | 0 | 21 |
| LF | Rickey Henderson Rickey Henderson Rickey 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... |
134 | 470 | 126 | .268 | 18 | 57 |
| CF | Dave Henderson Dave Henderson David Lee Henderson , nicknamed Hendu, is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed... |
150 | 572 | 158 | .276 | 25 | 85 |
| RF | José Canseco José Canseco José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco... |
154 | 572 | 152 | .266 | 44 | 122 |
| DH | Harold Baines Harold Baines Harold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach... |
141 | 488 | 144 | .295 | 20 | 90 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Wilson | 113 | 294 | 70 | .238 | 0 | 28 |
| Jamie Quirk Jamie Quirk James Patrick Quirk is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current bench coach for the Chicago Cubs. Quirk attended Whittier College.-Playing career:Quirk was also a Parade Magazine All-America quarterback at St... |
76 | 203 | 53 | .261 | 1 | 17 |
| Vance Law Vance Law Vance Aaron Law is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago White Sox , Montreal Expos , Chicago Cubs , and Oakland Athletics . He also played one season in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons in 1990. Law batted and threw... |
74 | 134 | 28 | .209 | 0 | 9 |
| Brook Jacoby Brook Jacoby Brook Wallace Jacoby is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr... |
56 | 188 | 40 | .213 | 0 | 20 |
| Scott Brosius Scott Brosius Scott David Brosius is a former Major League Baseball third baseman for the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees . Brosius is currently the head baseball coach at Linfield College, his alma mater.... |
36 | 68 | 16 | .235 | 2 | 4 |
| Brad Komminsk Brad Komminsk Brad Komminsk , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Despite a sterling record in the minor leagues, he never played well in the majors... |
24 | 25 | 3 | .120 | 0 | 2 |
| Fred Manrique Fred Manrique Fred Eloy Manrique Reyes [man-RE-kay] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics... |
9 | 21 | 3 | .143 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Stewart | 35 | 226 | 11 | 11 | 5.18 | 144 |
| Bob Welch | 35 | 220 | 12 | 13 | 4.58 | 101 |
| Ron Darling Ron Darling Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos... |
12 | 75 | 3 | 7 | 4.08 | 60 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Eckersley Dennis Eckersley Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He... |
67 | 5 | 4 | 43 | 2.96 | 87 |
| Kevin Campbell Kevin Campbell (baseball) Kevin Wade Campbell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played in parts of five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1991 until 1995, for the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins.... |
14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.74 | 16 |