1975 Oakland Athletics season
Encyclopedia
The Oakland Athletics
' 1975 season
involved the A's finishing first in the American League West
with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses. They went on to play the Boston Red Sox
in the 1975 American League Championship Series
, losing in three straight games.
On December 13, 1974, arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in Hunter’s favor. As a result, Hunter became a free agent, and signed a contract with the New York Yankees
for the 1975 season. Despite the loss of Hunter, the A’s repeated as A.L. West champions in 1975, but lost the ALCS to Boston
in a 3-game sweep.
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....
' 1975 season
1975 Major League Baseball season
The 1975 Major League Baseball season was held between the American and National Leagues.-News and notes:*Frank Robinson beacme the first black manager in the Major Leagues. He managed the Cleveland Indians....
involved the A's finishing first 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 98 wins and 64 losses. They went on to play the Boston Red Sox
1975 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses...
in the 1975 American League Championship Series
1975 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1975 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsBoston Red Sox starter Luis Tiant allowed just one run on three hits to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 7–1, in the ALCS opener....
, losing in three straight games.
Offseason
- After the Athletics' victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers1974 Los Angeles Dodgers seasonThe Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West by four games over the Cincinnati Reds, then beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1974 National League Championship Series before losing to the Oakland Athletics in the 1974 World Series.- Offseason :...
in the 1974 World Series1974 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...
under Alvin DarkAlvin DarkAlvin Ralph Dark , nicknamed "Blackie" and "The Swamp Fox", is a former shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball who played for five National League teams from 1946 to 1960. Named the major leagues' Rookie of the Year with the Boston Braves when he batted .322...
, pitcher Catfish HunterCatfish HunterJames Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
filed a grievance. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 1974 with a record of 25-12 and a league-leading 2.49 earned run average. Hunter uncovered a violation of his contract with A's owner Charlie Finley and the team that allowed him to become a free agent. The A's were to send half of Hunter's $100,000 annual salary to a North Carolina bank as payment on an annuity, but Finley did not comply.
On December 13, 1974, arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in Hunter’s favor. As a result, Hunter became a free agent, and signed a contract with 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...
for the 1975 season. Despite the loss of Hunter, the A’s repeated as A.L. West champions in 1975, but lost the ALCS to Boston
1975 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses...
in a 3-game sweep.
- The Athletics led the league in arbitration filings with 13. Seven players settled before their hearings.
Notable transactions
- October 23, 1974: Manny TrilloManny TrilloJesús Manuel Marcano Trillo , also nicknamed "Indio", is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from to...
, Darold KnowlesDarold KnowlesDarold Duane Knowles is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher, and the current pitching coach of the Florida State League's Dunedin Blue Jays...
and Bob LockerBob LockerRobert Awtry Locker is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1975 for five different teams. The sinker-balling Locker never made a start in his big-league career.- Biography :...
were 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 Billy Williams. - October 23, 1974: Dan FordDan FordDarnell "Disco Dan" Glenn Ford , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1975-1985...
and Dennis Myers (minors) were traded by the Athletics to the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Pat BourquePat BourquePatrick Daniel Bourque was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for several teams in a three year career....
. - November 11, 1974: 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 2, 1974: 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 drafted from the Athletics by 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...
in the 1974 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...
. - January 9, 1975: 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...
was drafted by the Athletics in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
(Secondary Phase). - March 28, 1975: Jesús AlouJesús AlouJesús María Rojas Alou is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 17-year baseball career, he played for the San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , Oakland Athletics , and New York Mets...
was released by the Athletics.
Regular season
- At the All-Star Break, there were discussions of Bowie KuhnBowie KuhnBowie 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,...
’s reappointment. Finley, New York owner George Steinbrenner and Baltimore owner Jerry Hoffberger were part of a group that wanted him gone. Finley was trying to convince the new owner of the Texas Rangers Brad CorbettBrad CorbettBradford G. Corbett was the owner of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball's American League from 1974 to 1980. He is currently part owner of S&B Technical Products, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Originally from Long Island, New York, Corbett had made a fortune in the oil business by...
that MLB needed a more dynamic commissioner. During the vote, Baltimore and New York decided to vote in favour of the commissioner’s reappointment. - By July 14,the Athletics had won 55 games, compared to 32 losses. Seven Athletics had been named to the All-Star Game.
- August 18, 1975: Charlie Finley was on the cover of Time Magazine. It would be his last major profile in a national publication.
Relocation plans
- Finley received numerous offers for the Athletics. Horse owner Marge Everett wanted to purchase the team and relocate them to Seattle. Former San Francisco Giants manager Herman FranksHerman FranksHerman Louis Franks was a catcher, coach, manager, general manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. He was born in Price, Utah.-Catcher with Cardinals, Dodgers and A's:...
led a group of 15 investors who had offered more than $15 million dollars. - Finley openly criticized fans for the lack of attendance. There were rumours of possible relocation to New Orleans, Seattle, and Toronto. In addition, there was talk of an ownership group relocating the San Francisco Giants to Toronto, with the possibility that Oakland would have the entire Bay Area to itself.
- In , fed up with poor attendance in Oakland during the team's championship years, Finley pondered relocating the team. When Seattle filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball over the move of 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...
to Milwaukee, Finley and others came up with an elaborate shuffle which would move the ailing Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to Seattle. White Sox owner John Allyn was broke and placed under enormous pressure from fellow owners to sell his club to Seattle interests and undercut a lawsuit which Seattle had against them. As Charlie Finley had business interests in Chicago, he was prepared to move the Athletics to Chicago and be closer to his home in LaPorte, IndianaLaPorte, IndianaLa Porte is a city in La Porte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the county seat. Its population was 22,053 at the 2010 census. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the...
. Due to his 20 year lease with the city of Oakland (to expire in 1987), Finley was blocked. The scheme fell through when Arthur Allyn sold the White Sox to another colorful owner, Bill VeeckBill VeeckWilliam Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
, who was not interested in leaving Chicago.
Notable transactions
- April 6, 1975: The Athletics sent a player to be named later and cash to the Chicago Cubs for 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...
. The Athletics completed the deal by sending Champ SummersChamp SummersJohn Junior "Champ" Summers , is a former Major League Baseball player who played primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter for six teams during his eleven year career that spanned from 1974 to 1984...
to the Cubs on April 29. - May 20, 1975: 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:...
and cash 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 Dick BosmanDick BosmanRichard Allen Bosman is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics . Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers...
and Jim PerryJim Perry (baseball)James Evan Perry, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for 1959-1975 for four different teams. During a 17-year baseball career, Perry compiled 215 wins, 1,576 strikeouts, and a 3.45 earned run average....
. - June 3, 1975: 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 drafted in the 1st round (1st pick) of the Secondary Phase of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
. - June 18, 1975: Brian KingmanBrian KingmanBrian Paul Kingman was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1983 for the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Athletics. - August 29, 1975: Dal Maxvill was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
- September 15, 1975: Rick Ingalls (minors) was traded by the Athletics to 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...
for Mark WilliamsMark Williams (baseball)Mark Westley Williams is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in three games for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball in 1977, going 0-for-2 with 1 RBI....
.
Roster
| 1975 Oakland Athletics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters Designated runner |
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 | 158 | 498 | 127 | .255 | 29 | 87 | |
| 1B | 126 | 468 | 130 | .278 | 21 | 75 | |
| 2B | 160 | 488 | 120 | .246 | 6 | 54 | |
| 3B | 160 | 562 | 129 | .230 | 15 | 78 | |
| SS | 137 | 509 | 135 | .265 | 4 | 46 | |
| LF | 148 | 590 | 182 | .308 | 10 | 77 | |
| CF | 140 | 524 | 143 | .273 | 1 | 43 | |
| RF | 157 | 593 | 150 | .253 | 36 | 104 | |
| DH | 155 | 520 | 127 | .244 | 23 | 81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 136 | 19 | .140 | 0 | 12 | |
| 102 | 123 | 27 | .220 | 2 | 16 | |
| 62 | 109 | 24 | .220 | 1 | 6 | |
| 86 | 87 | 15 | .172 | 0 | 3 | |
| 34 | 69 | 22 | .319 | 2 | 7 | |
| 20 | 28 | 7 | .250 | 0 | 4 | |
| 47 | 26 | 5 | .192 | 1 | 2 | |
| 19 | 26 | 6 | .231 | 0 | 3 | |
| 63 | 10 | 1 | .100 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | 10 | 2 | .200 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | 8 | 1 | .125 | 0 | 2 | |
| 8 | 7 | 1 | .143 | 0 | 2 | |
| 82 | 6 | 1 | .167 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 0 | 1 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | .500 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | 0 | 0 | .--- | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | .--- | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 278 | 22 | 11 | 3.01 | 189 | |
| 39 | 266.1 | 18 | 14 | 3.14 | 122 | |
| 22 | 122.2 | 11 | 4 | 3.52 | 42 | |
| 21 | 100 | 6 | 7 | 3.24 | 49 | |
| 17 | 61 | 4 | 4 | 3.69 | 44 | |
| 4 | 16.2 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | |
| 1 | 3.2 | 0 | 1 | 12.27 | 2 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 114.1 | 5 | 5 | 4.25 | 51 | |
| 15 | 67.2 | 3 | 4 | 4.66 | 33 | |
| 11 | 35.2 | 1 | 2 | 4.04 | 20 | |
| 7 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 12.27 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 10 | 6 | 24 | 2.98 | 115 | |
| 68 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 2.72 | 58 | |
| 58 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 2.29 | 50 | |