The Mustache Gang: Charlie Finley's Oakland A's

[PhillieFever]

On December 19th 1960, Charles Oscar Finley purchased the Kansas City Athletics from the estate of former Owner Arnold Johnson who died earlier in the year at age 53. Over the next several years Finley began to lay the groundwork for a future contender, building up the minor league system through the newly implemented draft, which forced young talent to sign with the team that drafted them if they wanted to play professional baseball.
In 1968 Finley moved the team to Oakland just as the club was beginning to gel, and for the first time since 1952 the team ended the season with a winning record(82-80). Now it's 1969 and the A's are off to a rough start, it's June 1st and the team is mired in 5th place in the newly formed American League Western division with a record of 19-25, this is where our story begins....

[Big T]

And it starts...........

[MrPerfect]

lets do it

[PhillieFever]

Here's a quick overview of the team as it stands on June 1st, 1969

Starting Rotation

Jim "Catfish" Hunter(2-5, 3.88)
"Blue Moon" Odom(6-3, 2.31)
Chuck Dobson(5-6, 3.75)
Jim Nash(2-4, 4.53)
George Lauzerique(0-1, 4.80)

Relief Pitching

Rollie Fingers(0-2, 2 Sv, 3.38)
Paul Lindblad(1-2, 4 Sv, 2.93)
Lew Krausse(2-2, 3.55)
Jim Roland(1-0, 1 Sv, 5.50)
Marcel Lachemann(0-0, 1 Sv, 3.06)

Catcher

Phil Roof(.247, 0 HR, 11 RBI)

Infield

1B Danny Cater(.218, 1 HR, 10 RBI)
2B Dick Green(.241, 4 HR, 16 RBI)
SS Bert Campaneris(.198, 0 HR, 8 RBI)
3B Sal Bando(.329, 8 HR, 20 RBI)

Outfield

LF Jose Tartabull(.338, 1 HR, 11 RBI
LF Tommie Reynolds(.208, 0 HR, 8 RBI)
CF Rick Monday(.244, 4 HR, 21 RBI)
RF Reggie Jackson(.278, 7 HR, 23 RBI)

[PhillieFever]

June 1st, 1969

[captaincarl]

Here comes the Swinging A's!

Charlie O offered to give any player a bonus if they grew facial hair but that was around 1971 or '72 when he did that.

[PhillieFever]

At
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Ca.
May 30th to June 1st, 1969

Friday May 30th: Athletics 8 Indians 3 (Game One)
Boosted by two homers from Sal Bando as well as RBI hits from Bert Campaneris, Jose Tartabull, and Bobby Brooks, the Athletics pounded their way to an 8-3 victory over the Tribe in game one of today's twin bill. SP Chuck Dobson allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 8 innings pitched for his 5th win of the season.
WP: Chuck Dobson(5-6) LP: Luis Tiant(2-6) HR: Oak, Sal Bando 2(7)

Friday May 30th: Athletics 8 Indians 1 (Game Two)
Ramon Webster's pinch hit grand slam in the bottom of the 8th turned a relatively close game into a laugher, as Oakland earned the doubleheader sweep with a convincing 8-1 victory over the Indians. SP Blue Moon Odom was spectacular once again for the A's, twirling six shutout innings for his 6th win of the season.
WP: Blue Moon Odom(6-3) LP: Dick Ellsworth(0-5) HR: Oak, Ramon Webster(1), Dick Green(4)

Saturday May 31st: Athletics 5 Indians 2
Third sacker Sal Bando slammed a two run homer, RF Bobby Brooks connected on a two run single, and SP Lew Krausse twirled six and two thirds scoreless innings, as Oakland won for the third straight time, defeating the Indians 5-2. On the injury front, RF Reggie Jackson has been cleared to practice with the team and may return in time for the A's series against Baltimore which begins on Tuesday.
WP: Lew Krausse(2-2) LP: Stan Williams(0-2) S: Paul Lindblad(4) HR: Oak, Sal Bando(8)

Sunday June 1st: Athletics 7 Indians 4
Despite allowing two run homers to both Lee Maye and Russ Snyder, A's pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter was good enough to win, allowing 4 runs(3 earned) on 10 hits over 7 innings, as Oakland completed the four game sweep of the Tribe with today's 7-4 triumph. Batting .308 on the year Hunter also chipped in with the bat, singling twice and knocking in two. Pinch hitter Ramon Webster came up big as well, putting the game away with a two run single in the 7th.
WP: Jim Hunter(3-5) LP: Sam McDowell(4-5) S: Rollie Fingers(3) HR: Cle, Russ Snyder(1), Lee Maye(3)

MLB News And Notes

Streaking Dodgers Move Past Braves
With 8 wins in their last 10 games including their last 3 straight, the Los Angeles Dodgers have moved past the Atlanta Braves and into first place in the NL West. The story thus far has of course been pitching, starters Bill Singer(7-2, 1.85) and Claude Osteen(5-1, 3.22) lead a starting rotation which ranks second in the league with a 2.97 ERA, and this is without star hurler Don Drysdale who's been out for most of the year with a bum shoulder. Also pitching well has been 24 year old Don Sutton, who is just 3-3 despite a fine 2.43 ERA.

Indians Nelson Continues to Ail
24 year old Indians 2B Dave Nelson continues to have problems with his torn right hamstring which has kept him out for most of the season so far. Indians Manager Alvin Dark, who ran a series of tests on Nelson today at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, said afterwords "It could still be a couple more weeks before he's ready."

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week
W/E June 1st, 1969

[Big T]

Originally Posted by captaincarl

Here comes the Swinging A's!

Charlie O offered to give any player a bonus if they grew facial hair but that was around 1971 or '72 when he did that.

One of many characters of this game that makes its history so great...

[Big T]

The Miracle Mets are looking like they really won't need a miracle though. They are breazing through the NL East..

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Big T

The Miracle Mets are looking like they really won't need a miracle though. They are breazing through the NL East..

As of now they look pretty good, but so did the real Chicago Cubs in 1969....

[PhillieFever]

At
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Ca.
June 3rd and 4th, 1969

Tuesday June 3rd: Orioles 8 Athletics 4
Deadlocked at 4-4 in the 9th, the Orioles took advantage of four walks, an error, and a balk to push across four runs in the inning on their way to an 8-4 victory over the Athletics. Frank and Brooks Robinson each had homers to lead the Baltimore offense, while on the hill SP Dave McNally picked up his league leading 9th win of the season. Tommie Reynolds had two hits including a 2 run homer to pace Oakland.
WP: Dave McNally(9-3) LP: Paul Lindblad(1-3) HR: Bal, Frank Robinson(8), Brooks Robinson(8) Oak, Tommie Reynolds(1)

Wednesday June 4th: Orioles 7 Athletics 4
Don Buford and Mark Belanger each had three hits and Brooks Robinson homered for the second straight night, as Baltimore took advantage of three early runs in a 7-4 victory over the hometown A's. Orioles starter Mike Cuellar was effectively wild, allowing 6 hits and 7 walks but just 3 runs over 8 innings pitched, upping his record to 8-3. For the A's, 2B Dick Green played well in defeat, going 4 for 5 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Finally back in the fold, RF Reggie Jackson was definitely a bit rusty, going 0 for 5 with 4 walks in the two games.
WP: Mike Cuellar(8-3) LP: Blue Moon Odom(6-4) HR: Bal, Brooks Robinson(9) Oak, Dick Green(5)

MLB News And Notes

Tiant Stops Streaking Pilots
Coming into the game with 7 straight wins, including the opener of this series with the Indians, the expansion Seattle Pilots were riding their longest winning streak of the season, that all ended on Tuesday. Indians starter Luis Tiant was incredible, allowing just 3 hits in a complete game 1-0 shutout victory. the win was the first in 9 games for Cleveland who are buried in the basement of the AL East.

Cards And Expos Trade Hurlers
The Montreal Expos today traded 32 year old pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for relief pitcher Gary Waslewski in a straight player swap. Grant who was tabbed as the Expos number one starter coming out of spring training has not lived up to expectations, going just 2-4 with a 4.86 ERA. The Cards are expected to use Grant mainly in relief.

Dick Stuart Released
The California Angels have given 36 year old 1B Dick Stuart his unconditional release. Expected to give the club some right handed power off of the bench, Stuart had just 1 hit in 20 at bats, making him expendable.

MLB Standings

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by Big T

One of many characters of this game that makes its history so great...

a picture of Charles Finley and some of the gang

Here's a couple of ideas from Charles Finley:

1) a "Designated Runner" - He had signed speedster Herb Washington to be used strictly as a pinch runner

2) Orange baseballs - He wanted the majors to use orange baseballs during day games

[captaincarl]

Rollie Fingers before bonus offer....


Rollie Fingers after

[captaincarl]

Charles Finley & Charlie O, the team's mascot

[PhillieFever]

At
Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Mi.
June 6th and 7th, 1969

Friday June 6th: Tigers 8 Athletics 0
Tigers starter Mickey Lolich dominated his competition today, holding the Athletics to just 5 hits and a walk while fanning 5 on his way to a complete game 8-0 shutout victory. Taking advantage of a spot start by the A's George Lauzerique, Tigers hitters had themselves a field day, slamming 13 hits including 4 homers in the lopsided win. Leading the way for Detroit was 13 time all-star right fielder Al Kaline who went 3 for 5 with 2 homers, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored.
WP: Mickey Lolich(6-3) LP: George Lauzerique(0-2) HR: Det, Al Kaline 2(12), Bill Freehan(6), Jim Northrup(14)

Saturday June 7th: Athletics 3 Tigers 1
Homers from Dick Green and Reggie Jackson along with fantastic pitching from a trio of hurlers was just what the doctor ordered, as Oakland snapped a three game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the World Champion Tigers. Trailing 1-0 in the 5th, the A's finally got on the board thanks to a 2 run homer by Green, his 6th of the year. An inning later it was Jackson's turn, as he slammed a titanic blast way up into the upper deck giving him a team high 8 homers on the season. From there it was all pitching, as starter Chuck Dobson along with relievers Marcel Lachemann and Rollie Fingers combined to hold Detroit to just 2 singles over the final four frames.
WP: Chuck Dobson(6-6) LP: Earl Wilson(6-3) S: Rollie Fingers(4) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson(8), Dick Green(6)

[Big T]

Reggie seems to be off to a slow start, or is it just me ?

Good choice of teams by the way, the team is loaded with future talent. Maybe is just really isn't "Mr May"

[PhillieFever]

Monday June 9th, 1969

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Big T

Reggie seems to be off to a slow start, or is it just me ?

Good choice of teams by the way, the team is loaded with future talent. Maybe is just really isn't "Mr May"

Yeah, Reggie is definitely way behind his real life pace in which he belted 37 homers by July 23rd before cooling down considerably to end with 47. His homer rating is 20 out of 20, so the potential is there for him to explode.

[PhillieFever]

A few general thoughts I have after managing the club through their last 8 games: This is definitely a team not quite ready for prime time, especially when compared to the Orioles and Tigers who are far and away the finest two teams that I've faced this year(in both leagues)........ There is a lot of young talent on the team, but it's just not there yet. Starting pitching is what will keep this team from the post season, it just not good enough or deep enough......... Although challenging now, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Senators fall by the wayside, they're a good team but not in the same class as Detroit or Baltimore........ With any luck we should be able to get above .500 by the end of the month, finishing out with three in Boston, four in Kansas City, four at home against the Twins, three at home against KC, and finally four at home against Chicago.