History of the Athletics

Lore & Background

The Athletics were founded in 1901 when the Western League was renamed the American League and declared a major league. Former catcher Connie Mack was recruited to manage and persuaded investors including Ben Shibe to back the team. The name 'Athletics' was taken from an earlier 1876 National League club. Their first home was Columbia Park, where they played through 1908. In 1909, they moved to Shibe Park, the majors' first concrete-and-steel ballpark, which remained their home until leaving Philadelphia.

Under Mack, the Athletics built two dynasties. The first, from 1902 to 1914, featured the '$100,000 infield' and produced six AL pennants and three World Series wins. After losing the 1914 World Series in a sweep, Mack sold or released most stars, leading to a collapse to a 36–117 record in 1916. The team finished last every year through 1922. The second dynasty arose in the late 1920s with future Hall of Famers Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane, and Lefty Grove, winning pennants in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and World Series in 1929 and 1930.

After 1931, the Great Depression reduced attendance, and Mack again sold star players. The team declined for over 30 years, finishing last or next-to-last most seasons through 1946. Mack purchased a controlling interest in the team in 1936 or 1937, retaining full control into his 80s, showing signs of mental deterioration. The franchise moved to Kansas City in 1955, then to Oakland in 1968, and was approved for relocation to Las Vegas in 2023.

Reader's Guide

The Athletics' significance lies in their status as one of the original American League franchises and their record of five World Series championships, all won in Philadelphia under Connie Mack. Their early dominance, including the '$100,000 infield' and the later dynasty featuring four Hall of Famers, established them as a powerhouse in baseball's early decades. However, the team's history is also marked by dramatic collapses after each dynasty, driven by Mack's cost-cutting sales of star players. The franchise's multiple relocations—to Kansas City, Oakland, and Las Vegas—reflect persistent attendance and stadium challenges, culminating in the 2023 approval to move to Nevada. The Athletics are the only MLB team to have called four cities home, a distinction that underscores their nomadic legacy. Their story illustrates the interplay between on-field success, financial pressures, and the evolving geography of professional baseball.

Did You Know?

• The Athletics are the only MLB team to have had four home cities: Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland, and Las Vegas.
• Connie Mack managed the Athletics from their founding in 1901 and remained in charge for over 50 years, also serving as majority owner after 1936 or 1937.
• The 1916 Athletics posted a modern major-league low record of 36–117 after Mack dismantled the first dynasty.
• Shibe Park, opened in 1909, was the first concrete-and-steel ballpark in the major leagues.