1972 Oakland Athletics

Lore & Background

In 1972, the A's began wearing solid green or solid gold jerseys, with contrasting white pants, at a time when most other teams wore all-white uniforms at home and all-grey ones on the road. Similar to more colorful amateur softball uniforms, they were considered a radical departure for their time. Furthermore, in conjunction with a Moustache Day promotion, owner Charlie O. Finley offered $300 to any player who grew a moustache by Father's Day, at a time when every other team traditionally forbade facial hair. When Father's Day arrived on Sunday, June 18, every player on the 25-man roster collected a bonus. According to Bill Libby's book, Charlie O and the Angry A's, owner Charlie O. Finley often used the nickname 'Oakland A's' in place of 'Athletics,' but the official name remained 'Oakland Athletics.'

In Their Own Story

The October night air off the Alameda waterfront carried the smell of hot dogs and cut grass. Inside the Coliseum, the stands were a sea of green and gold, thousands of voices rising in a single, sustained roar as the final out was recorded. Catfish Hunter peeled off his glove and walked toward the dugout, the leather still warm from a hundred pitches. Reggie Jackson was already in the tunnel, a quiet smile on his face, the kind of calm that only comes from knowing you've done the work. In the stands, Charlie Finley stood on his feet, foam bat raised high, peanuts scattering across the aisle seats. A kid in the front row caught one in his mouth and laughed. The scoreboard flickered: ATHLETICS, CHAMPIONS. Somewhere in the parking lot, a radio was already playing the victory lap. Oakland had its crown, and the rest of the league would spend the next two years trying to take it back.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not specify the team's manager, nor does it list roster positions for Ken Berry or Sal Bando. It provides no characterization of Reggie Jackson's hitting approach. The article notes that Gene Tenace hit four home runs and drove in nine runs in the World Series, and was named series Most Valuable Player. Joe Rudi was the American League leader in triples (tied) with 9.

Did You Know?

• The 1972 A's won their first World Series since 1930, when the club was in Philadelphia.
• All four World Series victories against the Reds were by a single run.
• Gene Tenace was named World Series Most Valuable Player after hitting four home runs and driving in nine runs.
• Despite popular usage, the team's official name remained 'Oakland Athletics' in 1972.