2002 World Series Champions
2002 Oakland Athletics: AL West Champions, 103–59 record, 20-game win streak
The 2002 Oakland Athletics season was the 102nd season in franchise history and the 35th season in Oakland, California. The Athletics finished first in the American League West with a record of 103–59.
Quick Facts
- Notable distinction
- Second-lowest payroll in Major League Baseball
Lore & Background
The Athletics' 2002 campaign ranks among the most famous in franchise history. Following the 2001 season, Oakland saw the departure of three key players. Billy Beane, the team's general manager, responded with a series of under-the-radar free-agent signings. The new-look Athletics, despite a comparative lack of star power, surprised the baseball world by besting the 2001 team's regular season record. The team is most famous, however, for winning 20 consecutive games between August 13 and September 4, 2002. They proceeded to lose in the 2002 American League Division Series to the Minnesota Twins.
Reader's Guide
The Athletics' season was the subject of Michael Lewis's 2003 book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (Lewis was given the opportunity to follow the team around throughout the season). A film adaptation of the book, titled Moneyball, was released in 2011.
Did You Know?
- Scott Hatteberg hit a walkoff home run on September 4, 2002, to clinch the 20th straight win.
- Miguel Tejada won the American League MVP award for the 2002 season.
- Barry Zito won the American League Cy Young Award for the 2002 season.
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