Joe Rudi

Three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, key to Oakland's 1972–1974 World Series dynasty.

Joseph Oden Rudi (born September 7, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left fielder and was an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won three consecutive World Series championships between 1972 and 1974. A three-time All-Star, Rudi won three Gold Glove Awards and was the 1972 American League leader in hits with 181. He also played for the California Angels and the Boston Red Sox. In 2022, Rudi was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Quick Facts

Position: Left fielder
Bats: Right
Born: 7 September 1946
Birthplace: Modesto, California, U.S.
Debutleague: MLB
Debutdate: April 11
Debutyear: 1967
Debutteam: Kansas City Athletics

Lore & Background

Rudi batted a career-high .309 in 1970 and led the American League with a career-high 181 hits in 1972. He finished second in American League MVP voting behind Dick Allen. That year, he helped the Athletics win the World Series and made a great game-saving catch in Game 2. With Tony Pérez on first and Oakland leading 2–0 in the ninth inning, Rudi raced to the left-field fence and made a leaping, backhanded catch of Denis Menke's smash to save a run. Earlier in the game, Rudi hit a solo home run. In 1974 he had a career best 22 home runs and 99 runs batted in while leading the American League with 287 total bases. He was also awarded his first career Gold Glove Award and was once again the runner-up in AL MVP voting behind Jeff Burroughs. Rudi hit a home run in Game 5 of the 1974 World Series off Mike Marshall that turned out to be the game winner and Series clincher. In 1975, he was elected by the fans as a starter in the All-Star Game as an outfielder. He also played some first base for the A's in 1975. With baseball entering the free agency era, A's owner Charlie Finley attempted to sell Rudi and pitcher Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million each at the MLB trade deadline on June 15, 1976. Rudi reported to the Red Sox and was issued a uniform, but never was permitted to play, as baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voided the transaction. Rudi later played for Boston in 1981. Rudi, along with Don Baylor, left the A's as a free agent and signed with the California Angels for the 1977 season. His best year with the Angels was 1978, when he played in 133 games and hit .256 with 17 home runs and 79 RBIs. He missed the Angels' 1979 post-season run with injury. After the 1980 season, Rudi was traded by the Angels along with Frank Tanana to the Red Sox for Fred Lynn. After one injury-filled season, he closed his career back with the A's in 1982 and hit a home run in his last professional at-bat.