SPORTS TEAM HISTORY

Sports Team HistorySports Logo History
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History – MLB
    • Basketball History – ABA, NBA, WNBA
    • College History – Divison I Conferences
    • Football History – AAF, CFL, NFL, USFL, XFL
    • Hockey History – NHL
    • Soccer History. – MLS, Premier League
  • Hall of Fame
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NHL
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Latest Sports Videos
      • General Sports Videos
      • MLB Sports Videos
      • NBA Sports Videos
      • NCAA Sports Videos
      • NFL Sports Videos
      • NHL Sports Videos
      • Soccer Sports Videos
      • WNBA Sports Videos
    • YouTube Channel
    • Sports Team History Products
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages

Kansas City Athletics Team History

Kansas City Athletics
Athletics Primary Logo
Athletics Alternate Logo

Established
1901

City
Philadelphia – Kansas City – Oakland - Sacramento

League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League

Team History
2025 - Present / Athletics
1968 – 2025 / Oakland Athletics
1955 – 1967 / Kansas City Athletics
1901 – 1954 / Philadelphia Athletics

Nickname
Athletics – The Kansas City Athletics is one of the most iconic teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). While their history has many great moments, fans may not know how and why they were named "Athletics." We need to look back at the team's origins to understand this.

The Athletics began as an American League (AL) charter member in 1901. The original owner was Benjamin Shibe, who chose “Athletics” as an homage to Philadelphia’s amateur baseball teams from years prior. He believed that it reflected his commitment to fielding competitive and successful teams year after year; subsequently, he dubbed them “the A's."

Over time, they became known simply as "the A's" or sometimes even "the 'A,'" which has become synonymous with their name today. It is also worth noting that during World War II, when metal was scarce for making uniforms and equipment, some players wore jerseys emblazoned with a large letter ‘A.' This further cemented its association with Kansas City athletics over time!

Although much has changed since then - including several moves across cities - one thing remains constant: the nickname 'Athletics.' No matter where you go or what era you're from, if someone says 'Kansas City Athletics,' everyone knows precisely who they're talking about!

Championship
World Series 0
1989, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1930, 1929, 1913, 1911, 1910

Stadium
2025 - Present / Sutter Health Park

*Oakland*
2019 – Present / RingCentral Coliseum
1968 – 2018 / Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
2012 – 2015 / O.co Coliseum
2011 / Overstock.com Coliseum
2004 – 2008 / McAfee Coliseum
1998 – 2004 / Network Associates Coliseum

*Kansas City*
1955 – 1967 / Municipal Stadium

*Philadelphia*
1909 – 1954 / Shibe Park
1953 – 1954 / Connie Mack Stadium
1901 – 1908 / Columbia Park

Owner
2016 - Present / John J. Fisher
2005 – 2015 / Lewis Wolff
1995 – 2005 / Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann
1981 – 1995 / Walter Haas
1960 – 1981 / Charlie Finley
1954 – 1960 / Arnold Johnson
1922 – 1954 / Connie Mack
1901 – 1922 / Ben Shibe

  • 1954
  • 1960
  • Kansas City Athletics 1954

    Move to Kansas City – Athletics

    In 1954, Chicago real estate magnate Arnold Johnson bought the Philadelphia Athletics and moved them to Kansas City. Although he was initially a hero for making Kansas City a major-league town, it soon became apparent that he was motivated more by profit than any regard for the baseball fans of Kansas City. He had long been a business associate of ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Charles Finley New Owner

    Charles Finley New Owner

    On December 19, 1960, Charles “Charlie” O. Finley purchased a controlling interest in the team from Johnson’s estate after losing out to Johnson six years earlier in Philadelphia. He bought out the minority owners a year later. Finley promised the fans a new day. In a highly publicized move, he purchased a bus, pointed it in the direction of New ...
    Read More
    See Full Story

Who is the greatest Kansas City Athletics?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

History of the Athletics

The Kansas City Athletics, previously known as the Philadelphia Athletics, was a Major League Baseball team that played in the American League from 1955 to 1967. The team was based in Kansas City, Missouri, and was owned by Arnold Johnson for most of its existence. The Athletics had a long and storied history during their twelve years in the league, with three World Series appearances and six division titles.

The A's first season began on April 11th, 1955, when they opened up against the New York Yankees at Municipal Stadium. Although they lost this game 8-2, it marked a significant milestone as it was the first time since 1901 that professional baseball had been played in Kansas City after several decades of minor league teams operating there instead. That same year saw them finish second place behind the Cleveland Indians with an 84-70 record, which earned them their first-ever playoff berth; where they faced off against the eventual champions, the Brooklyn Dodgers, but eventually lost 4 games to 3 despite taking a 2–0 lead early on into the series due to some stellar pitching performances from Art Ditmar (who pitched two complete games) & Bob Grim (who threw one).
In 1957, under new manager Lou Boudreau’s leadership, things started looking up for KC as he led them all the way through post-season play before losing out ultimately 5–4 against the Milwaukee Braves, who went on to win the world championship title later that year. However, his efforts weren’t unnoticed as he won the AL Manager Of Year award himself, thanks primarily due to his ability to motivate players like Vic Power or Jim Finigan, among others, whose contributions helped make sure the franchise stayed competitive over the following seasons too!

By the 1960s, though, things started slowing down a bit again, especially after owner Johnson passed away in 1964, leaving ownership in limbo until Charlie Finley bought the club in 1965 – which then brought about changes both positive and negative, such as moving the home stadium to Oakland Coliseum in 1966 and renaming themselves “Oakland Athletics” the next year, thus ending the era of the Kansas City Athletics altogether. But not without leaving a mark upon the city nor the sport itself, having made the playoffs five times and winning three pennants along the way!




Sports Fan Products

Pete Rose Autographed Blonde Official Bat Reds "4256" In Black PR Holo
5.0 out of 5 stars(5051)
Buy on Amazon
Pete Rose Autographed Black Hit King Baseball Bat "Charlie Hustle" (Residue on Bat) PR Holo Stock #228083
Buy on Amazon
Pete Crow Armstrong Cubs Autographed Signed Black Baseball Bat Beckett Hologram
5.0 out of 5 stars(5051)
Buy on Amazon
Pete Rose Autographed Black Slugger Louisville Pro Stock Baseball Bat "4256" JSA Stock #228076
Buy on Amazon
Bo Jackson Autographed Natural R.a.w.l.i.n.g.s Player Model Baseball Bat Beckett BAS Witness Stock #218035
Buy on Amazon
Pete Crow-Armstrong Chicago Cubs Autographed Signed Black Bat JSA Witness COA
Buy on Amazon
Pete Crow-Armstrong Chicago Cubs Autographed Signed Blonde Bat JSA Witness COA
5.0 out of 5 stars(5052)
Buy on Amazon
Oneil Cruz Pittsburgh Pirates Autographed Victus Game Model Bat - Autographed MLB Bats
Buy on Amazon
Jarren Duran Boston Red Sox Autographed Signed Louisville Slugger Bat JSA WITNESS COA Black
Buy on Amazon
Pete Rose Autographed Black R.a.w.l.i.n.g.s Baseball Bat "Hit King" PR Holo Stock #177048
Buy on Amazon
Jackson Chourio Milwaukee Brewers Autographed Signed Black Baseball Bat Beckett Hologram
Buy on Amazon
Ken Griffey Jr. Signed Autographed Cooperstown Signature Series Bat TRISTAR
Buy on Amazon
Dale Murphy Autographed Baseball Bat - Hand Signed with James Spence Authentication (JSA)
Buy on Amazon
TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Bats - 2025 Edition (1 Box)
Buy on Amazon
Al Kaline Autographed R.a.w.l.i.n.g.s Baseball Bat Tigers "HOF 80" PSA/DNA Stock #110759
Buy on Amazon
Ronald Acuna Jr. Autographed Black R.a.w.l.i.n.g.s Baseball Bat Beckett BAS Stock #181314
Buy on Amazon
Darryl Strawberry 1986 WS Champs Autographed Signed Baseball Bat JSA Authentic
Buy on Amazon
Brandon Marsh Philadlephia Phillies Autographed Signed Black Baseball Bat Beckett Hologram Full Signature
Buy on Amazon
Corbin Carroll Arizona Diamondbacks Autographed Signed Blonde Baseball Bat Beckett WITNESS Hologram
5.0 out of 5 stars(5053)
Buy on Amazon
Jackson Merrill San Diego Padres Autographed Signed Black Baseball Bat Beckett Witness Hologram
Buy on Amazon
AARON JUDGE Autographed New York Yankees Chandler Game Model Bat FANATICS - Autographed MLB Bats
5.0 out of 5 stars(5052)
Buy on Amazon
Jackson Merrill San Diego Padres Autographed Signed Blonde Baseball Bat Beckett Rookie Hologram
5.0 out of 5 stars(5051)
Buy on Amazon
Tony Perez Signed L-Slugger Pro Stock Blonde Baseball Bat
Buy on Amazon
Corbin Carroll Arizona Diamondbacks Autographed Signed Black Baseball Bat Beckett Hologram
Buy on Amazon
Kyle Manzardo Cleveland Guardians Autographed Signed Engraved Blonde Bat Beckett Rookie Hologram
5.0 out of 5 stars(5051)
Buy on Amazon
Auto Amazon Links

STH Greatest Player Polls Banner MLB Logo Image

Retired Number
9 / Reggie Jackson
24 / Rickey Henderson
27 / Catfish Hunter
34 / Rollie Fingers
34 / Dave Stewart
42 / Jackie Robinson
43 / Dennis Eckersley
– / Walter A. Haas, Jr.

*Blue is this team’s history

Sports History Group Videos

Sports History Group Videos

Sports News History

Sports News Worth Knowing

RSS MLB Headline News

  • Marlins vs. D-backs Game Highlights (6/29/25) | MLB Highlights
  • Los Angeles Dodgers vs Kansas City Royals – FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | June 29, 2025 MLB Season
  • Nationals vs. Angels Game Highlights (6/28/25) | MLB Highlights
  • Los Angeles Dodgers vs Kansas City Royals – FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | June 27, 2025 MLB Season
  • Phillies vs. Astros Game Highlights (6/26/25) | MLB Highlights

Sports Store History

Sports Team Marketplace of Champions!

MLB Greatest Player

MLB Logo Battle

SLH Prodcut Sale

MLB Teams
Menu
  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Athletics
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Kansas City Athletics
    • Philadelphia Athletics
  • Atlanta Braves
    • Milwaukee Braves
    • Boston Braves
    • Boston Bees
    • Boston Rustlers
    • Boston Doves
    • Boston Beaneaters
  • Baltimore Orioles
    • St. Louis Browns
    • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Boston Red Sox
    • Boston Americans
  • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago Orphans
  • Chicago White Sox
    • Chicago White Stockings
  • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cincinnati Redlegs
    • Cincinnati Red Stockings
  • Cleveland Guardians
    • Cleveland Indians
    • Cleveland Naps
    • Cleveland Blues
  • Colorado Rockies
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Houston Astros
    • Houston Colt 45’s
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Angels
    • Anaheim Angels
    • California Angels
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Brooklyn Dodgers
    • Brooklyn Robins
    • Brooklyn Superbas
  • Miami Marlins
    • Florida Marlins
  • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Seattle Pilots
  • Minnesota Twins
    • Washington Senators
  • New York Mets
  • New York Yankees
    • New York Highlanders
    • Baltimore Orioles
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
    • New York Giants
    • New York Gothams
  • Seattle Mariners
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Tampa Bay Devil Rays
  • Texas Rangers
    • Washington Senators
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Washington Nationals
    • Montreal Expos
STH - SHG YT Videos Banner
STH - SHG Rumble Videos Banner




Greatest Player Poll 350
National Football League LogoNational Basketball Associations LogoMajor League Baseball Logo 2019National Hockey League LogoNCAA Primary Logo

Greatest Player Poll: Cast your vote!

Join the debate and help decide who stands tall in the annals of sports history. Whether it's a legendary NFL's powerful action, the NBA's athletic prowess, or the unyielding spirit of an MLB player, we want to hear your thoughts. Who, in your opinion, has left an indelible mark on their sport? Who has transcended the boundaries of their game to become a symbol of excellence? Who has inspired generations of athletes and fans with their performances, character, and legacy? This is your chance to have your say. Cast your vote, share your thoughts, and celebrate the greatest in sports history together.

NFL Greatest Player
NBA Greatest Player
NHL Greatest Player
MLB Greatest Player
MLS Greatest Player
WNBA Greatest Player
CFL Greatest Player
Premier Greatest Player
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages

STH News

Latest Sports Team History News

Legendary Player Trades That Changed Sports Forever

July 18, 2025

The Fading Roar of the Colonels: Louisville’s Unforgettable ABA Era

July 11, 2025

Top 5 NFL Quarterbacks To Watch In 2025

July 10, 2025

Gridiron Geniuses: The 5 Greatest Head Coaches in NFL History

July 9, 2025

Sports History Group 350
Sports Logo History
Sports News History
Sports Store History 200
Image

Complete Histories of Your Favorite Sports Team!


  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy




© 2013 - 2025 Sports History Group LLC - All Rights Reserved
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History – MLB
    • Basketball History – ABA, NBA, WNBA
    • College History – Divison I Conferences
    • Football History – AAF, CFL, NFL, USFL, XFL
    • Hockey History – NHL
    • Soccer History. – MLS, Premier League
  • Hall of Fame
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NHL
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Latest Sports Videos
      • General Sports Videos
      • MLB Sports Videos
      • NBA Sports Videos
      • NCAA Sports Videos
      • NFL Sports Videos
      • NHL Sports Videos
      • Soccer Sports Videos
      • WNBA Sports Videos
    • YouTube Channel
    • Sports Team History Products
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.