The Oakland Athletics history stretches back to 1901, making the franchise one of Major League Baseball’s most storied teams. Originally based in Philadelphia, the Athletics later moved to Kansas City before settling in Oakland in 1968. With multiple championships and iconic players, Oakland Athletics baseball stands as a symbol of tradition, resilience, and innovation in the sport.
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 Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team that has played in the Bay Area since 1968. They have had some great teams, including three World Series championships and nine American League pennants. But what many people don't know is where their nickname "A's" comes from.
Oakland Athletics Origin
The A’s original name was “the Philadelphia Athletics” when they were founded in 1901 by Connie Mack, who would later become one of baseball’s most iconic managers and executives. The team moved to Kansas City for 13 seasons before settling into its new home at Oakland Coliseum (now known as RingCentral Coliseum) in 1968 – but kept its original name until it officially changed to “Oakland Athletics” after the move westward across America. However, fans continued to refer to them as simply “the A's."
It turns out that this nickname dates back much further than just 1968! It was first used all way back during their time in Philadelphia by local newspapers such as The Evening Telegraph, which referred expressly to them as "Mack's Athletic Club," or more commonly just "Athletics" or even sometimes shortened down further into an acronym: put - A'S! This tradition has continued since then, with fans continuing to use this catchy moniker until today - making it one of the oldest nicknames still being used throughout professional sports leagues worldwide today!
Championship
World Series 4
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
- 1901
- 1929
- 1968
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1988
- 1989
- 2005
- 2024
-
Oakland A’s Origins: The First Steps to Greatness
The Oakland Athletics (Oakland A’s) were an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1901 and based in Philadelphia, the A’s were one of the original eight members of the AL. The first half century of the franchise’s existence was dominated by the iconic Connie Mack, who managed the A’s from the team’s inaugural year to 1950. ... -
The Oakland A’s Foundation for a World Series Dynasty
The year 1925 was extremely significant for the struggling franchise. In addition to the A’s finishing that season with their first winning record in a decade, the year saw three future Hall of Famers—first baseman Jimmie Foxx, pitcher Lefty Grove, and catcher Mickey Cochrane—make their debuts with the team, joining a solid core that already featured all-time great outfielder Al ... -
A’s to Oakland
Then on October 18, 1967, A.L. owners, at last, gave Finley permission to move the Athletics to Oakland for the 1968 season. According to some reports, Cronin promised Finley that he could move the team after the 1967 season as an incentive to sign the new lease with Municipal Stadium. The move came in spite of approval by voters in ... -
World Series Winner 1972
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland A’s against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A’s winning in seven games. -
World Series Winner 1973
The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland A’s against the New York Mets with the A’s winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions. -
World Series Winner 1974
The 1974 World Series matched the two-time defending champion Oakland A’s against the Los Angeles Dodgers with the A’s winning the Series in five games. -
Oakland A’s Dynasty: Dominating the Late 1980s
Oakland A advanced to three consecutive World Series (1988–90), winning a Bay Area showdown in 1989 over the now San Francisco Giants. Beginning in 1988, the Athletics won the AL pennant three years in a row. Reminiscent of their Philadelphia predecessors, this A’s team finished with the best record of any team in the major leagues during all 3 years, ... -
World Series Winner 1989
The 1989 World Series was played between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. The Series ran from October 14 through October 28, with the A’s sweeping the Giants in four games. It was the first World Series sweep since 1976. The four-game sweep by the Athletics at the time would mark only the third time in World Series ... -
Lewis Wolff Buys the A’s
On March 30, 2005, the Athletics were sold to a group fronted by real estate developer Lewis Wolff, although the majority owner is John J. Fisher, son of The Gap, Inc.’s founder. Wolff, though a Los Angeles businessman, had successfully developed many real estate projects in and around San Jose. The previous owner had retained Wolff to help them find ... -
Oakland A’s Relocation Journey
The Oakland Athletics team played its home games at the Oakland Coliseum throughout their entire time in Oakland. But after they were not able to secure locations in East Bay and San Jose, the team left Oakland after the 2024 season, temporarily moving to West Sacramento before a permanent move to Las Vegas. On November 16, 2023, MLB owners came ...
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.
Oakland Athletics History
The Oakland Athletics history is one of the richest in Major League Baseball. Originally founded in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics, the franchise enjoyed early success before relocating to Kansas City in 1955. After 13 years in Missouri, the team moved west to Oakland in 1968, where it remains today. Over the decades, the Athletics have collected nine World Series titles (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972–74, and 1989), 15 American League pennants, and 16 division championships, making Oakland Athletics baseball one of the sport’s most accomplished legacies.
Throughout their history, the Athletics have been home to some of baseball’s most iconic names. Hall of Famers like Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Dennis Eckersley, and Tony La Russa left lasting marks on the game. Players such as Mark McGwire, Dave Stewart, and Bert Blyleven also shaped different eras of the Oakland Athletics history, guiding the franchise to memorable wins. In more recent years, stars like Matt Chapman, Khris Davis, Marcus Semien, and Liam Hendriks have kept the team competitive and exciting for fans at the Oakland Coliseum and beyond.
A turning point in modern Oakland Athletics baseball came with Billy Beane’s innovative “Moneyball” strategy. Appointed General Manager in 1997, Beane revolutionized how rosters were built by relying on analytics rather than payroll strength. His approach allowed the A’s to compete against wealthier franchises and influenced how teams across MLB evaluate players today. In recognition of his impact, Beane was honored in 2018 for his lasting contributions to the game, securing his place in baseball history.
Athletics Achievements
The achievements of the Athletics span generations. The team’s dynasty in the early 1970s, led by Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter, produced three consecutive World Series titles—an achievement matched by only a handful of franchises. Their 1989 championship, highlighted by Dave Stewart’s dominant pitching and Rickey Henderson’s electrifying speed, remains one of the most celebrated moments in Oakland Athletics history. These triumphs showcase the resilience and competitive spirit that define the team.
Looking forward, the Oakland Athletics baseball legacy continues to evolve. Despite challenges with stadium issues and roster transitions, the franchise remains focused on building future contenders through scouting, player development, and innovative strategies. With a history filled with championships, Hall of Fame legends, and groundbreaking approaches to the game, the Oakland Athletics history remains one of Major League Baseball’s most remarkable stories.
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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
