Oakland Athletics · Swing for the Fences

The Story So Far

The newest save in the stable replays the Swingin’ A’s at the start of their run. The 1971 club won 101 games and the AL West before being swept by Baltimore in the playoffs; the real 1972 team answered with the first of three straight World Series titles — beating, of all teams, the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. Charlie Finley’s mustachioed, green-and-gold roster is as loaded as any of its era, and the expectation is simple: anything short of October is a failure. Four games in, it is a 1–3 start and 2.0 games back of California — far too early to mean anything.

The Roster

Reggie Jackson in right field is the centerpiece, flanked by Joe Rudi in left and the heart of the infield in Sal Bando at third and Bert Campaneris at short.
Catfish Hunter and Vida Blue, the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP winner, front a rotation that also has newly acquired Ken Holtzman and Blue Moon Odom.
Rollie Fingers and Darold Knowles anchor the bullpen; Mike Epstein brings left-handed power at first.
Depth that matters later: Dick Green at second and young OF George Hendrick on the bench.

Opening Week

Sal Bando (.945 OPS) and Bert Campaneris (a homer and two steals) were the early sparks.
Tommy Judd has been behind the plate every game and opened 5-for-16 with a home run.
Vida Blue (1–1, 2.51 ERA) and Catfish Hunter (1.50 ERA in his first start) look every bit like themselves.