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1981 Oakland Athletics Season
The Oakland Athletics' 1981 season saw the A's finish with an overall record of 64 wins and 45 losses. They finished the season with the best record in the American League (and second best in all of baseball). Due to the infamous 1981 players strike, the league resorted to a split-season format; this new format saw the winners of both halves of the season playing in the first divisional playoff in MLB history. The A's qualified by posting the AL West's best record in the first half of the season. While they swept the Kansas City Royals in the AL West playoff, they were themselves swept by the New York Yankees in the 1981 American League Championship Series. The Athletics' 1981 season ranks among the organization's most interesting. The A's, only two years removed from a disastrous 54-108 finish, won their first AL West crown since 1975 under second-year manager Billy Martin. The "Billyball" A's began the season with a then-AL record 11 consecutive wins (this record was later ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
American League West
The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the West Coast of the United States, west coast and in Texas, historically the division has had teams as far east as Chicago. From 1998 (when the NL West expanded to five teams) to 2012, the AL West was the only MLB division with four teams. The current champion of this division is the Houston Astros. In 2013, the Houston Astros went from the National League Central to the AL West. That move gives all six MLB divisions an equal five teams and both leagues an equal 15 teams each. Division membership Current members * Houston Astros - Joined in 2013; formerly from the National League West, NL West (1969–1993) and National League Central, NL Central (1994–2012) * Los Angeles AngelsThe Angels were formerly known as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1981 Kansas City Royals Season
The 1981 Kansas City Royals season was their 13th in Major League Baseball. The 1981 season was interrupted by a players strike from June 12-July 31, and resumed on August 10. Major League Baseball officials decided to split the season, and the division winners of both halves would advance to the playoffs. The Royals were 20-30 and in fifth place in the American League West when the strike began, but won the second half with a 30-23 mark. Dick Howser replaced Jim Frey as manager on August 31. Kansas City's overall 50-53 record made the Royals the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason with a losing mark. Kansas City lost to the first half American League West winner Oakland Athletics 3-0 in the Division Series. Offseason *January 6, 1981: Derek Botelho was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals. Regular season * August 10, 1981: Cal Ripken Jr. made his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles in a game against the Royals. Season standings Record ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sports Illustrated
''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twice. It is also known for its annual swimsuit issue, which has been published since 1964, and has spawned other complementary media works and products. Owned until 2018 by Time Inc., it was sold to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) following the sale of Time Inc. to Meredith Corporation. The Arena Group (formerly theMaven, Inc.) was subsequently awarded a 10-year license to operate the ''Sports Illustrated''-branded editorial operations, while ABG licenses the brand for other non-editorial ventures and products. History Establishment There were two magazines named ''Sports Illustrated'' before the current magazine was launched on August 9, 1954. In 1936, Stuart Scheftel created ''Sports Illustrated'' with a target market of sportsmen. He publis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brian Kingman
Brian Paul Kingman (born July 27, 1953) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1983 for the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara before signing with the Athletics in 1975. In 1979, he went 7–2 in the Pacific Coast League"Brian Kingman Minor League Statistics & History" baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-11-2. and made his major league debut in June. Kingman is most famous for losing 20 games in 1980. He remained the most current pitcher to do so for 23 years, until lost 21 games for the |
Mike Norris (baseball)
Michael Kelvin Norris (born March 19, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Oakland Athletics (–, ). Career He attended Balboa High School in San Francisco and was drafted by the Oakland A's in the first round (24th overall) In January 1973. He made his major league debut in 1975. Norris is best remembered for his spectacular season. He went 22-9 with 24 complete games and a 2.53 earned run average, while also earning the Gold Glove Award. However, he was not awarded the American League Cy Young Award; Steve Stone of the Baltimore Orioles, who had a record of 25-7, was given the honor. Norris also placed 15th in the MVP voting. In , Norris posted a modest 12-9 record, again earning the Gold Glove Award and also earning an All-Star berth he was denied in 1980. Norris spun a complete game shutout in the first round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Royals and pitched well in the AL Championship Series against the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Steve McCatty
Steven Earl McCatty (born March 20, 1954) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1977 to 1985. He graduated from Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, in 1972. He coached the Washington Nationals from 2009 through 2015. Baseball career Playing career On August 10, 1980, McCatty pitched a 14-inning game against the Seattle Mariners, only to lose 2–1. During the 1981 strike-shortened season, McCatty finished the season with a 2.33 ERA, second in the American League to Sammy Stewart's 2.32 mark and was tied with three others for most wins with 14, including four shutouts, the last two of which were consecutive starts for McCatty. He also finished second for the Cy Young Award, behind Rollie Fingers. However, McCatty would never even approach his 1981 form again. A number of baseball historians and statisticians blame this on manager Billy Martin overworking McCatty and the other members of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matt Keough
Matthew Lon Keough ( ; July 3, 1955 – May 1, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher from through for the Oakland Athletics (1977–1983), New York Yankees (1983–1984), St. Louis Cardinals (1985), Chicago Cubs (1986) and Houston Astros (1986). After his time in MLB, Keough pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hanshin Tigers for 4 seasons from 1987 through 1990. Keough batted and threw right-handed. Career Keough graduated from Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, in 1973. The Oakland Athletics selected Keough in seventh round of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft. Keough was signed by Oakland as an infielder. He was supposed to replace departed Sal Bando at third base, but after leading the California league in hitting while playing for Modesto in his second year of professional baseball in 1975, he hit a disappointing .210 in Double-A in 1976. He was converted ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rick Langford
James Rick Langford (born March 20, 1952) is an American retired professional baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1976 through 1986. He has served as a coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB and for their farm teams in Minor League Baseball. Career Langford grew up in Varina, Virginia. He attended Varina High School, where he participated in four sports. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in 1973. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 1976. Before the 1977 season, the Pirates traded Langford, Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Doc Medich and Mitchell Page to the Oakland Athletics for Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms. In a streak that began on May 23, 1980, Langford pitched 22 consecutive complete games. The streak ended on September 17, when he came within of an inning of another complete game. He then pitched consecutive complete games in his next three starts. Langf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1981 Seattle Mariners Season
The 1981 Seattle Mariners season was their fifth since the franchise creation, and were 6th in the American League West at . Due to the 1981 player's strike, the season was split in half, with pre-strike and post-strike results. The Mariners were sixth in the division in the first half at , and fifth in the second half at . The strike began on June 12 and regular season play resumed on August 10. Manager Maury Wills was fired on May 6 with a record, the M's worst start yet; he was succeeded by 36-year-old Rene Lachemann, the manager at Triple-A Spokane. Offseason * November 18, 1980: Brad Gulden was traded by the New York Yankees with $150,000 to the Mariners for a player to be named later and Larry Milbourne; the Mariners sent back Brad Gulden (May 18, 1981) to the Yankees to complete the trade. In effect, Brad Gulden was traded for himself. * December 8, 1980: Gary Gray was selected by the Mariners from the Cleveland Indians in the rule 5 draft. * De ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1987 Milwaukee Brewers Season
The 1987 Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finish in third place in the American League East, with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team began the season at a red-hot pace, winning their first 13 games under first-year manager Tom Trebelhorn before losing 12 games in a row in May. Other highlights included Paul Molitor capturing the imaginations of Milwaukee fans with a 39-game hitting streak and Juan Nieves tossing the first no-hitter in Brewers history on April 15 with a 7-0 blanking of the Baltimore Orioles. Offseason * December 10, 1986: Tim Leary and Tim Crews were traded by the Brewers to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Greg Brock. Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions * June 2, 1987: 1987 Major League Baseball draft ** Brian Turang was drafted by the Brewers in the 20th round, but did not sign. ** Mark Kiefer was drafted by the Brewers in the 21st round. * June 15, 1987: Jim Morris was released by the Brewers. * Jun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1975 Oakland Athletics Season
Entering the season as the three-time defending World Series champions, the Oakland Athletics' 1975 season involved the A's winning their fifth consecutive American League West The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams curr ... title with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses. They went on to play the 1975 Boston Red Sox season, Boston Red Sox in the 1975 American League Championship Series, losing in three straight games. Offseason After the Athletics' victory over the 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season, Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1974 World Series under Alvin Dark, pitcher Catfish Hunter filed a grievance. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 1974 with a record of 25–12 and a league-leading 2.49 earned run average. Hunter uncovered a violation of his contract with A's owner ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1979 Oakland Athletics Season
The 1979 Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League West Division with a record of 54 wins and 108 losses. Only 306,763 paying customers (an average of 3,984 for 77 home dates; there were four doubleheaders) showed up to watch the A's in 1979, the team's worst attendance since leaving Philadelphia. Team owner Charlie Finley nearly sold the team to buyers who would have moved them to New Orleans for 1979. Any deal to relocate fell through when the city of Oakland refused to release the A's from their lease. The city was in the midst of its battle with the Oakland Raiders over their move to Los Angeles and didn't want to lose both teams. The Athletics' 54-108 finish remains, as of 2022, their worst (by far) since moving to Oakland in 1968. On a brighter note, the season saw the debut of Rickey Henderson. Henderson, a future Hall-of-Famer, would play for the team (in four separate stints) between 1979 and 1998. Offseason * October 3, 1978: Rico ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
