The Oakland Athletics can trace their roots back to 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics. Over the years they have been known as the Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954), the Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967), and as they are known today the Oakland Athletics (1968-Present). The organization has made 26 playoff appearances, won 15 pennants, and 9 world championships. They have retired 5 numbers. Reggie Jackson (5), Rickey Henderson (24), Catfish Hunter (27), Rollie Fingers (34), and Dennis Eckersley (43).
Below is a lineup of the best single seasons by position. Each player is only eligible for one season so we picked their best season.
Catcher
Mickey Cochrane, 1932
Key Stats: 5.6 WAR, .293/.412/.510, 118 R, 152 H, 35 2B, 4 3B, 23 HR, 112 RBI, 100 BB, .921 OPS, 48% CS
First Base
Jimmie Foxx, 1932
Key Stats: 10.5 WAR (1st AL), .364/.469/.749 (1st AL), 151 R (1st AL), 213 H, 33 2B, 9 3B, 58 HR (1st AL), 169 RBI (1st AL), 116 BB, 1.218 OPS (1st AL), 438 TB (1st AL)
Awards: AL MVP
Second Base
Nap Lajoie, 1901
Key Stats: 8.4 WAR (1st AL), .426 (1st AL)/.463 (1st AL)/.643 (1st AL), 145 R (1st AL), 232 H (1st AL), 48 2B (1st AL), 14 3B, 14 HR (1st AL), 125 RBI (1st AL), 27 SB, 1.106 OPS (1st AL), 350 TB (1st AL)
Third Base
Home Run Baker, 1912
Key Stats: 9.3 WAR, .347/.404/.541, 116 R, 200 H, 40 2B, 21 3B, 10 HR (1st AL), 130 RBI (1st AL), 40 SB, 50 BB, .945 OPS, 312 TB, 11 SH, 1.5 dWAR
Awards: 7th in MVP
Shortstop
Miguel Tejada, 2002
Key Stats: 5.6 WAR, .308/.354/.508, 108 R, 204 H, 30 2B, 34 HR, 131 RBI, .861 OPS, 336 TB, 11 HBP
Awards: AL All-Star, AL MVP
Left Field
Rickey Henderson, 1990
Key Stats: 9.9 WAR (1st AL), .325/.439 (1st AL)/.577, 119 R (1st AL), 159 H, 33 2B, 3 3B, 28 HR, 61 RBI, 65 SB (1st AL), 97 BB, 1.016 OPS (1st AL), 1.0 dWAR
Awards: AL All-Star, Silver Slugger, AL MVP
Center Field
Al Simmons, 1925
Key Stats: 6.5 WAR, .387/.419/.599, 122 R, 253 H (1st AL), 43 2B, 12 3B, 24 HR, 129 RBI, 1.018 OPS, 392 TB (1st AL)
Awards: 2nd in MVP
Right Field
Jose Canseco, 1988
Key Stats: 7.2 WAR, .307/.391/.569 (1st AL), 120 R, 187 H, 34 2B, 42 HR (1st AL), 124 RBI (1st AL), 40 SB, 78 BB, .959 OPS, 347 TB, 10 HBP, 10 IBB
Awards: AL All-Star, Silver Slugger, AL MVP
Designated Hitter
Jason Giambi, 2001
Key Stats: 9.1 WAR (1st AL), .342/.477 (1st AL)/.660 (1st AL), 109 R, 178 H, 47 2B (1st AL), 2 3B, 38 HR, 120 RBI, 129 BB (1st AL), 1.137 OPS (1st AL), 343 TB, 13 HBP, 24 IBB
Awards: AL All-Star, Silver Slugger, 2nd in MVP
Starting Pitcher
Vida Blue, 1971
Key Stats: 9.0 WAR, 24 Wins, 1.82 ERA (1st AL), 2.20 FIP (1st AL), 24 CG, 8 SHO (1st AL), 312 IP, 301 K, 0.952 WHIP (1st AL), 6.0 H/9 (1st AL), 8.7 K/9 (1st AL), .189 BAA
Awards: AL All-Star, AL CY Young, AL MVP
Starting Pitcher
Lefty Grove, 1931
Key Stats: 10.1 WAR (1st AL), 31 Wins (1st AL), 2.06 ERA (1st AL), 3.01 FIP (1st AL), 27 CG (1st AL), 4 SHO (1st AL), 288 2/3 IP, 175 K (1st AL), 1.077 WHIP (1st AL), 0.3 HR/9, 2.82 K/BB (1st AL)
Awards: AL MVP
Starting Pitcher
Catfish Hunter, 1974
Key Stats: 6.9 WAR, 25 Wins (1st AL), 2.49 ERA (1st AL), 3.17 FIP, 23 CG, 6 SHO, 318 1/3 IP, 143 K, 0.986 WHIP (1st AL), .229 BAA
Awards: AL All-Star, AL CY Young, 6th in MVP
Starting Pitcher
Rube Waddell, 1904
Key Stats: 10.5 WAR (1st AL), 25 Wins, 1.62 ERA, 1.59 FIP (1st AL), 39 CG, 8 SHO, 383 IP, 349 K (1st AL), 1.039 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 (1st AL)
Starting Pitcher
Jack Coombs, 1910
Key Stats: 9.7 WAR, 31 Wins (1st AL), 1.30 ERA, 2.09 FIP, 35 CG, 13 SHO (1st AL), 353 IP, 224 K, 1.028 WHIP, 0.0 HR/9 (1st AL), 5.7 K/9
Closer
Dennis Eckersley, 1990
Key Stats: 3.3 WAR, 48 SV, 0.61 ERA, 1.34 FIP, 63 G, 73 1/3 IP, 73 K, 0.614 WHIP, 5.0 H/9, 0.2 HR/9, 0.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9, 18.25 K/BB, .160 BAA
Awards: AL All-Star, 5th in CY Young, 6th in MVP
The Starting Nine 