Test Your Oakland Athletics Knowledge
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Which player has not had his number retired by the A's?
- A.
Jose Canseco
- B.
Dennis Eckersley
- C.
Rollie Fingers
Correct Answer
A. Jose CansecoExplanation
Answer A. Jose Canseco has not had his number retired. Eckersley's No. 43 was retired in 2005, Fingers' No. 34 in 1993Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which of these players who began their career in Oakland did NOT have more than one tour of duty with the A's?
- A.
Jose Canseco
- B.
Reggie Jackson
- C.
Mark McGwire
Correct Answer
C. Mark McGwireExplanation
Answer: C. Canseco and Reggie both had two tours of duty -- two fewer than Rickey Henderson..Rate this question:
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- 3.
The A's of the early 1980s were known for playing "Billyball." For whom was it named?
- A.
Billy Beane
- B.
Billy Martin
- C.
Billy North
Correct Answer
B. Billy MartinExplanation
Answer: B. Martin was hired as manager after a 54-108 finish in 1979 and led the A's to the 1981 playoffs with an aggressive style of play that was dubbed "Billyball" by Oakland Tribune columnist Ralph Wiley.Rate this question:
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- 4.
How many bases did Rickey Henderson steal in his record-breaking 1982 season?
- A.
56
- B.
101
- C.
130
Correct Answer
C. 130Explanation
Answer: C. Henderson's 130 steals broke Lou Brock's 1974 record of 118. (In the modern era, only two other players -- Maury Wills and Vince Coleman-- have stolen 100 bases or more in a season.)Rate this question:
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- 5.
The A's have been involved in six playoff series since 2000. How many have they won?
- A.
1
- B.
3
- C.
5
Correct Answer
A. 1Explanation
Answer: 1. The A's beat the Twins in the ALDS in 2006 for their only series victory. They lost the ALDS in 2000 (Yankees), 2001 (Yankees), 2002 (Twins), and 2003 (Red Sox) and the ALCS in 2006 (Tigers).Rate this question:
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- 6.
Right-hander Rick Langford started 33 games for the A's in 1980. How many did he complete?
- A.
12
- B.
17
- C.
28
Correct Answer
C. 28Explanation
Answer: C. Langford had 28 complete games. He also pitched twice in relief and finished with 290 innings and 19 wins.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What was the name of the mechanical rabbit that popped out of the ground at the Oakland Coliseum to deliver baseballs to the home plate umpire?
- A.
Harry
- B.
Harvey
- C.
Charlie O.
Correct Answer
B. HarveyExplanation
Answer: B. Harvey was one of the many innovations of A's owner Charlie Finley, who also introduced the game to orange baseballs, Hot Pants Day and Farmers Day, where one highlight was the opportunity for selected fans to catch greased pigs in the outfield. .Rate this question:
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- 8.
At which position did Mark McGwire begin his major league career?
- A.
First base
- B.
Third base
- C.
Left field
Correct Answer
B. Third baseExplanation
Answer: B. McGwire began his career at third base because the A's had another young phenom at first base named Rob Nelson.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which former A's slugger chose to wear the name of his high school on the back of his jersey for part of one season?
- A.
Reggie Jackson
- B.
Dick Allen
- C.
Dwayne Murphy
Correct Answer
B. Dick AllenExplanation
B. The controversial Allen, who graduated from Wampum High in Pennsylvania in 1960, chose to wear uniform No. 60 with "Wampum" on his back while with the A's in 1977.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which A's player was "fired" by the team in the middle of a World Series?
- A.
Jose Canseco
- B.
Mike Andrews
- C.
Ted Kubiak
Correct Answer
B. Mike AndrewsExplanation
B. Second baseman Mike Andrews committed two errors in a Game 2 loss at the 1973 World Series. Owner Charlie Finley was so angered that he forced Andrews to sign a document saying he was injured, which would have removed him from the roster. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn vetoed the transaction.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Who has worn the highest uniform number in A's history?
- A.
Willie Crawford
- B.
Barry Zito
- C.
Jordan Norberto
Correct Answer
A. Willie CrawfordExplanation
A. Willie Crawford, an outfielder who played 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, wore No. 99 for the A's in 1977.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Who was the first hitting coach in Oakland A's history?
- A.
Joe DiMaggio
- B.
Charley Lau
- C.
Irv Noren
Correct Answer
A. Joe DiMaggioExplanation
A. Joe DiMaggio was hired as hitting coach in 1968, another Finley ploy to generate fan interest. He spent three seasons on the job and is credited with helping, among others, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Rudi.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Who is the Oakland A's all-time leading hitter?
- A.
Carney Lansford
- B.
Rickey Henderson
- C.
Jason Giambi
Correct Answer
C. Jason GiambiExplanation
C. Giambi is the only player in Oakland history with a .300 batting average as a member of the A's - he hit .300 in 1,036 career games.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which pitcher has the most career home runs in Athletics franchise history?
- A.
Blue Moon Odom
- B.
Catfish Hunter
- C.
Rollie Fingers
Correct Answer
A. Blue Moon OdomExplanation
A. John "Blue Moon" Odom hit 12 home runs in his A's career, one more than Philadelphia A's Hall of Famer Lefty Grove.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Who led the A's in RBI during their 1989 World Series sweep of the Giants?
- A.
Dave Henderson
- B.
Carney Lansford
- C.
Terry Steinbach
Correct Answer
C. Terry SteinbachExplanation
C. Steinbach had seven RBI, iincluding three in the 9-6, title-clinching Game 4 win on Oct. 28, 1989.Rate this question:
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