History of Oakland Athletics in Timeline
The Oakland Athletics, an American professional baseball team in Oakland, California, compete in MLB's American League West Division. They currently play at the Oakland Coliseum but plan to temporarily relocate to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025-2027 seasons before permanently moving to Las Vegas. This move marks MLB's first franchise relocation since the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals. The A's have won nine World Series championships, fifteen pennants, and seventeen division titles, the second-highest in the American League after the New York Yankees.
1901: City Series Hiatus
No City Series games were held in 1901 and 1902 due to conflicts between the National League and the American League.
1901: Franchise Inception
The Oakland Athletics franchise originated in 1901.
1901: Beginning of Franchise History
The Oakland Athletics franchise's history began in 1901.
1901: Establishment of the Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were founded in 1901 as one of the American League's eight charter franchises.
1902: City Series Hiatus
No City Series games were held in 1901 and 1902 due to conflicts between the National League and the American League.
1903: Start of the City Series
The City Series, a baseball rivalry between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies, started in 1903.
1905: Adoption of the White Elephant Mascot
Connie Mack, the team manager, adopted the white elephant as the team mascot in 1905, a defiant response to John McGraw's remark about the team being a "white elephant."
1909: Elephant Logo on Sweaters
By 1909, the Athletics started wearing an elephant logo on their sweaters.
1910: Philadelphia Athletics World Series Win
The Oakland Athletics display all of the Philadelphia Athletics' World Series championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930) at their stadium.
1910: First World Series Championship
The Philadelphia Athletics won their first World Series championship in 1910.
1911: Philadelphia Athletics World Series Win
The Oakland Athletics display all of the Philadelphia Athletics' World Series championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930) at their stadium.
1911: Second Consecutive World Series Championship
The Philadelphia Athletics secured their second consecutive World Series championship in 1911.
1913: A's Defeat Giants in World Series
In 1913, the Athletics emerged victorious over the Giants in the World Series.
1913: Philadelphia Athletics World Series Win
The Oakland Athletics display all of the Philadelphia Athletics' World Series championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930) at their stadium.
1913: Third World Series Title
The Philadelphia Athletics clinched their third World Series title in 1913.
1918: Elephant Logo on Uniforms
In 1918, the elephant logo was incorporated into the Athletics' regular uniform jersey for the first time.
1922: Supreme Court Establishes Baseball's Antitrust Exemption
In 1922, the Supreme Court of the United States established baseball's antitrust exemption.
1929: Philadelphia Athletics World Series Win
The Oakland Athletics display all of the Philadelphia Athletics' World Series championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930) at their stadium.
1929: Fourth World Series Victory
The Philadelphia Athletics achieved their fourth World Series victory in 1929.
1930: Philadelphia Athletics World Series Win
The Oakland Athletics display all of the Philadelphia Athletics' World Series championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930) at their stadium.
1930: Fifth World Series Title
The Philadelphia Athletics secured their fifth World Series title in 1930.
1953: Supreme Court Upholds Baseball's Antitrust Exemption
In 1953, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld baseball's antitrust exemption.
1954: Team Name on Uniforms
The Athletics' team name appeared on their uniforms for the first time in 1954, with "Athletics" spelled out in script across the front.
1955: Relocation to Kansas City
The Athletics franchise relocated to Kansas City in 1955.
1955: End of the City Series
The City Series rivalry ended in 1955 when the Athletics relocated to Kansas City.
1960: Introduction of "Kansas City" on Road Uniforms
After acquiring the team in 1960, Charles O. Finley introduced road uniforms featuring "Kansas City" printed on them.
1963: Mascot Change to a Mule
In 1963, Charlie Finley, the then-owner of the Athletics, changed the team mascot from an elephant to a mule.
April 17, 1968: Oakland Athletics' Bay Area Debut
The Oakland Athletics made their Bay Area debut on April 17, 1968, with a game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Coliseum.
1968: Move to Oakland
The Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland in 1968, becoming the Oakland Athletics.
1969: Athletics Move to California
The Athletics' rivalry with the Los Angeles Angels began in 1969 after the team's relocation to California and the AL West.
1970: Addition of "Apostrophe-s" and "A's"
In 1970, an "apostrophe-s" was added to the cap and uniform emblem, reflecting Finley's official change of the team's name to the "A's."
1972: "A's" Officially Replace "Athletics"
In 1972, the Oakland Athletics officially changed their name to the Oakland A's, a nickname frequently used to shorten the team's name.
1972: Supreme Court Upholds Baseball's Antitrust Exemption
In 1972, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld baseball's antitrust exemption.
1972: First World Series Title as the Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics won their first World Series championship as the Oakland Athletics in 1972.
1973: Back-to-Back World Series Champions
The Oakland Athletics secured back-to-back World Series championships in 1973.
1974: Third Consecutive World Series Triumph
The Oakland Athletics achieved their third consecutive World Series triumph in 1974.
1976: Golden State Seals Relocate to Cleveland
The California Golden Seals relocated to Cleveland in 1976.
1978: Athletics Engaged in Relocation Discussions with Louisiana Superdome
During the 1978-1979 offseason, the Athletics explored relocating to the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. However, they could not break their lease with the Oakland Coliseum.
1978: Start of the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame
From 1978 to 2003 (except for 1983), the Philadelphia Phillies inducted former Athletics and Phillies players into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.
1980: Oakland A's Win World Series
In 1980, the Oakland A's won the World Series. Despite the team's official name being the Oakland A's, the Commissioner's Trophy displayed "Oakland Athletics."
1980: Walter A. Haas, Jr. Becomes Owner
Walter A. Haas, Jr. was the owner of the Oakland Athletics from 1980 until 1995. After his death, the A's retired the letter "A" in his honor.
1981: "Athletics" Reintroduced to Team Branding
In 1981, the Oakland A's reverted to their original name, "Athletics," under new ownership.
1982: Athletics Establish Spring Training Facility in Phoenix
In 1982, the Oakland Athletics established their spring training facility at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.
1982: Raiders Relocate, Coliseum Undergoes Renovations
The Oakland Coliseum underwent significant renovations after the Oakland Raiders football team relocated to Los Angeles in 1982, transforming the stadium into a baseball-only facility.
1983: Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame Hiatus
The Philadelphia Phillies inducted one former Phillie and one former Athletic into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame each year between 1978 and 2003, with the exception of 1983.
1987: "Athletics" Returns to Jerseys
By 1987, the word "Athletics" was added back to the Oakland Athletics jerseys in script lettering.
1988: Return of the Elephant
An elephant illustration has been featured on the left sleeve of the A's home and road uniforms since 1988.
1989: A's Win World Series Against Giants
The 1989 World Series saw the Oakland Athletics claim victory over the San Francisco Giants. This marked the first World Series meeting between the two teams since their relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area and the A's most recent championship.
1989: Seventh World Series Title
The Oakland Athletics won their seventh World Series title in 1989.
1992: Introduction of All-Forest Green Road Cap
The Athletics introduced an all-forest green road cap in 1993, which initially featured a white "A's" wordmark before switching to gold the following season.
1993: Debut of All-Forest Green Road Cap
The Athletics' all-forest green road cap made its debut in 1993.
1994: Athletics Introduce Green Alternate Jerseys
In 1994, the Oakland Athletics introduced green alternate jerseys with "Athletics" written in gold for both home and away games.
1994: "Angels in the Outfield" Filmed at the Coliseum
In 1994, the Oakland Coliseum was used as a filming location for the movie "Angels in the Outfield."
1995: Raiders Return and Coliseum Expansion
The Oakland Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995, leading to the expansion of the Coliseum to accommodate the football team.
1995: Walter A. Haas, Jr.'s Death
Walter A. Haas, Jr. was the owner of the Oakland Athletics from 1980 until 1995. After his death, the A's retired the letter "A" in his honor.
1996: Charlie Finley's Death
Charlie Finley, an A's Hall of Fame inductee, died in 1996.
1997: Introduction of Stomper
In 1997, the A's introduced a new costumed elephant mascot named Stomper.
1997: Interleague Play Begins
Interleague play in Major League Baseball was introduced in 1997.
1999: Catfish Hunter's Death
Catfish Hunter, an A's Hall of Fame inductee, died in 1999.
2002: Athletics' "Moneyball" Season and Record Winning Streak
During the 2002 season, the A's used "Moneyball" tactics to achieve a league record 20-game winning streak, surpassing the Angels for the division lead. Despite finishing with 103 wins, they lost in the ALDS. The Angels won the World Series that year.
2002: Record-Breaking Winning Streak
The Oakland Athletics set a record for the most consecutive wins in a season with 20 in 2002.
2002: "Moneyball" Season
The book and subsequent movie "Moneyball" chronicle the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season and their general manager Billy Beane's use of sabermetrics.
June 2003: "Moneyball" Published
Michael Lewis published "Moneyball" in June 2003, and it remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for 18 weeks.
2003: End of the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame
From 1978 to 2003 (except for 1983), the Philadelphia Phillies inducted former Athletics and Phillies players into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.
2003: Athletics and Phillies Meet in Interleague Play
The A's and Phillies played each other during the regular season for the first time since the A's left Philadelphia in 2003.
March 2004: Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame Relocation
When Veterans Stadium was replaced in March 2004, the plaques from the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame were moved to the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
2004: Athletics vs. Angels for Wild Card
In 2004, the A's and Angels battled for a Wild Card spot, with the A's ultimately losing the last three games of the season to the Angels in Oakland. The Angels were swept in the playoffs.
December 21, 2005: Athletics Announce Capacity Reduction at Coliseum
On December 21, 2005, the Athletics announced a reduction in the Coliseum's seating capacity, covering the third deck with a tarp and discontinuing ticket sales for Mount Davis.
November 7, 2006: A's Announce Potential Move to Fremont
On November 7, 2006, news broke that the Oakland Athletics were planning to relocate to Fremont, California, as early as 2010. The proposed move, which included plans for a new stadium called Cisco Field, was later abandoned.
2006: Coliseum's Capacity Reduced
In 2006, the Oakland Coliseum's capacity was reduced, making it the lowest-capacity stadium in Major League Baseball.
2008: Limited Third Deck Seating Opens
Starting in 2008, the Oakland Athletics opened a limited section of the third deck behind home plate, increasing the Coliseum's capacity.
2008: Discontinuation of All-Forest Green Batting Helmet
The Athletics discontinued the use of their all-forest green batting helmet in 2008.
February 24, 2009: A's Abandon Fremont Stadium Plans
On February 24, 2009, A's owner Lew Wolff announced the end of the team's efforts to relocate to Fremont. He cited delays and opposition from the community as reasons for the decision.
2009: San Jose Attempts to Lure A's
In 2009, the City of San Jose made efforts to initiate discussions with the Oakland Athletics about the possibility of the team relocating to San Jose. The city had identified land south of Diridon Station as a potential stadium site.
September 2010: Silicon Valley CEOs Support A's Move to San Jose
In September 2010, a group of 75 CEOs from companies based in Silicon Valley jointly wrote and sent a letter to Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, advocating for a swift approval of the Oakland Athletics' potential relocation to San Jose.
2010: A's Explore Relocation to Fremont
In the early 2010s the Oakland Athletics explored the possibility of relocating to Fremont, California. The proposed move would have involved the construction of a new stadium, Cisco Field, but ultimately fell through due to various challenges.
May 2011: San Jose Mayor Seeks Timeline for A's Decision from MLB
In May 2011, Chuck Reed, the mayor of San Jose, sent a letter to Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, requesting a timeline for when a decision might be made regarding the Oakland Athletics' potential move to San Jose.
July 2011: Selig Addresses A's San Jose Situation
During an online town hall forum held in July 2011, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged the complexity of the Oakland Athletics' potential move to San Jose, mentioning a committee assessing the situation but not providing a concrete timeline for a decision.
September 19, 2011: "Moneyball" Premieres in Oakland
The movie "Moneyball," based on the book by Michael Lewis, premiered at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on September 19, 2011.
2011: Athletics Debut Gold Alternate Jerseys
In 2011, the Oakland Athletics debuted their gold alternate jerseys, primarily used for home games.
June 18, 2013: San Jose Sues MLB Over A's Move
On June 18, 2013, the City of San Jose filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball, seeking a legal ruling that would prevent the league from blocking the Oakland Athletics from relocating to San Jose.
October 2013: Court Dismisses Most of San Jose's Claims Against MLB
In October 2013, a U.S. District Judge dismissed a majority of the claims made by the City of San Jose in its lawsuit against Major League Baseball, while allowing the city to proceed with its claim that MLB unlawfully interfered with a land agreement between San Jose and the A's.
2013: Athletics Retire Green Alternate Jerseys
In 2013, the Oakland Athletics retired the green alternate jerseys they had been using since 1994.
2013: New Bay Bridge Span Opens
The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge opened in 2013, replacing the old span which was dismantled.
September 2014: Oakland Athletics Pay Tribute to Eric the Actor
Following the death of Eric the Actor, a fan of the Oakland Athletics and a member of the Howard Stern Show's Wack Pack, in September 2014, the team's broadcasters honored him by ending a game broadcast with his famous sign-off, "bye for now."
2014: Return to White "A's" Wordmark with Gold Trim
In 2014, the Athletics' road cap's "A's" wordmark reverted to white and added gold trim.
2014: Athletics Introduce New Green Alternate Jerseys
In 2014, the Oakland Athletics replaced their old green alternate jerseys with a new version that featured white and gold trim.
2014: Athletics Downplay Historical Connection
The Athletics did not acknowledge the historical significance of the City Series when they played against the Phillies in Oakland in 2014.
2014: Athletics Relocate Spring Training to Hohokam Stadium
The Oakland Athletics relocated their spring training facility to Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona, in 2014.
January 15, 2015: Appeals Court Rules Against San Jose in A's Case
On January 15, 2015, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously decided that the claims made by the City of San Jose in its case against Major League Baseball were not permissible under baseball's antitrust exemption.
October 5, 2015: Supreme Court Rejects San Jose's Appeal in A's Case
On October 5, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected the appeal made by the City of San Jose in its case against Major League Baseball, related to the city's attempt to secure the relocation of the Oakland Athletics.
September 2017: A's Announce Laney College Stadium Plan
In September 2017, Oakland A's president Dave Kaval announced a plan to build a new 35,000-seat stadium near Laney College in Oakland. The plan was later abandoned.
2017: Coliseum Capacity Increased Under New President
In 2017, Dave Kaval, the new president of the Oakland Athletics, increased the Coliseum's capacity by removing the tarps from the upper deck.
2017: Athletics Create Outdoor Plaza and "The Treehouse" at the Coliseum
In 2017, the Athletics enhanced the fan experience at the Coliseum by adding an outdoor plaza with food trucks, seating, and games, and "The Treehouse," an area with bars, seating, and entertainment.
March 24, 2018: A's Announce Different Parking Prices for Fans Based on Team Allegiance
On March 24, 2018, the Oakland A's made an announcement stating that parking prices for the exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on March 25, 2018, would vary based on team allegiance. A's fans would be charged $30 for parking, while Giants fans would have to pay $50.
March 25, 2018: A's Charge Different Parking Prices for Fans Based on Team Allegiance
On March 25, 2018, the Oakland Athletics implemented different parking fees for fans attending the exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants, with prices determined by perceived team loyalty.
April 17, 2018: A's Celebrate 50th Anniversary in Oakland with Free Game
On April 17, 2018, the Oakland Athletics celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first game in Oakland by offering a free game to fans, with 46,028 people attending.
July 21, 2018: A's Set Coliseum Attendance Record Against Giants
On July 21, 2018, the Oakland Athletics hosted the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum, setting a new attendance record for the stadium with a crowd of 56,310.
September 5, 2018: Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
On September 5, 2018, the A's inducted seven members into the inaugural class of the team's Hall of Fame. The ceremony included the unveiling of paintings of each inductee and the presentation of green jackets.
November 28, 2018: A's Choose Howard Terminal for New Ballpark
On November 28, 2018, the Oakland Athletics revealed their selection of the Howard Terminal site at the Port of Oakland as the location for their new 34,000-seat ballpark. The team also announced plans to purchase and renovate the Coliseum site.
2018: Athletics Introduce Kelly Green Alternate Uniforms
In 2018, as part of their 50th anniversary in Oakland, the Athletics introduced kelly green alternate uniforms.
2018: Inaugural Bay Bridge Trophy
In 2018, the A's and Giants began competing for the "Bay Bridge" Trophy. The trophy, made from steel taken from the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge, was awarded to the A's in its inaugural season.
2019: Kelly Green Uniforms Replace Gold Alternates
By 2019, the kelly green uniforms introduced the year before replaced the Athletics' gold alternate uniforms.
2019: Athletics Introduce New Premium and Group Spaces at the Coliseum
In 2019, the Oakland Athletics added new premium and group spaces to the Coliseum, including The Terrace, Lounge Seats, Coppola Theater Boxes, Budweiser Hero Deck, and Golden Road Landing.
2019: Golden State Warriors Move to San Francisco
The Golden State Warriors moved across the bay to San Francisco in 2019.
2020: Athletics Secure Flagship Radio Station
At the start of the 2020 season, the Athletics had a streaming deal but no flagship radio station. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented fans from going to games, the A's were able to secure a deal with KNEW.
2020: Eric the Actor Honored with Cutout at Oakland A's Game
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland Athletics showed solidarity with their absent fans by placing cutouts of fans in the stands. Among them was a cutout of Eric the Actor, further solidifying his connection to the team.
2020: Dave Stewart Jersey Retirement Postponed
The A's were scheduled to retire Dave Stewart's #34 jersey in 2020 but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Oakland Raiders Relocate to Las Vegas
The Oakland Raiders relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.
2020: Raiders' Move Ends Coliseum Sharing Arrangement
The Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas in 2020 marked the end of the Athletics sharing a stadium with an NFL team.
August 2021: Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Announced
In August 2021, the A's announced their 2022 Hall of Fame class, which included players Sal Bando, Eric Chavez, Joe Rudi, director of player development Keith Lieppman, and clubhouse manager Steve "Vuc" Vucinich.
November 2021: Ray Fosse's Posthumous Hall of Fame Induction
Ray Fosse was posthumously inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in November 2021.
2021: No News on Stewart Jersey Retirement
After the postponement of Dave Stewart's jersey retirement in 2020, there were no updates on when it would be rescheduled until April 2022.
2021: A's Hold Winning Record Against Giants in Regular Season Interleague Play
As of the end of the 2021 Major League Baseball season, the Oakland Athletics have a winning record against the San Francisco Giants in regular season interleague play, having won 71 games compared to the Giants' 65 victories.
2021: A's Surpass Giants in Postseason Success Since Bay Area Move
Through the conclusion of the 2021 MLB season, the Oakland Athletics have surpassed the San Francisco Giants in various measures of postseason success since both teams relocated to the Bay Area. This includes a higher number of postseason appearances, division titles, and World Series championships.
April 2022: Stewart Jersey Retirement Rescheduled
The Oakland A's announced in April 2022 that the retirement of Dave Stewart's jersey would take place in September after a two-year postponement.
September 11, 2022: Dave Stewart's Jersey Retirement
Dave Stewart's #34 jersey was retired by the Oakland Athletics on September 11, 2022. This was the first time the A's retired a number of a player who wasn't in the Hall of Fame.
2022: Kelly Green Becomes Sole Alternate Uniform
In 2022, the kelly green alternate uniform became the Athletics' only active alternate uniform after retiring the forest green alternate.
2022: Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
The Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its 2022 class, which included Ray Fosse.
April 2023: Oakland Ends Stadium Talks with A's over Las Vegas Deal
In April 2023, the City of Oakland ceased negotiations with the Oakland Athletics regarding a new ballpark after the team announced plans for a new stadium in Las Vegas. The city cited concerns about the team's commitment to Oakland.
April 20, 2023: Land Purchase Agreement for Las Vegas Ballpark
On April 20, 2023, the Oakland Athletics announced a land purchase agreement for a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip, signaling their intention to relocate.
May 9, 2023: New Las Vegas Ballpark Location Announced
On May 9, 2023, the Athletics revealed a new location for their planned Las Vegas ballpark: the site of the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel and casino.
November 16, 2023: MLB Owners Approve Athletics' Relocation
MLB owners unanimously approved the Athletics' request to relocate to the Las Vegas area on November 16, 2023.
2023: Home and Road Uniforms with Script Lettering
The 2023 Athletics team wore home uniforms with "Athletics" and road uniforms with "Oakland" spelled out in script writing.
2023: Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
The Athletics Hall of Fame will induct its 2023 class, featuring players Jason Giambi, Carney Lansford and Gene Tenace, and longtime public address announcer Roy Steele, on August 6.
2023: End of an Era in Oakland
The year 2023 marked a significant point in the Oakland Athletics' history, as it was their last season in Oakland before their planned relocation.
2024: A's Lease at Oakland Coliseum Expires
The Oakland Athletics' lease agreement for the Oakland Coliseum is set to expire after the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
2025: Athletics to Wear "Athletics" Wordmark on Uniforms
From 2025 to 2027, the Athletics' uniforms will feature the "Athletics" wordmark, coinciding with the team's temporary move to West Sacramento.
2025: A's to Play in West Sacramento Temporarily
From 2025 to 2027, the Oakland Athletics will play their home games in West Sacramento, California, at Sutter Health Park.
2025: Temporary Games in West Sacramento
The Athletics planned to play their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, for the 2025–2027 seasons, with a potential extension to 2028.
2025: Planned Temporary Move to West Sacramento
The Oakland Athletics planned to begin a temporary move to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, for the 2025 season.
2027: A's to Play in West Sacramento Temporarily
From 2025 to 2027, the Oakland Athletics will play their home games in West Sacramento, California, at Sutter Health Park.
2027: End of Temporary Stay in West Sacramento
The Athletics' temporary stay in West Sacramento was scheduled to end after the 2027 season, with a possible extension to 2028.
2027: Athletics' Temporary Use of "Athletics" Wordmark Ends
The Oakland Athletics' temporary use of the "Athletics" wordmark on their uniforms will end in 2027, after which they will revert to their standard uniform design.
2028: A's Move to Las Vegas Approved, New Ballpark Completion Expected
On November 16, 2023, Major League Baseball team owners unanimously approved the Oakland Athletics' relocation to Las Vegas. The team anticipates the completion of the new Las Vegas ballpark in 2028.
2028: Potential Extension of West Sacramento Stay and Planned Move to Las Vegas
The Oakland Athletics had an option to extend their stay at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, through the 2028 season. However, they ultimately planned to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028.
2028: Scheduled Move to Las Vegas
The Oakland Athletics' move to Las Vegas was scheduled for 2028.
