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2000 Season - AL West Champs


Oakland A's 2000...what will they be known for? The kids that showed they could not be bullied.  They played the month of September, like it was the playoffs all month.  They had the best record for the month in all of baseball.  Tim Hudson won pitcher of the month honors (1.69 ERA, 5-0, .191 OPP AVG), and Jason Giambi won player of the month (.400 AVG, 13 HR, 32 RBI). Other stars of the month include Jason Isringhausen (1.74 ERA, 6 SV), rookie Barry Zito (1.74 ERA, 5-1, .177 OPP AVG), Jeremy Giambi (.368 AVG), and Terrence Long (.305 AVG, 23 RBI).  

There were some surprises during the 2000 season.  Three players were elected to the All Star Team: Jason Giambi, Tim Hudson and Jason Isringhausen. The A's were either really hot, or really cold.  Winning streaks of 9 games, were countered by losing streaks of 6.  Terrence Long emerged as an excellent center fielder, after starting the season in AAA Sacramento. He went on to lead all rookies in most categories, and is one of the best hitters with runners in scoring position in all of the AL.  Barry Zito, an late July call up, went 7-4 with an outstanding ERA of 2.72.  Jason Giambi proved that his all star selection was no fluke, and took his place as possibly the best first baseman in baseball.  He was in the top ten in 8 offensive categories, and led in walks, grand slams, and on base percentage.  United with his brother Jeremy, the two joined for over 50 HR's and 187 RBI.  They set an all time record for brother teammates by combining for 169 walks and 187 RBI's. Jason also took his place among the all time greats of Oakland A's baseball, he is now ranked in the top ten in 9 Oakland categories, including first in batting average (.302) and second in slugging percentage and on-base percentage (.524 & .399 respectively).

The A's minor league teams continue rolling out stars.  They had the MVP of the Pacific Coast League (AAA), in Jose Ortiz.  Slick fielding speedster Eric Byrnes in the outfield as a September call up.  Jason Hart, power hitting first baseman of Midland (AA) and the A's fourth straight minor league player of the year, and many others.  The A's had players on All Star teams at all levels, and had many players named to minor league all stars teams in publications such as Baseball Weekly and Baseball America.  They had three minor league teams in the playoffs (Sacramento, Modesto, and Visalia), proving that there minor league system is still stocked with talent.

Even though the A's took the eventual World Champs to the brink, Billy and company were not done with this team.  In January 2001, Billy went out and got one of the biggest names on the market, Johnny Damon.  Damon came over from Kansas City, part of a three team deal that sent Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay, and AJ Hinch to Kansas City.  This deal gave the A's a true leadoff hitter, and more speed.  With Matt Stairs also leaving, the A's moved more to speed and defense in the outfield.  

The A's turned many heads during the 1999 season.   With one of the lowest payroll's in baseball, the A's proved in 1999 that heart, determination, and hard work, counts just as much as spending a $100 million.  A's GM Billy Beane went out and grabbed some of the best players out there in the mid season, including Omar Olivares, Randy Velarde, Jason Isringhausen, Greg McMichael, and Kevin Appier.  The A's were near the top of the league in HR's, walks, and lead the AL in wins at home.  

During the offseason of fall 1999/winter 2000, Billy Beane once again proved that he is a front office genius.  Beane resigned Omar Olivares, Kevin Appier, and Randy Velarde.  He signed left handed reliever Mike Magnante.  With some of the best players in the west, moving on to other teams, the A's looked strong heading into the 2000 season.

Another season of A's baseball is on the way.  Which means another year of the A's award winning ad campaings.  This year they featuer Jason Giambi raining baseball into Pac Bell Park,  Long trying the fit of his new jersey number (It's a little tight in the shoulders), and the ever popular A's Drummers.  The theme this year?? Baseball: A's Style  Last years campaign "The Oakland A's, They can't do a lot of things, but they can play baseball."  It included tv commercials with the A's singing, dancing, acting, and playing music...very badly. The rest of the commercial show the A's strong points..playing baseball. The radio spots feature Miguel Tejada (Can't Play the Pan Flute), Jason and Jeremy Giambi (Can't Rap), and Eric Chavez (Can't Break Bricks With His Head).