Harman Patil (Editor)

1976 Oakland Athletics season

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Record
  
87–74 (.540)

Manager(s)
  
Chuck Tanner

Owner(s)
  
Charles O. Finley

Local television
  
KPIX-TV

Local radio
  
KNBR (Monte Moore, Bob Waller)

The 1976 Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 74 losses, 2½ games behind the Kansas City Royals, meaning that the A's failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1970. This team set and still holds the American League team record for most stolen bases in a season with 341.

Contents

The Athletics would not eclipse this season's win total until 1988 (when they won 104). Indeed, nearly all of the team's stars (Sal Bando, Rollie Fingers, Gene Tenace, Joe Rudi, Bert Campaneris, Don Baylor, Phil Garner, Billy Williams, Claudell Washington, and an injury-plagued Willie McCovey) would depart during the 1976–77 offseason. This staggering mass exodus contributed led to a 24-win plunge in 1977.

Offseason

  • October 10, 1975: Dal Maxvill was released by the Athletics.
  • December 9, 1975: Ray Fosse was purchased from the Athletics by the Cleveland Indians.

    • Regular season

    As the 1976 season got underway, the basic rules of player contracts were changing. It was ruled that baseball's reserve clause only bound players for one season after their contract expired. All players not signed to multi-year contracts would be eligible for free agency at the end of the 1976 season. Finley reacted by trading star players and attempting to sell others. On June 15, 1976, Finley sold left fielder Joe Rudi and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers to Boston for $1 million each, and pitcher Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million. Three days later, Bowie Kuhn voided the transactions in the "best interests of baseball." Amid the turmoil, the A's still finished second in the A.L. West, 2.5 games behind the Royals.

    Fire sale

  • Before the June 15, 1976, trading deadline, Finley contacted the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. He had proposed a trade to the Boston Red Sox that would have involved Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, Gene Tenace and Sal Bando for Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk and prospects. In trade talks with the Yankees, Finley proposed Vida Blue for Thurman Munson along with either Roy White or Elliott Maddox. Finley also offered Joe Rudi for Thurman Munson.
  • On June 14, 1976, Finley was unable to make any trades. He had started contacting other teams about the possibility of selling his players' contracts. Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, Don Baylor, and Gene Tenace were worth $1 million each, while Sal Bando could be acquired for $500,000. Boston Red Sox General manager Dick O'Connell was in Oakland as the Red Sox would play the Athletics on June 15. Field manager Darrell Johnson had declared that he was interested in Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers. The Red Sox had agreed to purchase both contracts for one million dollars each.

    • O’Connell had contacted Detroit Tigers General manager Jim Campbell to purchase Vida Blue for one million dollars so that the New York Yankees could not get him. Gabe Paul of the New York Yankees advised that he would pay $1.5 million for the opportunity to acquire Vida Blue. Finley offered Blue a three-year extension worth $485,000 per season to make the sale more attractive to the Yankees. With the extension, the Yankees agreed to purchase Blue.

  • Finley had then proceeded to contact Bill Veeck of the Chicago White Sox about purchasing Sal Bando. He then contacted the Texas Rangers, as they were interested in acquiring Don Baylor for the one million dollar asking price.

    • Season standings

  • By May 18, 1976, the Athletics were 18–24, and seven and a half games out of first place.

    • Notable transactions

  • April 2, 1976: Reggie Jackson, Ken Holtzman, and Bill Van Bommell (minors) were traded by the Athletics to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez, and Paul Mitchell. Charlie Finley stated that he made the trade to obtain more pitching for the club. He later admitted, that he had refused to agree to Jackson's salary demands.
  • April 5, 1976: Ken McMullen was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
  • April 19, 1976: Tim Hosley was selected by the Athletics off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
  • June 8, 1976: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
  • Rickey Henderson was drafted by the Athletics in the 4th round. Henderson signed on July 9, 1976.
  • Ernie Camacho was drafted by the Athletics in the 1st round (18th pick) of the Secondary Phase.
  • June 9, 1976: Nate Colbert was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.
  • August 30, 1976: Willie McCovey was purchased by the Athletics from the San Diego Padres.

    • Starters by position

    Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Other batters

    Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Starting pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Other pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Relief pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    References

    1976 Oakland Athletics season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA