The Athletics are one of the oldest and most traveled franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1901 as a charter member of the American League, the franchise has called Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland and West Sacramento home. Along the way, the A’s have won nine World Series championships, produced legendary players and managers, and become one of baseball’s most recognizable franchises. The franchise was known as the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-1954, the Kansas City Athletics from 1955-1967, and the Oakland Athletics from 1968-2024. Beginning in 2025, the club began its temporary stay at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, with a planned move to a new Las Vegas ballpark in 2028. The Beginning: The Philadelphia Athletics The Athletics began play in Philadelphia in 1901. Connie Mack was brought in to run the baseball operation, while sporting-goods businessman Benjamin F. Shibe became the club’s principal early owner. The original ownership group included Benjamin Shibe, Connie Mack, Tom Shibe, John Shibe, Sam Jones and Frank Hough. Mack gradually acquired additional ownership and eventually became the dominant figure in the organization. The Philadelphia Athletics quickly became one of the American League’s premier clubs. They won American League pennants in 1902, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930 and 1931. Five of those pennant-winning teams captured the World Series. Athletics Home Parks Columbia Park — Philadelphia 1901-1908 The first home of the Athletics was Columbia Park in North Philadelphia. The park opened in 1901 and originally held about 9,500 fans. Capacity was later increased to approximately 13,600. Shibe Park — Philadelphia 1909-1954 The Athletics moved into Shibe Park in 1909. It was one of baseball’s first major concrete-and-steel stadiums. The park was named for owner Benjamin Shibe. In 1953 it was officially renamed Connie Mack Stadium in honor of the legendary manager. The Athletics played there until leaving Philadelphia after the 1954 season. Municipal Stadium — Kansas City 1955-1967 After the franchise was sold and moved to Kansas City, the Athletics played at Municipal Stadium. The stadium had previously been associated with the Kansas City Blues and Kansas City Monarchs. The facility was extensively rebuilt before the Athletics began play there in 1955. Oakland Coliseum — Oakland 1968-2024 The Athletics moved to Oakland in 1968 and played their first game at the Coliseum on April 17, 1968. The Coliseum became the longest-running home in Athletics history and witnessed four World Series championships, the 20-game winning streak of 2002, The Bash Brothers era, the Moneyball era and many other memorable moments. The final Athletics game in Oakland was played in September 2024. Sutter Health Park — West Sacramento 2025-2027 The Athletics moved temporarily to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento beginning with the 2025 season. The agreement calls for the Athletics to play there through 2027, with an option for 2028 if the planned Las Vegas stadium is not ready. Las Vegas — Planned Future Home The Athletics are planning to move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas for the 2028 season. The Las Vegas facility is intended to become the franchise’s permanent home after the temporary Sacramento period. Athletics Ownership Through the Years The ownership history of the Athletics is almost as interesting as the playing history. Philadelphia Athletics 1901-1921 — Benjamin F. Shibe and Connie Mack, with other original minority owners including Tom Shibe, John Shibe, Sam Jones and Frank Hough. 1922-1936 — Tom Shibe, John Shibe and Connie Mack 1936-1937 — John Shibe and Connie Mack 1937-1950 — Connie Mack and the Mack/Shibe ownership interests 1950-1954 — Connie Mack, Roy Mack and Earle Mack The Mack family ultimately controlled the club before selling it after the 1954 season. Kansas City Athletics 1954-1960 — Arnold Johnson Arnold Johnson purchased the Philadelphia Athletics and moved the franchise to Kansas City. 1960-1980 — Charles O. “Charlie” Finley Finley became one of the most colorful owners in baseball history. He purchased controlling interest in 1960 and eventually acquired the remaining ownership interests. Finley moved the team to Oakland in 1968 and was the owner when the Athletics won three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 through 1974. Oakland Athletics 1980-1995 — Walter A. Haas Jr. Haas purchased the Athletics from Finley following the 1980 season. During his ownership, Oakland won three consecutive American League pennants from 1988-1990 and the 1989 World Series. 1995-2005 — Stephen Schott and Ken Hofmann Schott and Hofmann purchased the Athletics in 1995. The team reached the postseason four consecutive years from 2000-2003. 2005-2016 — Lewis Wolff and John Fisher Wolff, Fisher and a limited partnership group purchased the Athletics in 2005. 2016-present — John Fisher Fisher became managing partner in 2016 after Wolff stepped down from the position. Fisher remains the Athletics’ owner and managing partner. The Athletics’ Nine World Series Championships The Athletics have won nine World Series championships, with titles spread across three different cities. Year Opponent Result Athletics Series Record 1910 Chicago Cubs Won 4-1 1911 New York Giants Won 4-2 1913 New York Giants Won 4-1 1929 Chicago Cubs Won 4-1 1930 St. Louis Cardinals Won 4-2 1972 Cincinnati Reds Won 4-3 1973 New York Mets Won 4-3 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers Won 4-1 1989 San Francisco Giants Won 4-0 That gives the Athletics an all-time World Series record of 36 wins and 18 losses in their nine championship series. The nine championships occurred in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989. The Philadelphia Dynasties The first Athletics dynasty was built around stars such as Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Chief Bender and Eddie Plank. The 1910, 1911 and 1913 Athletics won three World Series championships in four years. The second Philadelphia dynasty came in the late 1920s and early 1930s. That team featured: Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane. Lefty Grove, Al Simmons, Eddie Collins Connie Mack Philadelphia won the World Series in 1929 and 1930 and reached the World Series again in 1931. The Oakland Dynasty The greatest modern Athletics dynasty came during the early 1970s. Oakland won… Continue reading The Complete History of the MLB Athletics: From Philadelphia to Sacramento and Las Vegas
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The History of the Cleveland Guardians:
[custom_countdown width=”125px”] The History of the Cleveland Guardians: From the Blues to the Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are one of Major League Baseball’s oldest franchises. The organization that is now known as the Guardians began American League play in 1901, making Cleveland one of the original American League cities. Over more than 125 years, the franchise has been known by several names, including the Cleveland Blues, Cleveland Bronchos, Cleveland Naps, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Guardians. The team has won six American League pennants and two World Series championships. The Guardians’ history includes legendary players such as Cy Young, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby, Frank Robinson, Jim Thome and CC Sabathia. It is also a franchise with a fascinating history of ballparks, ownership changes, blockbuster trades and players who became stars after leaving Cleveland. The Beginning: Cleveland Baseball Before the Guardians Cleveland had Major League baseball before the current franchise. The Cleveland Blues played in the National League beginning in 1879. Later, Cleveland became home to the Cleveland Spiders, who played in the National League from 1887 through 1899. The Spiders produced several future Hall of Famers, including Cy Young, Jesse Burkett, Buck Ewing, Bobby Wallace, John Clarkson and George Davis. However, the Spiders disappeared after the disastrous 1899 season. The Spiders finished that season 20-134, still one of the worst records in professional sports history. Owner Frank Robison also owned the St. Louis Browns and transferred Cleveland’s best players to St. Louis, leaving Cleveland with a depleted roster. The Spiders were dropped from the National League after the season. The modern Cleveland franchise began in the American League in 1901. The Cleveland Blues and Bronchos The new American League Cleveland franchise initially went through several nicknames. The team was called the Cleveland Blues in 1901 and later became known as the Bronchos. In 1903, the team acquired one of baseball’s greatest early stars, Nap Lajoie, and soon became known as the Cleveland Naps. Lajoie was more than just a star player. He became the face of the franchise and one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era. The Cleveland Naps Nap Lajoie was one of baseball’s first true superstars. He won batting titles, accumulated thousands of hits and became so closely associated with Cleveland that the club eventually adopted the name Naps in his honor. The team also developed one of the game’s great pitchers during this period: Addie Joss. Joss threw a 74-pitch perfect game for Cleveland at League Park on October 2, 1908. His career ended tragically when he died of tubercular meningitis in 1911. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. The 1920 World Championship The franchise’s first World Series championship came in 1920. The team was led by players including: Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski, Joe Sewell, Ray Chapman, Jim Bagby Sr. Cleveland defeated the Brooklyn Robins in the World Series. The 1920 championship was especially significant because it came during a tragic period for the franchise. Shortstop Ray Chapman was killed after being struck in the head by a pitch during the season. The team rallied and eventually won the World Series. Tris Speaker had become a Cleveland star after the team acquired him from Boston in 1916. He remained with Cleveland for 11 seasons and became one of the greatest players in franchise history. From Naps to Indians After the 1914 season, the team dropped the Naps nickname and became known as the Cleveland Indians. The Indians name remained for more than a century. In 2021, the organization officially changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians. The new name came from the six Art Deco Guardians of Traffic statues on Cleveland’s Hope Memorial Bridge. The name change created a new chapter while preserving the statistical and historical records of the same franchise. Every Home Ballpark The Guardians have played their home games in only four primary Major League ballparks since the franchise began in 1901. Ballpark Years Location League Park 1901-1931 East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue Cleveland Stadium 1932-1993 Lake Erie waterfront Jacobs Field 1994-2007 Downtown Cleveland Progressive Field 2008-present* Downtown Cleveland *The stadium was renamed Progressive Field in 2008 after originally being known as Jacobs Field. The Guardians’ official history lists League Park as the home from 1890-1931, although the current American League franchise began playing there in 1901. Cleveland Stadium then served as the club’s home from 1932 through 1993. Jacobs Field opened in 1994, and the stadium became Progressive Field in 2008. League Park League Park was one of baseball’s historic early parks. The original wooden structure was replaced by a concrete-and-steel facility in 1910. It held approximately 21,000 fans and remained Cleveland’s home until 1931. Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium opened in 1932 and became the team’s home for 62 seasons. It hosted five World Series and four All-Star Games. It was also the setting for several historic Cleveland pitching performances, including Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981. Jacobs Field The opening of Jacobs Field in 1994 helped transform Cleveland baseball. The downtown ballpark replaced Cleveland Stadium and became one of the symbols of the franchise’s remarkable resurgence during the 1990s. Progressive Field The ballpark remains the Guardians’ home today. Located in downtown Cleveland, Progressive Field sits beside Rocket Mortgage Field House and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. All Guardians Owners The Cleveland organization has had a remarkably long list of owners and controlling ownership groups. The Guardians’ official ownership history lists the following: Owner / Ownership Years Charles W. Somers 1900-1916 Jim Dunn 1916-1922 Estate of Jim Dunn 1922-1927 Alva Bradley 1927-1946 Bill Veeck 1946-1949 Ellis Ryan 1949-1952 Myron H. Wilson 1953-1956 William R. Daley 1956-1962 Gabe Paul 1963-1966 Vernon Stouffer 1967-1972 Nick Mileti 1972-1976 Ted Bonda 1977-1978 F.J. “Steve” O’Neill 1978-1983 Estate of F.J. “Steve” O’Neill 1983-1986 Richard E. Jacobs 1986-2000 Larry Dolan and family trusts 2000-present The Dolan family purchased the franchise in 2000 and remains the ownership… Continue reading The History of the Cleveland Guardians:
