Comparing the 2015 Athletics with 1989

Looking at 1989 can make you feel real good about 2015 Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone and their mother thought 2014 was the year that the Oakland Athletics were going to win it all. They didn’t. It still hurts, I know, but I don’t think this year’s misery equates to bad things next year and still say that, with a few minor tweaks, the Athletics can make another run for the 2015 world series.

Today, we’re going to compare the 2015 Athletics to the 1989 Athletics, the last team to win a world series in Oakland, position by position. Keeping in mind that there are some free agents leaving and inevitable trades still to come this winter, certain assumptions need to be made as to who will be playing in each position but this is just for fun so we’ll do the best we can.

Catcher to Catcher

Sep 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Jonny Gomes (15) high fives catcher Derek Norris (36) after Norris scored against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Terry Steinbach was the starting catcher in 1989. His 89 season had him in 130 games with a .273 batting average and 7 home runs. Derek Norris, in 2014, appeared in 127 games with a .270 batting average and 10 home runs. You will never hear me say that Norris is the next Steinbach (he was one of my favorite players as a kid) but the numbers don’t lie. If Norris can stay healthy and replicate those numbers at the plate in 2015 while improving his defensive play, it’ll be exactly what the Athletics need behind the plate.

First base to first base

Sep 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Brandon Moss (37) is congratulated after he scored in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Mark McGwire was the Athletics first baseman for the 1989 world series. I’ve never heard of this dude before so I did a little research and it turns out, he was pretty good. In 1989 he appeared in 143 games and posted a .231 batting average (the second lowest of his career with 100+ games). Where he excelled, according to my sources, was “bashing” the ball with his brother. In fact, in 1989, he had 33 home runs on the back of his baseball card.

Brandon Moss, in 2014, appeared in 147 games with a .234 batting average and 25 home runs. You will never hear me say that Moss is the next McGwire (he was one of my favorite players as a kid) but the numbers don’t lie. If Moss can stay healthy and replicate those numbers at the plate in 2015 while improving his defensive play, it’ll be exactly what the Athletics need at first base.

Second base to second base

Sep 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard (28) celebrates with shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) ahead of Seattle Mariners Stefen Romero (7) during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

This is where it gets hairy. First off, the world series had a couple of second base players with Tony Phillips and Mike Gallego trading the spot and, secondly, with the uncertainty of who will play there next year. The world series had Tony Phillips start the world series at second and, since he’s still under contract, we’ll assume that Eric Sogard will be the man in 2015.

Tony Phillips appeared in 143 games in 1989 (at seven different positions) and had .262 batting average with 4 home runs. In 117 games, Eric Sogard posted a .223 average with 1 home run. Of course, his performance after the all star break was much better than his overall numbers would indicate and his defensive play is very strong so, while you’ll never hear me say that Sogard is the next Phillips (he was one of my favorite players as a kid), if Sogard can replicate his second half numbers at the plate in 2015 and maintain his defensive play, it’ll be exactly what the Athletics need at second base.

Third base to third base

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) celebrates his three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals with third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) and left fielder Sam Fuld (left) during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Carney Lansford was the starting thirdbaseman for the Athletics in game one of the world series. In 1989 he appeared in 148 games with a .336 batting average and 2 home runs. 1989 was tied for Lansford’s best season (by average) but he did have six seasons with a .290 or better average so you can’t say it was a fluke year. Josh Donaldson was in 158 games in 2014 with a batting average of .259 and 29 home runs. He has a respectable batting average, although it is substantially lower than his 2013, .301 average, and an enviable home run total.

As much as I loved Lansford (he was one of my favorite players as a kid), with Donaldson’s power and elite defensive ability, he may be a shade better at the hot corner. If Donaldson can stay healthy and replicate his numbers at the plate in 2015 while maintaining his defensive play, it’ll be exactly what the Athletics need at third base.

Left field to left field

Sep 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) and first baseman Stephen Vogt (21) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

There is no comparison to be made here. Rickey Henderson, with his .274 BA in 150 games, is unmatched on the current roster. If you compare him to Coco Crisp (as a lead off hitter) he smokes Crisp and if you compare him to whoever the A’s throw in left next year it’s like comparing a pro with a high school player. This is a huge question mark in the 2015 season. It’s possible we’ll see Vogt or Moss out there or we may see a big trade bring another power hitter to the corner.

Center field to center field

Sep 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Adam Dunn (10) and Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) celebrate after Crisp scored a run off a RBI double hit by Oakland Athletics left fielder Sam Fuld (23) (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Dave Henderson appeared in 152 games in 1989 and posted a .250 BA with 15 HR. Coco Crisp, on the other hand, appeared in 126 games with a .246 BA and 9 HR. Having played much of the season with an injury (or two) Crisp’s numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Although he is getting older, if he can stay healthy he should have more good seasons in him. He has speed and great range in center but doesn’t possess the arm that Henderson had. It’s fair to say that, with the same game count, Crisp could still hit Henderson level stats in 2015.

If Crisp can stay healthy and replicate his numbers at the plate in 2015, he’ll be exactly who the Athletics need in the leadoff (if not center) role.

Right field to right field

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) celebrates with right fielder Josh Reddick (16) after hitting a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Canseco played 65 games in 1989 so we’ll take his numbers from 1990 (another world series year). In 1990, Canseco played in 131 games with a .274 AVG and 37 HR. Josh Reddick played in 109 games with a .264 AVG and 12 HR. I’m never going to say that Reddick is the next Canseco (he was one of my favorite players as a kid) because he’s not. Whatever Reddick has in defensive ability that Canseco lacked, Canseco kills him at the plate. As the other half of “The Bash Brothers” he combined with McGwire for 76 HR and 209 RBIs in 1990.

If Reddick has the best year of his life at the plate and continues his stellar defense in right, the 2015 Athletics will be in great shape in right field.

In conclusion

What I just spent 1,100 words to say is this: The 2015 Athletics still have it in them to be a world series team. Just because they weren’t able to get there in their “all in” year doesn’t mean they’re out of the race next year. The 1989 team made it to the world series with comparable team stats as the 2014 Athletics and while a player vs player comparison shows some glaring weaknesses and the game has changed a great deal in 25 years, it does show how capable the current team is for greatness.

2015 hasn’t even started yet and I’m already looking forward to a very exciting season filled with possibility and victory. Sometimes a look at our past helps us appreciate the present and look forward to the future.