Oakland Athletics: The Athletics’ All-Time 25-Man Roster

Relief Pitcher #4: Andrew Bailey

Even though this relief pitcher is well-known now after becoming a New York Yankees’ reliever, Andrew Bailey started his big league career with the Oakland Athletics back in 2009. After being drafted in 2006, Bailey made the A’s Opening Day roster in 2009. He seem like an insignificant relief pitcher when the season began, but he quickly proved to be a powerful pitcher.

Bailey was so successful that by the time July 2009 rolled around, he was named to the American League All-Star team. Then, by the time the season ended that year, Bailey had broken the A’s rookie save record, recording a total of 26 saves while maintaining a 1.86 ERA that year. In November, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

He continued to be the Athletics’ closer in 2010 and 2011. He earned another All-Star nod in 2010. However, after the 2011 season, the Oakland Athletics traded the budding star to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Josh Reddick and two prospects.

After a rough season with the Yankees, Bailey is now a free agent. It will be interesting to see where he lands. Perhaps he could be headed back to the West Coast?

Runner Up: Chief Bender

At only 19 years old, Charles “Chief” Bender made his baseball debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1903. During his first season, he pitched 270 innings – something that would certainly never happen in today’s game, especially at such a young age. He had a long, successful career as both a starter and reliever, and even went into coaching after he retired from being a player. Like many other early Athletics, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, getting the required number of votes in 1954.

Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #5