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

Starting Pitcher 3: Dave Stewart

The Oakland Athletics’ all-time rotation wouldn’t be complete without Oakland native and right-handed superstar Dave Stewart. Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodgers and made his debut with them in 1978, was born and raised in the Bay Area, and in 1986, he finally got the chance to play for his hometown team.

Stewart’s career took off after he signed with Oakland. Despite having already acquired a World Series ring with the Dodgers, Stewart’s best years came with the A’s. He won 20 or more games in four consecutive seasons, and he was an All-Star in 1989. The following year, he pitched a no-hitter on June 29, and he also won the Roberto Clemente Award that same season.

Stewart’s best moments came in 1989, when he pitched in the World Series for the Athletics. He was named World Series MVP that year, after he got the opportunity to pitch in both Game 1 and Game 3. The earthquake that postponed Game 3 gave him the chance to rest between starts, and so he had the chance to help the A’s to a World Championship much sooner than expected.

Stewart also won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays after signing with them before the 1993 season, and he was named ALCS MVP for the second time in his career – the first being in 1990 with the A’s.

In 1995, Stewart returned to the Oakland Athletics, but he retired after having a tough start to the season. Despite the rough ending, he’s one of the best pitchers in A’s history.

Runner-Up: Bob Welch

Right-hander Bob Welch was supposed to start Game 3 of the 1989 World Series, after picking up a win in the ALCS. However, the delay caused by the earthquake meant that the A’s could use their ace in the third game of the series instead, and so Stewart got the start despite the fact that Welch had went 17-8 during the season.

Welch made his debut with the Dodgers in 1978 and played with the A’s from 1988-1994. During his career, he was a two-time All-Star who took home World Series rings in the 1981 and 1989 seasons, as well as picking up another Championship win as a pitching coach for the Diamondbacks in 2001. With the Athletics, Welch won the Cy Young in 1990 after leading Major League Baseball with 27 wins.

Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #4