Oakland Athletics: The Top 50 Oakland A’s of All-Time

#38: Billy North

Outfielder Billy North was known for his speed. North was a switch hitter who was drafted by the Cubs in 1969, playing two seasons with them before being dealt to the Oakland Athletics. With the A’s, North became the starting center fielder.

In his 11-year career, his swiped 395 bases and hit just 20 home runs. Obviously, power was not his strong suit. Even still, he helped the Athletics to their consecutive World Series titles and even led the league in stolen bases in 1974 and 1976.

What North was not so good at was keeping his temper. A clubhouse fight with Reggie Jackson in 1974 resulted in a shoulder injury to Jackson, who was a superstar for the Athletics, as well as a crushed disk in Ray Fosse’s neck, because Fosse had stepped in to break up the fight.

Clubhouse shenanigans aside, North was a valuable player for the A’s because of his speed and defensive abilities.

Next: Top 50 Oakland Athletics: #37