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

#22: Carney Lansford

Carney Lansford probably could have been ranked much higher on this list, given that he won the American League batting title in 1981, picking up a Silver Slugger Award that same season. Of course, that happened when he was still with his original team, the California Angels.

After two years with the Boston Red Sox, Lansford was traded to Oakland. He was only an All-Star once in 1988, but he did nearly win the batting title again in 1989. His career .290 average reflects just how consistent of a hitter he was, even though he only smashed 151 home runs in his career.

Lansford was a key part of the 1989 World Series team, manning third base for the Athletics, swiping 37 bases and scoring 81 runs that season.

Although he was not the prototypical power hitter that teams look for in their third basemen today, Lansford was a valuable asset to the Athletics during their 1980s success.

Next: Top 50 Oakland Athletics: #21