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

#21: Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada is one of many players whose career has been marred by his association with PEDs, but it doesn’t mean he wasn’t one of the Athletics’ best shortstops. He made his debut in 1997, although it wasn’t until 2000 that he finally took off as a hitter.

That season, Tejada hit .275 and smashed 30 home runs, backing slugger Jason Giambi in the lineup. He had another successful season before really breaking out in 2002, when he batted .308 as the primary slugger in the lineup. He won the AL MVP Award that season, as he hit 34 home runs and helped the Athletics to yet another division title.

Tejada played with several other teams after leaving Oakland, including the Orioles, Astros, Padres, Giants and – most recently – the Royals. Six times, he has been named to the All-Star squad, and he’s picked up the Silver Slugger Award twice. Tejada, who hasn’t played since he was suspended for steroid use while playing for the Royals in 2013, also played, 1,152 consecutive games, which is far from Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,632, but still one of the longest streaks in baseball history.

Next: Top 50 Oakland Athletics: #20