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Oakland A’s history: Five Hall of Famers you forgot were A’s

By David Hill

Ty Cobb, American baseball player, 1910s. Tyrus Raymond 'Ty' Cobb (1886-1961) was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He led the American League in batting every year from 1907 to 1919, with the exception of 1916. He played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905-1927 before finishing his career with the Philadelphia Athletics, retiring after the 1928 season. (Photo by Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Ty Cobb, American baseball player, 1910s. Tyrus Raymond 'Ty' Cobb (1886-1961) was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He led the American League in batting every year from 1907 to 1919, with the exception of 1916. He played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905-1927 before finishing his career with the Philadelphia Athletics, retiring after the 1928 season. (Photo by Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Joe Morga (1984)

A local kid who went to school in Oakland, it was understandable that Joe Morgan would want to finish out his playing career in his home town.

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Morgan was the heart of the Big Red Machine in the 1970s, an on base machine with plenty of speed who was able to jumpstart the Reds excellent offense. He was also a brilliant defensive player in his prime, ranking amongst the leaders in range factor seemingly every season.

He was but a shadow of the player he had once been in his final major league season, but Morgan was still a solid player. In his 438 plate appearances, Morgan produced a .244/.356/.351 batting line, hitting 21 doubles and drawing 66 walks. He could still get on base, but did not have nearly the speed he once did, with just eight steals in 11 attempts.

While he hit just six homers that year, Morgan did manage to celebrate his 40th birthday in style. He became just the second player to homer on his 40th birthday, joining Bob Thurman in that exclusive club. Morgan then did Thurman one better, hitting two homers on the day. While Wade Boggs, Tony Phillips, and Chipper Jones eventually joined that group, Morgan remains the only player to homer twice on his 40th birthday.

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Joe Morgan ended his playing career playing for his home town Oakland A’s. It may not have been the sendoff he hoped for, but Morgan still enjoyed a productive season.