The Oakland A’s were once the American League’s first great dynasty. Back in the early days of the AL, Connie Mack put together an impressive collection of talent, winning three championships in a four year span. Mack did it again in the latter part of the 1920s, winning titles in 1929 and 1930 while winning an AL pennant the following year. Quite a few stars were on those teams as the A’s were one of the premier franchises in the game.
And yet, there was little evidence of that history in Oakland. The A’s retired numbers were all from the team’s time in Oakland. The team Hall of Fame paid homage to their history, but only as far as it went back in their current location. But that is about to change.
A’s announce they’ll induct 10 members of the Philadelphia A’s into their Hall of Fame: Connie Mack, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Frank “Home Run” Baker, Chief Bender, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Al Simmons and Rube Waddell. pic.twitter.com/kDNiOfiQ06
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) August 11, 2021
Oakland A’s to honor Philadelphia roots
In fairness to the A’s, the team Hall of Fame opened in 2018. They have not had exactly had much time to bring in the distant past, especially considering some of the greats that have been a part of the franchise in the current location.
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Nonetheless, this is an honor that is certainly due. All ten of those players are in the Hall of Fame, not only amongst the greats in team history, but in the history of the game. They were key parts of the first two A’s dynasties, a collection that have given the A’s such a rich and vibrant history to build from.
Each of those players can still be found in the A’s record books. Those nine rank in the top 18 players in bWAR in franchise history, with Eddie Plank still the organizational leader. While their time on the diamond may have come to an end decades ago, even in the case of Mack, they are not forgotten.
And they will be brought to life for future generations of A’s fans. As people go through the franchise Hall of Fame, the legends of the past are brought back. That will be the case for the first legends of the franchise, as their names and deeds for the A’s will forever be remembered.
The Oakland A’s are finally honoring their part. Ten of the biggest legends from their time in Philadelphia are joining the franchise Hall of Fame.