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Oakland A’s announce 2023 Hall of Fame class

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 1: Jason Giambi #16 of the Oakland Athletics swings at a pitch during the game against the Detroit Tigers at the Oakland Coliseum on July 1, 2009 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Tigers 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 1: Jason Giambi #16 of the Oakland Athletics swings at a pitch during the game against the Detroit Tigers at the Oakland Coliseum on July 1, 2009 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Tigers 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s announced their fifth Hall of Fame class on Saturday. Fittingly, there will be five members inducted into the team Hall of Fame.

The A’s are set to induct players Jason Giambi, Carney Lansford, Gene Tenace, Bob Johnson, and PA announcer Roy Steele will make up the upcoming class. The ceremony will take place on August 6 during their annual Bay Bridge series.

Oakland A’s add five more to team Hall of Fame

Giambi spent the first seven years of his career in Oakland before returning in 2009. A two time All Star during his time with the A’s, he won the AL MVP award in 2000 and was the runner-up the following year. One of the feared sluggers in the game, he posted a .300/.406/.531 batting line with 198 homers and 715 RBI as one of the top run producers in the game.

Lansford was one of the key pieces in the A’s World Series teams from 1988 through 1990. While he only made one All Star Game and earned MVP votes just once during his time in Oakland, his impact went beyond the accolades or his statistical accomplishments. He produced a .288/.343/.404 batting line in his decade in Oakland, with 94 homers, 201 doubles, and 146 stolen bases. His .288 batting average is the second best mark in franchise history since the move to the Bay Area.

Tenace is remembered for his run in the 1972 World Series when he hit four homers and drove in nine runs to earn MVP honors. However, he was a solid backstop during his eight years in Oakland, earning MVP votes twice and making the 1975 All Star Game. He posted a .245/.374/.435 batting line, hitting 121 homers as he was an early version of the A’s later ideal of someone who could get on base and hit for power.

Johnson is somewhat forgotten about in Philadelphia A’s history as his career came after their second Golden Age. However, he was a solid player, a five time All Star on teams that occasionally lacked those types of players. He posted a .298/.395/.520 batting line in his decade in Philadelphia, hitting 252 homers and 307 doubles. Johnson still ranks in the top five in franchise history in runs, RBI, extra base hits, doubles, homers, and walks.

Steele was an Oakland institution. He began his career as their PA announcer during their first season in the city in 1968, staying that that position for 38 years. Nicknamed the “Voice of God,” he was a part of their first dynasty, the rebirth in the late 1980s, and right on through the MoneyBall Era. His induction into the A’s Hall of Fame should have happened long ago.

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The Oakland A’s are set to induct their fifth Hall of Fame class in 2023. The five new members certainly deserve their place amongst the enshrined.