The A’s are pushing hard for a new stadium and the organization has set its sights on the city of San Jose as their new home. The San Francisco Giants, however, contend that San Jose falls within their organization’s territorial rights and are trying to stop the A’s from violating those rights.

A’s owner Lew Wolff and general manager Billy Beane have been patiently waiting for a new stadium, but MLB and Bud Selig have played the waiting game with the cash-strapped Athletics for nearly three years now. Oakland needs the approval from MLB and Selig before any new stadium can be built in San Jose.  … [visit site to read more]

Welcome To Hotel Wolff - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The A’s are not ready to shell out a hefty payload to the lefty at this point.  This has alot to do with, you guessed it, the stadium relocation to San Jose.  The currently injured Sizemore apparently is too much money to acquire and may be a gamble for Oakland because of that very injury.   For some reason though, I don’t think that Sizemore who has an overall record of .234/.314/.414/.728 will shed a tear if he is not an Oakland Athletic.   Surprisingly, he is also being sought by seven other ball clubs such as the Rangers,  Red Sox, Giants and the Yankees.  For the A’s unfortunately though, this match does not mesh. … [visit site to read more]

A’s Notes: Sizemore Not An Option, Anderson On the Mend? - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

This is considered quite an honor for both the team and management, even though Finley was not the most well liked person by both fans, players, other teams and even politicians.  This characterization of him however did not stop him from being one of the most successful managers in A’s history.  During his tenure he was able to lead the team to five straight division titles (1971-75) as well as three consecutive World Series (1972-74).

Finley started as manager with the Kansas City A’s when he left his lucrative disability insurance job, a job that would make him millions of dollars before he was 40 years old.  When he was not making money he was playing on a semi-pro team, he was always very active in sports and when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis it forced him to stop playing the game that he loved.

Because he could not play, Finley took all of his money and invested in several franchise teams in the 1950′s.  However, his most important investment would be the purchasing of the Kansas City Athletics for $1.9 million.  At that time the A’s were not the team that we see today, they had a horrible record and because of that Finley focused on bringing his quirkiness to the field.  He changed up the uniforms to a bright colored greens and yellows,  brought in a mule as the mascot and installed a mechanical rabbit below the field to give balls to the home plate umpire. … [visit site to read more]

Good Ole Charlie Finley Nominated To Hall Of Fame - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More