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. (more…)