1988 Oakland Athletics | ||
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American League Champions American League West Champions | ||
League | American League | |
Division | West | |
Ballpark | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | |
City | Oakland, California | |
Record | 104–58 (.642) | |
Divisional place | 1st | |
Owners | Walter A. Haas Jr. | |
General managers | Sandy Alderson | |
Managers | Tony La Russa | |
Television | KPIX/KICU-TV (Monte Moore, Ray Fosse) | |
Radio | KSFO (Bill King, Lon Simmons, Ray Fosse) KNTA (Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, Evilio Mendoza) | |
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The 1988 Oakland Athletics season was the 88th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 21st season in Oakland. The Athletics won their first American League West title since 1981, with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses (the best record in the La Russa era). In 1988, the elephant was restored as the symbol of the Athletics and currently adorns the left sleeve of home and road uniforms. The elephant was retired as team mascot in 1963 by then-owner Charles O. Finley in favor of a Missouri mule. The A's defeated the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, but lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, including a dramatic, classic walk-off home run by the Dodgers' Kirk Gibson in game one.
1988 was the first of three straight years the A's would represent the AL in the World Series.
José Canseco led the American League with 42 home runs, 124 RBIs and a .569 slugging percentage. Canseco became the first member of the Athletics to have three straight 100 RBI seasons. He also had 40 stolen bases and became the first major leaguer ever to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season.
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
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Oakland Athletics | 104 | 58 | .642 | — | 54–27 | 50–31 |
Minnesota Twins | 91 | 71 | .562 | 13 | 47–34 | 44–37 |
Kansas City Royals | 84 | 77 | .522 | 19½ | 44–36 | 40–41 |
California Angels | 75 | 87 | .463 | 29 | 35–46 | 40–41 |
Chicago White Sox | 71 | 90 | .441 | 32½ | 40–41 | 31–49 |
Texas Rangers | 70 | 91 | .435 | 33½ | 38–43 | 32–48 |
Seattle Mariners | 68 | 93 | .422 | 35½ | 37–44 | 31–49 |
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Team | BAL | BOS | CAL | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIL | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TEX | TOR |
Baltimore | — | 4–9 | 5–7 | 4–7 | 4–9 | 5–8 | 0–12 | 4–9 | 3–9 | 3–10 | 4–8 | 7–5 | 6–6 | 5–8 |
Boston | 9–4 | — | 8–4 | 7–5 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 10–3 | 7–5 | 9–4 | 3–9 | 6–6 | 8–4 | 2–11 |
California | 7–5 | 4–8 | — | 9–4 | 8–4 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 3–9 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 4–9 | 6–7 | 8–5 | 6–6 |
Chicago | 7–4 | 5–7 | 4–9 | — | 3–9 | 3–9 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 4–9 | 3–9 | 5–8 | 9–4 | 8–5 | 7–5 |
Cleveland | 9–4 | 5–8 | 4–8 | 9–3 | — | 4–9 | 6–6 | 9–4 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 4–8 | 5–7 | 6–6 | 6–7 |
Detroit | 8–5 | 7–6 | 7–5 | 9–3 | 9–4 | — | 8–4 | 5–8 | 1–11 | 8–5 | 4–8 | 9–3 | 8–4 | 5–8 |
Kansas City | 12–0 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 4–8 | — | 3–9 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 7–5 | 7–6 | 4–8 |
Milwaukee | 9–4 | 3–10 | 9–3 | 6–6 | 4–9 | 8–5 | 9–3 | — | 7–5 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 8–4 | 8–4 | 7–6 |
Minnesota | 9–3 | 5–7 | 9–4 | 9–4 | 7–5 | 11–1 | 6–7 | 5–7 | — | 3–9 | 5–8 | 8–5 | 7–6 | 7–5 |
New York | 10–3 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 9–3 | 7–6 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 9–3 | — | 6–6 | 5–7 | 5–6 | 6–7 |
Oakland | 8–4 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 8–5 | 8–4 | 8–4 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 8–5 | 6–6 | — | 9–4 | 8–5 | 9–3 |
Seattle | 5–7 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 4–9 | 7–5 | 3–9 | 5–7 | 4–8 | 5–8 | 7–5 | 4–9 | — | 6–7 | 5–7 |
Texas | 6–6 | 4–8 | 5–8 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 4–8 | 6–7 | 4–8 | 6–7 | 6–5 | 5–8 | 7–6 | — | 6–6 |
Toronto | 8–5 | 11–2 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 8–5 | 8–4 | 6–7 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–6 | — |
1988 Oakland Athletics | |||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
| Outfielders
Other batters
| Manager Coaches
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1988 regular season game log: 104–58 (Home: 54–27; Away: 50–31) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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April: 16–7 (Home: 5–4; Away: 11–3)
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May: 19–8 (Home: 11–4; Away: 8–4)
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June: 13–14 (Home: 6–8; Away: 7–6)
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July: 16–12 (Home: 7–4; Away: 9–8)
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August: 20–9 (Home: 14–3; Away: 6–6)
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September: 19–7 (Home: 10–3; Away: 9–4)
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Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Athletics team member |
1988 Postseason game log: 5–4 (Home: 3–2; Away: 2–2) |
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AL Championship Series: vs. Boston Red Sox 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Away: 2–0) |
World Series: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 1–4 (Home: 1–2; Away: 0–2) |
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Athletics team member |
= Indicates team leader |
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
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RF | José Canseco | 158 | 610 | 187 | .307 | 42 | 124 |
CF | Dave Henderson | 146 | 507 | 154 | .304 | 24 | 94 |
3B | Carney Lansford | 150 | 556 | 155 | .279 | 7 | 57 |
1B | Mark McGwire | 155 | 550 | 143 | .260 | 32 | 99 |
C | Ron Hassey | 107 | 323 | 83 | .257 | 7 | 45 |
2B | Glenn Hubbard | 105 | 294 | 75 | .255 | 3 | 33 |
SS | Walt Weiss | 147 | 452 | 113 | .250 | 3 | 39 |
DH | Don Baylor | 92 | 264 | 58 | .220 | 7 | 34 |
LF | Luis Polonia | 84 | 288 | 84 | .292 | 2 | 27 |
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs, RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
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Stan Javier | 125 | 397 | 102 | .257 | 2 | 35 |
Dave Parker | 101 | 377 | 97 | .257 | 12 | 55 |
Terry Steinbach | 104 | 351 | 93 | .265 | 9 | 51 |
Mike Gallego | 129 | 277 | 58 | .209 | 2 | 20 |
Tony Phillips | 79 | 212 | 43 | .203 | 2 | 17 |
Doug Jennings | 71 | 101 | 21 | .208 | 1 | 15 |
Orlando Mercado | 16 | 24 | 3 | .125 | 1 | 1 |
Matt Sinatro | 10 | 9 | 3 | .333 | 0 | 5 |
Félix José | 8 | 6 | 2 | .333 | 0 | 1 |
Lance Blankenship | 10 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Ed Jurak | 3 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Dave Stewart | 37 | 37 | 275.2 | 21 | 12 | 3.23 | 192 |
Bob Welch | 36 | 36 | 244.2 | 17 | 9 | 3.64 | 158 |
Storm Davis | 33 | 33 | 201.2 | 16 | 7 | 3.70 | 127 |
Curt Young | 26 | 26 | 156.1 | 11 | 8 | 4.14 | 69 |
Todd Burns | 17 | 14 | 102.2 | 8 | 2 | 3.16 | 57 |
Steve Ontiveros | 10 | 10 | 54.2 | 3 | 4 | 4.61 | 30 |
Rich Bordi | 2 | 2 | 7.2 | 0 | 1 | 4.70 | 6 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Dave Otto | 3 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 7 |
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
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Dennis Eckersley | 60 | 4 | 2 | 45 | 2.35 | 70 |
Greg Cadaret | 58 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2.89 | 64 |
Rick Honeycutt | 55 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3.50 | 47 |
Gene Nelson | 54 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 3.06 | 67 |
Eric Plunk | 49 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 3.00 | 79 |
Jim Corsi | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.80 | 10 |
Jeff Shaver | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
October 5, Fenway Park
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
Boston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
W: Rick Honeycutt (1-0) L: Bruce Hurst (0-1) S: Dennis Eckersley (1) | ||||||||||||
HR: OAK– José Canseco (1) |
October 6, Fenway Park
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
Boston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
W: Gene Nelson (1-0) L: Lee Smith (0-1) S: Dennis Eckersley (2) | ||||||||||||
HR: OAK– José Canseco (2) BOS– Rich Gedman (1) |
October 8, Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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Boston | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
Oakland | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | X | 10 | 15 | 1 |
W: Gene Nelson (2-0) L: Mike Boddicker (0-1) S: Dennis Eckersley (3) | ||||||||||||
HR: OAK– Mark McGwire (1) Carney Lansford (1) Ron Hassey (1) Dave Henderson (1) BOS– Mike Greenwell (1) |
October 9, Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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Boston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Oakland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 4 | 10 | 1 |
W: Dave Stewart (1-0) L: Bruce Hurst (0-2) S: Dennis Eckersley (4) | ||||||||||||
HR: OAK– José Canseco (3) |
NL Los Angeles Dodgers (4) vs. AL Oakland Athletics (1)
Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance | Time of Game |
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1 | A's – 4, Dodgers – 5 | October 15 | Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) | 55,983 | 3:04 |
2 | A's – 0, Dodgers – 6 | October 16 | Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) | 56,051 | 2:30 |
3 | Dodgers – 1, A's – 2 | October 18 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland) | 49,316 | 3:21 |
4 | Dodgers – 4, A's – 3 | October 19 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland) | 49,317 | 3:05 |
5 | Dodgers – 5, A's – 2 | October 20 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland) | 49,317 | 2:51 |
José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his time with the Oakland Athletics, he established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year (1986), and Most Valuable Player award (1988), and was a six-time All-Star. Canseco is a two-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics (1989) and the New York Yankees (2000).
The 1988 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1988 season. The 85th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Oakland Athletics and the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Dodgers upsetting the heavily favored Athletics to win the Series in five games to win their sixth championship.
The 2000 New York Yankees season was the 98th season for the Yankees. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The team finished first in the American League East with a record of 87–74, 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, after losing 15 of their final 18 games, including their last 7. Despite having the lowest winning percentage of any postseason qualifier in 2000, the Yankees won the World Series over the New York Mets in 5 games to win their 26th World Series title. They are, as of 2024, the last team to win World Series titles in consecutive years.
The 1988 New York Mets season was the 27th regular season for the Mets. They went 100–60 and finished first in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson. They played home games at Shea Stadium.
The 1995 Texas Rangers season was the 35th of the Texas Rangers franchise overall, their 24th in Arlington as the Rangers, and their 2nd season at The Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers finished third in the American League West with a record of 74 wins and 70 losses. They also hosted the 1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
The 1992 Texas Rangers season was the 32nd of the Texas Rangers franchise overall, their 21st in Arlington as the Rangers, and the 21st season at Arlington Stadium. The Rangers finished fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.
The Oakland Athletics' 2006 season was their 39th in Oakland, California. It was also the 106th season in franchise history. The team finished first in the American League West with a record of 93–69.
The Oakland Athletics' 1997 season was the 97th season in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the American League West with a record of 65–97.
The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season was the team's 25th in Oakland, California. It was also the 92nd season in franchise history. The team finished first in the American League West with a record of 96–66.
The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season was the team's 24th in Oakland, California. It was also the 91st season in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the American League West with a record of 84–78.
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season was their 23rd season in Oakland, California and the 90th in franchise history. The team finished first in the American League West with a record of 103 wins 59 losses.
The 1989 Oakland Athletics season was the 89th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 22nd season in Oakland. The Athletics finished the season in first place in the American League West, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals. Oakland dominated the American League, earning their second consecutive AL West title, as well as marking the second straight year in which they finished with the best record in all of baseball. A's pitcher Dave Stewart recorded his third straight season of earning 20 or more wins while Rickey Henderson put on a dazzling offensive performance in the postseason as he approached the prospects of landing a three million dollar contract for the following season. The team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in five games in the ALCS, then swept their cross-Bay rivals, the San Francisco Giants, in an earthquake-marred World Series. The Athletics looked to be a future dynasty by the close of the 1989 season.
The 1987 Oakland Athletics season was the 87th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 20th season in Oakland. The Athletics finished third in the American League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses. Mark McGwire set a rookie record by hitting 49 home runs. At the beginning of the season, the word "Athletics" returned, in script lettering, to the front of the team's jerseys. Former A's owner, Charles O. Finley banned the word "Athletics" from the club's name in the past because he felt that name was too closely associated with former Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack. In his first full Major League season, Mark McGwire hit 49 home runs, a single-season record for a rookie; he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. McGwire would be the first American League rookie since Al Rosen of the Cleveland Indians in 1950 to lead the American League in home runs. The 1987 season also saw the return of Reggie Jackson to Oakland.
The 1986 Oakland Athletics season was the 86th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 19th season in Oakland. The Athletics finished third in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.
The 1985 Oakland Athletics season was the 85th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 18th season in Oakland. The Athletics finished fifth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses. While the Athletics' on-field performance continued to disappoint, the debut of slugger Jose Canseco gave fans a measure of hope.
The 1982 Oakland Athletics season was the 82nd season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 15th season in Oakland. The Athletics finished fifth in the American League West with a record of 68 wins and 94 losses.
The 1981 Oakland Athletics season was the 81st season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 14th season in Oakland. The Athletics finished with an overall record of 64 wins and 45 losses. They finished the season with the best record in the American League. Due to the infamous 1981 players strike, the league resorted to a split-season format; this new format saw the winners of both halves of the season playing in the first divisional playoff in MLB history. The A's qualified by posting the American League West's best record in the first half of the season. While they swept the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, they were themselves swept by the New York Yankees in the ALCS.
The 1988 season was a memorable one for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a squad that was picked to finish fourth wound up winning the World Series, beating the heavily favored New York Mets and Oakland Athletics along the way. Kirk Gibson carried the Dodger offense, winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Orel Hershiser dominated on the mound, throwing a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings on his way to winning the Cy Young Award.
The 2001 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 102nd season, and their 101st in Major League Baseball. They finished with a record of 83–79, good enough for third place in the American League Central, 8 games behind the champion Cleveland Indians.
The 1991 Montreal Expos season was the 23rd season in franchise history. After several winning seasons, the Expos faltered in 1991, winning only 20 of its first 49 games. Manager Buck Rodgers was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells. The team ultimately finished 71–90. The highlight of the season was Dennis Martinez pitching a perfect game at Dodger Stadium on July 28, 1991.