What Happened to the OAKLAND A’s in the 90s?

What Happened to the OAKLAND A’s in the 90s?

From 1988 to 1990, the Oakland A’s dominated the 
American League, winning an average of 102 games during that three-year period. That included a 
near flawless performance, going 12-1 in American League Championship Series games. However, despite 
their three World Series appearances, Oakland was only able to get one title. For me, these Oakland 
Athletics were the first team to introduce me to baseball. But even after their dominance and 
massive changes, I still like the Oakland A’s as I enjoyed found them despite some rough years. It 
just absolutely sucks that the A’s are no longer representing Oakland. It disappoints me greatly. 
With this video, I just want to talk about the Oakland A’s in the ’90s and talk about some of my 
memories of this franchise that I really like. So, to begin, one item that I just want to get out of 
the way is that I will not talk about steroids at all in this video. So, with that out of the 
way, next item I want to talk about is while watching the A’s as a kid, their uniforms 
were so beautiful, so crisp and clean. Yes, the green and gold with the elephant logo adds to 
that special illumination, but there was something else. Then one day, my father said when he was 
in high school, his baseball team wanted to be just like the A’s. And one of the few reasons he 
mentioned is that everyone on his team had white cleats just like the Oakland A’s. And then it 
hit me as from my point of view, those perfect A’s uniforms looked even better with more aura due 
to those white cleats which were awesome. And the one more item to mention before I start getting 
into the A’s in the ’90s. My first favorite MLB player was Dave Parker who played for the A’s in 
1988 and 1989. I was so much of a Dave Parker fan in the late 80s that I even traded away a Mickey 
Manel card for three normal Dave Parker A’s cards. Everyone at school thought I was crazy, but it 
was just a Kmart Mickey middle card. All right, so let’s get into it right now. The Oakland 
Athletics in the 90s. So after a World Series loss in 1988 to the Dodgers, but World Series 
championship, defeating the Giants in 1989, the A’s, they made a third consecutive World 
Series appearance were upset and swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 World Series. For the 
1991 MLB season, everything was still intact for the A’s to win another division title and make 
another World Series appearance. The A’s were so talented and so well balanced. Of course, there 
was the power and run producers with Joseé Conco, Mark McGwire, Dave Henderson, and Harold Baines. 
Oakland had speed with the greatest leadoff hitter ever and Ricky Henderson. In addition, the defense 
was tremendous, especially with the left side of the infield shortstop Walt Weiss and third baseman 
Carney Lansford, who manager Tony Larusa always spoke highly in terms of how well he could handle 
the bat. Furthermore, behind the plate was Terry Steinbach, one of the better hitting catchers 
at the time and also Steinbach, who was really good behind the plate. He was excellent at 
throwing out base Steelers. Then on the mount, Oakland had very strong pitching with their 
starters in bullpin with Dave Stewart, Bob Welch, and Mike Moore. Then Dennis Erisley closing out 
games. More on him later on. But in 1991, Oakland, they did finish above 500 at 84 and 78, but 
finished 11 games behind the first place Minnesota Twins. As I remember being really surprised that 
Oakland did not get back to the postseason this year. Oakland’s pitching staff, thus perhaps 
the best in the AL for the past 3 years, wind up being one of the worst in the American 
League. Furthermore, injuries were an issue and Mark Magguire had his worst season as an A up to 
this point. But in 1992, things would get back to typical Oakland A’s baseball. However, during the 
season, one of the most surprising trades occurred as I think this was the first time I can remember 
being extremely shocked regarding a sports news story and not something happening on the field. 
So, every morning as a kid, as soon as I woke up, I would hustle down and get the morning paper, 
grab the sports section, and then go straight to the box scores and stats near the back of the 
sports section. But on this particular morning in 1992 when the A’s were on their way to another 
AL West title, I remember opening the paper, flipping the pages to get to the stats and scores, 
but then stopping promptly and seeing a headline that Joseé Conco, perhaps the biggest name in 
baseball at the time, was traded. The craziest part of this trade was that Conco was on deck 
when the trade went through. Hence, Conco had to be called back to the dugout to be pinch hit 
for. Conco was traded to the Texas Rangers for three big league players who I knew a lot and saw 
a lot at the time and starting pitcher Bobby Wit, closer Jeff Russell, but the big name coming 
back was switch hitting outfielder Rubman Sierra to bat in the middle of the A’s order. Sierra, he 
didn’t put up like numbers, but did drive in a lot of runs and hit for some power for Oakland. So, I 
just want to pull up the main players on the 1992 A’s as Oakland did go on to win their fourth AL 
West title in 5 years. In 1992, Tony Larusa was in the AL manager of the year. Meanwhile, A’s closer 
Dennis Ecley would win the Sai Young, but also would win the MVP. And at the time, I remember 
thinking that was really strange for a reliever to get the MVP award. Well, anyways, so it’s back 
to the ALCS for Oakland going up against Toronto. However, Oakland would not get back to the World 
Series as a fatal blow for Oakland happened in game four. So during this game, Toronto, they 
had a two games to one lead in the best of seven series. And in this pivotal game four, Oakland 
had a six of four lead in the ninth inning with the AL MVP Dennis Erisley on the mound to close it 
out. But instead, Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Roberto Alamar hit a game-tying two-run home run 
in the ninth. Subsequently, the Blue Jays won game four in 10 innings and wound up winning the 1992 
ALCS in six games to advance to the World Series. Now, I don’t know if anyone knew it at the time, 
but this would be the end of an impressive era. Looking back, it seemed that the Roberto Alamar 
home run was a shot that symbolized the end of quite an era for this Oakland A’s franchise. But 
going forward, I was still interested and a fan of the Oakland A’s. All right, the 1993 MLB season, 
and the new look Oakland A’s, Dave Stewart, Harold Baines, and Mike Moore, they signed elsewhere as 
free agents. Carney Lansford, he retired. Walt Weiss was traded to Florida. And Mark Magguire, he 
only played 27 games in 1993. and Ricky Henderson. He was traded to Toronto on July 31st. As it was 
not the same seeing the Oakland A’s, in fact, seeing Dave Stewart and Ricky Henderson playing 
for Toronto in the 1993 ALCS was extremely strange as I’ve been so used to seeing these two play in 
the ALCS were green and gold and not blue. So, here are the main players in the 1993 Oakland A’s. 
I still kept in Ricky Henderson, but nonetheless, as you can see, much different. Oakland finished 
93 season, 68 and 94. And obviously it’s a new era, a new direction. One player that I want 
to talk about who is expected to be a main part of Oakland’s future is Todd Van Pppo. So 
Van Pppo was talked about so highly as one of the best prospects. I remember all this praise 
for Van Pppo with all his potential. And I also remember thinking, how did the Mighty A’s get this 
supposed can’t miss prospect in Van Pppo in the draft despite always being so good? Later I found 
out Van Pppo fell in the draft due to signability issues. Scott Boris was his agent and this was 
before slot value for draft picks. So Oakland they wound up selecting Van Pppel 14th in the 1990 MLB 
draft and signed him to the largest deal ever for a draft pick. Oakland they had the 14th selection 
because of compensation after Milwaukee signed Dave Parker. But anyways 1993 was Van Pppppel’s 
first real season. However, Van Pppel he never lived up to the height throughout his career. 
A part of that was due to Van Pppel’s contract being placed on the 40man roster, which way which 
limited his time in the minor leagues developing, meaning a fast track to the majors. Another 
pitcher who I’d like to mention was Steve Carse, who was acquired from the Blue Jays when Oakland 
traded away Ricky Henderson to the Blue Jays. And Carsei, he was another pitcher whom I heard so 
much about in regards to his talent. However, it did not work out for Carse. I remember 
wondering if Carse disappeared because he missed all 1995 and 1996 with elbow injuries. These were 
two pitchers that were expected to lead the A’s pitching staff for years to come. What wound up 
happening was that A’s pitching would be given up a lot of runs for years to come. Last thing about 
the 1993 season, one of my favorite players ever, Dave Henderson, played his final season in 
Oakland in 1993. When people go back and talk about the personalities on those Oakland 
Ace teams, I think one name that doesn’t get mentioned enough was Dave Henderson, who did hit 
around 20 to 25 home runs in a season for Oakland, which was really good back then. But then I have 
to mention to me Henderson had a strange home run shot and also when a lazy fly ball was hit to 
Henderson in center field, he sometimes licked his fingers and test the win while the ball was 
in the air and caught it with some swag. Enter the 1994 MLB season. Ricky Henderson would actually 
come back to Oakland and sign with the A’s. This 94 season was a season that ended in mid August 
due to a strike. Oakland finished with a 51 and 62 record. However, they’re only one game behind 
the first place Mariners when the season was cancelled. I would have loved to see how that 94 
season would have played out in regards to that AL West division. I remember wanting Oakland to make 
the postseason year with a poor record. In 1994, Oakland, they began playing a couple players 
I really liked, an outfielder, Morirana Moa, who I was a huge fan of, and third baseman Scott 
Brochious, who I really liked before he went to the Yankees. In 1994, Mark Magguire, he’d only 
played 47 games. 1994 would also be the final MLB season for 1990 ALSI Young Award winner Bob Welch 
as his 27 wins in 1990 will never be forgotten by me. All right, so in 1995, baseball would resume. 
Mark Magguire, he’d get back to being on the field again and hit 39 home runs. Dave Stewart would 
make a return to Oakland signing as a free agent. But 1995 would be Stewart’s last MLB season as 
he had an RA that season close to seven. In 1995, the A’s they finished with a 67 and 77 record. 
This season will also be the final season for Tony Larusa managing the Oakland A’s then heading 
to St. Louis next season. Also after the 1995 MLB season, Dennis Eersley, he was traded from Oakland 
to St. Louis. Enter the 1996 MLB season. Art How is a new A’s manager and I really like this 
A’s team a lot. One of my favorite MLB teams. Perhaps it was due to the potent mixture of 
some old school A’s and their young talent. Mark Magguire smashed 52 home runs and Terry 
Steinbach still on the A’s in 1996 had hit his best offensive season with Oakland by far hitting 
35 home runs and driving in 100 runs. Meanwhile Boa, he hit 36 home runs as the Athletics hit 243 
home runs this year. 14 behind the league leader Baltimore Orioles who at this time broke a record 
for most team home runs in a season. Also in 1996, Jason Giani would begin to be an everyday player 
and he hit 20 home runs in 1996 and Matt Stairs would start to become a contributor for Oakland as 
he was awesome for the A’s for the upcoming years. Then there’s a pitching staff which again was 
one of the worst. So you had this team that was slugging the ball and one of the tougher places 
to hit and on the other hand the pitching staff be one of the worst despite being in a pitcher 
friendly park. the 1996 A’s. I remember them being in the playoff hunt being around that 500 
mark in the middle season. But then in the end, Oakland, they finished 12 games behind the Texas 
Rangers with a 78 and 84 record. Enter the 1997 MLB season, and here’s the roster and stats from 
the position players. Terry Steinbach would play for Minnesota in 1997, but returning being the 
team’s DH would be Jose Conco, who would make his final appearance as an Oakland A this season. The 
1997 season wasn’t as enjoyable to follow as the 96 season, but maybe that’s mostly due to Oakland 
finishing with a 65 and 97 record, not smashing as many home runs. Ronald Moa did get traded in the 
middle of the season, but the big trade happened on July 31, 1997 when Oakland traded Mark Maguire, 
who was going to be a free agent after the season as Big Mac was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals 
for Eric Lewick, TJ Matthews, and Blake Stein. at the time. Meguire, he was really smashing the ball 
into the stands. Perhaps had a really solid shot at breaking Roger Maris’s single season home run 
record of 61 home runs in 1997. And Mark Magguire, he wound up hitting 58 total home runs. 34th 
Oakland, 24 St. Louis. But nonetheless, I always remember those three names that Oakland got back. 
Waiting to see how they pan out. But in the end, w up being not a good return at all for Oakland. As 
for McGuire, he did wind up signing an extension to stay in St. Louis. And in 1998, Mark Magcguire, 
he did break Roger Maris’s single season home run record. Now, also in 1997, of course, Oakland. 
They’d finished with one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball. And strangely, not one starter 
on Oakland staff would have more than six wins in 1997. Enter the 1998 MLB season. And this would be 
the first season where Billy Bean be the general manager of the Oakland Ace, remain the GM for over 
a quarter century with the ball club. And Billy Bean’s first trade was acquiring pitcher Kenny 
Rogers from New York and departing for the Big Apple would be Scott Brochious. Brochious. He had 
a terrible 97 season for Oakland. After a really solid 1996 season, Brochious wind up being a very 
clutch player for the Yankees. But as for Oakland, wow, they finally had a starter they could 
rely on in Kenny Rogers who went 16 and8 with a 3.17 erra in 1998. But what I want to show 
you now are the main position players. Yes, Ricky Henderson would be on the 1998 A’s as this 
would be his fourth and final stint with the A’s, but aside from the A’s legend, future AL 
MVP Jason Giani be the first baseman and the cornerstone for years to come. and future AL 
MVP Miguel Tahado. From this point on would be the everyday shortstop. And also appearing for Oakland 
this season would be with 20-year-old Eric Chavez, who in my humble opinion I thought was the best 
defensive third baseman I ever saw while adding in about 30 home runs a season as it really surprised 
me that he never made an all-star team. That just baffles me. Now later on we so much talk about 
Oakland’s big three regarding their starting pitchers. More on them later on, but Oakland had 
quite the trio of position players in place in Giani, Tahada, and Chavez. Now Oakland, they also 
had Ben Grief who became the Ae Rook of the Year in 1998. Would have a couple seasons hitting in 
the high 20s and home runs, but then would be sent after 2000 season and part of a three-team 
deal. And in return, Oakland to get Johnny Damon, Mark Ellis, and Cory Lidle would all be solid 
contributors for the Oakland Athletics. So the 1998 Oakland A’s, they finished 74 and 88, 
but for the following year, it’d be a very enjoyable year keeping track of the Oakland A’s. 
All right, so entering the 1999 MLB season and remember not much was expected with the Oakland 
A’s being competitive. Another subpar season was expected from what I remember. Now Oakland once 
again they’d be smashing home runs and a player I remember enjoying watching this season was 
John Ja. And I liked him a lot with Milwaukee but injury problems got in the way. But Jaha, 
he signed a minor league deal with Oakland and then he would go on to surprisingly hit 35 home 
runs this season in 1999. And along with that, Matt Steris, he had 28 home runs. Jason Jambi, 
he had 33 home runs. And then Grieve and Tahada, they each hit more than 20 dingers. As for the 
pitchers, let me start out by saying that during the 99 season, Kenny Rogers, he was traded to 
the Mets for Terence Long, who was all right for the A’s in the coming years. Now, during the 
99 season, the first of the big three pitchers to make his MLB debut would be Tim Hudson, who 
would debut in June, making 21 starts in 1999 and become a great addition to the pitching staff. 
And I loved watching Hudson pitch with his lineup, Sinker and Splitter. Furthermore, there were 
some other interesting names that would be added during the season. There was Omar Alveras who was 
acquired in a trade with Anaheim. For some reason, he was a pitcher I remember the most from this 
99 team. And I think that’s because from my point of view, it seemed like that in the final two 
months, Oliver was frequently and always on the mound for Oakland. Then also during the 99 season 
at the trade deadline Oakland they acquired Kevin Apier who was a tremendous pitcher for Kansas 
City previously but he had a rough 99 season but his fun seaman pitch for Oakland in 1999 and 
2000. One of my favorite lineups ever. All right the 1999 Oakland A’s as mentioned earlier not 
much was expected from this team and they were hovering around that 500 mark until about the end 
of July. Now, Texas, they’re running away with the division. But at this time, there was one wild 
card spot to be had. And going back to baseball reference, Oakland. They’re 3.5 games behind 
Toronto for that final wild card spot at the end of July. So, I think around this time, my love 
of baseball is kind of dwindling. And in short, that was due to how the economics are playing out 
and how predictable MLB was becoming and the way it’s being covered by the media. But that’s all 
for another time. But anyways, this 1999 A’s team, they kind of stopped that downward trajectory 
of me losing interest in baseball. I love this team so much. So, the A’s, they played 
better in August and September. However, so was Boston. Oakland was in striking distance as 
they’re one game behind Boston in early September to take the one and only wild card spot in the 
American League. And Toronto, the kind of dropped out of the wild card race. However, in the end, 
Boston, they pulled away and they wound up being seven games better than Oakland when the 99 season 
ended. But what would transpire after the 1999 MLB season? Pitchers Mark Moulder and Barry Zto 
would make their MLB debuts and would team up with Tim Hudson to form that dynamic big three on the 
mound. But moreover, Oakland, they then go on to make the postseason the next four years. However, 
in a best of five American League Division series, it sucked that the A’s lost three games to two in 
each of those four ALDS series. Thank you so much for watching this video about the Oakland A’s in 
the9s. Leave a comment below. Tell me what you think. Don’t forget to like and subscribe. 
And thank you so much for all the support.

Take a trip down memory lane and revisit the iconic 1990s Oakland A’s that captivated baseball fans everywhere. From their dominant performances on the field to the memorable players who donned the green and gold, we’re exploring what happened to this beloved team. Join us as we delve into the history of the Oakland A’s and uncover the stories behind their rise to fame and their eventual decline. With footage, stats and pictures, this video is a must-watch for any baseball enthusiast looking to relive the magic of the 1990s Oakland A’s. Get ready to reminisce about the good old days of baseball and discover what became of this incredible team. What Happened to the OAKLAND A’s in the 90s?

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00:00 Intro
0:54 Oakland A’s Uniforms and White Cleats
1:26 Dave Parker
1:48 The Oakland A’s from 1988-1990
2:04 The 1991 Oakland A’s
3:23 The 1992 Oakland A’s
5:52 A New Era, The 1993 Oakland A’s
6:40 Todd Van Poppel
7:38 Steve Karsay
8:10 Dave Henderson
8:40 The 1994 Oakland A’s
9:33 The 1995 Oakland A’s
10:04 The 1996 Oakland A’s
11:14 The 1997 Oakland A’s
11:42 The Mark McGwire Trade
12:39 The 1998 Oakland A’s
14:24 The 1999 Oakland A’s

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