Oakland Athletics: All-Time 25-Man Roster

First Base: Jimmie Foxx

In a franchise that has included sluggers like Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi, one first baseman stands above the rest: Jimmie Foxx.

Foxx made his debut in 1925 when he was just 17 years old. He dropped out of high school to play in the minors, where he trained as a catcher. Unfortunately, Mickey Cochrane had already locked up the catcher position for the A’s earlier in the season, so Foxx was forced to play first base and outfield.

In 1929, Foxx earned the full-time first base job and batted .354 with 33 home runs. Between 1932 and 1935, he hit 186 homers and knocked in 577 runs, making him one of the most dangerous hitters of his era.

Until Alex Rodriguez broke his record in 2007, Foxx was the youngest player to reach 500 home runs. He was also only the second player in MLB history to reach that plateau. In 1933, Foxx won the Triple Crown – one of 17 people to ever win it, but one of two to win it that year. (Chuck Klein of the Phillies won the Triple Crown in the National League.)

It’s easy to see why Foxx was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1951. He was nine-time All-Star from 1933 to 1941, and won two World Series Championships with the A’s. Foxx also led the AL in home runs four times and was the batting leader twice. Altogether, he won three AL MVP awards – making him the most valuable first baseman in A’s history.

Next: A's All-Time Roster: Second Base