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Oakland Athletics: The franchise all-time bracket

By Bill Felber

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics waits during a pitching change as he rests his helmet beside his sock showing the team logo in the eleventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics waits during a pitching change as he rests his helmet beside his sock showing the team logo in the eleventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Semien and Matt Olson of the 2019 Oakland Athletics (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Marcus Semien and Matt Olson of the 2019 Oakland Athletics (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Oakland Athletics: The Franchise All-Time Bracket

No. 2 vs. 7 seed

Connie Mack’s early A’s teams in Philadelphia are a challenge for any opponent. Although largely overlooked today, the 1910 club certainly fits that description.

Begin with the 102-48 record, good enough to win the pennant by 14 and one-half games. The A’s were a virtually unbeatable 57-19 at home.

As befitting such a team, they could both hit and pitch. The team .266 batting average led the league by five points. Second baseman Eddie Collins hit .324; outfielders Rube Oldring and Danny Murphy both also topped .300.

A’s pitchers compiled a 1.79 staff ERA, leading the league in that category as well as fewest hits allowed and most strikeouts. Jack Coombs went 31-9 with a 1.30 ERA in 353 innings, throwing 13 shutouts and striking out 224 opponents. Chief Bender was 23-5 with a 1.58 ERA.

The 2019 Athletics also had a deep pitching staff, especially after Sean Manaea (4-0, 1.21) returned from an arm injury and Frankie Montas 99-2, 2.63) completed a PED suspension. Mike Fiers went 15-4 in 33 starts.

Shortstop Marcus Semien led the offense with 33 home runs and 92 RBIs. Third baseman Matt Chapman added 36 homers and 91 RBIs, as did first baseman Matt Olson.

Related Story. Cleveland Indians: The franchise all-time bracket. light

Game 1: The 1910 team’s 102-48 record translates to a .680 winning percentage. In 2019, the A’s went 97-65 for a .599 percentage.

Game 2: The 2019 A’s lost their only post-season game in the AL wild card. The 1910 A’s beat the Cubs in a five-game World Series.

Game 3: The 1910 A’s display their strength by amassing a 113 team OPS+, five points better than the 2019 team’s 108.

Game 4: The 1910 A’s also have the superior pitching staff. Their 133 team-ERA+ is led by Coombs’ imposing 182. The 2019 A’s had a 109 ERA+.

Result: 1910 in four games

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