Oakland Athletics: The 4 legends on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
By Beau Adams
![Jul 20, 1991; Oakland, CA, USA; Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action against his former team the New York Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports Jul 20, 1991; Oakland, CA, USA; Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action against his former team the New York Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9116dbd61d4210a296acdb0576cea4bdb22ef09261c90e13fa8e9e0edbb2fd60.jpg)
Catfish Hunter: Dominance on the mound
Position: Starting Pitcher
Career: 1965-1979
Years with Athletics: 1965-1974
Primary Stats: 224 Wins, 3.26 ERA, 2012 SO,
Accolades: HOF, AL Cy Young, 8-time All-Star
Jim “Catfish” Hunter, the first player to have his number retired by the A’s, was an integral part of the powerhouse Athletics in the 1970s. His exceptional performance on the mound earned him the honor of having an award named after him, given to the team’s most inspirational player.
Hunter’s four consecutive 20-win seasons as a member of the Athletics, coupled with his 3.06 ERA and 27.3 fWAR, solidify his place in Oakland history. In 1968, during the team’s first season in Oakland, he threw the ninth-ever perfect game in baseball history.
Hunter’s dominance and durability played a crucial role in the A’s winning three consecutive World Series titles, with an impressive 50 complete games during the regular season from 1972 to 1974.