Oakland Athletics: The 4 legends on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore

Jimmie Foxx: Hard-hitting first base beast

Position: First Baseman

Career: 1925-1945

Years with Athletics: 1925-1935, 45

Primary Stats: .325 batting average, 534 home runs, 1922 RBI, 2646 Hits

Accolades: HOF, 3-time MVP, 9-time All-Star, 1933 AL Triple-Crown

Jimmie Foxx signed his first professional contract with the Easton minor league club and made his major league debut before the end of his junior year in high school. Despite his talent, he was initially blocked at the catcher position by another future Hall of Famer, Mickey Cochrane.

Hall of Famer Rick Ferrell noted that Foxx had the potential to be a great catcher if it hadn’t been for Cochrane. He finally earned regular playing time at first base in 1929, leading the Athletics to two consecutive World Series titles. Foxx was one of the most prolific offensive forces in the majors, with 12 30-home run seasons and 13 100-RBI seasons, and he won three MVP Awards and was selected to nine All-Star teams. He would go on to win back-to-back MVP awards in 1932-33 as a member of the Philadelphia A’s and teamed with Al Simmons as a feared 1-2 punch in the lineup almost equal to Ruth-Gehrig

He was known as “The Beast” due to his powerful right-handed swing, but he was also known for his kind and generous nature. Foxx was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1951 and then went on to manage the Fort Wayne Daisies in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1952.

Hall of Fame hurler Lefty Gomez recalled a home run hit off of him by Foxx in 1937 that was so powerful it was mistaken for a white object on the moon. Foxx passed away on July 21, 1967.

“If I were catching blindfolded, I’d always know when it was (Jimmie) Foxx who connected. He hit the ball harder than anyone else.” – Bill Dickey