Oakland Athletics Team History & Encyclopedia
Randy Johnson becomes the 12th pitcher this century to strike out 300 batters in a season
Randy Johnson becomes the 12th pitcher this century to strike out 300 batters in a season when he whiffs 13 batters in 10 innings in the Mariners’ 3-2 loss to Oakland at the Kingdome. The Seattle southpaw, en route to 4,875 career strikeouts, most all-time for a lefthanded pitcher, second only to Nolan Ryan’s 5,714, will also reach the milestone five additional times, spanning the 1998-2002 seasons.
Dodgers win World Champions behind Orel Hershiser
The Dodgers become World Champions when Orel Hershiser limits the opposition to four singles in Game 5 of the World Series and beats the A’s, 5-1. The right-hander, who also won Game 2, is named the Most Valuable Player of the Fall Classic.
During a visit to the White House, 21 year-old Vida Blue is told by President Nixon that he is the most underpaid player in the game
During a visit to the White House, 21 year-old Vida Blue, who is presently 22-4, is told by President Nixon that he is the most underpaid player in the game. The Commander-in-Chief tells the eventual Cy Young Award winner and AL MVP he would like to negotiate the A’s southpaw’s next contract, much to the chagrin of Oakland owner Charlie Finley.
Jim Northrup goes 6 for 6 as the Tigers beat the A’s, 5 – 3
Detroit OF Jim Northrup goes 6 for 6, the first 6-hit game for Detroit since June 24, 1962, as the Tigers beat the A’s, 5 – 3. Northrup’s 6th hit is a home run over the roof in the bottom of the 13th to win the game.