Oakland Athletics 2007 MLB Season in Review

10/26/2007, OAKLAND -- The Oakland A's had their streak of eight consecutive winning seasons come to an end in 2007, as a the team finished an injury-plagued season with a 76-86 record under first year manager Bob Geren. The A's finished third in the American League West Division standings, 18 games behind Los Angeles, marking the first time since 1998 the A's did not finish first or second in the AL West.

Injuries hampered the team all season long, as the Oakland A's used the disabled list 22 times in 2007, tying an Oakland record set in 1992. A's players combined to miss an Oakland-record 1259 games while on the disabled list, an average of 57.2 game per DL stint. The A's began the season with three players on the DL and did not drop below that number all year and had at least five players on the DL everyday since April 27.

The A's set an Oakland-record by using a Major League leading 54 players in 2007, which was the second highest total in franchise history to the 56 players used by the Philadelphia A's in 1915. Of the 54 players used by the A's in 2007, 17 were of rookie status, which were the most rookies used by the A's in one season since 1997 when they also utilized the services of 17 rookies. A total of nine rookies (Daric Barton, Jerry Blevins, Dallas Braden, Travis Buck, Jay Marshall, Kevin Mellilo, Danny Putnam, Connor Robertson and Kurt Suzuki) made their Major League debuts with the A's in 2007. Eight of the 17 rookies used by the A's in 2007 were drafted and developed within the organization, including four position players and four pitchers.

While the A's record dipped below the .500 mark for the first time since 1998, the team's overall record of 827-630 (.568) is the third best in all of baseball since the start of the 1999 season. Only the New York Yankees (871-583, .599) and Atlanta Braves (837-619, .575) have posted better regular season records than the A's over the last nine seasons. The A's five postseason appearances since the 2000 season are the fourth most among all Major League teams, trailing only New York-AL (8), Atlanta (6) and St. Louis (6).

Dan Haren, who finished the season with 15-9 record and a 3.07 ERA, became the sixth Oakland pitcher to start an All-Star Game when he took to the mound in San Francisco on July 10th, joining the elite company of Vida Blue (1971 and '75), Catfish Hunter (1973), Dave Stewart (1989), Bob Welch (1990) and Mark Mulder (2004) as A's pitchers to have started the Midsummer Classic. Haren's 15 wins led the A's staff, while his earned run average ranked third in the American League.

The Oakland A's Community Fund supported more than 1,500 charitable organizations through monetary contributions and donated auction items this season in their efforts to support charitable organizations in improving the quality of life for people throughout the Bay Area. Specifically, to fund endeavors to improve educational programs, aid the underprivileged, assist in crime and drug prevention, promote health awareness, and champion children and senior welfare. The A's Community Fund believes in the need to invest in the community's future. The A's Community Fund donated approximately $600,000 to various community programs.

Best Records in the Major Leagues
Overall (1999-2007)
W L PCT.
New York (AL) 871 583 .599
Atlanta 837 619 .575
Oakland 827 630 .568
Boston 824 633 .566
St. Louis 811 645 .557

Home (1999-2007)
W L PCT.
New York (AL) 457 269 .629
Oakland 449 280 .616
Atlanta 440 288 .604
St. Louis 437 291 .600
Boston 435 294 .597

2007 Team Accomplishments
• The A's had their streak of eight consecutive seasons with a winning record come to an end in 2007 as they finished with a 76-86 record...it was the first time Oakland finished with a losing record since going 74-88 in 1998...finished in third place in the American League West, 18 games behind Los Angeles, and were sixth in the AL Wild Card, 18 games behind New York...it marked the first time the A's finished more than 14 games out of a playoff spot since 1997 when they were 25 games behind Seattle in the West...it was the first time the A's did not finish first or second in the West since 1998 when they finished fourth...were 37-29 (.561) on June 15, which was good for second place in the West, four games behind Los Angeles...had the eighth best record in baseball at the time...however, the eight games over .500 would be a season high as the A's went 39-57 (.406) over the final 96 games...had the second worst record in baseball from June 16 until the end of the season.

• The A's used the disabled list 22 times in 2007, tying the Oakland record set in 1992...A's players combined to miss an Oakland record 1259 games while on the DL, an average of 57.2 games per DL stint...11 of the 22 DL stints included time on the 60-day DL...the A's began the season with three players on the DL and did not drop below that number all year...had at least five players on the DL every day beginning on April 27 and had 110 days with at least eight players on the DL.

• The A's set an Oakland record by using a Major League leading 54 players in 2007...it was the second highest total in franchise history to the 56 players used by the Philadelphia A's in 1915...also set Oakland record records with 12 center fielders and 18 outfielders and tied the mark with 13 left fielders...17 of the 54 players were rookies, the A's most rookies in a season since 1997 when they also had 17...nine of the rookies made their Major League debut.

• The A's ranked second to last in the American League with a .256 batting average and a .246 average with runners in scoring position...however, were second with 664 walks...scored 741 runs, which was fourth fewest in the AL and the fewest by an Oakland team in a non-strike season since 1993 when they had 715...ranked last in the AL in triples (16), stolen bases (52) and sacrifice hits (18)...the sacrifice hits were the fewest in franchise history, breaking the previous record of 19 in 2005.

• The A's compiled a 4.28 ERA, which ranked sixth in the American League...it marked the first time the A's did not finish in the AL top four in ERA since 1998 when they were ninth...it was the A's highest ERA since posting a 4.58 mark in 2000...allowed 138 home runs, which was the fewest in the AL and third fewest in the Majors...had four complete games, which tied for eighth in the AL but was second fewest in franchise history (2 in 1997)...topped 1000 strikeouts for the seventh consecutive season and eighth time in franchise history.

• A's starting pitchers were 52-60 with a 4.29 ERA...ranked fifth in the American League in ERA and had the fourth lowest opponents batting average (.270)...the wins were fifth fewest in the AL and the fewest by A's starters since 1998 when they also went 52-60...allowed just 95 home runs, which was second fewest in the AL.

• The A's bullpen converted 36 of 61 (59.0%) save opportunities, which was the third lowest save percentage in the American League...tied for the fourth fewest saves in the AL...the 25 blown saves tied for the AL lead and were tied for third most in Oakland history...had a 4.27 ERA, which ranked ninth in the AL and was the highest by the A's bullpen since 2000 (4.48).

• The A's finished fourth in the American League with a .985 fielding percentage...committed 90 errors, which tied for third fewest in the AL and was fourth fewest in franchise history in a non-strike season...however, the errors led to 69 unearned runs, which was third most in the AL.

• The A's were 40-41 at home and finished with a losing record in Oakland for the first time since 1998 when they went 39-42...went 36-45 on the road, the third time in the last five years they have finished with a losing record away from Oakland...it was the A's worst record on the road since 1999 when they went 35-46...the A's batted .240 with 331 runs scored in Oakland compared to .271 with 410 runs scored on the road...had the lowest batting average and second fewest runs scored at home in the AL but had the third most runs and fifth best batting average on the road in the AL...the A's .240 batting average at home was their lowest mark in Oakland since 1982 when they hit .229...the pitching staff compiled a 3.79 ERA in Oakland compared to 4.81 on the road...had the second lowest home ERA in the AL and the fifth highest road ERA.

• The A's were 44-44 at the All-Star Break, marking the first time they have not been over .500 at the break since 1999 when they were 43-44...then went 32-42 after the break, which was the fourth lowest winning percentage in the American League...it was the first time the A's had a losing record after the All-Star Break since 1998...had a 3.66 ERA at the break, which was the lowest mark in the AL and second lowest in the Majors...then posted a 5.04 ERA after the break, which was third highest in the AL and sixth highest in the Majors.

• The A's drew 1,921,834 fans to McAfee Coliseum in 2007, which was the A's lowest attendance since 2000 when they drew 1,728,886...ranked 12th in the American League in attendance for the second consecutive season...had nine sellouts.

• The A's have eight players under contract for the 2008 season...the players and the years they are signed through are: Eric Chavez (2010, club option 2011), Bobby Crosby (2009), Mark Ellis (2008), Alan Embree (2008, club option 2009), Rich Harden (2008, club option 2009), Dan Haren (2009, club option 2010), Mark Kotsay (2008) and Nick Swisher (2011, club option 2012)...as of October 15, three players on the roster are eligible for free agency (DaVanon, Piazza and Stewart) and nine are eligible for arbitration (Blanton, Calero, DiNardo, Duchscherer, Gaudin, Lewis, Scutaro, Snelling and Street).

2007 Organizational Accomplishments
• The Oakland A's Community Fund supported more than 1,500 charitable organizations through monetary contributions and donated auction items this season in their efforts to support charitable organizations in improving the quality of life for people throughout the Bay Area. Specifically, to fund endeavors to improve educational programs, aid the underprivileged, assist in crime and drug prevention, promote health awareness, and champion children and senior welfare. The A's Community Fund believes in the need to invest in the community's future. The A's Community Fund donated approximately $600,000 to various community programs.

• The A's Ninth Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day on September 15 raised over $112,500 for the American Cancer Society and Northern California Cancer Center through the sale of special ticket packages, commemorative pins and caps, and an A's autographed quilt raffle. In addition, as a part of "A Gift of Faith" grant, the A's donated $5,000 annually to the To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of longtime KTVU Channel 2 reporter, the late Faith Fancher. Over the past nine years, the A's have raised over $887,000 for breast cancer education and research. A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day was presented by John Muir Health and additional participating sponsors included Chevron, Contra Costa Times, Comcast, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ross Dress For Less.

• The A's raised over $35,000 at the Eighth Annual MUG Root Beer Float Day on August 1 with proceeds benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Funds were raised through the sale of root beer floats, tips given in exchange for autographs and pictures with the celebrity scoopers, the sale of autographed mugs, a silent auction of sports memorabilia and an on-line auction titled "Be a Celebrity Scooper." Over the past eight years, the A's have raised over $235,000 for various charities through MUG Root Beer Float Day. MUG Root Beer Float Day was sponsored by Pepsi and Comcast. The ice cream for the event was donated by Dreyer's.

• The Inaugural A's Billiards and Baseball event, held on August 16 at Massés Billiards Sports Bar & Grill in Walnut Creek, raised over $50,000 for various organizations that assist children with special need. A's players and coaches teamed up with fans and sponsors in a five round 8-Ball Tournament in support of the National Down Syndrome Society, the Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland's Autism Intervention Program and the Special Olympics of Northern California. A's Billiards and Baseball was supported by Bank of America, Chevron, Comcast, FSN Bay Area, Pepsi and State Roofing Systems.

• On August 4, the A's raised over $100,000 at the Second Annual Dinner on the Diamond with proceeds benefiting the Oakland A's Community Fund. Funds were raised through the sale sponsorship packages and a live auction. A's Dinner on the Diamond was sponsored by the Wolff family and Fisher family.

• The Oakland A's Community Fund Golf Classic held on May 31 at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, raised more than $100,000 for the A's Community Fund through the tournament and silent and live auctions. Union Bank of California -The Private Bank was the title sponsor of the event and additional sponsors included Anheuser-Busch, Chevron, E-Loan, Pepsi and State Roofing Systems of San Leandro.

• Prior to the season, over 21,654 fans attended the A's annual FanFest which raised funds for the Oakland A's Community Fund and the Okizu Foundation through autograph and photo sessions, batting cage tours, clubhouse tours and the sale of game worn jerseys from current and former players. A's FanFest 2007 was sponsored by Aloha Airlines, Central Garden & Pet, Chevron, Chevy, General Motors, John Muir Health, Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky, Pepsi, Plan-It Interactive, Shell Vacations, Sun Microsystems and ROSS Dress For Less. Media sponsors included Action 36 Cable 6, The Contra Costa Times, Diablo Magazine, 106.9 KFRC and FSN Bay Area.

• The Oakland A's Community Fund, in partnership with the Good Tidings Foundation, renovated the baseball and softball field at Washington High School in Fremont. The renovation process included the replacement of the entire irrigation system, fresh sod and infield dirt and new concrete under the bleachers for both fields, a new wood backstop with fresh paint and fencing around the bullpen for the baseball field, and fresh paint on the backstop and fencing to enclose fan and bleacher area behind the backstop for the softball field. In 2006, the A's and Good Tidings Foundation renovated and renamed Rickey Henderson Baseball Field located at the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center in East Oakland and renovated Bambino Field at the Greenman Field Baseball Complex in Oakland in 2005.

• The A's Community Fund held silent auctions of various sports memorabilia on all Saturday and Sunday home dates. The A's Community Fund donated over $70,000 to various charity groups that received a portion of the proceeds as a silent auction partners on selected dates throughout the season.

• Over 15,000 students in 97 Bay Area schools participated in the A's Home Run Readers program, during the 2006-07 school year. Forty-five schools reached their goals and 20 schools received a visit from a member of the A's front office and the A's mascot Stomper. Six of those schools received a visit from an A's player or coach to congratulate the students for reaching their goals and to encourage them to continue reading outside of the classroom. The program concluded with A's Home Run Readers Day on May 17 at McAfee Coliseum. The Home Run Readers program was sponsored by the A's Community Fund, SCS Development, the Wilkins Family and NASDAQ.

• The A's designed and distributed over 22,000 "Mathletics" workbooks which utilize simple formulas for calculating statistics of A's players were distributed to students in hopes to promote the importance of math among Bay Area youth. Both workbooks were also available online at oaklandathletics.com. Students who completed their workbooks correctly and submitted the answer sheet to the A's received two tickets vouchers to an A's game. In addition, one school that demonstrated outstanding participation in the program received a visit from A's Manager Bob Geren. The "Mathletics" program is sponsored by Ross Dress For Less and FSN Bay Area.

• The A's Amigos program gave Hispanic children the opportunity to speak with an A's player about the importance of education, sportsmanship and hard work. In addition to the pre-game visit, each child received a game ticket and an A's hat. The A's Amigos program was sponsored by Kelly-Moore Paints.

• The A's Baseball Basics program allowed 120 aspiring young ball players in the Bay Area to receive inside tips from an A's player during a pre-game clinic. In addition, each child received a game ticket and an A's hat. A's Baseball Basics was sponsored by Health Net, A Better Decision.

• Over 10,000 children from low to moderate-income families were treated to A's games as part of the Little A's program. In addition to a game ticket, each child received an A's pin and pennant. The Little A's program is sponsored by Union Bank of California and supported by Clorox, The Men's Wearhouse and 5A Rent-A-Space.

• The A's collected 5,300 pounds of food and $1,415 on Food Bank Wednesdays this season which provided 14,500 meals for children and adults facing hunger in Alameda County. In addition, the A's are a sponsor of the Alameda County Food Bank's Holiday Food Drive.

• Before selected A's home games, teachers and volunteers from Oakland public schools offer tutoring for at-risk students at McAfee Coliseum as a part of the Green Stampede Homework Club. Students who attend the study group are rewarded with tickets to that night's game and if the student attends all eight study groups they will be rewarded with a visit from an A's player for a question and answer session and autograph.

• The A's "Step Up to the Plate for Education" program, sponsored by The Mechanics Bank, raised $49,150 this season to assist schools in the Bay Area and Northern California. Through this program, local schools, individuals, businesses and other organizations sold A's tickets for select games and the A's donated a portion of each ticket proceed to a school of their choice. Since its inception in 2004, the A's "Step Up to the Plate for Education" program has raised close to $200,000 for Contra Costa County schools.

• Kragen Auto Parts donated a car seat for every home run the A's hit during the regular season. A check for $6,100 was presented to local charitable organization La Clinica de la Raza which used the money to purchase and distribute 152 child safety seats for families in Oakland.

• Since 1986, The Men's Wearhouse and George Zimmer have donated more than $1 million dollars to the Oakland Zoo through the A's Double Play program.

Source: MLB

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