Oakland Athletics Tickets

Athletics general manager Billy Beane boldly tore apart much of the successful big league team he had built before the 2005 season, trading away Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder and reasoning that it was better to rebuild than to go into a gradual decline. But a young Oakland team wasn't interested in rebuilding, instead contending for much of the season before fading late, but still finishing with 88 wins.
Oakland got off to a slow start and opened the season 17-32, but never got down as the young players came around. The A's went 71-42 the rest of the way, even taking over first in the American League West at the end of August, before finishing second to the Angels. Rookies contributed all over the field, but none was better than closer Huston Street, who won AL Rookie of the Year honors. Street was drafted out of the University of Texas in 2004 and quickly ascended through the organization. He had 23 saves, converting all 18 of his opportunities in the second half, and a 1.72 ERA.
But important rookies were everywhere: Joe Blanton won 12 games and led the team's starters with a 3.53 ERA; Dan Johnson came up from the minors to take over at first base and hit 15 home runs; and outfielder Nick Swisher hit 21 homers and drove in 74. Even the team's more established players, like third baseman Eric Chavez, are young and should be entering the prime of their careers.
The A's were better than anyone expected in 2005, and if the rookies continue to improve and new additions Esteban Loaiza and Milton Bradley provide valuable contributions in 2006, Oakland will be in the thick of things again.