Most memorable Athletics moments in Oakland
The Oakland Athletics will play their final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday afternoon.
The Athletics are set to move to Sacramento for the next three seasons before the club's eventual settlement in Las Vegas.
Here, we look back at some of the franchise's best moments in Oakland.
Dallas Braden's perfect game
(Video source: MLB.com)
Braden authored one of the most heartwarming accomplishments in Athletics history, tossing the franchise's second perfect game on May 9, 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-hander completed the feat on Mother's Day and shared a touching moment with his grandmother, who raised him following the death of his mother due to melanoma.
Rickey Henderson sets all-time stolen bases record
Henderson stole a remarkable 867 bases during his 14 years with the Athletics. The speedy outfielder established himself as one of the greatest leadoff hitters ever with his blend of power and speed, plus his strong defense. Henderson authored one of the most indelible moments in A's history when he stole third base in a game against the New York Yankees on May 1, 1991. The swipe gave Henderson 939 for his career, surpassing Hall of Famer Lou Brock's record. Henderson proceeded to rip the base out of the ground and raise it over his head. Following the game, Henderson declared himself "the greatest of all time" in a memorable speech.
Scott Hatteberg's home run
The 2002 Athletics took fans on an unforgettable ride. The A's had won 19 consecutive games entering a matchup with the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 4. Oakland jumped out to an 11-0 lead before the Royals stormed back to tie it. First baseman Scott Hatteberg stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning and blasted a walk-off homer to help the A's set the American League record with a 20th straight win. Hatteberg's home run was also portrayed in the award-winning film "Moneyball."
Completing the 3-peat
The Athletics captured their third consecutive World Series championship in 1974 with a 3-2 victory in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe Rudi delivered a home run in the seventh inning to break a tie.
Capitalizing on Hamilton's costly error
The 2012 Athletics trailed the Texas Rangers by as many as 13 games at the end of June. Oakland battled back and entered the last day of the regular season tied with Texas for the top spot in the AL West and wrapping up a series against its division rival. The Rangers jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but an error by outfielder Josh Hamilton turned the game on its head, allowing the Athletics to take the lead. The A's won 12-5, moving into first place in the division for the first time all year on the final day of the season.
(Video source: MLB.com)
Catfish Hunter's perfect game
The Hall of Fame right-hander threw the ninth perfect game in MLB history on May 8, 1968 against the Minnesota Twins. The 1968 campaign was the Athletics franchise's first in Oakland after moving from Kansas City. Hunter was one of the best pitchers in A's history, helping the team win three straight World Series championships. He also took home the 1974 AL Cy Young Award.
Stewart dominates Giants in Fall Classic
After losing the 1988 World Series to the Dodgers, the Athletics made it back in 1989 and took on their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Athletics ace Dave Stewart, who was born and raised in Oakland, delivered a dominant complete-game shutout in Game 1. The Athletics went on to sweep the Giants to win the franchise's ninth championship.