Expecting big things from Wilson, Kurtz, Butler et al next year. If only the A's could get some pitching help!

Bert Campaneris was one of baseball’s most versatile and influential players. With elite speed, smart defense, and fearless baserunning, “Campy” helped power the A’s to three straight World Series titles from 1972-74, setting the tone for one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

Campaneris led the league in stolen bases six times, bringing back the running game in an era dominated by power pitching. His aggressive style made him a prototype for the modern speed-first leadoff hitter and influenced the rise of base-stealing stars like Rickey Henderson.

He was also a pioneer of versatility: in 1965, Campaneris famously played all nine positions in a single game, showcasing an athleticism few players in history could match. Over 19 seasons, he paired steady defense with clutch October play, becoming one of the most valuable postseason shortstops of his generation.

Fast, fearless, and foundational to a dynasty: Bert Campaneris helped change how teams thought about speed, versatility, and the shortstop position.

Dennis Eckersley is one of the most revolutionary pitchers in baseball history, and a rare star who mastered two careers: first as an All-Star starter, then as the prototype for the modern dominant closer. Few players have ever reinvented themselves so completely or shaped the sport so profoundly.

Eckersley broke in as a hard-throwing starter, throwing a no-hitter in 1977 and making multiple All-Star teams. But his move to the bullpen with the A’s in the late ’80s changed baseball. He became the first closer to pair elite command with strikeout stuff, walking just 3 batters in 1990 and posting a 0.61 ERA—one of the greatest relief seasons ever.

His 1992 MVP and Cy Young season made him the symbol of late-inning dominance, and his pinpoint slider/fastball combo became a blueprint for future closers. Beyond awards, he defined the emotional drama of the 9th inning and showed how a pitcher can reinvent himself into legend.

Reggie Jackson