From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Oakland A's fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
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Eddie Plank: Athletics Sweater
Eddie Plank, the great dead-ball era hurler for the Philadelphia Athletics, wore this sweater during the latter part of his 14 years with the club. A century after his 1917 retirement, Plank still holds franchise records for wins (284), strikeouts (1,985) and shutouts (59).
Baseball Timeline: 1900-1929
Dennis Eckersley: 1990s Glove
Pitcher Dennis Eckersley had won 151 games in 12 seasons as a starter before arriving in Oakland in 1987. There, Eck combined his devastating slider and blazing fastball to evolve from a very good starting pitcher into a Hall of Fame closer. He used this glove while with the A's in the early 1990s.
Whole New Ballgame
Dave Stewart: 1989 World Series Jersey
After shutting out the Giants, 5-0, in Game 1 of the 1989 World Series, Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart wore this jersey and was back on the mound for Game 3, 10 days after the Loma Prieta earthquake interrupted the Series. Stewart earned another victory, 13-7, and gained MVP honors for the Series.
Whole New Ballgame
Rickey Henderson: Fan Sign
Rickey Henderson, Oakland's uber-leadoff hitter and base-stealer extraordinaire, donned the A's green and gold four separate times. At the start of his second stint with the club in 1989, 5-year-old superfan Erin Hoy welcomed the charismatic left fielder with her handmade "Hi Rickey" sign.
Sacred Ground
Rickey Henderson: Record-Breaking Shoes
Rickey Henderson spent 14 seasons in Oakland, where he pilfered 867 of his 1,406 career stolen bases. He wore these shoes on August 27, 1982, when he stole his 119th base of the season and broke Lou Brock’s 1974 single-season mark. From 1980 to 1991, Henderson led the league in thefts 11 times.
One for the Books
Connie Mack: Final Victory Baseball
The Grand Old Man of Baseball, Connie Mack managed the Athletics for their first 50 years. This ball comes from his final victory as pilot of the Philadelphia club, October 1, 1950. Five years later the club moved to Kansas City and in 1968 made Oakland its permanent home.
One for the Books
Howard Ehmke: 1929 World Series Glove
Back when the Athletics called Philadelphia their home, Connie Mack surprised everyone by tabbing veteran pitcher Howard Ehmke to start Game 1 of the 1929 World Series. Wearing this glove, the fading junkballer struck out 13 and defeated the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, in his last major league victory.
Autumn Glory
Rollie Fingers: 1974 World Series Jersey
Khris Davis: Two-Homer Game Jersey
On Sept. 21, 2018, Oakland’s Khris Davis wore this jersey against the Twins when he blasted his 44th and 45th home runs of the season. The latter was a 10th-inning walk-off that prompted teammates to tear off his jersey in celebration, resulting in all but the top button being lost.
Your Team Today
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Starting Nine
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Starting Nine
Choose a new team and discover more Starting Nine artifacts.
The Museum
Where baseball stories are shared and cherished memories are created.
Visit
Experience all Cooperstown has to offer
Buy Tickets Now
Purchase tickets for your next trip to the Museum.