Charles Finley

From BR Bullpen

Charles Oscar Finley

• High School LaPorte High School

• Born February 22, 1918 in Ensley, AL USA
• Died February 19, 1996 in Chicago, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Charles Finley was the longtime owner of the Kansas City Athletics and Oakland Athletics. He purchased the club in 1960. Prior to buying the A's Finley had tried to buy the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox and been considered as a potential owner of the Los Angeles Angels during the expansion process. The team struggled on and off the field in Kansas City, so he moved the A's to Oakland for the 1968 season. With a lineup of young stars such as Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter, the club was soon a contender. The A's won the AL West for five consecutive seasons, from 1971 to 1975, and they captured three straight World Series from 1972 to 1974. But in the era of free agency, he struggled to compete. He lost Hunter to free agency and was forced to sell off Jackson to avoid facing the same fate. In 1976, he attempted to sell outfielder Joe Rudi and pitchers Rollie Fingers and Vida Blue, but commissioner Bowie Kuhn stopped the deals, claiming they would be detrimental to the game. He eventually sold the team in 1981.

Much like George Steinbrenner, Finley had a reputation for changing managers often. In the 20 seasons he ran the club, the A's had 15 different managers.

[edit] Notables

• During 1973 WS attempted to fire Mike Andrews after committing 2 critical errors in game 2. Finley actually tried to put Andrews on the disabled list so he could bring in a replacement but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered Andrews reinstated.
• Used a track star Herb Washington as a pinch runner during 1974 and 1975 seasons.
• Inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980