It’s funny how he A’s have worked.  Be it in Philly, or Oakland, they have had great teams, decimated them because of money, and rebuilt again.  Kinda like the Marlins have a habit of doing.

I’m aware that history treats the 29 A’s nicely.  And I don’t disagree, but Connie Mack got away with murder in that series.  He started Howard Ehmke in Game 1 against the Cubs.  And won.  So that great year could quite well hve wound up without a World Championship.  Ehmke was a very average pitcher who had a mediocore year, hadn’t started in weeks, that sort of thing. 

It’s a long article, so I’ll list the main points below:

Overall, the system boils down to a tax on Type A free agents, which teams must pay in the form of draft picks.

While the system is really broken for relief pitchers, it’s not so hot for other players, either. For one, center fielders are ranked in the same group as designated hitters, (I had no idea), meaning that center fielders get no credit for playing one of the toughest positions on the diamond. Other oddities include using very few statistics to rate each player, and including antiquated stats such as fielding percentage (even for catchers!) and both wins and winning percentage for starting pitchers. All of these oddities add up to provide a very uneven system of ranking players, which is a shame considering that a player’s Type A designation can have a substantial impact on his marketability.

In its current form, the system does little to ensure competitive balance, since the effective tax does little to deter teams from signing mega-stars such as Teixeira but does have an effect on the marketability and earning power of journeyman free agents who have the misfortune to be labeled Type A free agents.

“I trust that when this tournament is over, Pete will run the winner against one of the A’s great squads in a City Series.”

I will carry my passion for and devotion to the Phils all the way to my grave (and beyond if I can), however, I don’t think it would turn out to be much of a series.  From what I have read over the years, I fear that even the worst of their best would be better than the best of our best.

The A’s had two dynastic runs in their history.  The first was in the 1910s, when they won the World Series in 1910, 1911, and 1913, and  won the AL pennant in 1914.   The second was when they won the World Series in 1929 (with a team many believe belongs in the discussion of The Greatest Team of All Time) and 1930, and won the AL pennant in 1931.

I believe their powerhouse teams, loaded with all-time players, and with Connie Mack at the helm would make quick work of most anything we could put up against them. 

Pete,

If you worked there and didn’t get a answer, I don’t know that this will help, but I e mailed Bill Conlin the question and all I know for sure is he’s been real good about e mailing back in the past.

I believe we subscribe to the same childhood memories.  It took me about a half hour after I scribbled that note to think of who I at least thought it was, and I still haven’t looked it up, but I’m on board with Ollie.

Far as Pete thinking the 1915 club may shock us, that’s quite possible.  I know this tourney is all in fun, and darn close to entirely based on stats, and some of the numbers back then were phenominal, so its possible.  And if they win, I don’t see a problem with going to their graves and throwing flowers, but they had the prehistoric edge of light travel, all white players, daylight baseball and lesser training facilities.  In reality, they were probably inferior, but more power to em if they win.

For what it’s worth, and he had to be pressed for an answer, last year, Dallas Green concluded that the 08 team would have beat the 80 team because of a slightly better bullpen.

I trust that when this tournament is over, Pete will run the winner against one of the A’s great squads in a City Series.