1996 Oakland Athletics season

March 2026 November 2013 Oakland Athletics 1996 American League West Cashman Field (6 games, temporary)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, California 78–84 (.481) 3rd Stephen Schott Ken Hofmann Art Howe Sandy Alderson KRON-TVSports Channel Pacific(Ray Fosse, Greg Papa) KFRC(Bill King, Ken Korach, Ray Fosse) The Oakland Athletics' 1996 season was the team's 29th in Oakland, California. It was also the 96th season in franchise history. The team finished third in the American League West with a record of 78–84. The Athletics started their season in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the renovations at the Coliseum were not finished yet. The Athletics would play their first game in Oakland on April 19th. The 1996 season was the Athletics' first under manager Art Howe. It was also the team's fourth consecutive losing season. The reasons behind Oakland's mediocrity remained the same; a below-average offense failed to offset an awful pitching staff. The Athletics' starting rotation, once again, was in shambles; none of the Athletics' six primary starters (Don Wengert, Doug Johns, John Wasdin, Ariel Prieto, Steve Wojciechowski, and Dave Telgheder) won more than eight games. Oakland's bullpen also ranked among the league's worst. Reliever Carlos Reyes lead all pitchers in strikeouts with 78. All told, the A's boasted a team ERA of 5.20; this was the 10th best total in the 14-team American League. The Athletics' offense was only slightly better. As had been the case in prior years, slugger Mark McGwire (his final full season as an Athletic) was the main draw; he crushed a league-high (and Oakland franchise record) 52 home runs in 1996. Designated hitter Gerónimo Berroa and catcher Terry Steinbach belted 36 and 35 home runs, respectively; secondary hitters Scott Brosius, Jason Giambi, and Ernie Young contributed 22, 20, and 19. The Athletics, as a team, hit 243 home runs (the American League's third-most); a low team batting average, however, ensured that they would finish the season with only 861 runs (the American League's 10th best total). The Athletics hovered around the .500-mark for almost all of the season. They were not expected to contend in 1996, and indeed did not; they ultimately finished 12 games behind the first-time AL West Champion Texas Rangers. Offseason November 16, 1995: The Athletics hire Art Howe as manager, after Tony La Russa left to manage the St Louis Cardinals. November 27, 1995: Buddy Groom was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.https://www.baseball-reference.com/g/groombu01.shtml Buddy Groom Stats December 5, 1995: Torey Lovullo was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lovulto01.shtml Torey Lovullo Stats January 22, 1996: Danny Tartabull was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago White Sox for Andrew Lorraine and Charles Poe (minors).Danny Tartabull Statistics Baseball-Reference.com January 22, 1996: Rafael Bournigal was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bournra01.shtml Rafael Bournigal Stats January 29, 1996: Aaron Small was selected off waivers by the Oakland Athletics from the Seattle Mariners.https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/smallaa01.shtml Aaron Small Stats January 29, 1996: Pedro Munoz was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.Pedro Munoz Statistics Baseball-Reference.com February 13, 1996: Dennis Eckersley was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Montgomery. March 10, 1996: Webster Garrison was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.Webster Garrison Statistics Baseball-Reference.com Regular season Season standings Oakland Athletics Record vs. opponents OAK Game log Oakland Athletics 1996 Game Log: 78–84 (Home: 40–41; Away: 38–43) y Oakland Athletics April: 13–12 (Home: 5–7; Away: 8–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || Blue Jays || 6–9 || Hanson || Reyes (0–1) || Timlin || 7,294 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 2 || April 3 || Blue Jays || 4–10 || Hentgen || Prieto (0–1) || — || 8,050 || 0–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 4 || Tigers || 9–10 (15) || Keagle || Small (0–1) || — || 8,346 || 0–3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 || April 5 || Tigers || 13–2 || Johns (1–0) || Gohr || — || 11,149 || 1–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || Tigers || 1–6 || Lira || Reyes (0–2) || — || 10,424 || 1–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 || April 7 || Tigers || 7–6 || Corsi (1–0) || Williams || — || 9,723 || 2–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 9 || @ Brewers || 4–10 || McDonald || Van Poppel (0–1) || — || 42,090 || 2–5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 11 || @ Brewers || 11–0 || Johns (2–0) || Karl || — || 12,236 || 3–5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 9 || April 12 || @ White Sox || 7–2 || Reyes (1–2) || Fernandez || — || 13,623 || 4–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 13 || @ White Sox || 5–6 (12) || Karchner || Wengert (0–1) || — || 15,812 || 4–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 11 || April 14 || @ White Sox || 10–5 || Groom (1–0) || Simas || — || 15,236 || 5–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 12 || April 15 || @ Rangers || 8–3 || Mohler (1–0) || Heredia || — || 19,312 || 6–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 16 || @ Rangers || 3–5 || Witt || Johns (2–1) || Henneman || 20,948 || 6–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 17 || @ Rangers || 1–12 || Hill || Reyes (1–3) || — || 24,120 || 6–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 19 || White Sox || 3–4 || Karchner || Briscoe (0–1) || Hernandez || 31,320 || 6–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 20 || White Sox || 3–8 || Tapani || Van Poppel (0–2) || — || 16,480 || 6–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 17 || April 21 || White Sox || 6–5 || Corsi (2–0) || Simas || Mohler (1) || 16,125 || 7–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 22 || Brewers || 6–2 || Reyes (2–3) || Bones || Briscoe (1) || 6,021 || 8–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 19 || April 23 || Brewers || 9–6 || Wojciechowski (1–0) || Sparks || Mohler (2) || 7,026 || 9–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || April 24 || @ Blue Jays || 7–6 || Prieto (1–1) || Hentgen || Corsi (1) || 28,029 || 10–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 21 || April 25 || @ Blue Jays || 4–3 (11) || Mohler (2–0) || Crabtree || — || 26,163 || 11–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 26 || @ Tigers || 5–14 || Christopher || Johns (2–2) || — || 7,941 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 23 || April 27 || @ Tigers || 4–1 || Reyes (3–3) || Lira || Taylor (1) || 13,067 || 12–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || April 28 || @ Tigers || 6–3 || Wojciechowski (2–0) || Gohr || Taylor (2) || 8,907 || 13–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 30 || Angels || 3–7 || Langston || Prieto (1–2) || — || 7,154 || 13–12 |- y Oakland Athletics May: 11–16 (Home: 7–7; Away: 4–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || May 1 || Angels || 4–6 || Boskie || Van Poppel (0–3) || Percival || 6,721 || 13–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || May 2 || Angels || 1–3 || Abbott || Johns (2–3) || Percival || 9,102 || 13–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 3 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Appier || Reyes (3–4) || Montgomery || 14,452 || 13–15 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 4 || @ Royals || 5–2 || Wojciechowski (3–0) || Gubicza || Groom (1) || 15,987 || 14–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 5 || @ Royals || 0–2 || Haney || Prieto (1–3) || — || 16,589 || 14–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 31 || May 6 || Indians || 5–3 || Taylor (1–0) || Assenmacher || Mohler (3) || 47,313 || 15–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 7 || Indians || 8–4 || Johns (3–3) || Hershiser || — || 10,126 || 16–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 8 || Indians || 3–7 || Nagy || Reyes (3–5) || — || 9,288 || 16–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 34 || May 10 || Twins || 15–5 || Wojciechowski (4–0) || Rodriguez || — || 8,278 || 17–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 11 || Twins || 12–5 || Prieto (2–3) || Radke || — || 15,791 || 18–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 36 || May 12 || Twins || 8–3 || Wengert (1–1) || Parra || — || 13,430 || 19–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 13 || Orioles || 3–4 || Krivda || Johns (3–4) || Myers || 8,204 || 19–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 14 || Orioles || 1–9 || Mussina || Reyes (3–6) || — || 8,466 || 19–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 17 || @ Red Sox || 3–5 (11) || Stanton || Van Poppel (0–4) || — || 28,690 || 19–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 40 || May 18 || @ Red Sox || 6–5 (10) || Groom (2–0) || Garces || Taylor (3) || 31,663 || 20–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 19 || @ Red Sox || 2–12 || Sele || Wengert (1–2) || — || 32,601 || 20–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 20 || @ Red Sox || 4–16 || Gordon || Johns (3–5) || — || 20,890 || 20–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 21 || @ Yankees || 3–7 || Gooden || Reyes (3–7) || — || 15,614 || 20–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 44 || May 22 || @ Yankees || 5–1 || Wojciechowski (5–0) || Pettitte || Mohler (4) || 18,544 || 21–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 45 || May 23 || @ Yankees || 3–4 || Rogers || Taylor (1–1) || Wetteland || 19,315 || 21–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 24 || @ Orioles || 4–5 (10) || McDowell || Reyes (3–8) || — || 45,024 || 21–25 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || May 25 || @ Orioles || 6–3 || Johns (4–5) || Wells || Groom (2) || 47,353 || 22–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 26 || @ Orioles || 1–6 || Mercker || Chouinard (0–1) || McDowell || 47,401 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 27 || Red Sox || 3–10 || Wakefield || Wojciechowski (5–1) || — || 21,688 || 22–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || May 28 || Red Sox || 6–2 || Wasdin (1–0) || Clemens || — || 9,338 || 23–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || May 29 || Red Sox || 7–6 (10) || Mohler (3–0) || Slocumb || — || 8,282 || 24–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || May 31 || Yankees || 1–4 || Key || Johns (4–6) || Wetteland || 13,279 || 24–28 |- y Oakland Athletics June: 14–15 (Home: 4–7; Away: 10–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || June 1 || Yankees || 3–6 || Pettitte || Chouinard (0–2) || Wetteland || 21,354 || 24–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 2 || Yankees || 4–11 || Rogers || Wojciechowski (5–2) || Wetteland || 26,331 || 24–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 55 || June 3 || Royals || 2–1 || Wasdin (2–0) || Appier || Taylor (4) || 6,465 || 25–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 4 || Royals || 8–3 || Wengert (2–2) || Gubicza || — || 11,524 || 26–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 5 || Royals || 2–5 || Haney || Johns (4–7) || Montgomery || 8,113 || 26–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 7 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Reyes (4–8) || Radke || Corsi (2) || 14,999 || 27–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 8 || @ Twins || 2–4 || Robertson || Wojciechowski (5–3) || Guardado || — || 27–32 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 8 || @ Twins || 13–7 || Wasdin (3–0) || Mahomes || — || 22,164 || 28–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 9 || @ Twins || 3–5 || Rodriguez || Wengert (2–3) || — || 13,291 || 28–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 10 || @ Indians || 4–5 || Nagy || Johns (4–8) || Mesa || 42,167 || 28–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 11 || @ Indians || 5–6 (13) || Ogea || Reyes (4–9) || — || 42,249 || 28–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 64 || June 12 || @ Indians || 9–6 || Montgomery (1–0) || McDowell || Mohler (5) || 40,673 || 29–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 13 || @ Brewers || 3–16 || Karl || Wojciechowski (5–4) || — || 12,439 || 29–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 66 || June 14 || @ Brewers || 2–6 || Bones || Wasdin (3–1) || — || 14,404 || 29–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 15 || @ Brewers || 9–12 || Givens || Wengert (2–4) || Garcia || 21,064 || 29–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || June 16 || @ Brewers || 10–9 || Taylor (2–1) || Fetters || Mohler (6) || 26,744 || 30–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 17 || @ Tigers || 8–4 (10) || Corsi (3–0) || Myers || — || 9,231 || 31–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 70 || June 18 || @ Tigers || 8–5 || Van Poppel (1–4) || Urbani || Taylor (5) || 8,543 || 32–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || June 19 || @ Tigers || 10–3 || Wasdin (4–1) || Keagle || — || 9,875 || 33–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 20 || Blue Jays || 0–1 || Hentgen || Wengert (2–5) || Timlin || 8,027 || 33–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 21 || Blue Jays || 5–7 || Quantrill || Johns (4–9) || Timlin || 10,278 || 33–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 22 || Blue Jays || 8–4 || Chouinard (1–2) || Ware || — || 20,124 || 34–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 75 || June 23 || Blue Jays || 4–5 || Guzman || Wojciechowski (5–5) || Timlin || 14,407 || 34–41 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 76 || June 24 || Tigers || 4–2 || Wasdin (5–1) || Sodowsky || Taylor (6) || 10,122 || 35–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 25 || Tigers || 8–10 || Olivares || Wengert (2–6) || Olson || 9,652 || 35–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 27 || @ Angels || 18–2 || Johns (5–9) || Boskie || — || 23,503 || 36–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 28 || @ Angels || 6–3 || Chouinard (2–2) || Finley || — || 32,380 || 37–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || June 29 || @ Angels || 11–9 || Groom (3–0) || Monteleone || — || 26,565 || 38–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || June 30 || @ Angels || 0–1 || Hancock || Wasdin (5–2) || Percival || 19,284 || 38–43 |- y Oakland Athletics July: 17–10 (Home: 8–5; Away: 9–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 1 || @ Mariners || 6–4 || Wengert (3–6) || Wagner || Taylor (7) || 18,166 || 39–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 2 || @ Mariners || 11–6 || Mohler (4–0) || Charlton || — || 19,632 || 40–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 3 || @ Mariners || 3–4 || Ayala || Reyes (4–10) || — || 36,619 || 40–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 4 || Angels || 8–7 (11) || Taylor (3–1) || Monteleone || — || 14,144 || 41–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || July 5 || Angels || 16–8 || Wasdin (6–2) || Hancock || — || 36,129 || 42–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 87 || July 6 || Angels || 6–5 (10) || Taylor (4–1) || James || — || 14,294 || 43–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 7 || Angels || 4–9 || Boskie || Johns (5–10) || — || 16,526 || 43–45 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 89 || July 11 || Rangers || 8–3 || Chouinard (3–2) || Oliver || — || 13,437 || 44–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 12 || Rangers || 4–8 (10) || Russell || Taylor (4–2) || — || 12,074 || 44–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 91 || July 13 || Rangers || 1–8 || Pavlik || Wengert (3–7) || — || 16,792 || 44–47 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 92 || July 14 || Rangers || 9–1 || Johns (6–10) || Gross || — || 20,704 || 45–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 15 || Mariners || 1–5 || Wolcott || Telgheder (0–1) || — || 11,183 || 45–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 94 || July 16 || Mariners || 12–5 || Chouinard (4–2) || Hitchcock || — || 15,206 || 46–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 95 || July 17 || Mariners || 7–6 || Corsi (4–0) || Minor || Taylor (8) || 14,387 || 47–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 96 || July 18 || @ Rangers || 5–4 (11) || Reyes (5–10) || Brandenburg || Van Poppel (1) || 28,585 || 48–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 97 || July 19 || @ Rangers || 9–6 || Reyes (6–10) || Helling || Taylor (9) || 37,455 || 49–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 98 || July 20 || @ Rangers || 4–8 || Witt || Van Poppel (1–5) || — || 46,052 || 49–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 99 || July 21 || @ Rangers || 11–8 || Groom (4–0) || Brandenburg || Mohler (7) || 36,039 || 50–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 100 || July 22 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Taylor (5–2) || Karchner || — || 23,572 || 51–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || July 23 || @ White Sox || 8–4 || Wengert (4–7) || Fernandez || Corsi (3) || 18,527 || 52–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 102 || July 24 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Corsi (5–0) || Simas || Taylor (10) || 23,350 || 53–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 25 || @ Blue Jays || 3–4 || Crabtree || Witasick (0–1) || — || 30,174 || 53–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || July 26 || @ Blue Jays || 5–3 || Groom (5–0) || Castillo || Taylor (11) || 32,241 || 54–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 27 || @ Blue Jays || 4–6 || Hanson || Wasdin (6–3) || Timlin || 32,162 || 54–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || July 28 || @ Blue Jays || 0–1 || Hentgen || Prieto (2–4) || — || 31,150 || 54–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || July 30 || White Sox || 1–2 || Baldwin || Telgheder (0–2) || Hernandez || 14,210 || 54–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 108 || July 31 || White Sox || 5–4 || Witasick (1–1) || Karchner || Taylor (12) || 13,127 || 55–53 |- y Oakland Athletics August: 11–19 (Home: 8–10; Away: 3–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 1 || White Sox || 3–8 || Tapani || Wasdin (6–4) || Hernandez || 10,514 || 55–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 110 || August 2 || Brewers || 3–4 (10) || Miranda || Taylor (5–3) || Fetters || 10,056 || 55–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 3 || Brewers || 0–7 || Bones || Johns (6–11) || — || 15,171 || 55–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 4 || Brewers || 4–2 || Telgheder (1–2) || Van Egmond || Taylor (13) || 10,281 || 56–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 5 || Brewers || 3–13 || Eldred || Adams (0–1) || — || 8,616 || 56–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 6 || @ Royals || 2–9 || Belcher || Wasdin (6–5) || — || 14,028 || 56–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 7 || @ Royals || 0–7 || Appier || Prieto (2–5) || — || 15,517 || 56–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 8 || @ Royals || 2–1 || Wengert (5–7) || Linton || Taylor (14) || 19,197 || 57–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || August 9 || Indians || 4–10 || McDowell || Telgheder (1–3) || — || 20,122 || 57–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 10 || Indians || 5–1 || Adams (1–1) || Nagy || — || 30,238 || 58–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 119 || August 11 || Indians || 9–3 || Wasdin (7–5) || Lopez || — || 21,914 || 59–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || August 12 || Twins || 11–1 || Prieto (3–5) || Robertson || — || 10,071 || 60–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 13 || Twins || 2–6 || Aguilera || Wengert (5–8) || — || 11,156 || 60–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 14 || Twins || 7–13 || Rodriguez || Telgheder (1–4) || — || 12,729 || 60–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 15 || Orioles || 5–18 || Mussina || Adams (1–2) || — || 14,026 || 60–63 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 16 || Orioles || 3–14 || Erickson || Wasdin (7–6) || — || — || 60–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || August 16 || Orioles || 4–5 (10) || Myers || Mohler (4–1) || — || 15,645 || 60–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || August 17 || Orioles || 3–1 || Prieto (4–5) || Coppinger || Acre (1) || 20,231 || 61–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 127 || August 18 || Orioles || 9–6 || Wengert (6–8) || Wells || — || 18,122 || 62–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 20 || @ Red Sox || 3–4 || Garces || Mohler (4–2) || Slocumb || 25,094 || 62–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 21 || @ Red Sox || 4–6 || Brandenburg || Johns (6–12) || Slocumb || 26,362 || 62–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 22 || @ Red Sox || 1–2 || Clemens || Acre (0–1) || — || 30,503 || 62–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 131 || August 23 || @ Yankees || 3–5 || Gooden || Wengert (6–9) || Rivera || 34,244 || 62–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 132 || August 24 || @ Yankees || 4–5 || Whitehurst || Telgheder (1–5) || Pavlas || 32,125 || 62–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 133 || August 25 || @ Yankees || 6–4 || Mohler (5–2) || Nelson || Acre (2) || 50,808 || 63–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || August 26 || @ Orioles || 11–12 (10) || Myers || Acre (0–2) || — || 43,361 || 63–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || August 27 || @ Orioles || 1–3 || Wells || Prieto (4–6) || Myers || 43,641 || 63–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || August 28 || @ Orioles || 3–0 || Wengert (7–9) || Mussina || — || 45,282 || 64–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || August 30 || Red Sox || 7–0 || Telgheder (2–5) || Maddux || — || 17,182 || 65–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || August 31 || Red Sox || 8–0 || Adams (2–2) || Wakefield || — || 32,116 || 66–72 |- y Oakland Athletics September: 12–12 (Home: 8–5; Away: 4–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 1 || Red Sox || 3–8 || Sele || Wasdin (7–7) || — || 15,021 || 66–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 2 || Yankees || 0–5 || Cone || Prieto (4–7) || — || 20,159 || 66–74 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 141 || September 3 || Yankees || 10–9 || Acre (1–2) || Boehringer || Johns (1) || 11,621 || 67–74 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || September 4 || Yankees || 3–10 || Pettitte || Telgheder (2–6) || — || 9,892 || 67–75 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || September 6 || Royals || 7–1 || Adams (3–2) || Haney || — || 14,404 || 68–75 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 7 || Royals || 13–6 || Prieto (5–7) || Belcher || — || 13,175 || 69–75 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 8 || Royals || 8–7 (10) || Corsi (6–0) || Pichardo || — || 17,208 || 70–75 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 10 || @ Twins || 7–0 || Telgheder (3–6) || Robertson || — || 9,676 || 71–75 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 11 || @ Twins || 2–7 || Radke || Adams (3–3) || — || 9,493 || 71–76 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 148 || September 12 || @ Twins || 3–4 (12) || Stevens || Mohler (5–3) || — || 9,712 || 71–77 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 14 || @ Indians || 2–9 || Nagy || Wengert (7–10) || — || — || 71–78 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 14 || @ Indians || 8–9 || Plunk || Small (0–2) || Mesa || 42,233 || 71–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 151 || September 15 || @ Indians || 10–9 (10) || Reyes (7–10) || Mesa || — || 42,226 || 72–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 152 || September 17 || @ Angels || 5–1 || Prieto (6–7) || Springer || — || 17,827 || 73–79 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 18 || @ Angels || 1–3 || Finley || Adams (3–4) || Percival || 18,213 || 73–80 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ Mariners || 2–12 || Carmona || Wengert (7–11) || Meacham || 56,535 || 73–81 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 21 || @ Mariners || 2–9 || Moyer || Telgheder (3–7) || — || 56,103 || 73–82 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 156 || September 22 || @ Mariners || 13–11 || Mohler (6–3) || Mulholland || Taylor (15) || 54,194 || 74–82 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 157 || September 23 || Rangers || 5–3 || Wasdin (8–7) || Witt || Taylor (16) || 10,164 || 75–82 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 24 || Rangers || 3–7 || Cook || Small (0–3) || — || 9,694 || 75–83 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 26 || Mariners || 7–5 || Taylor (6–3) || Charlton || — || 11,141 || 76–83 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 160 || September 27 || Mariners || 8–1 || Telgheder (4–7) || Mulholland || — || 25,132 || 77–83 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || September 28 || Mariners || 3–5 (10) || Carmona || Acre (1–3) || Charlton || 30,057 || 77–84 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || September 29 || Mariners || 3–1 || Small (1–3) || Torres || Taylor (17) || 34,462 || 78–84 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Athletics team member Detailed records American League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against AL East Baltimore Orioles 4 9 4 9 y 54 86 Boston Red Sox 5 8 5 8 y 57 76 Detroit Tigers 8 4 8 4 y 83 66 New York Yankees 3 9 3 9 y 45 71 Toronto Blue Jays 4 8 4 8 y 50 59 Total 24 38 24 38 y 289 358 AL Central Chicago White Sox 7 5 7 5 y 63 58 Cleveland Indians 6 6 6 6 y 72 72 Kansas City Royals 7 5 7 5 y 50 47 Milwaukee Brewers 5 7 5 7 y 64 87 Minnesota Twins 7 6 7 6 y 91 64 Total 32 29 32 29 y 340 328 AL West California Angels 7 6 7 6 y 83 64 Oakland Athletics Seattle Mariners 8 5 8 5 y 78 74 Texas Rangers 7 6 7 6 y 71 76 Total 22 17 22 17 y 232 214 Season Total 78 84 78 84 y 861 900 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 25 13 12 13 12 y 145 145 May 27 11 16 11 16 y 120 142 June 29 14 15 14 15 y 175 162 July 27 17 10 17 10 y 163 139 August 30 11 19 11 19 y 130 170 September 24 12 12 12 12 y 128 142 Total 162 78 84 78 84 y 861 900 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 81 40 41 40 41 y 440 452 Away 81 38 43 38 43 y 421 448 Total 162 78 84 78 84 y 861 900 Transactions June 4, 1996: Eric Chavez was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 1996 amateur draft. Signed August 27, 1996.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chaveer01.shtml Eric Chavez Stats June 4, 1996: A. J. Hinch was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 3rd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Signed June 22, 1996.https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hincha.01.shtml AJ Hinch Stats Roster 1996 Oakland Athletics Roster Pitchers 55 Mark Acre 40 Willie Adams 53 John Briscoe 54 Bobby Chouinard 41 Jim Corsi 58 Paul Fletcher 42 Buddy Groom 51 Doug Johns 32 Mike Mohler 37 Steve Montgomery 48 Ariel Prieto 17 Carlos Reyes 30 Aaron Small 22 Billy Taylor 50 Dave Telgheder 59 Todd Van Poppel 31 John Wasdin 56 Don Wengert 52 Jay Witasick 39 Steve Wojciechowski Catchers 21 Izzy Molina 36 Terry Steinbach 19 George Williams Infielders 28 Tony Batista 14 Mike Bordick 26,40 Rafael Bournigal  7 Scott Brosius 49 Webster Garrison  8 Brent Gates  6 Torey Lovullo 25 Mark McGwire Outfielders  2 Allen Battle 29 Gerónimo Berroa 16 Jason Giambi 44 José Herrera 24 Brian Lesher 33 Damon Mashore 45 Kerwin Moore  5 Pedro Muñoz 23 Phil Plantier 13 Scott Spiezio 12 Matt Stairs 11 Ernie Young Manager 18 Art Howe Coaches  3 Bob Cluck 11 Duffy Dyer 35 Brad Fischer 15 Denny Walling 38 Ron Washington Player stats = Indicates team leader = Indicates league leader Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Terry Steinbach 145 514 140 .272 35 100 1B Mark McGwire 130 423 132 .312 52 113 2B Brent Gates 64 247 65 .263 2 30 3B Scott Brosius 114 428 130 .304 22 71 SS Mike Bordick 155 525 126 .240 5 54 LF Phil Plantier 73 231 49 .212 7 31 CF Ernie Young 141 462 112 .242 19 64 RF José Herrera 108 320 86 .269 6 30 DH Gerónimo Berroa 153 586 170 .290 36 1061996 Oakland Athletics Statistics and Roster Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Jason Giambi 140 536 156 .291 20 79 Rafael Bournigal 88 252 61 .242 0 18 Tony Batista 74 238 71 .298 6 25 Matt Stairs 61 137 38 .277 10 23 George Williams 56 132 20 .152 3 10 Allen Battle 47 130 25 .192 1 5 Pedro Muñoz 34 121 31 .256 6 18 Damon Mashore 50 105 28 .267 3 12 Brian Lesher 26 82 19 .232 5 16 Torey Lovullo 65 82 18 .220 3 9 Scott Spiezio 9 29 9 .310 2 8 Izzy Molina 14 25 5 .200 0 1 Kerwin Moore 22 16 1 .063 0 0 Webster Garrison 5 9 0 .000 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO John Wasdin 25 131.1 8 7 5.96 75 Ariel Prieto 21 125.2 6 7 4.15 75 Steve Wojciechowski Steve Wojciechowski (baseball) 16 79.2 5 5 5.65 30 Dave Telgheder 16 79.1 4 7 4.65 43 Willie Adams 12 76.1 3 4 4.01 68 Bobby Chouinard 13 59.0 4 2 6.10 32 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Don Wengert 36 161.1 7 11 5.58 75 Doug Johns 40 158.0 6 12 5.98 71 Carlos Reyes 46 122.1 7 10 4.78 78 Todd Van Poppel 28 63.0 1 5 7.71 37 Aaron Small 12 28.2 1 3 8.16 17 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Billy Taylor 55 6 3 17 4.33 67 Mike Mohler 72 6 3 7 3.67 64 Buddy Groom 72 5 0 2 3.84 57 Jim Corsi 56 6 0 3 4.03 43 Mark Acre 22 1 3 2 6.12 18 John Briscoe 17 0 1 1 3.76 14 Jay Witasick 12 1 1 0 6.23 12 Steve Montgomery 8 1 0 0 9.22 8 Paul Fletcher 1 0 0 0 20.25 0 Awards and records Mark McGwire, Silver Slugger Award Mark McGwire, Major League record, 1st player to reach 50 Home Runs in one season before reaching 400 at-bats in a seasonGreat Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.371, David Nemec and Scott latow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, 978-0-451-22363-0 All-Star Game Mark McGwire, First Base, Reserve Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Edmonton Trappers Pacific Coast League Gary Jones AA Huntsville Stars Southern League Dick Scott A Modesto A's California League Jim Colborn A West Michigan Whitecaps Midwest League Mike Quade A-Short Season Southern Oregon Timberjacks Northwest League Tony DeFrancesco Rookie AZL Athletics Arizona League Juan Navarrette LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Edmonton, West Michigan References 1996 Oakland Athletics at Baseball Reference 1996 Oakland Athletics at Baseball Almanac Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 2nd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 1997 978-0-9637189-8-3 Category:Oakland Athletics seasons Oakland Athletics season Oak Category:1990s in Oakland, California