1964 Kansas City Athletics season

March 2026 November 2013 Kansas City Athletics 1964 American League Municipal Stadium Kansas City, Missouri 57 105 y 10th Charles O. Finley Pat Friday Ed Lopat, Mel McGaha KCMO KCMO (AM)(Monte Moore, George Bryson, Betty Caywood) The 1964 Kansas City Athletics season was the tenth for the franchise in Kansas City and the 64th overall. It involved the A's finishing tenth in the American League with a record of 57 wins, 105 losses and one tie,2017-12-01 Here are the stories behind seven of the wildest tie games in Major League history https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-weirdest-tie-games-in-mlb-history-c262718784 2023-07-30 MLB.com en 42 games behind the American League Champion New York Yankees. Offseason In January 1964, owner Charles O. Finley signed an agreement to move the A's to Louisville, promising to change the team's name to the "Kentucky Athletics".https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=akcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5994%2C490595 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Louisville and Finley sign two-year conditional pact January 7, 1964 12Finley Signs Contract to Transfer Athletics to Louisville https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/07/archives/finley-signs-contract-to-transfer-athletics-to-louisville-league.html&scp=2&sq=Kentucky+Athletics+january+7%2C+1964&st=p New York Times January 6, 1964 April 29, 2008 (Other names suggested for the team were the "Kentucky Colonels" and the "Louisville Sluggers.") By another 9–1 vote by the league owners, his request was denied.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c0cyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6952%2C1313013 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Reichler Joe Associated Press Finley must remain in K.C. or possibly lose his club January 17, 1964 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dEcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4226%2C1369973 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Finley is ready for court fight January 18, 1964 8Finley Will Open in Kansas City, But Promises Court Action Soon John Drebinger New York Times January 18, 1964 https://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F60614FD3E5415738DDDA10994D9405B848AF1D3 Six weeks later, by the same 9–1 margin, the A.L. owners denied Finley's request to move the team to Oakland, where the team would eventually move after the 1967 season. On February 28, Finley signed a four-year lease to remain in Kansas City.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kUcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4336%2C4727400 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Finley loves us, for a while February 29, 1964 7https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GdYqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jWwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5119%2C4050726 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press A's owner signs pact with city February 29, 1964 12 The club would pay no rent at Municipal Stadium but the city would get 5% on admission and 7.5% on concessions. The clause was that if the club could not reach a paid attendance of 575,000 fans, then the club owed nothing.Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.73, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, 978-0-8027-1745-0 In early April, Finley tried to shorten the rather distant fences at the stadium by creating a 296 ft on Pennant Porch in right field, fronting a tiny bleacher section, to mock the famed short fence in right field at Yankee Stadium, home of the powerful Yankees.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j6ZAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6999%2C886925 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Van Valkenburg Jim Finley's Pennant Porch set April 10, 1964 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0oBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3123%2C1720317 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Finley building Yankee-style 'Pennant Porch' in A's park April 10, 1964 14 The move was quickly vetoed by the league,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1IBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5727%2C1999289 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Finley says he'll defy edict to dismantle 'Yankee' fence April 12, 1964 11 so Finley rebuilt the fence to the bare legal minimum of 325 ft, and repainted the fence to say "One-Half Pennant Porch".https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kqZAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6118%2C1142027 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Van Valkenburg Jim Finley now has Half-Porch and will continue a fight April 14, 1964 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=maZAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6936%2C1839335 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Rathet Mike Pennant Porch no answer to Kansas Dity's problem April 22, 1964 15 Later he tried the ruse of putting a canopy over the little bleacher, which just happened to have an extension that reached out 29 ft 0 over the field. The league, not amused by Finley's sense of humor, again ordered him to cease and desist. Notable transactions October 7, 1963: Sammy Esposito was released by the Athletics.Sammy Esposito page at Baseball Reference November 27, 1963: Norm Siebern was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Jim Gentile and $25,000.Norm Siebern page at Baseball Reference December 2, 1963: John Donaldson was selected by the Athletics from the Minnesota Twins in the rule 5 draft.John Donaldson page at Baseball Reference Regular season The club set a franchise record by hitting 107 home runs during home games, while the A's pitching staff gave up 132 home runs during home games. At the time, it was a major league record.Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.75, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, 978-0-8027-1745-0 Eighteen-year-old free agent Catfish Hunter was not able to pitch in 1964. He was sent to the Mayo Clinic, as surgeons worked on his right foot, which had been injured in a hunting accident the previous autumn. Hunter recovered at Finley's farm in La Porte, Indiana.Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.81, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, 978-0-8027-1745-0 Shortstop Bert Campaneris made his major league debut on July 23 at Minnesota, and hit two home runs off Jim Kaat in the first (first pitch) and seventh innings; joining the team earlier that day, he also singled, walked, and stole a base.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lydWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=X-MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6671%2C5082785 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Campaneris slams two HR's in first major league game July 24, 1964 5Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BYcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6880%2C1965958 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press A's rookie Campaneris is hero in first appearance July 24, 1964 10https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z14bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ek8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2098%2C2401566 Pittsburgh Press UPI Athletics' rookie has terrific start July 24, 1964 20Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.79, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, 978-0-8027-1745-0 On September 5, 19-year-old Blue Moon Odom made his major league debut against the visiting New York Yankees. Odom started but lasted just two innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout. The A's tied the game in the third inning, so he did not get the loss.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MrpSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Dn0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4468%2C2826760 St. Petersburg Times Florida Associated Press Pepitone powers Yanks September 6, 1964 1CBlue Moon Odom page at Baseball Reference On September 17, the A's were away on an eastern road trip and The Beatles played Municipal Stadium as part of their first U.S. tour.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L4cyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6899%2C7165886 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Beatles look like worms in lighted box Thursday September 18, 1964 5 The date was originally supposed to be an off-day for the band between concerts in New Orleans and Dallas, but they agreed to perform when Finley offered their manager Brian Epstein a then-record sum of $150,000 (equivalent to $1.14 million in 2014). The group opened the half-hour Thursday night concert by saluting the host town with their medley of "Kansas City" and "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey";Finley, Nancy. Finley Ball: How Two Outsiders Turned the Oakland A's into a Dynasty and Changed the Game Forever. Washington, DC: Salem Media Group, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2022. a month later, they would record the medley for their fourth studio album, Beatles for Sale. Season standings Kansas City Athletics Record vs. opponents KCA Notable transactions June 8, 1964: Catfish Hunter was signed as an amateur free agent by the Athletics.Catfish Hunter page at Baseball Reference June 13, 1964: Joe Rudi was signed as an amateur free agent by the Athletics.Joe Rudi page at Baseball Reference Roster 1964 Kansas City Athletics Roster Pitchers 21 Jack Aker 43 Ted Bowsfield 25 Moe Drabowsky 36 Joe Grzenda 19 Vern Handrahan 21,31 Lew Krausse Jr. 30 Bob Meyer 31 Aurelio Monteagudo 26 John O'Donoghue 13 Blue Moon Odom 22,24 Orlando Peña 27 Dan Pfister 27 Ken Sanders 21 José Santiago 17 Diego Seguí 18 Wes Stock 18 Tom Sturdivant 33 John Wyatt Catchers  9 Billy Bryan 11 Dave Duncan 10 Doc Edwards 14 Charley Lau Infielders 19 Bert Campaneris  2 Wayne Causey 16 Ed Charles  6 Jim Gentile  1 Dick Green 20 Rick Joseph 14 Charlie Shoemaker  8 George Williams Outfielders  3 George Alusik  4 Gino Cimoli  7 Rocky Colavito  4 Ken Harrelson 12,20 Manny Jiménez  5 Nelson Mathews 35 Tommie Reynolds 14 Larry Stahl 15 José Tartabull  4 John Wojcik Manager 30 Eddie Lopat 41 Mel McGaha Coaches 44 Luke Appling 48 Babe Dahlgren 40 Jimmy Dykes 49 Tom Ferrick 41 Mel McGaha 42 Gus Niarhos Player stats = Indicates team 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 Doc Edwards 97 294 66 .224 5 28 1B Jim Gentile 136 439 110 .251 28 71 2B Dick Green 130 435 115 .264 11 37 3B Ed Charles 150 557 134 .241 16 63 SS Wayne Causey 157 604 170 .281 8 49 LF Manny Jiménez 95 204 46 .225 12 38 CF Nelson Mathews 157 573 137 .239 14 60 RF Rocky Colavito 160 588 161 .274 34 102 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 Bert Campaneris 67 269 69 .257 4 22 Billy Bryan 93 220 53 .241 13 36 George Alusik 102 204 49 .240 3 19 Ken Harrelson 49 139 27 .194 7 12 Charley Lau 43 118 32 .271 2 9 José Tartabull 104 100 20 .200 0 3 Tommie Reynolds 31 94 19 .202 2 9 George Williams 37 91 19 .209 0 2 Rick Joseph 17 54 12 .222 0 1 Dave Duncan 25 53 9 .170 1 5 Charlie Shoemaker 16 52 11 .212 0 3 Larry Stahl 15 46 12 .261 3 6 John Wojcik 6 22 3 .136 0 0 Gino Cimoli 4 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 Orlando Peña 40 219.1 12 14 4.43 184 Diego Seguí 40 217.0 8 17 4.56 155 John O'Donohue 39 173.2 10 14 4.92 79 Bob Meyer 9 42.0 1 4 3.86 30 Blue Moon Odom 5 17.0 1 2 10.06 10 Lew Krausse Jr. 5 14.2 0 2 7.36 9 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 Moe Drabowski 53 168.1 5 13 5.29 119 Ted Bowsfield 50 118.2 4 7 4.10 45 José Santiago 34 83.2 0 6 4.73 64 Aurelio Monteagudo 11 31.1 0 4 8.90 14 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 John Wyatt John Wyatt (baseball) 81 9 8 20 3.59 74 Wes Stock 50 6 3 5 1.94 101 Ken Sanders 21 0 2 1 3.67 18 Joe Grzenda 20 0 2 0 5.40 17 Dan Pfister 19 1 5 0 6.53 21 Vern Handrahan 18 0 1 0 6.06 18 Jack Aker 9 0 1 0 8.82 7 Tom Sturdivant 3 0 0 0 9.82 1 Farm system Minor League Baseball The A's scouts had signed 80 prospects for $650,000, at the time, the most money spent on prospects in one year. AAA Dallas Rangers Pacific Coast League John McNamara AA Birmingham Barons Southern League Haywood Sullivan A Daytona Beach Islanders Florida State League Grady Wilson, Bill Posedel and Lew Krausse, Sr. A Burlington Bees Midwest League Bill Robertson A Lewiston Broncos Northwest League Bobby Hofman Rookie Wytheville A's Appalachian League Gus Niarhos References 2 External links 1964 Kansas City Athletics team page at Baseball Reference 1964 Kansas City Athletics team page at www.baseball-almanac.com Category:Kansas City Athletics seasons Kansas City Athletics season Category:1964 in sports in Missouri