The Oakland Athletics, fondly known as the A’s, have a long and storied history that dates back to their inception in 1901.
As one of the oldest Major League Baseball franchises, the team has seen its fair share of rivalries over the years.
Whether fueled by regional pride or fierce competition for dominance in the American League, these rivalries form the backbone of memorable games and moments for both players and fans alike.
Though rivalries may wax and wane over time, the A’s have had notable adversaries such as the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and San Francisco Giants. In the late 80s, the Blue Jays emerged as a force in the AL East, clashing with the A’s for supremacy and generating some intense matchups.
More recently, the Astros sparked a heated rivalry with the A’s due to the ongoing competition between these two American League West teams.
Encompassing both past and present, Oakland Athletics rivalries continue to play an essential role in shaping the team’s identity and fanbase.
These antagonistic matchups ignite the spirit of the game, creating moments of unforgettable triumphs and heartbreaks that keep fans coming back for more.
Historical Rivals
San Francisco Giants
The Oakland Athletics share a long-running rivalry with their Bay Area neighbors, the San Francisco Giants.
This rivalry, often referred to as the “Bay Bridge Series” or “Battle of the Bay,” has been fueled by the close proximity of the two cities and their fan bases.
The two teams first met in the 1989 World Series, where the Athletics emerged victorious. Since then, they have frequently played each other in regular-season games known as interleague play matches.
The friendly but competitive nature of this rivalry has made it an exciting and anticipated event for fans from both sides.
New York Yankees
Another historical rival of the Oakland Athletics has been the New York Yankees. This rivalry dates back to the early days of both franchises and was particularly intense in the 1970s and early 2000s.
During the 1970s, the Athletics and Yankees met three times in the American League Championship Series (ALCS); the A’s defeated the Yankees in 1972 and 1973, while the Yankees took the championship in 1976.
The rivalry was revived in the early 2000s when the A’s and Yankees faced off in the American League Division Series (ALDS) in both 2000 and 2001.
Although the two teams have not faced each other in postseason play since then, regular season matchups between the Oakland A’s and the New York Yankees continue to draw interest from fans as both teams strive to maintain their competitive edge in the American League.
Divisional Opponents
Texas Rangers
The Oakland A’s and Texas Rangers have had some memorable match-ups over the years, making them competitive divisional opponents within the AL West.
Their rivalry has featured exciting moments, player exchanges, and even some heated exchanges on the field.
These two teams may have a friendly rivalry overall, but they are always looking to outdo each other on the field.
Los Angeles Angels
Another AL West rival of the Oakland Athletics is the Los Angeles Angels. While the rivalry between the A’s and Angels may not be as storied or intense as others, it still holds significance due to their divisional match-ups.
Often battling for position in the AL West standings, the A’s and Angels matchups can be critical games that impact the postseason picture for both teams.
The rivalry includes memorable plays and player exchanges, but it still has room to grow to reach its full potential.
Seattle Mariners
The rivalry between the Oakland A’s and the Seattle Mariners also stems from their AL West battles.
With notable players from both teams captivating baseball fans, the A’s and Mariners have long fought for divisional supremacy.
Even though this rivalry may not be as intense as some of the A’s other divisional matchups, it has a rich history with a healthy amount of animosity spurring memorable moments on the field.
Houston Astros
Perhaps one of the most recent and increasingly intense rivalries within the AL West for the Oakland A’s is against the Houston Astros. Since the Astros joined the AL West in 2013, they have quickly cemented themselves as one of the premier teams in the league.
Both the A’s and Astros have had strong regular-season performances in recent years, adding fuel to their rivalry. Their competitive games have the potential for significant implications on postseason play or division standings, making each contest a high-stakes affair.
This growing rivalry between the Oakland A’s and Houston Astros promises to deliver more entertaining and competitive baseball in the years to come.
Emerging Rivalries
Tampa Bay Rays
Oakland A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays have had a friendly rivalry developing in recent years.
Both teams are known for their small-market mindset and ability to make the most out of limited resources.
The two teams have faced off in high-stakes matchups, including a 2019 American League Wild Card game where the A’s fell to the Rays. With the A’s and Rays sharing a similar style of play and competing for playoff spots, the rivalry between these two teams is gradually intensifying.
Kansas City Royals
The rivalry between the Oakland A’s and the Kansas City Royals traces back to the 2014 American League Wild Card game, which saw the Royals come out on top in a thrilling extra-inning contest.
Since then, tensions have flared between these two American League clubs. Notably, in their 2015 and 2016 meetings, they exchanged heated words and bench-clearing incidents, which further cemented their emerging rivalry.
As both teams strive to reclaim their success and make a run in the playoffs, the competition between the A’s and Royals continues to grow, adding another chapter to their shared history.
Past Rivalries
Philadelphia Athletics
The Oakland Athletics, also known as the A’s, have had their fair share of rivalries over the years.
Before they moved to Oakland, the team was located in Philadelphia and known as the Philadelphia Athletics.
During this time, the team developed a few notable rivalries, which we will explore in this section.
One significant rivalry in the Philadelphia era was with the New York Yankees. The two teams frequently competed for the top spot in the American League and faced each other in the 1921, 1922, and 1931 World Series.
This rivalry was characterized by intense battles, with both teams boasting talented rosters and future Hall of Fame players, such as Mickey Cochrane and Lefty Grove for the Athletics, and Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig for the Yankees.
Another memorable Philadelphia A’s rivalry was against the city’s other team, the Philadelphia Phillies, who played in the National League.
The two teams faced off in the city series on multiple occasions, with the Athletics usually having the upper hand.
These games frequently attracted large crowds, as fans from both sides of the city came together to cheer on their respective teams, creating a lively atmosphere.
The Philadelphia Athletics also developed a rivalry with the St. Louis Browns in the 1930s and 1940s.
While the Browns were a struggling team in this era, their games against the Athletics were always closely contested and full of exciting moments. Some speculate that this competition was fueled by the fact that Browns’ owner Bill Veeck and Athletics’ owner Connie Mack had a mutual dislike for each other.
In conclusion, while the Oakland A’s have had a number of rivals throughout their history, the Philadelphia Athletics had their own unique set of rivalries that are worth remembering.
Each of these rivalries provided fans with moments of excitement, drama, and unforgettable baseball experiences.
James is a big time NBA Golden State follower, who makes sure to catch games when he's in the area. He likes to follow International Soccer, with an interest in small town soccer club, Blackburn Rovers located in the North on the UK.