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Since there's no point in elaborating on the obvious fact that the A's overcame a terrible start (8-18) to post the second-best record this season (102-60), we're going to give you something to ponder. In the past 13 years, the A's have cornered the market on low lights in postseason history (sorry Braves fans, this is some ugly stuff here): Kirk Gibson's home run in 1988; the Reds' sweep in 1990; and now the collapse in 2001. In other words, having the "best team on paper" generally doesn't mean much if you don't deliver in the postseason.
Best Pitcher: In ESPN.com's "Midseason Report," it was mentioned that Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito were each expected to win at least 15 games this season. Boy did they deliver. The trio combined for 56 wins and each one had an ERA below 3.50, so picking one as the team's best pitcher is no easy task. Hudson led the team in ERA (3.37) and Zito was the second-half ace (11-2, 2.29 ERA), but neither was as consistent nor won as many games (21) as Mulder. In just his second full major-league season, Mulder led the league with four shutouts and was second in complete games (six). Oh and he didn't do so badly in his first-ever playoff appearance, holding the Yankees to one run in 6 2/3 innings in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Best Position Player: Giambi, Giambi, Giambi. And we're not talking about Jeremy, either. The bigger question here is whether Jason Giambi will win his second straight AL MVP Award. Even when most of the A's couldn't hit their way out of paper bags early on, Giambi produced. Overall, all Giambi did was set the team record for batting average in a season (.342), lead the league in on-base percentage (.477), doubles (47), walks (129), and was top 10 in runs (109) and RBI (120) to go along with 38 home runs. And if you're looking for karma, here it is: Every time the team has gone to the postseason since 1988 without winning the World Series, an Athletic has won league MVP honors (Jose Canseco, Rickey Henderson, Dennis Eckersley, Giambi).
Grading The Manager: A. Some people may view Art Howe as stubborn and the argument is understandable considering his failure to play "small ball" in crucial situations -- particularly in the playoffs. However, how often are people criticized for changing a strategy that has worked for them all season and then subsequently fails? If Howe had ditched his aggressive AL style of play in May, the A's may not have seen 102 wins and the postseason. And let's not forget that he has illustrated flexibility. Oakland started the season with a four-man rotation that included Gil Heredia. Newcomers Cory Lidle and Erik Hiljus combined to go 17-6 and each posted ERAs under 3.60 once they became starters.
Most Improved: One of Billy Beane's many great moves was the multiteam deal that resulted in Ben Grieve going to Tampa Bay for Cory Lidle. Oh that's right, Johnny Damon was also a part of this trade. At the time, there were no real expectations for Lidle, who was 4-6 with a 5.03 ERA for Tampa Bay in 2000. But the only thing that kept him from winning 17 or more games this season was
Oakland's shoddy bullpen. Start after start through June, Lidle seemingly left games with leads only to have the bullpen eventually lose them. In the end, he was his own best friend finishing 13-6 with a 3.59 ERA.
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A's 2000-01 comparison
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2000
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2001
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W-L
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91-70
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102-60
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HR leader
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Giambi, 43
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Giambi, 38
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BA leader
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Giambi, .333
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Giambi, .342
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ERA
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Heredia, 4.12
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Mulder, 3.37
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Biggest Weakness: Even though the A's score a lot of runs (884, fourth in AL), they leave a lot of them on base as well -- Anyone watch the playoffs? When a team wins more than 100 games, it's hard to argue with general philosophies, but Oakland's inability to manufacture runs became a factor in close games. The A's went 1-8 in one-run games through their first 26 contests and 21-19 for the whole season. And just in case you didn't hear this stat enough on TV, the A's were one for 31 with runners in scoring position through the first four games of the Yankees' series.
Gaining Momentum: The A's may be one of the few, if not only, teams set with a five-man rotation for next season. Erik Hiljus surely benefited from pitching in the fifth spot and having a powerful lineup behind him, but you certainly can't overlook his 5-0 record and 3.41 ERA in 11 starts after Gil Heredia was sent to the bullpen. In his short sting with the team, Hiljus has proven he can get major-league guys out with his fastball. His big challenge may be holding off Mario Ramos (3-0, 3.14 at Triple-A Sacramento), who is quickly moving his way up through the minor leagues.
Kicked Off The Island: Here's where the small market vs. big market storyline becomes prevalent. In a perfect world, Oakland would love to keep free agents Jason Giambi, Jason Isringhausen and Johnny Damon. Now that the A's are willing to give Giambi his no-trade clause, it seems feasible that the team will come up with the $100 million or so to re-sign him. Either way, Isringhausen and Damon probably are headed elsewhere. And Frank Menechino, who got off to a fast start when Jose Ortiz (now in Colorado) got hurt, could be out of a job. His cold bat (.192, two HRs after All-Star break) combined with Esteban German's (.373, four HRs in Sacramento) may lead to another change at second base.
James C. Black is an associate editor for ESPN.com.
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