Teams move around. It’s a shame (usually) but it’s a reality of the business. But there’s this strange feeling like whatever you grow up watching, that’s the correct formation and anything different is weird. As such, when I hear of the Philadelphia Athletics, I think that there’s no way that can be right.
First and foremost, Philly is a noted sports town. As one of the few cities in America to host a team in every major sport, as well as a reputation for passion even in blundering awful times, the dedication of Philly fans can’t be questioned. So when I hear of the Philadelphia Athletics, my first reaction is, “Philly lost a team?”
As I wrote in the playoff preview name explanation, the Philadelphia Phillies are the longest continuous team in baseball but who also had little success in championships (who just won a World Series, congrats to the winners). Well the team that moved cities not once, but twice, was an absolute powerhouse, winning 9 pennants and 5 World Series from 1902 to 1931.
The Athletics were founded to rival the Phillies. 1901 was the year, and it also was the founding of the American League, destined to give the National League a run for its money.
Part in parcel with the Philadelphia Athletics is legend Connie Mack. Really the story of the 
Philadelphia Athletics is the story of Connie Mack. He was an owner, a former catcher who had most of his success with Pittsburgh, a general manager, a coach, practically everything, and he was good at what he did. Mack was regarded as kind and gentlemanly but not without a calculating and confident streak. When the team was referred to as White Elephants (something which the cost of exceeds the usefullness of), he adopted it as a mascot.
In the beginning, Mack was part owner of the team with two sportswriters and the Shibe family, who produced sporting goods. While a minority owner, Mack was the man in charge when it came to the baseball operations.
With the rivalry in the city, of course some back handedness occurred. Namely, there was mass talent raiding executed by Mack. He was seen as a superior judge of talent, so he at least knew what he was doing. And it worked out too, mostly. The Phillies sued him and won, but Mack was able to trade the questionable players away and win a pennant in the second year of the teams’ existence.
1909 saw the opening of Shibe Park. The landmark ballpark was the first steel and concrete stadium, and saw so many great moments that it warrants its own post. In any event, the park was literally down the street from the Phillies’ home, and the A’s were the winners.
The team hit a lull after the 1914 season, but were able to pick themselves up and win again in 1929, 1930, and 1931. Over this period, the sportswriters pulled out and Mack bought up more shares. He progressively obtained majority ownership of the team as Shibes died off. Mack remained the all controlling manager of the team, and after reassembling a dynasty and the team’s last pennant in ‘31 fortunes turned sour.
A bit of old-fashioned baseball superstition is tied to the situation. Homeowners across the street from the stadium erected bleachers on top of the houses to watch the popular winning Athletics, similar to what the Cubs have presently. Mack was none to happy with this. He sued, lost, and subsequently, in 1933, built a wall to block the view. It sealed the team’s fate, they were never really competitive again and were sold in 1954.
The problem was money, of course. The Philly A’s had trouble keeping up with the rapidly changing 
world of professional baseball. Competition was driving up operating costs and here was the team mired in losing. Unlike many other owners, baseball was Connie Mack’s lifeblood, he had no other heaps of cash lying about from other business ventures and success. The team had no competent minor league system, the Phillies were rising in popularity, and Mack, the only official manager for a mind blowing 49 years, was seemingly out of ideas. A few bad business decisions later and the team had debt it couldn’t pay.
The team was sold to industrialist Arnold Johnson who promptly moved the team to Kansas City. Efforts were made to keep the team in Philadelphia, but they were rejected by the American League. Shibe Park, renamed Connie Mack Stadium in 1953 was demolished in 1976.
The team, sadly, really seems to be the pinnacle of limbo teams. All those championships and nothing to show for it. Hall of Fame players, including Ty Cobb, that are better remembered with other teams. It’s like they never existed.
Notes
Check out the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society, where I learned of this eminent limbo team:
http://philadelphiaathletics.org/a2.html
And a good place for photos:
http://www.baseballhistory.info/
And as always, check out old logos at:
