The Oakland Athletics built the first dynasty of the 1970’s, winning titles in 1972, 1973, and 1974. The 1973 team might have been the strongest of the lot, capitalizing on a pitching staff that included three 20 game winners in Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, and Ken Holtzman. The offense was led by 1973 American League MVP Reggie Jackson, who topped the American League in homers (32) and RBI (117). The Athletics won the American League West Division by a six-game margin over the Kansas City Royals, finishing with a 94-68 record. In the American League Championship Series, the A’s eked out a close five-game series win over the Baltimore Orioles. The A’s won the decisive fifth game on the strength of Catfish Hunter’s masterful complete game shutout and clutch offensive performances from Vic Davalillo, Jesus Alou, and Joe Rudi.

The A’s then faced the New York Mets in the World Series, with both teams coming off recent postseason success. The series went a full seven games, with Reggie Jackson earning the MVP honors after hitting .310 and mashing a clutch home run in Game 7. Darold Knowles became the first pitcher to appear in all seven games of a World Series during this Fall Classic, and manager Dick Williams abruptly resigned after the series due to irreconcilable differences with tempestuous team owner Charlie Finley.

This offered World Series trophy is full-sized, and is of the type that was presented to select front office members and players. This Commissioner’s Trophy is approximately 24 inches tall, and measures roughly 13 inches in diameter. The names of A’s players are etched in the band encircling the trophy, and “OAKLAND A’S 1973 WORLD CHAMPIONS” is etched on the band as well. A green plaque on the top of the trophy’s base notes the score of each of the Fall Classic games, and it is flanked by two press pins for the A’s and Mets. A metal baseball sits on a brass ring that supports an ornate crown. This trophy exhibits some weathering, but is otherwise in good condition. 

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