World Series Champions Reap The Benefits Of Billy Beane’s Wheeling And Dealing
By Jason Leary
Patiently Waiting For The Championship Payoff In Oakland
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An argument that’s often made against Beane’s career in Oakland’s front office is that for all the publicity he gets, he’s never won it all. But just look at that list. Beane has actually assembled roster after roster of World Series winners in piecemeal fashion over the years. He just hasn’t been able to line up enough of those players at the right time for the right price to win a World Series in Oakland.
If general managers from around the league ever got together to hand out an honorary World Series ring to a rival executive, Beane deserves it. He may not have the budget to retain championship-caliber players but has a stellar track record of identifying many of the key contributors it takes to win it all. Beane’s talent for player evaluation has had an impact on almost every World Series winner since he ascended to A’s GM almost 20 years ago.
That’s a bittersweet accomplishment Beane can hang his hat on. Sadly, it’s also a depressing achievement that A’s fans can hang their heads about. Watching sentimental favorites help win World Series everywhere but Oakland year after year gets real old real fast.
But Beane’s proven track record of acquiring championship-caliber players for almost two decades offers plenty of hope that patience will eventually pay off with Oakland’s first World Series title since 1989.
Just ask any Cubs fan right now. They can joyously tell you that patience eventually pays off with an unforgettable World Series title – sometimes it just takes 108 years to get there.
So there you have it A’s fans: 27 years down, just 81 to go before Oakland experiences the joy of Cubs Nation. Mark your calendars for 2097 and start chilling the champagne because that World Series trophy is coming back to the A’s before this century’s over …