Oakland Athletics

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Following the departure of Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and Jason Isringhausen to larger markets, Billy Beane constructed a competitive roster through under-the-radar free-agent signings and trades. Key additions included first baseman Scott Hatteberg, outfielder David Justice, and closer Billy Koch. The team also acquired starter Ted Lilly and second baseman Ray Durham, while seeing MLB debuts from Mark Ellis and Aaron Harang. After a bumpy start that saw them fall to 20–26 by May 23, the Athletics surged, going 16–1 from June 6 to June 24. A prolonged slump followed until August 12, setting the stage for their historic run. During the streak, fourth starter Cory Lidle went 5–0 with a 0.20 ERA in August, recording three wins within the streak itself.

In Their Own Story

On September 4, 2002, the Athletics sought their 20th consecutive victory against the Kansas City Royals to break the American League record of 19 set by the 1947 Yankees. Oakland built an 11–0 lead in the first three innings but surrendered five runs each in the fourth and eighth frames due to sloppy play. In the ninth, closer Billy Koch gave up a two-out single to pinch hitter Luis Alicea, allowing runner Kit Pellow to score the tying run. Tied at 11–11 with one out, pinch hitter Scott Hatteberg hit a solo walkoff home run off reliever Jason Grimsley, clinching the AL-record streak. The victory came after Miguel Tejada delivered game-ending hits for the 18th and 19th wins. The streak ended two days later on September 6 with a 6–0 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Reader's Guide

The 2002 season culminated in a postseason appearance where the Athletics, as the American League West champions, faced the American League Central champion Minnesota Twins in the Division Series. Despite their regular-season success and historic streak, Oakland lost the series three games to two. The Twins went on to lose the American League Championship Series to the Anaheim Angels. Individual accolades followed the season, with shortstop Miguel Tejada winning the American League MVP award and starting pitcher Barry Zito taking home the Cy Young Award. Tejada remained with the team through 2003, while Zito stayed until the end of the 2006 campaign.

Did You Know?

• The Athletics won 20 consecutive games between August 13 and September 4, 2002, setting an American League record.
• Scott Hatteberg hit a walkoff home run off Jason Grimsley to secure the 20th win of the streak against the Kansas City Royals.
• Cory Lidle posted a 0.20 earned run average in August 2002, allowing only one run all month.
• Billy Koch recorded either a win or a save in 12 of the 20 games during the historic winning streak.
• The team lost the American League Division Series to the Minnesota Twins in five games despite finishing with a 103–59 record.