Mark McGwire, a baseball legend and former A's star, has returned to his old stomping grounds as a special assistant to player development with the team he spent parts of 12 seasons with. The announcement comes after McGwire spent time away from the game, including stints as hitting coach for the Cardinals and Dodgers.
A native of Oakland who was drafted by the A's in 1984 and went on to become one of the most iconic players in team history, McGwire is coming full circle with this new role. He played a key part in the A's winning three straight AL pennants from 1988-90, including a World Series title in 1989.
McGwire was also part of an infamous partnership with Jose Canseco, known as the "Bash Brothers," during their time together in Oakland. His impressive power hitting and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite, but his career was marred by controversy when he publicly admitted to using steroids.
After leaving Oakland, McGwire played for several other teams before retiring after the 2001 season, with an impressive 583 home runs and 12 All-Star appearances. While he has been snubbed from the Baseball Hall of Fame due to his steroid use, he was inducted into the A's team hall of fame in 2019.
This marks McGwire's return to the game as a coach and advisor rather than an on-field player, and it comes at a time when the A's are navigating significant changes. The team will be playing their second season in Sacramento, with plans to move permanently to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
McGwire's involvement with the A's provides a unique perspective and connection to the team's history, as he was a key player during their most successful years. His experience and guidance will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the organization as they continue to build and grow.
A native of Oakland who was drafted by the A's in 1984 and went on to become one of the most iconic players in team history, McGwire is coming full circle with this new role. He played a key part in the A's winning three straight AL pennants from 1988-90, including a World Series title in 1989.
McGwire was also part of an infamous partnership with Jose Canseco, known as the "Bash Brothers," during their time together in Oakland. His impressive power hitting and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite, but his career was marred by controversy when he publicly admitted to using steroids.
After leaving Oakland, McGwire played for several other teams before retiring after the 2001 season, with an impressive 583 home runs and 12 All-Star appearances. While he has been snubbed from the Baseball Hall of Fame due to his steroid use, he was inducted into the A's team hall of fame in 2019.
This marks McGwire's return to the game as a coach and advisor rather than an on-field player, and it comes at a time when the A's are navigating significant changes. The team will be playing their second season in Sacramento, with plans to move permanently to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
McGwire's involvement with the A's provides a unique perspective and connection to the team's history, as he was a key player during their most successful years. His experience and guidance will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the organization as they continue to build and grow.