Turn back the clock to 1969 in Oakland

Posted on August 1, 2013

Bat boy Austin Ginn of the Oakland Athletics stands in front of the team during the National Anthem before the game against the Los Angeles Angels during the game at O.co Coliseum on 1969 Turn Back the Clock Day on Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

No team in baseball puts on a turn back the clock day better than the Oakland Athletics. Thanks to a rich team history and fantastic equipment manager Steve Vucinich the A’s wear some of the best throwback uniforms each and every year. Their game last Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels looked back at 1969, the second year the A’s played in Oakland. I was thrilled to be there with my cameras, and boy was I glad I was not shooting the A’s bright gold uniforms on Tri-X black and white film!

Last season the A’s wore the uniforms of the 1955 Oakland Oaks from the Pacific Coast League and they were great. I wrote a blog post about the game and had a great time shooting it. This year’s game was highly anticipated- at least in my little world. When owner Charlie Finley brought the A’s to Oakland from Kansas City in 1968 he brought with them their infamous colorful uniforms featuring Kelly Green, wedding-gown white and Fort Knox Gold- in various combinations. On this special day the A’s would be wearing their all gold version of their 1969 uniforms, right down the the vests and 100th anniversary Major League Baseball patch.

I knew we were in for a treat when I ran into legendary Topps photographer and A’s uniform expert Doug McWilliams before the game. Doug is a incredible photographer who has donated his life’s work to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. He started shooting the A’s in 1969 and often consults with the ballclub about their history, and the history of the Oakland Oaks and the Pacific Coast League. It is always a treat to see Doug at the ballpark and when he told me that the uniforms were “spot-on” I knew my pictures would be extra special on this glorious afternoon in the Bay Area.

I quickly realized that the drab grey uniforms the Angels were wearing, with current red batting helmets and 2013 pants down to the ankles were not going to be very photogenic, so I concentrated my efforts on the A’s. This was one of those games that you wished would go extra innings into the late afternoon light.

I did my best to move around and shoot from many different photo positions but the damn game seemed to go by too fast. before I knew it the top of the 9th inning was approaching and A’s closer Grant Balfour was coming in trying to pick up a save. I went behind the plate to the inside third base spot to try and get the best stuff I could of the terrific A’s closer wearing that awesome uniform in the 3pm light (see below).

Just like that the Angels went down and the game was over. “Wait! Come back!,” I wished. I did not want to stop shooting. As I headed up the press box elevator with A’s Director of Public Relations Bob Rose I had a big smile on my face and we chatted about how great the uniforms looked. I could not wait to get home and edit my stuff.

Congrats to the A’s for getting it and really doing it right. The organization honored their tradition and entertained the fans with a spectacular showing on Saturday. Everyone loved the look, even the players. I know I am not alone when I say I wish they would break these out more often, maybe on Sunday’s at home like the White Sox do with their throwback uniforms. Maybe next year!