Streaking A’s Stand to Reap Big Benefits

The Oakland Athletics’ 18-game winning streak is the longest in the major leagues in nearly 50 years, dating to the New York Yankees’ 18-game streak in 1953. But a recent labor accord between baseball and its players could set into motion another significant victory for the A’s.

At least that’s the opinion of Skip Bayless of the San Jose Mercury News, who believes Oakland owner Steve Schott will be able to move the A’s to an as-yet-to-be-built ballpark in San Jose because baseball owners have agreed to put off contraction.

Bayless writes that owners will be forced to move the Montreal Expos to Washington because a suitable owner cannot be found to take the Expos off the hands of the owners, who are running the team this season. Schott will then be free to move the A’s out of Network Associates Coliseum, gaining an advantage over other small-market owners that Bayless refers to as “Bud’s Duds.”

For what it’s worth: The A’s won 17 games in a row in 1931, when they were based in Philadelphia and managed by Connie Mack, the last man to wear a suit while directing his team from the dugout.

Those A’s were led by Lefty Grove, who was 31-4 with a 2.06 earned-run average, and outfielder Al Simmons, who led the American League with a .390 average. Despite winning 107 games, the A’s lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, four games to one.

Trivia time: Since the Washington Senators moved to Arlington, Texas, in 1972, the last major league team to relocate, how many NFL teams have moved?

Goofy situation: Colorado State defeated Colorado for the third time in four seasons, leading Ram Coach Sonny Lubick to say after Saturday’s 19-14 victory over the seventh-ranked Buffaloes, “I know one thing, those people in the other locker room, they respect Colorado State. Maybe the Mountain West Conference isn’t such a Mickey Mouse league after all.”

Add Colorado: The Buffaloes have lost four consecutive season openers for the first time since 1938-41, which prompted this from Coach Gary Barnett: “Unfortunately, I have some experience in this. I’d sort of like to get rid of that.”

More labor woes: The NHL’s agreement with its players ends in two years. When Commissioner Gary Bettman asked union chief Bob Goodenow if he wished to begin talks now and avoid the rush, Goodenow declined.

Adrian Aucoin, a New York Islander defenseman, offered this prediction for September 2004:

“I don’t think both parties have even come close to hammering out anything. It would be nice to see some kind of progress, but it’s like they have to wait for a deadline to get anything done.”

Trivia answer: Six teams, seven moves.

The Raiders moved to Los Angeles and back to Oakland. The Rams moved to St. Louis. The Colts moved to Indianapolis. The Browns moved to Baltimore (and became the Ravens). The Cardinals moved to Phoenix. The Oilers moved to Nashville (and became the Titans).

And finally: Former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent still doesn’t trust Commissioner Bud Selig: “He was the ringleader of the group that tried to get me out. He told me he wanted to break the union. I said he couldn’t do it. I was right.”