by William Menna

Created on: July 24, 2010

The long ball has been a major part of the history of the Oakland Athletics. Starting with the organization's origins in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century, Nap Lajole led the American League in home runs in the Athletics's first ever season. Since then, an A's player has won the home run crown 21 more times. Each of the top three Oakland Athletics all-time home run leaders has led the AL for at least one season and is a member of baseball's 500 home run club.

Mark McGwire: 363 home runs

The Oakland Athletics all-time home run leader is record-setting slugger Mark McGwire. One of Oakland's “Bash Brothers” with Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire was a major power threat for the Athletics from 1986 to 1997. In eight separate seasons, McGwire hit at least 30 home runs for the A's, including four over 40 and one of 52. In his first full year after being traded by the A's, McGwire clubbed a then record 70 home runs, a total which has since been surpassed by Barry Bonds. For his career as a whole, McGwire hit 583 home runs and ranks in the top ten in Major League history.

Jimmie Foxx: 302 home runs

A great slugger for both the Red Sox and Athletics, Hall of Fame first baseman Jimmie Foxx is one of the Athletics all-time home run leaders. Foxx played with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1925 to 1935, emerging as a star and as one of baseball's best power-hitters in 1929. For his last seven seasons with the A's, Foxx had seven straight years of 30-plus home runs; including his seasons in Boston, that streak lasted 12 years. In 1932, Jimmie Foxx hit 58 home runs and drove in 169 RBI; both remain the highest totals ever recorded in Athletics' history. His 534 career home runs are good for the top 20 in Major League history.

Reggie Jackson: 269 home runs

The third leading home run hitter in Oakland Athletics history is outfielder Reggie Jackson. In ten seasons with the team, Jackson was a great power-hitter and perennial All-Star for the A's. From 1972 to 1974, Jackson was a leader for three straight World Series Championship teams in Oakland. In the middle season, he won the American League MVP Award by leading all hitters in home runs with 32 and RBI with 117. In his career as a hole, Reggie Jackson hit 563 home runs, good for 13th all-time.

Jose Canseco: 254 home runs

One of the major players in baseball's steroids controversy, Jose Canseco ranks fourth among Oakland Athletics all-time home run leaders. Canseco starred in Oakland from 1985 to 1992 as one of the “Bash Brothers” along with Mark McGwire. Canseco had five seasons of 30-plus home runs with Oakland. He hit 40-plus in a pair of those seasons, leading the league in each. Canseco took home the 1989 AL MVP Award in the best season of his career with 42 homers and 124 RBI.

Bob Johnson: 252 home runs

One of the early stars of the Philadelphia Athletics, former outfielder Bob Johnson is one the Oakland Athletics all-time home run leaders. Johnson had a brilliant start to his career, hitting at least 20 home runs in each of his first nine seasons from 1933 to 1941. He was one of the best sluggers around during his playing days as he finished in the top ten in home runs in all but two years of his 13-year career.

Learn more about this author, William Menna.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.