Author/historian David Jordan (The Athletics of Philadelphia: Connie Mack's White Elephants; The A's: A Baseball History) joins Tim Hanlon to discuss the first incarnation of one of Major League Baseball’s most enigmatic franchises. Jordan discusses how the Philadelphia As:

Helped launch the American League as a charter franchise in 1901;
Dominated the majors with six league pennants, three World Series titles and two 100+ win seasons in its first 15 years;
Were dismantled by long-time manager Connie Mack in the 1914 off-season after losing (or throwing?) the Fall Classic to the “Miracle” Boston Braves;
Posted the worst-ever record (36-117; .235) in baseball history two years later, and finished last every season thereafter until 1922;
Rose from the ashes to again become baseball’s most dynastic team in the late 1920s/early 1930s – rivaling that of the vaunted New York Yankees; AND
Succumbed to Depression-era economic realities that slowly drained the team’s talent and challenged management’s finances enough to push the team to ultimately relocate to greener pastures in 1954.

We thank our friends at Audible for helping sponsor this week’s episode!

The Athletics of Philadelphia: Connie Mack's White Elephants - buy book here

The A's: A Baseball History - buy book here