The Oakland Athletics have a good squad right now, despite a rough start to the 2021 campaign. But it’s always fun to keep up with players who suited up for memorable teams from years past.
The 2012 Athletic’s squad will always be one of my favorites. The two guys pictured in this post’s featured image were my favorites of them all: outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick.
While the mercurial Cespedes, 35, is a free agent, Riddick, who is 34 years old, just signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. He reports Reddick’s deal could be worth $750,000 if he makes the big-league club.
Per Kawahara, Athletic’s manager Bob Melvin was surprised it took so long for Reddick to get a deal.
“He’s still a guy that can help you, and he plays great defense in the outfield,” said Melvin. “He’s clutch. He did a really good job for Houston during his time there.”
Reddick did indeed suit up for Oakland’s division rival, the Astros. And sure, he was around for that whole cheating thing in Houston. But the guy’s got passion for baseball, plus a rocket arm from right field.
He had his best year in 2012 for the Oakland A’s, smashing 32 home runs and earning MVP votes, plus he was a Gold Glove winner.
He’ll likely never reach those heights again, but I sincerely hope he does. Reddick had some great times by the San Francisco Bay, and they’ll never be forgotten.
And who could ever forget this? One video for old-times sake, from when Reddick’s walk-up music kept the entire team loose and ready to win ballgames.
(Photo credit: Keith Allison)
Bay Area Sports Hub 