Programming note: Game 1 of the A's 1973 World Series vs. the Mets will be re-airing Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports California.
The A’s three straight World Series championships from 1972 to 1974 puts them in elite company.
“The A’s and the Yankees, the only two teams in the history of this great game of baseball, have only ever won three or more consecutive championships,” Ray Fosse told NBC Sports California’s Brodie Brazil.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Fosse wanted to make sure baseball fans were aware of the “history lesson” from the Green and Gold. And it was perfect timing as well.
NBC Sports California has been re-airing the “Swingin’ A’s” World Series championships from the ’70s -- an era Fosse, now an A's broadcaster for NBC Sports California, was able to experience firsthand.
The 12-year veteran catcher was on two of those World Series teams (1973, 1974), so he’s seen what it takes to be successful.
He also now has a front-row seat in what baseball is today. One thing he noticed that was comparable between those A’s and the current roster is the teams both possessed strong pitching and defense.
Oakland Athletics
“If you have good pitching, and you have good defense, you’re going to win more games than not because you’re never, ever going to outscore teams on a regular basis,” Fosse explained. “And by the way, the A’s have both right now.”
[RELATED: Reggie Jackson says A's 1907's dynasty better than time with Yankees]
But those dynastic A's didn't just have great pitching -- they had historic pitching.
“1973, the Oakland A’s with Catfish Hunter, Kenny Holtzman and Vida Blue, the last time in the history of baseball there have been three 20-game winners in the same season,” Fosse added.
“When I played for the A’s, it was like ‘We’re going to win,'” Fosse said.
One for the books.