The Athletics finished second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 74 losses, 2+1⁄2 games behind the Kansas City Royals.
Nearly all of the team's stars (Sal Bando, Rollie Fingers, Gene Tenace, Joe Rudi, Bert Campaneris, Don Baylor, Phil Garner, Billy Williams, Claudell Washington, and an injury-plagued Willie McCovey) departed after this season.
O'Connell had contacted Detroit Tigers general manager Jim Campbell to purchase Vida Blue for one million dollars so that the New York Yankees could not get him.
Finley offered Blue a three-year extension worth $485,000 per season to make the sale more attractive to the Yankees.
Infielders Other batters Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.