Billyball
February 20, 1980 — The Oakland Athletics sign Billy Martin as their new manager.
1979: The Fall from Grace and a New Opportunity
After the 1979 season, Billy Martin found himself jobless following a fight with a marshmallow salesman. The altercation, fueled by comments about his American League Manager of the Year award, led Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to fire him for the second time in his career. Facing no immediate managerial offers, Martin’s fortunes changed when Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley came calling in February 1980. “I knew this might be my last shot,” Martin later admitted, aware of his past controversies and the poor state of the A’s franchise.
1980: A Dramatic Turnaround
The A’s were coming off a dismal 54–108 record in 1979, drawing fewer than 4,000 fans per home game. Martin quickly made his mark, bringing structure and discipline to a young, impressionable roster. His influence on Rickey Henderson was particularly notable—first controlling when he stole bases and later giving him free rein once he mastered reading pitchers leading to 100 stole base season for Rickey. Under Martin’s leadership, the A’s stunned the league, improving by 29 games to finish 83–79. The dramatic turnaround revitalized baseball in Oakland. Their offense was led by Tony Armas, who hit 35 homers and AL Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Keough, AL Gold Glove(s): Dwayne Murphy (OF) and Mike Norris (P)
“Billy Ball” had arrived—a style of aggressive, fundamental baseball that brought excitement back to the Coliseum.
1981: The Peak of Billy Ball
The A’s stormed out of the gate in 1981 with a scorching 20–3 start. Martin and his rotation of Mike Norris, Rick Langford, Matt Keough, Steve McCatty, and Brian Kingman were the talk of baseball. Their success landed them on the covers of Time and Sports Illustrated. The A’s finished first in the AL West before the strike split the season in half, but they still managed to sweep the Royals in the Division Series before falling to the Yankees in the ALCS.
Steinbrenner, seeing Oakland’s success, reportedly regretted firing Martin over the infamous marshmallow salesman incident.
All-Stars: Tony Armas and Mike Norris
AL Gold Glove: Rickey Henderson (OF), Dwayne Murphy (OF) and Mike Norris (P)
AL Silver Slugger Award: Rickey Henderson (OF)
Manager of the Year Award: Billy Martin
1982: The Collapse
Despite sky-high expectations, the A’s struggled in 1982, finishing 68–94. Martin’s heavy reliance on his starting pitchers the previous year led to accusations that he had overworked them, shortening their careers. By midseason, the A’s had plummeted in the standings, and Martin’s behavior became erratic—drinking excessively, traveling with a mistress, and even trashing his office in frustration.
On October 20, 1982, the A’s fired Martin despite three years remaining on his contract. Many speculated that he deliberately sabotaged his tenure to return to the Yankees, as Steinbrenner had hinted he would rehire him if he became available.
Legacy
Billy Ball left an indelible mark on Oakland, rejuvenating a struggling franchise and developing young talent, despite his tumultuous departure. His time with the A’s was a rollercoaster—marked by brilliance, controversy, and the ever-present shadow of his personal demons.