Books and articles about Sal Bando

Bando was a power-hitting third baseman and co-captain of the raucous Oakland A's dynasty that won five straight AL Western Division titles (1971-75) and three straight World Series (1972-74). He was the glue of the infield, although, characteristically for that team, he didn't always show respect for management. In June 1974, after a disappointing loss, he observed that A's manager Alvin Dark "couldn't manage a meat market." And although he was chosen for four All-Star teams, he never started, having the misfortune to play during Brooks Robinson's final years.

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Bando managed to stick with colorful A's owner Charlie Finley for 11 seasons, including the last two years the franchise was in Kansas City. In both 1969 and 1971, Bando hit two grand slams. In the seventh game of 1972 World Series, he knocked in a run with a double, then scored the eventual winning run on Gene Tenace's double in the sixth inning of a 3-2 A's victory.

Bando's best year came in 1973, when he led the league in doubles with 32 and hit a career-high .287 with 29 HR and 98 RBI. In the 1973 playoffs against Baltimore, he nearly hit three homers in the second game, a 6-3 Oakland win. In the third inning Al Bumbry made a spectacular leaping catch of Bando's first long drive. Following Game Two of the 1973 Series, he prompted the black armbands the players wore to show their feelings over the Mike Andrews incident, when Finley roasted the unfortunate second baseman's two-error performance. In the 1974 playoffs against Baltimore, Bando hit two homers. His solo homer off Jim Palmer in Game Three provided the game's only run, and in the fourth and final game Bando scored the eventual winning run on Reggie Jackson's seventh-inning double, the only hit for Oakland that afternoon.

Bando escaped Finley in 1977 when he signed with the Brewers as a free agent, and stayed around long enough to see his younger brother, Chris, reach the majors in 1981 with Cleveland. (SEW)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 16, 1969: Sal Bando hits the first grand slam in Oakland's history to lead the A's to a 6–1 victory over the Angels. » April 27, 1969: Sal Bando drives in seven runs with two homers and a single as the A's beat the Pilots, 13–5. Starter and winner Rollie Fingers needs relief help with two out in the 9th. » June 22, 1969: An American League record-tying, three straight, 2-out home runs by Ted Kubiak, Reggie Jackson, and Sal Bando in the 3rd inning power a 7–3 Oakland victory over Minnesota in the first of two games. Bando also homers in the first to back Chuck Dobson's win over Jim Kaat. Katt gets a save in the nitecap as Jim Perry squeezes home Oliva with the winning run in the 13th. Twins win, 4–3. » July 17, 1969: Sal Bando is 5-for-5 and drives in the first four runs in the A's 8–2 win over Seattle. Don Mincher drives in both runs off Catfish Hunter (8-7). » July 23, 1971: Catfish Hunter is knocked out in the 7th inning, but before he exits he drives in four runs as Oakland beats Detroit and Mickey Lolich, 9–7. Sal Bando has two homers, while the Tigers hit 4. » November 10, 1971: Vida Blue adds the AL MVP to his list of awards for 1971, easily outpointing teammate Sal Bando 268-182. He is the last switch hitter this century to win the MVP. » October 7, 1973: The A's, led by two Sal Bando home runs, even the American League series with a 6–3 triumph over the Orioles. » October 6, 1974: The A's even the American League series behind Ken Holtzman's 5–0 shutout and homers by Ray Fosse and Sal Bando. » October 8, 1974: Sal Bando homers again and Vida Blue hurls a 2-hitter to give the A's a 1–0 win and a 2-1 lead in the LCS. Blue fans seven and walks none. » April 16, 1977: In Milwaukee, Cecil Cooper hits a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 9th off Sparky Lyle to tie the Yankees 3–3, then a Sal Bando triple and single by Steve Brye wins it. » August 29, 1979: Kansas City blasts Milwaukee pitching for an 18–8 victory. Brett and Otis hit back-to-back home runs in the 8-run 4th, after LaCock hits a 3-run home run in the 5-run 3rd. Milwaukee finally uses 3B Sal Bando for three innings on the mound (2 runs), 2B Jim Gantner for an inning (no runs), and C Buck Martinez (1 run) in relief. » April 29, 1980: The Brewers smash seven home runs in a 14–1 rout of the Indians. Ben Oglivie and Sal Bando lead the way with two apiece. » June 2, 1994: The NY Mets select Florida State P Paul Wilson with the first pick in the amateur draft. OF Ben Grieve is selected 2nd by the Oakland Athletics. The Brewers Sal Bando, a former ASU third baseman, picks another ASU 3rd sacker, Antone Williamson, with Milwaukee's the 4th pick overall. The Brewers do find a good 5th round pick in Steve Woodard. The Marlins use the 5th overall on Josh Booty, rated the top high school QB in the nation. Booty will sign with the Fish for $1.6 million, hit .198 in four years in the minors, have a cup of coffee with the Marlins, and return to college football. The Royals take Jose Rosado on the 12th round. Boston ends up with the best draft, taking Nomar Garciaparra (1st round, 12th pick), Brian Rose (3rd), Brian Barkley (5th), Damien Sapp (10th), Donnie Sadler (11th), and Carl Pavano (18th). The Twins pick Corey Koskie on the 26th round.