From 2001 to 2006, Eric Chavez won six consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. In 2004, the A’s extended his contract for another six years after he led the American League in bases on balls. Between 2002 and 2005, his stats remained consistent, hitting in the .270-.280 range, and hitting 27-29 home runs. Through his first ten years with the A’s, Chavez played 1256 games, batted .269, had 227 home runs, and 762 RBI.

Chavez had a frustrating 2008 season as he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a back injury on May 29, then again on July 2 for a shoulder injury. But, Chavez is back strong for the 2009 season.

After signing a one year deal on March 6, 2009, this season will be Nomar Garciaparra’s first year with the Oakland Athletics. Prior to the Athletics, Garciaparra played with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 through 2008. He was elected to the 2006 National League All-Star Team as the National League All-Star Final Vote winner, receiving around six million votes.

On October 7, 2006, Garciaparra was named the National League’s Comeback Player of the Year.

 

Jason Giambi officially re-joined the Oakland Athletics on January 6, 2009. Giambi played with the A’s from 1995 to 2001, and then played with the New York Yankees from 2002 through 2008. During that time, he was a five time All-Star selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004), a two time Silver Slugger Award winner (2001 and 2002), American League MVP, Hutch Award winner (2000), and the American League Comeback Player of the Year.

Giambi finished the 2008 season hitting .247, with 19 doubles, 32 home runs, and 96 RBI in 145 games with the Yankees. After re-joining the A’s, Giambi wore #16, his number from when he started his career in 1995. Giambi is a National co-chair of the PCF Home Run Challenge.

On November 17, 2006, Bob Geren was promoted from bench coach to manager of the Oakland A’s.In 2007 and 2008, under the leadership of Geren, the A’s came in third in the American League Western Division.