The American League in Transition, 1965-1975 - by Paul Hensler (Paperback)

About the Book

"From 1965 to 1975, the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Oakland Athletics emerged as the most significant AL clubs. This book will examine facets of the aspirations of each during this time: the way in which personnel were assembled into a cohesive roster, the glory that was won by the clubs, and the factors leading to their decline"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In the years following the decline of the New York Yankees dynasty that ended in 1964, three American League teams endeavored to stake their claim to the Junior Circuit's crown. From 1965 to 1975, the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Oakland Athletics emerged as the most significant AL clubs, but this trio achieved varying degrees of success.

Through the prism of these three teams, this book examines facets of their dynastic aspirations: the way in which key personnel were assembled into a cohesive roster, the glory that was won by the clubs, and the factors leading to their decline. Drawing on a rich variety of primary and secondary sources, the story is told of vital players from Latin America who made their way to Minnesota, the select few who ventured from the Orioles' training facility in Thomasville, Georgia, to Baltimore, and the collegiate stars selected in the early years of the newly-created amateur draft who went on to help forge a winning combination in Oakland.

About the Author

Paul Hensler has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) for over thirty years. The author of five books, he has contributed to numerous SABR publications as well as articles and book reviews for NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture. He has presented at the SABR national convention, the NINE Spring Training Conference, and many times at the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture. He lives in Beacon Falls, Connecticut.