On Dec. 1, 1995, the A's signed a 27-year-old named Matt Stairs to a $130,000 contract. It turned out to be one of the best free agent signings they've ever made.
Stairs started the 1996 season in Triple-A, but he didn’t stay there long. Upon his call-up to Oakland, the left-handed slugger slashed .277/.367/.547 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI in 61 games.
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The following year, in his first full major league season, Stairs broke out with 27 homers and 73 RBI, slashing .