When one thinks of the Oakland Athletics of the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, there are certain indelible images. Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco belting home runs and giving each other forearm bashes at home plate. Dave Stewart glaring from the mound, intimidating the competition from the moment they stepped into the batter’s box. Dennis Eckersley slamming the door in the ninth inning, preserving those many victories.
Yet, on every great team, there are role players who do all the little things to make certain that a team wins.