MESA, Ariz. -- Baseball was treated to eye-opening power displays by big-swinging rookies last year. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Rhys Hoskins populated the headlines, while a similarly special spectacle quietly came to life in Oakland.
Even by lofty standards, Matt Olson's doings were exceptional. Rare. Special.
The A's first baseman homered at a Ruthian pace, swatting 24 home runs in just 59 games, including six homers in seven games and nine in 12 games. He had 15 over a 21-game span, something no rookie had ever done, and 16 in a 23-game stretch.