Remembering Poison Oak Theory Could Have Saved A's

As any boy scout or camper can recite, "leaves of three, let it be". It's a great way to avoid an itchy rash as well as an excellent way to build a ballclub.

Miguel Tejada, Eric Chavez, and Jason Giambi weren't just supremely talented. They grew up together on the big league diamond and formed the core around which highly competitive teams could be developed. Then came three pitchers, aptly anointed "The Big 3". They were, of course, Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito and as "Moneyball" won't tell you they were the foundation for Oakland's success in the early 2000s.

Heck, even in 2012-14 the A's arguably thrived on the back of three rising young stars. They just weren't all that young…