Eckersley looks back on his greatest moments with the A’s

Eckersley looks back on his greatest moments with the A’s originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Dennis Eckersley He had a handful of memorable moments during his time with the Athletics, but none were as quiet as the one that took place in late October 1989.

And that’s taking into account the memorable MLB season As and Eckersley experienced it in 1988.

The legendary closer sat down with NBC Sports California’s Dave Stewart on the latest episode of “All A’s” to reflect on his greatest moments as an Athletic.

“When we were in the race in 1988, I think we won 14 in a row, remember?” Eckersley asked Stewart. “And we took off and nobody could catch us, right? It’s not like we were fighting.”

Two years after what would become a nine-year stay in OaklandEckersley returned to his old home at Fenway Park with a mission.

Eckersley wanted to take the A’s to the World Series for the first time since 1981.

With Stewart and company, the closer did just that, recording four straight saves against Boston Red Soxwhich earned him ALCS MVP honors and a ticket to the World Series against Los Angeles The Dodgers.

“And then we played Boston,” Eckersley added. “That was a big deal for me because I played for Boston. That’s huge, man.”

“Let’s go to Fenway Park. We took two runs there. We came back here and took two runs. And we’re going to the World Series against the Dodgers. It was huge to go to the Red Sox, but then we went to the Dodgers.”

The A’s, who started as favorites, had a one-run lead over the Dodgers with two outs in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

“And at the end of the day, we’re up there, digging in for Game 1 of the World Series,” Eckersley said. “You started. You make it eight, throw me the ball. It’s okay. We’re up by one.”

That was until Kirk Gibson’s famous home run.

“Hooray, we got Kirk Gibson and all that, it was unbelievable,” Eckersley said. “To this day, we’re like, ‘Wow, how did that happen? It’s like a miracle.’”

Despite losing the World Series to the Dodgers, Eckersley and the A’s came out with revenge. And this time, Oakland beat the historic 1989 Bay Bridge Series champions.

It was the final episode of this landmark series that will remain the high point of Eckersley’s career.

“Those moments ultimately make you who you are,” Eckersley concludes. “You live with that, don’t you? Because you have to live with the bad as well as the good. The good came back the next year, thank God.”

“…How lucky was I to get the last out at Candlestick Park? Last out, touch base, which was not an easy play.

“That’s my highlight. All of that: the saves, a 20-win season, a no-hitter. That’s it. You know it. That’s it, getting that last out.”