In this entry of our second MLB Monday miniseries, we reach the end of the Swingin’ A’s and their World Series dynasty. Interesting timing this week, coincidentally, too, as MLB has just unanimously approved the Oakland Athletics’ move to Las Vegas. So, it’s the end of an era here as well as in real life: how often does the past and the present merge like this, into one? No river running through it, though, except maybe tear$.

1974 World Series MVP: Rollie Fingers, RP, Oakland (original, confirmed)

The A’s dropped the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 games to claim their third straight World Series, becoming just the second MLB franchise to accomplish this feat. Oakland won the opening game on the road, and after L.A. took Game 2, the A’s swept three straight back at the Coliseum—with us in attendance on October 17, 1974, for the clinching Game 5 victory. Yes, that’s right: it was our first MLB game ever, for the record.

But we digress: Oakland relief pitcher Rollie Fingers (1-0, 2 saves, 1.93 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, 9 1/3 IP) was oddly named the MVP of the Fall Classic, after registering the third-most innings on the A’s staff. Game 1 was weird with Fingers getting the win—and starter Catfish Hunter getting the save. Hunter (1-0, 1 save, 1.17 ERA, 0.913 WHIP, 7 1/2 IP) then won Game 3 as the starter, and Fingers saved both Games 4 and 5. Okay … wow.

Fingers’ IP total stands out, but what about the Oakland hitters? Left fielder Joe Rudi (.333 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .833 OPS) shone brighest, but his numbers aren’t amazing. That takes us back to Fingers or Hunter: we assume voters at the time liked the fact the A’s “closer” pitched in 4 of the 5 games, and he factored into 3 of them in terms of wins and saves. We’re surprised by this result, but we will confirm Fingers’ MVP vote win.

1974 AL Championship Series MVP: Vida Blue, SP, Oakland

Oakland beat the Baltimore Orioles in 4 games to claim the pennant for the third consecutive season, after the Os won Game 1 on the road. The A’s proceeded to stymie Baltimore in the next three games by a combined 8-1 score, tossing shutouts in Games 2 and 3. Oakland scored only 11 runs in 4 games, so no single hitter really stood out. The pitching, however, was outstanding. But it also leaves us with a bit of a dilemma.

SPs Vida Blue (Game 3) and Ken Holtzman (Game 4) tossed complete-game shutouts, while Hunter lost Game 1 and then won Game 4. So, this comes down to Blue for us, since Game 3 was a huge one on the road—and Blue allowed only 2 baserunners in this decisive content while punching out 7 guys. Holtzman put 7 guys on base in his shutout while striking out only 3 batters. We give this nod to Blue, our 1971 Cy Young guy.

1974 NL Championship Series MVP: Don Sutton, SP, Los Angeles

The Dodgers eliminated the Pittsburgh Pirates in 4 games, overpowering them by a combined 20-10 margin. L.A. won the first two contests in Steeltown before the Bucs won Game 3 on the road. But the Dodgers closed it out in Game 4 back home easily. First baseman Steve Garvey (.389 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.199 OPS) was a hitting hero for Los Angeles, while SP Don Sutton won Games 1 and 4 via complete dominance.

Combined, Sutton gave up just 1 earned run in 17 IP, allowing 9 baserunners while striking out 13 batters. Winning Game 1 on the road with a four-hit, complete-game shutout was huge, and Sutton probably could have added another complete game in the clincher, but he was lifted with a 12-1 lead for the ninth inning in order to save the energy for the World Series. We’re going with Sutton on this one, for obvious reasons.

1974 AL MOTY: Earl Weaver, Baltimore

The Orioles won the AL East by just 2 games over the New York Yankees, and Baltimore Manager Earl Weaver (plus-5 PPP) was the best manager in the league who guided a team to a winning record. This is an easy award to bestow, therefore, although we will give props to Detroit Tigers Manager Ralph Houk (plus-7) for his AL-best effort—albeit for a last-place team. But we digress: this is Weaver’s second nod from us.

1974 NL MOTY: Red Schoendienst, St. Louis

Both division winners got negative-PPP efforts from their managers, and the best second-place finish was earned by the St. Louis Cardinals—thanks again to Manager Red Schoendienst (plus-2 PPP). The Cards finished just 1.5 games behind the Pirates in the NL East, and although the Cincinnati Reds also got a plus-2 PPP boost from their manager, they were 4 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Simple math here.