Charlie Finley Quotes

A collection of quotes by Charlie Finley.

Charlie Finley was an American businessman and sports owner who was born on February 22, 1918, in Birmingham, Alabama, and passed away on February 19, 1996. He is best known for his ownership of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics from 1960 to 1980. Under his leadership, the Athletics achieved remarkable success, winning three World Series titles (in 1972, 1973, and 1974) and five consecutive American League West division championships (from 1971 to 1975).

Finley was known for his unconventional and innovative approach to team management, earning him a reputation as a colorful and controversial figure. He introduced a number of groundbreaking ideas to the sport, such as introducing orange baseballs for night games and proposing the designated hitter rule. Additionally, he was the first owner to introduce players' names on the back of their jerseys. Finley was also notable for his marketing strategies, including giving away live animals as promotional gimmicks, such as mules and sheep.

After selling the Athletics in 1980, Finley remained involved in various entrepreneurial ventures, including real estate development and insurance. Despite his polarizing reputation, Finley's impact on the game of baseball cannot be denied, as he brought a fresh perspective and creativity to the sport during his ownership of the Oakland Athletics.