| 2008 Oakland Athletics | ||
|---|---|---|
| League | American League | |
| Division | West | |
| Ballpark | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | |
| City | Oakland, California | |
| Record | 75–86 (.466) | |
| Divisional place | 3rd | |
| Owners | Lewis Wolff | |
| General managers | Billy Beane | |
| Managers | Bob Geren | |
| Television | CSN Bay Area KICU (Action 36) | |
| Radio | KYCY KNTS/KDOW KFRC-FM | |
| ||
The Oakland Athletics' 2008 season marked their 40th year in Oakland, California. It was also the 108th season in franchise history. The team finished third in the American League West with a record of 75–86.
The Athletics were not expected to contend for the American League West title in 2008. Despite this, the team remained near first place well into July. The Athletics fortunes peaked on July 11, when a 9-2 rout of the Angels allowed them to pull within four games of first place. The team then lost 44 of its 68 remaining games. The slide saw the Athletics finish 24.5 games behind the Angels, who clinched the division for a second consecutive year.
The Athletics struggled at the plate for most of the season. Particularly troubling was the team's lack of power hitting; apart from Jack Cust, who hit 33 home runs, no Athletic hit more than 13. Oakland ultimately finished 11th (out of 14 American League teams) in this category. All told, the Athletics scored fewer runs (646) than any other American League team in 2008.