EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

No. 7 Oakland Athletics

Jason Giambi led the A's last year in batting average (.315), RBI (123) and runs scored (115). Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

1999 Record: 87-75 (2nd in AL West)

The Oakland A's were one of the biggest surprise teams of 1999. The offense that finished second in the AL in home runs and fourth in runs scored returns intact for 2000. With some pitching help, that could mean a division title.

Manager Art Howe helped turn his team into a west coast version of the Yankees by preaching patience. Combine the patience with power and you've got a team that should terrorize the American League again. The A's had a trio of 30-homer, 100 RBI hitters who also knew when to take a walk.

The pitching staff is solid, too, led by veterans Kevin Appier and Omar Olivares. Last year's rookie surprise, Tim Hudson, has the makings of an ace. I think the A's have the talent and the chemistry to win the AL West and that's why I rank them as the 7th best team in baseball.

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