AKA Charles Oscar Finley

Born: 22-Feb-1918
Birthplace: Ensley, AL
Died: 19-Feb-1996
Location of death: Chicago, IL
Cause of death: unspecified
Remains: Buried, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Baseball

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Owner of the Oakland A's 1960-80

A former steel worker, Finley purchased the Kansas City Athletics in 1960 for $2M, moved the franchise to Oakland in 1968, where it won three consecutive World Series, 1972 through 1974. An unfortunate insurance payment lapse caused the loss of Catfish Hunter to the New York Yankees in 1974. After some years of decreased attendance and an aborted attempt to dismantle the team entirely, Finley hired former Yankees manager Billy Martin, promoting the game as Billy Ball. Finley sold the A's in 1980 to the Haas Family, owners of Levi-Strauss, for $12.7M.

Wife: Shirley McCartney (m. 1941, seven children)

    Risk Factors: Tuberculosis

    SPORTS FRANCHISE HISTORY
    Oakland Athletics Owner (1960-80)

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