The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1968 to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum.

The "Athletics" name originates from the late 19th century "athletic clubs", specifically the Philadelphia Athletics baseball club. They are most prominently nicknamed "the A's", in reference to the Gothic script "A", a trademark of the team and the old Athletics of Philadelphia. This has gained very prominent use, and in some circles is used more frequently than the full "Athletics" name. They are also known as "the White Elephants" or simply "the Elephants", in reference to then New York Giants' manager John McGraw's calling the team a "white elephant". This was embraced by the team, who then made a white elephant the team's mascot, and often incorporated it into the logo or sleeve patches. During the team's 1970s heyday, management often referred to the team as The Swingin' A's, referencing both their prodigious power and to connect the team with the growing disco culture.

Sean Robert Doolittle (born September 26, 1986 in Rapid City, South Dakota) is a pitcher who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball 41st overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft as a first baseman/outfielder.

He grew up in Tabernacle, New Jersey, where he played Babe Ruth Baseball, and excelled as a pitcher.

Doolittle played for the University of Virginia Cavaliers baseball team as both a starting pitcher and first baseman. He formerly held the record for wins in a career for a Virginia pitcher 22, which has since been passed by Danny Hultzen. Attended Shawnee High School in Medford, New Jersey, where he was a stand out pitcher and broke the state record for most strikeouts in a game. Sean was also a great hitter and led them Shawnee to a State Championship. In 2005 and 2006, Doolittle was named to the USA National (Collegiate) Baseball Team.

Sean made his professional debut on June 18, 2007. He is currently playing for the Sacramento Rivercats, the Oakland Athletics' AAA team. His brother, Ryan Doolittle is also a part of the Athletics' farm system.

Manuel Arturo Machado (born July 6, 1992) is an American baseball shortstop for the Bowie Baysox, the AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He attended Brito High School in Miami. Machado was drafted by the Orioles with the third overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He bats and throws right-handed. He stands at 6'2" and weighs 180 pounds. Keith Law, a writer for ESPN.com and the lead baseball analyst for Scouts Inc said that if Machado stays at shortstop, "you have a potential All-Star offensively who is no worse than average with the glove". Machado has been compared to New York Yankees third baseman, Alex Rodriguez. Machado said "it's a great honor" to be compared to Rodriguez, but he doesn't compare himself to anyone.

During his senior year of high school, he hit .639 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs in 29 games.

Machado committed to play for Florida International University. Even if he hadn't signed with the Orioles he would not have been able to play baseball for FIU because he missed the deadline to enroll for fall classes.