19 days remain until Athletics Opening Day at the Toronto Blue Jays on March 27, 2026. With Las Vegas on the horizon, this daily countdown tracks the best A’s players by jersey number.
Today, March 8, 2026, the number is 19.
Bert Campaneris “Campy”, No. 19
Bert Campaneris “Campy” is the best Athletics player to wear No. 19 because he gave the franchise a long, defining run at shortstop and anchored the A’s dynasty years. He didn’t just play on great teams; he helped drive them with speed, durability, and steady two-way value.
Campaneris spent 13 seasons with the A’s from 1964–76. Along the way, he became a six-time All-Star and won three World Series titles, and he turned No. 19 into a true franchise identity number.
Why Campaneris gets No. 19
Campaneris gets No. 19 because his production came with real longevity in green and gold. He produced 49.0 WAR with the A’s, and he stacked up 1,882 hits, 566 stolen bases, and 983 runs during his A’s tenure. He also paired elite speed with remarkable durability, finishing his career with 649 steals and 2,328 games.
Just as importantly, “Campy” owns a slice of baseball history that fits this countdown perfectly. On this day in 1965, he became the first player in major league history to play all nine positions in a single game for the Kansas City A’s. That moment captured everything he brought to the franchise: versatility, energy, and a willingness to do whatever the team needed. It also gave No. 19 a signature story that still stands out decades later.
Career start and background
Campaneris was born March 9, 1942, in Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba. He signed with the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent on April 25, 1961, and he debuted with the A’s on July 23, 1964.
Other notable No. 19s
- Josh Phegley, 2015–2019
- Marco Scutaro, 2005–2007
- Gene Nelson, 1987–1992
- Mason Miller, 2024–2025
Career check
No. 19 isn’t a deep A’s number, but it does have one clear standard bearer. Campaneris set it with a dynasty résumé, elite speed, long-term value, and a historic all-nine-positions feat that still feels uniquely “A’s.”
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
