The Oakland Athletics' 1987 season involved the A's finishing 3rd in the American League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses. Mark McGwire set a rookie record by hitting 49 home runs. At the beginning of the season, the word "Athletics" returned, in script lettering, to the front of the team's jerseys. Former A's owner, Charles O. Finley banned the word "Athletics" from the club's name in the past because he felt that name was too closely associated with former Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack. In his first full Major League season, Mark McGwire hit 49 home runs, a single-season record for a rookie; he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. McGwire would be the first American League rookie since Al Rosen of the Cleveland Indians in 1950 to lead the American League in home runs. The 1987 season also saw the return of Reggie Jackson to Oakland. Offseason December 11, 1986: Donnie Hill was traded by the Athletics to the Chicago White Sox for Gene Nelson and Bruce Tanner. January 20, 1987: Vida Blue was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. January 22, 1987: Jim Eppard was purchased from the Athletics by the California Angels. February 6, 1987: Johnnie LeMaster was signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics. February 23, 1987: Jeff Kaiser was traded by the Athletics to the Cleveland Indians for Curt Wardle. Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Opening Day starters Jose Canseco Mike Davis Alfredo Griffin Reggie Jackson Carney Lansford Rob Nelson Dwayne Murphy Tony Phillips Curt Young Mickey Tettleton Notable transactions April 3, 1987: Brian Guinn (minors), Dave Wilder (minors), and Mark Leonette (minors) were traded by the Athletics to the Chicago Cubs for Dennis Eckersley and Dan Rohn. April 27, 1987: Dennis Lamp was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. April 30, 1987: Bill Caudill was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. May 12, 1987: Brian Harper was signed as a free agent by the Athletics. June 29, 1987: Bill Mooneyham was traded by the Athletics to the Milwaukee Brewers for Russ McGinnis. July 29, 1987: Johnnie LeMaster was released by the Oakland Athletics. August 29, 1987: Tim Belcher was traded by the Athletics to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rick Honeycutt. August 30, 1987: The Athletics traded players to be named later to the San Diego Padres