Mark McGwire Returns to A's as Special Assistant

Former slugger and 'Bash Brother' rejoins Oakland organization in player development role.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Mark McGwire, the former MLB slugger and member of the Oakland A's 'Bash Brothers' duo with Jose Canseco, has been hired by the team as a special assistant to player development. McGwire, who spent 12 seasons with the A's and was the 1987 AL Rookie of the Year, will be returning to the organization he helped lead to three straight AL pennants in the late 1980s, including a World Series championship in 1989.

Why it matters

McGwire's return to the A's organization represents a homecoming for one of the franchise's most iconic players. Despite his ties to steroid use that have kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame, McGwire remains a beloved figure in Oakland and his expertise could help develop the next generation of A's stars as the team prepares to move to a new permanent home in Las Vegas.

The details

McGwire, who was drafted 10th overall by the A's in 1984, hit a then-rookie record 49 home runs in 1987 and was a key part of the A's teams that won three straight AL pennants from 1988-1990, including the 1989 World Series title over the Giants. After being traded to the Cardinals in 1997, McGwire went on to break the single-season home run record in 1998 during his historic chase with Sammy Sosa. Since retiring in 2001, McGwire has served as a hitting coach and bench coach for several MLB teams.

  • McGwire was drafted by the A's in 1984.
  • He won AL Rookie of the Year in 1987.
  • The A's won 3 straight AL pennants from 1988-1990, including the 1989 World Series.
  • McGwire was traded to the Cardinals in 1997.
  • He broke the single-season home run record in 1998.

The players

Mark McGwire

A former MLB slugger who spent 12 seasons with the Oakland A's, winning Rookie of the Year in 1987 and helping the team to three straight AL pennants in the late 1980s, including a World Series title in 1989. Despite his ties to steroids, McGwire remains a beloved figure in Oakland and has served as a coach for several MLB teams since retiring.

Jose Canseco

McGwire's longtime teammate and member of the iconic 'Bash Brothers' duo with the Oakland A's in the late 1980s.

Oakland Athletics

The MLB franchise that is currently based in Sacramento but is aiming to move to a permanent home in Las Vegas by 2028.

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What’s next

The A's are entering their second of at least three seasons in Sacramento before moving to their permanent home in Las Vegas for the 2028 season.

The takeaway

McGwire's return to the A's organization represents a homecoming for one of the franchise's most iconic players, as the team prepares to transition to a new permanent home in Las Vegas. Despite his controversial past, McGwire's expertise could help develop the next generation of A's stars as they look to build on their storied history in Oakland.