Joe Rudi

Joseph Oden Rudi (born September 7, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player who played left field in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1982. He was an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 through 1974. He also played for the California Angels and the Boston Red Sox.

Rudi was born in Modesto, California, and graduated from Thomas Downey High School there. A three-time All-Star, he excelled both offensively and defensively, winning three Gold Glove Awards. He batted a career-high .309 in 1970 and led the American League with 181 hits in 1972, a career high. That season he finished second in American League Most Valuable Player voting behind Dick Allen and helped the Athletics win the World Series. In Game 2 of that Series, with Tony Pérez on first and Oakland leading 2–0 in the ninth inning, Rudi made a game-saving catch in left field that became part of the highlight reel for many Major League Baseball films.

In 2022, Rudi was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.