Rube Waddell’s reputation of being somewhat of an oddball was known before the Philadelphia Athletics signed him, so they knew what they were getting into.  What they may not have known was just how good he was going to be for them.

Eddie Collins was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1906, and by 1909 he was the team's starting Second Baseman.  That year he would swipe 63 bases and bat .347, the perfect showcase of what was to come.  Collins was part of an excellent Philadelphia team that in 1910 would win the World Series, and that season he would lead the AL in Stolen Bases with 81, which made him the first player to ever tally the 80 plus mark.

Al Simmons joined the Philadelphia Athletics when he was acquired from Milwaukee of the American Association before the 1924 Season.  He would have a great rookie season with 183 Hits and a .308 Batting Average, so it was clear that he was a good hitter, but what he would do afterward would make his first year in the Majors look, pedestrian.

Signed in 1901, Eddie Plank would have a good rookie season for the Philadelphia Athletics, where he won 17 Games.  That is a good number, but it would take seven seasons before he had anything lower than that.