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A's making splash in 'All-Time 9s' debate

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By Mychael Urban / MLB.com

09/15/09 8:30 PM ET

MLB.com is giving baseball fans everywhere a chance to participate in running debates about the greatest players and seasons in baseball history, and there is no shortage of A's involved in the discussion.

More than 4.1 million votes have been cast since the 9/9/09 debut of the "All-Time 9s," a platform for fans to debate the greatest single-season performances for all 30 Major League franchises. The voting marks the start of MLB.com's Lineup Card campaign, a gathering place for the posting and never-ending discussion of the greatest past and present lineups.

Here's a look at how the closest races involving A's greats are shaping up:

• At first base, can Mark McGwire or Jason Giambi overtake Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx? Foxx leads by about 2,000 votes.

• In the outfield, can Al Simmons, Dave Henderson or even Ty Cobb push out Jose Canseco, Rickey Henderson or Reggie Jackson? Simmons trails Canseco by less than 100 votes, Cobb trails Canseco by about 600 and Henderson by 1,500.

• At third base, will Eric Chavez or Frank Baker emerge as the All-Time 9 Athletic at the hot corner? Only 13 votes separated the two at the most recent count.

• Nap Lajoie has a comfortable lead at second base, but is there anything Mark Ellis can do to change voters' minds? Ellis trails by about 1,500 votes.

Check out MLB.com and join the conversation.

Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.