A graduate of Wilcox High School, Lansford played in three consecutive World Series became a Major League All-Star and was recognized as one of the game’s outstanding natural hitters.  In 1981, he led the American League with a .336 batting average.  Returning to the Bay Area in 1982, he was instrumental in the Oakland Athletics’ 1989 World Series victory.  He retired in 1992 with a .290 lifetime batting average, 1007 runs scored, and 884 RBI’s.

A player that exemplified a fighting and competitive spirit, Lansford was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.