Though far from over, the 2012 Major League Baseball season has had its share of both exciting moments and utter disappointments. However, a year's worth of success stories wouldn't be appropriate without mentioning the American League underdog Oakland Athletics, who will head to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

While many didn't pick the A's to even closely contend for a post-season spot, the club's late season rally resulted in not only a playoff berth, but also an A.L. Division crown in the process. While the Money Ball team clearly doesn't stack up against some of the best on paper, their 2012 stats certainly beg to tell a different tale: Oakland ranked in the top three in batting, defense and off the bench.

Athletics' outfielder Coco Crisp is one of the reasons for the team's historic success. In Monday's game, he came through at the plate to give Oakland a crucial win against their division rivals, the Texas Rangers. Crisp spoke to Huffington Post on Oct. 1 about the team's dynamic and maturity.

"We're just a bunch of young guys having fun. You wouldn't think all these rookies would be doing things like this," he said.

While taking a celebratory whipped cream pie to his face from OF Josh Reddick, Oakland skipper Bob Melvin touched on his team's amazing resiliency.

"Absolutely amazing. We don't get this done unless everybody believes in everybody and everybody plays selflessly. They were all in it for the team," he said.

The Oakland Athletics will be taking on the A.L. Central Division champion Detroit Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 6, in Game 1 of the ALDS at 6:07 p.m. ET.

View the final 2012 MLB regular season standings below.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST W L PCT. GB WCGB

New York Yankees 95 67 .586 - -

Baltimore Orioles 93 69 .574 2.0 -

Tampa Bay Rays 90 72 .556 5.0 3.0

Toronto Blue Jays 73 89 .451 22.0 20.0

Boston Red Sox 69 93 .426 26.0 24.0

CENTRAL W L PCT. GB WCGB

Detroit Tigers 88 74 .543 - -

Chicago White Sox 85 77 .525 3.0 8.0

Kansas City Royals 72 90 .444 16.0 21.0

Cleveland Indians 68 94 .420 20.0 25.0

Minnesota Twins 66 96 .407 22.0 27.0

WEST W L PCT. GB WCGB

Oakland Athletics 94 68 .580 - -

Texas Rangers 93 69 .574 1.0 -

Los Angeles Angels 89 73 .549 5.0 4.0

Seattle Mariners 75 87 .463 19.0 18.0

NATIONAL LEAGUE

EAST W L PCT. GB WCGB

Washington Nationals 98 64 .605 - -

Atlanta Braves 94 68 .580 4.0 -

Philadelphia Phillies 81 81 .500 17.0 7.0

New York Mets 74 88 .457 24.0 14.0

Miami Marlins 69 93 .426 29.0 19.0

CENTRAL W L PCT. GB WCGB

Cincinnati Reds 97 65 .599 - -

St. Louis Cardinals 88 74 .543 9.0 -

Milwaukee Brewers 83 79 .512 14.0 5.0

Pittsburgh Pirates 79 83 .488 18.0 9.0

Chicago Cubs 61 101 .377 36.0 27.0

Houston Astros 55 107 .340 42.0 33.0

WEST W L PCT. GB WCGB

San Francisco Giants 94 68 .580 - -

Los Angeles Dodgers 86 76 .531 8.0 2.0

Arizona Diamondbacks 81 81 .500 13.0 7.0

San Diego Padres 76 86 .469 18.0 12.0

Colorado Rockies 64 98 .395 30.0 24.0

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