Athletics Re-Sign Velarde To Two-Year Deal.

Infielder Randy Velarde, a mid-season acquisition who helped the Oakland Athletics make a run at the playoffs, Friday re-signed with the team for two years with a club option for the 2002 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The veteran made $800,000 this season. Velarde was traded from the Anaheim Angels to the Athletics, along with pitcher Omar Olivares, on July 29. The 36-year-old second baseman ended up having a career year and became just the sixth major leaguer in history to amass 200 hits in one season despite playing for two different teams. ``From the day the A_s acquired Randy Velarde, he was an essential player from two standpoints skill and leadership,' A_s president Mike Crowley said. Following a dismal 74-88 campaign in 1998, the A_s challenged for the wild-card spot until the last week of the season before finishing with an 87-75 mark good for second place in the American League West. Velarde, who arrived in Oakland when the team was only one game over .500, posted career highs with a .317 average, 105 runs, 200 hits, 16 homers, 76 RBI and 24 stolen bases. He led the A_s in average, hits, steals and triples. The 13-year veteran batted .333 in 61 games with Oakland and hit safely in 50 of his last 56 contests. What made Velarde_s campaign more impressive is that he missed virtually all of the 1997 season and much of 1998 due to ``Tommy John' surgery on his right elbow. He is a career .277 hitter with 68 homers, 316 RBI and 479 runs scored in 1,002 major league games with the New York Yankees, Angels and A_s. This move comes three days after Oakland re-signed designated hitter Jaha to a two-year contract. Beane inked an extension through the 2005 season Monday.