Seattle native and former Oakland Athletics star Bill North, 77, is set to attend his first NHL game as the Seattle Kraken host the San Jose Sharks. The longtime baseball standout, who won World Series titles in 1973 and 1974, expressed excitement about experiencing hockey's speed and fan energy. North's attendance comes after he watched the Sharks' practice and connected through a shared Giants history with a Sharks employee.
Bill North, a Seattle native and retired financial services professional from Kirkland, has long avoided hockey, citing cold rinks and his preference for warm-weather sports. Despite road trips with MLB teammates who invited him to games, North passed until now. On Saturday night, he will take in his inaugural NHL matchup at Climate Pledge Arena, where the Kraken face the San Jose Sharks.
"I can’t wait to be there," North said. "I’m really curious to see what the speed and flow of the game is like."
North's baseball career spanned 11 major league seasons, including stints with the Oakland A's, where he served as starting center fielder during their three-peat championships from 1972 to 1974. He led the American League in stolen bases in 1974 with 54 and again in 1976 with 75. North also holds the distinction of being the A's first designated hitter in 1973, collecting two hits in that debut. A notable incident was his 1974 clubhouse fight with teammate Reggie Jackson, which drew national attention but did not derail the team's success.
Overcoming personal challenges, North was blinded in one eye at age 18 during a summer league game but kept it private for decades. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1969 after hitting .443 at Central Washington State College, he appeared in 1,163 MLB games.
His invitation to the Kraken game stems from an interview with a Sharks employee, a former Giants fan, for a non-hockey project. North attended the Sharks' Friday practice at Kraken Community Iceplex, marveling at their speed. "They all look like teenagers from here," he said, learning that star Macklin Celebrini is indeed a teen.
Now focused on his North Legacy Foundation, which supports children with special needs in honor of his late mother Frances, North embraces new experiences. "You’re never too old to try something new," he said. "I’m hoping this is something I’ll want to keep on doing."