Does the Oakland Athletics logo misuse the apostrophe?


For years I have thought the Oakland Athletics baseball team has misused the apostrophe. I've always thought the "A" is an abbreviation for "Athletic" and the "s" makes "Athletic" plural. Is my thinking correct?


If not, why is "A's" an acceptable shortening of "Athletics"?


Oakland Athletics Logo


The same is true with multiple versions of the Baltimore Orioles logo.


Baltimore Orioles logo


I would like citations for reasoning.


Thanks.



Answer



According to the MLA Handbook, section 2.2.7:



A principal function of the apostrophe is to indicate possession. The apostrophe is also used to form ... the plurals of the letters of the alphabet (p's and q's, three A's).



So, according to MLA at least, these logos have it right.


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