Calgary Cannons

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Calgary Cannons
1985 – 2002
Calgary, Alberta

Team Logo
Cap Insignia
Class-Level
  • Triple-A (1985-2002)
Minor League affiliations
Major League affiliations
Name
Ballpark
Minor League titles
League titles
Conference titles 1998
Division titles 1987, 1991, 1998

The Calgary Cannons were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for 17 seasons, from 1985–2002. They were a member of the AAA Pacific Coast League and played at Foothills Stadium. The Cannons replaced the Calgary Expos who played in the rookie level Pioneer League from 1977 until 1984. During their time in Calgary, the Cannons qualified for the playoffs four times, and saw many future Major League players wear a Cannons jersey, including Alex Rodriguez.

Contents

[edit] History

Russ Parker had operated a rookie-level Pioneer League team, the Calgary Expos since 1977. In 1983, the opportunity to move up to AAA presented itself when the Salt Lake City Gulls were put up for sale. In December, 1983, Parker purchased an option to buy the Gulls with the intention of moving the team to Calgary for the 1985 season. The Pacific Coast League approved the sale in May, 1984, and reconstruction of Foothills Stadium began.[1] Over 500 names were submitted in a name the team contest. Five finalists were selected: Stallions, Outlaws, Stetsons, Chinooks and Cannons. The Cannons name was selected by a panel of local media representatives. The name was unique, as at the time, no professional or collegiate team in North America used the name.[2]

The Cannons began play in 1985 as the AAA affiliate of Seattle Mariners. Following a 6–2 opening road-trip, Calgary's home opener was scheduled for April 19, 1985. It was snowed out, however, as were attempts to play the following two days.[3] On their fourth attempt, the Cannons finally played their first game on April 22 against the Tucson Toros. Parker threw the ceremonial first pitch out to Calgary's mayor, Ralph Klein.[4] Led by Mickey Brantley's four-hit game, the Cannons won 7–6 to send the crowd of 4,313 who braved the near-freezing temperatures home happy.[5]

[edit] Relocation

Dwindling fan interest and an outdated ballpark ultimately led to the departure of the Cannons following the 2002 season, when they relocated to Albuquerque to become the Isotopes in 2003. Albuquerque named their franchise after an episode of The Simpsons, which saw the Springfield Isotopes relocate to Albuquerque, retaining the Isotopes name. Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn was rumored to have been interested in buying the team prior to the sale of the Cannons by Russ Parker. The City of Calgary rejected a deal that would have had a new field built at the former site of Mewata Stadium now Millennium Park. The new stadium would be a similar design of that of Telus Field in Edmonton.

[edit] All-time record

    First Half   Second Half   Overall
Season W-L Finish W-L Finish W-L Win%
1985 37-32 1st 34-38 4th 71-70 .504
1986 36-35 2nd 30-42 5th 66-77 .462
1987 38-32 2nd 46-25 1st 84-57 .596
1988 33-38 3rd 35-36 3rd 68-74 .479
1989 28-43 5th 42-29 1st 70-72 .493
1990 37-33 3rd 29-42 5th 66-75 .468
1991 27-40 4th 45-24 1st 72-64 .529
1992 28-41 4th 32-37 4th 60-78 .435
1993 34-36 3rd 34-36 4th 68-72 .486
1994 34-37 5th 37-35 2nd 71-72 .497
1995 30-41 5th 28-42 5th 58-83 .411
1996 37-34 4th 37-34 3rd 74-68 .521
1997 29-38 5th 31-40 5th 60-78 .435
     
Season W-L Finish Win%
1998 81-62 1st .566
1999 57-82 --- .410
2000 60-82 4th .423
2001 72-71 --- .503
2002 67-71 3rd .486
Total 1225-1308 --- .484

Note: the PCL abandoned the split-season format following the 1997 season as the league expanded to 16 teams following the dissolution of the American Association.

[edit] Playoff history

The Cannons were rarely blessed with contending teams, and never won a league championship. The Cannons did qualify for the post season five times in their 18-year history. All time, the Cannons had a 3-5 series record and a 14-19 win-loss record in the post season.

  • 1985 First half pennant winners
    • Lost North Division Championship Series to Vancouver 3-0
  • 1987 Second half pennant winners
    • Defeated Tacoma in the North Division Championship Series 3-2
    • Lost to Albuquerque in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-1
  • 1989 Second half pennant winners
    • Lost North Division Championship Series to Vancouver 3-0
  • 1991 Second half pennant winners
    • Defeated Portland in the North Division Championship Series 3-0
    • Lost to Tucson in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-2
  • 1998 Pacific Conference North Division pennant winners
    • Defeated Fresno in the Pacific Conference Championship Series 3-2
    • Lost to New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-2

[edit] Famous Cannons

Several future Major League stars passed through Calgary on their way to the big leagues.

[edit] References

  • 2001 Calgary Cannons Media Guide
  1. ^ Stephen, Mark (April 1985). 1985 Calgary Cannons Media Guide. Calgary Cannons Baseball Club, pg. 4. 
  2. ^ Stephen, Mark (April 1985). 1985 Calgary Cannons Media Guide. Calgary Cannons Baseball Club, pg. 6. 
  3. ^ Konotopetz, Gyle. "Snowballs muffle Cannons roar", Calgary Herald, 1985-04-20, p. C1. 
  4. ^ Simmons, Steve. "Cold players get warm reception", Calgary Herald, 1985-04-23, p. E1. 
  5. ^ Darryl, Slade. "Brantley's sweet swing too good to last", Calgary Herald, 1985-04-23, p. E1.