Gold Coast Suns

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Gold Coast Suns were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The club split their home games between Miami and Pompano Beach, FL and hired future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager. In the league's inaugural season, the Suns struggled. Despite fine performances from Bert Campaneris (.291 with 16 stolen bases) and Joaquín Andújar (5-0 with a 1.31 ERA), the team did not make the playoffs. After their first season, the Gold Coast Suns ceased operations.

Home Ballparks: Bobby Maduro-Miami Stadium; Pompano Municipal Stadium

Manager: Earl Weaver

Coaches: Charlie Bree, Speedy Hecht, Pedro Ramos

1989 Opening Day Roster:

PITCHERS: Stan Bahnsen, Joe Decker, Jeff Farro, Ed Figueroa, Jim Gideon, Ed Halicki, Grant Jackson, Mike Kekich, Frank Riccelli, Luis Tiant (also with St. Lucie)

CATCHERS: Paul Casanova, Bobby Ramos

INFIELDERS: Bert Campaneris, Orlando Gonzalez, Glenn Gulliver, Rafael Landestoy, Rennie Stennett, Derrel Thomas

OUTFIELDERS: Paul Blair, Cesar Cedeno, Jesus de la Rosa, George Hendrick, Bobby Molinaro, Tom Shopay

DISABLED LIST: Ken Clay, Taylor Duncan, Jim Essian

Other Players: Joaquín Andújar, Ross Grimsley (also with St. Lucie), Cliff Johnson, Larry Milbourne (also with St. Lucie, Orlando), Sid Monge (also with West Palm Beach)