Fullerton Flyers

The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. From the 2005 season to 2010, the Flyers have played their home games at "The Station" at Goodwin Field, which is also the home field for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. They are owned by Fullerton Flyers LLC (majority) and Western Sports & Entertainment Group, LLC (minority).

The Flyers are an original charter team of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League. They were scheduled to join the new independent North American League, but sat out the 2011 season as they negotiate plans for a new stadium with the city of Fullerton. They are slated to resume play in 2012.

Team history

The Flyers are one of the original eight GBL charter teams that started in 2005 along with the Chico Outlaws, Long Beach Armada and San Diego Surf Dawgs in California; Mesa Miners, Surprise Fightin' Falcons and Yuma Scorpions in Arizona and the traveling Japan Samurai Bears (who played in the Arizona Division). The team officially unveiled its name and logo on January 27, 2005 at Fullerton Train Station.

The Flyers clinched their first playoff spot ever by winning the second-half division title in 2006. However, they ultimately lost the GBL championship to the Reno Silver Sox, 3 games to 1. First baseman Peanut Williams was named the 2006 GBL Most Valuable Player and hit a league record 20 home runs for the season. ^[1] RHP Chris Jakubauskas was named the league's Pitcher of the Year for the 2006 season.

Team sold and name changed

The Flyers were sold on March 21, 2007, to an investment group called the Orange County Group. One of the investors is James Denton, part of the cast of Desperate Housewives. The sale of the Flyers makes them the first Golden Baseball League team to ever be sold to a private investment group. On March 28, 2007, their name became the Orange County Flyers, but they kept their team colors (blue and orange) and home games are still played at Goodwin Field.

2008 GBL Championship Season

They announced MLB Hall of Famer Gary Carter as the new Field Manager for 2008. They won the first-ever GBL South Division Championship by defeating Long Beach 3 games to 2 and, for the second time in franchise history, advanced to the GBL Championship Series. The Flyers captured their first GBL Championship by beating the Calgary Vipers 3 games to 2 on September 14, 2008, capping off the best season in team history. On October 14, 2008, GBL Safeway Player of the Year Patrick Breen was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball.

In December 2008, the Flyers announced former Major Leaguer and Cal State Fullerton alumnus Phil Nevin would replace the departing Gary Carter as their new manager. ^[2]

Managers

Since their inception, the Fullerton Flyers/Orange County Flyers have been managed by hometown heroes, All-Stars and Hall of Famers.

Garry Templeton (2005-07)

Before the team had a logo or even a name, it had Jumpsteady. Three-time National League All-Star Garry Templeton was named manager of the GBL franchise in Fullerton, Calif., on December 6, 2004.

As a player, Templeton was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1st round of the 1974 draft. He played sixteen seasons in the major leagues as a switch-hitting shortstop with the Cards, Padres, and Mets, reaching the World Series in 1984. He was a three time major league All Star during his career, garnered a pair of Silver Slugger Awards, led the NL in triples a record three straight years, and was the first player ever to have more than 100 hits from each side of the plate as he led the league with 211 in 1979.

Garry began his managing career in the Anaheim Angels farm system in 1998 as he led the Cedar Rapids Class A team. He stayed as a manager in the Angels systems for the next three years progressing to the Erie AA, Edmonton AAA, and Salt Lake City AAA clubs. Sixteen members of the 2002 Anaheim Angels World Championship team played for Garry in the minors. In 2003 and 2004 Garry led the Gary Railcats of the Northern League as their field manager.

Since leaving the Flyers after the club's first three seasons, Templeton has gone on to manage the Long Beach Armada (2009), Chico Outlaws (2010) and Na Koa Ikaika Maui (2011).

Gary Carter (2008)

The Flyers made Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter the second manager in team history on December 5, 2007, during baseball's winter meetings. Carter, who attended Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, is an 11-time Major League All-Star who won 5 Silver Slugger and 3 Gold Glove awards during his Hall of Fame career.

Carter played a majority of his years with the Montreal Expos and NY Mets. He had one year stints with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 along with slugger Eddie Murray. They were teammates with the Dodgers in 1991.

Carter brought on board coaches Darrell Evans and Dan DiPace who had spent the previous three seasons in Long Beach. The Flyers captured the GBL Championship in 2008. Carter was named Manager of the Year.

Phil Nevin (2009)

In December 2008, the Flyers named Phil Nevin the third manager in team history. Nevin, who played 11 seasons in the big leagues, won the Golden Spikes Award in 1992 as the best collegiate baseball player in the nation while with Cal State Fullerton. He played for the Minnesota Twins (2006), Chicago Cubs (2006), Texas Rangers (2005-2006) San Diego Padres (1999-2005), Anaheim Angels (1998), Detroit Tigers (1995-97), and the Houston Astros (1995).

Nevin left the Flyers after the 2009 season when he was offered a job to manage the Detroit Tigers Double-A affiliate.

Paul Abbott (2010)

Former Sunny Hills high school stand out Paul Abbott became the fourth manager in team history in February 2010. Abbott played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, beginning his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1990, making his MLB debut on August 21. In addition to his time with the Twins (1990-92), he also played in the Majors with the Indians (1993), Mariners (1998-2002), Royals (2003), Devil Rays (2004), and Phillies (2004). In 162 big league games, Abbott made 112 starts, going 43-37 with a 4.92 ERA.

His best season came in 2001 when Abbot won a career-high 17 games, going 17-4 in 27 starts as the Mariners tied the mark for most victories in a season with 116 wins. Abbot finished his playing career in 2005 as a member of the inaugural Fullerton Flyers team in the first year of the Golden League. The Fullerton native made 9 starts for the Flyers, going 3-5 with a 2.87 ERA.

Abbott’s coaching experience includes working as an assistant coach for the Fullerton Junior College Hornets in addition to working with the Flyers as Pitching Coach last season. This is his first opportunity to manage.

Plans for new stadium

The Flyers announced on their website that they are working on plans to move from Goodwin Field (after six years) to Amerige Park, a former Pacific Coast League spring training facility for the Los Angeles Angels and Hollywood Stars in downtown Fullerton, and were waiting for the city's decision. Rumors have circulated that if the Flyers are not accommodated by the city, they will relocate to another city. ^{[3] [4]} This is believed to be the first time a Golden Baseball League franchise has suggested such a move.

On January 14, 2011, it was announced that the city of Fullerton and the Flyers have indeed entered into an exclusive negotiating period to discuss plans for the Amerige Park location while they sit out the 2011 season. ^[5]

Back to Fullerton Flyers

On November 23, 2011, team founder/president and chairman Alan Mintz announced that the team would return to action in the North American League for 2012 and will do so with their original identity, the Fullerton Flyers. Mintz cited that "This is Fullerton's team". ^[6]

They are currently in negotiations with Cal State Fullerton to play their 2012 season at Goodwin Field as they continue to focus on the Amerige Park location for the future.

Team Record

References

External links

• Orange County Flyers
• The Official Orange County Flyers fan site
• North American League