Tri-City ValleyCats

Tri-City ValleyCats Founded in 1977 Troy, New York
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Short-Season A
Minor league affiliations
League	New York–Penn League
Division	Stedler Division
Major league affiliations
Current	Houston Astros (2001–present) New York Mets (1977–2000)
Minor league titles
League titles	1984, 2010, 2013
Division titles	1984, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013
Team data
Nickname	Tri-City ValleyCats (2002–present) Pittsfield Astros (2001) Pittsfield Mets (1989–2000) Little Falls Mets (1977–1988)
Ballpark	Joseph L. Bruno Stadium (2002–present) Wahconah Park (1989–2000) Little Falls Veterans Memorial Park (1977–1988)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Bill Gladstone
Manager	Ed Romero
General manager	Rick Murphy

The Tri-City ValleyCats are a minor league baseball team based in Troy, New York, and the 2010 and 2013 champions of the New York – Penn League (NYPL). The ValleyCats are the Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. The name Tri-City is based on the three nearby cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy, which make up New York State's Capital District. The ValleyCats play at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium which opened in 2002 on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College located in Troy. They compete in the Stedler Division with the Vermont Lake Monsters, Connecticut Tigers, and Lowell Spinners.

Team history

Before Tri-City

Prior to their arrival in Troy, the club was based first in Little Falls, New York, as the Little Falls Mets from 1977 to 1988, and then in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the Pittsfield Mets (1989 to 2000), and Pittsfield Astros (2001).

2002 Season

The ValleyCats played their first game on the road in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, June 18, 2002, against their rival the Lowell Spinners. The Spinners had a 3-1 lead going into the 8th inning, but a triple by Aneudi Cuevas down the right field line drove in three runs leading the ValleyCats to a 5-4 victory.

2006 Season

In their 2006 season, the ValleyCats registered an attendance of 129,126 in 37 contests, averaging 3,489 fans per game. On July 4, 2006, the ValleyCats set a new all-time home attendance mark as 6,123 people attended a game against their rival the Lowell Spinners which was later broken in the following years.

2008 season

All-Star game

The Valley Cats hosted the 4th annual New York – Penn League All Star Game at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in 2008. The game was played between teams made up of the affiliates of National League (NL) and American League (AL) teams. The ValleyCats, affiliate's of the National League's Houston Astros, were part of the NL squad. Four ValleyCats were voted to play in the game: first baseman Phil Disher, left fielder Jack Shuck, pitcher Philip Rummel, and center fielder Thomas Steele. However, Steele was injured two weeks before the game and was replaced by Tri-City third baseman David Flores. The NL All Stars won the game on a walk-off RBI by ValleyCats third baseman David Flores. Flores was also voted MVP of the game.^[1]

No-hitter

On June 21, 2008, pitchers Shane Wolf, David Miller, and Ashton Mowdy combined to throw the first no-hitter in the franchise's history. Wolf is a native of nearby Lansing, New York. The final score of the game was 10-0 over the Oneonta Tigers.^[2]

Attendance

On July 4, 2008, The ValleyCats once again broke their single game attendance record drawing 6,630 to the ballpark, 2,130 more than the listed ballpark capacity. The ValleyCats won 9-2 against the Jamestown Jammers.^[3] The ValleyCats also set a season attendance record in 2008 with 140,631 fans in attendance despite missing many games due to rain delays.

PDC extension

On September 5, 2008, the ValleyCats extended their PDC (player development contract) with the Houston Astros through the 2010 season.^[4]

2009 Season

The ValleyCats once again broke attendance records in 2009. Their single game attendance record was broken again on July 4 against the Brooklyn Cyclones. 6,838 fans attended the game that the ValleyCats ultimately lost 2-1.^[5] The ValleyCats also set a new single season attendance record, attracting 145,976 fans to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in 2009.^[6] The ValleyCats finished the season in fourth place in the Stedler Division, 18 games behind the first place Lowell Spinners.^[7]

2010 Season / Champions

After three losing seasons, the ValleyCats finally turned around to be one of the front runners of the Stedler Division. They were the underdog in the 2010 NY–Penn League playoffs with a 38–36 record, winning their division by a half game over the Connecticut Tigers, but found themselves back in the championship series for the third time in their short history, later beating the heavy favorite Brooklyn Cyclones and their 51-24 record two games to none. [Jim Pankovits], the manager of the ValleyCats, left the Astros organization during the off-season to become the manager of Seattle Mariners double-A team the Jackson Generals.

2011 Season

The Astros extended their PDC thru 2012. Stubby Clapp, who was previously the hitting coach for the Astros' single-A affiliate, the Lexington Legends, became the ValleyCats new manager.

Mascots

Valley Cats play in 2006. Note the inflatable Uncle Sam in the outfield.

The Valley Cats have several mascots, the two most prominent being Southpaw and Sammie. Southpaw is a jersey-wearing cat, representing the "ValleyCat", the team's nickname. Sammie wears a patriotic costume and represents Uncle Sam, reputedly derived from Samuel Wilson who operated a meat packing plant in Troy. Ketchup, Mustard, and Relish mascots participate in the hot dog race. Other mascots include Southpaw's elderly father Pappy, Speedy the Chicken, Evil Bunny, and Zoggy.

Season results

Post-season results

• 2004: Defeated Brooklyn Cyclones, 2 games to 1; lost to Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2 games to 0, in championship round.

• 2006: Defeated Auburn Doubledays 2 games to none; lost to Staten Island Yankees, 2 games to 1, in championship round.

• 2010: Defeated Batavia Muckdogs 2 games to 1; Defeated Brooklyn Cyclones 2 games to 0, in championship round.

• 2012: Defeated Auburn Doubledays 2 games to 1; lost to Hudson Valley Renegades 2 game to 1, in championship round.

• 2013: Defeated Aberdeen IronBirds 2 game to 0; Defeated State College Spikes 2 games to 1, in championship round.

Fast facts

• Total Attendance
  • Joseph L. Bruno Stadium
    • 2002 - 108,409
    • 2003 - 103,984
    • 2004 - 110,497
    • 2005 - 116,674
    • 2006 - 129,126
    • 2007 - 136,809
    • 2008 - 140,631
    • 2009 - 145,976
    • 2010 - 155,315 (5th most in NY-Penn League).^[8]
    • 2011 - 156,279
    • 2012 - 159,966
    • 2013 - 154,556 (Includes postseason)
• Ballpark Dimensions
  • LF - 325 feet
  • CF - 400 feet
  • RF - 325 feet
• First Game
  • Tuesday, June 18, 2002 vs Lowell Spinners (at LeLacheur Park, Lowell, Massachusetts – W5-4)

• Season Records (2002–present)
  • Hits
    • 2005 - Neil Sellers (96)
  • Doubles
    • 2003 - Brock Koman (25)
  • Triples
    • 2007 - Collin DeLome (7)
  • Home runs
    • 2004 - Mario Garza (15)
  • Runs Batted In
    • 2004 - Mario Garza (65)
  • Stolen Bases
    • 2003 - Josh Anderson (26)
  • Wins
    • 2004 - Ronnie Ventura (11)
  • Saves
    • 2012 - Blake Ford (14)
  • Strikeouts
    • 2003 - Matt Albers (94)

Roster

Notable alumni

(This list includes any Tri-City ValleyCats that have made a Major League appearance with the exception of notable minor leaguers Koby Clemens & Jordan Parraz)^[9]

See also

• Sports in New York's Capital District

References

External links

• Official Tri-City ValleyCats website

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