West Haven Yankees
| West Haven Yankees | |
|---|---|
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1972–1982 (1972 – 1982) West Haven, Connecticut | |
| Class-level | |
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| Minor league affiliations | |
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| Major league affiliations | |
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| Name | |
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| Ballpark | |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982 |
The West Haven Yankees was the original and predominant name of an American minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut, from 1972 until 1982. The team played in the Double-A Eastern League.[1] Its home field was Quigley Stadium.[2]
Successful Yankee farm club
From 1972 until 1979, the team was affiliated with and named for the New York Yankees. During that eight-year period, West Haven — managed by future Major League pilots Bobby Cox, Doc Edwards, Mike Ferraro and Stump Merrill — won four Eastern League championships and compiled a regular-season won-loss record of 611–496 (.552).
Notable alumni
- Steve Balboni
- Jim Beattie
- Dave Bergman
- Ron Davis
- Mike Fischlin
- Damaso Garcia
- Ron Guidry
- Mike Heath
- LaMarr Hoyt
- Garth Iorg
- Mickey Klutts
- Joe Lefebvre
- Willie McGee
- Scott McGregor
- Doc Medich
- Jerry Narron
- Domingo Ramos
- Buck Showalter
- Charlie Spikes
- Pat Tabler
- Willie Upshaw
- Otto Velez
Oakland affiliation: the Whitecaps and A's
The Yankees entered into a deal with a new Double-A team, the Nashville Sounds of the Southern League, after the 1979 season.[3] The West Haven franchise relocated to Lynn, Massachusetts, and became the Lynn Sailors. Concurrently, the Waterbury, Connecticut franchise moved to West Haven in time for the 1980 season, bringing their affiliation with the Oakland Athletics, and renaming the team the West Haven Whitecaps.
The franchise changed its name again in 1981, this time to the West Haven A's.[4] The last West Haven team, managed by Bob Didier, won the team's fifth and final Eastern League title, defeating (ironically) the Lynn Sailors in the finals.[5] In 1983, the franchise moved to Albany, New York, becoming the Albany A's.[1][6]
Notable alumni
| Year | Record | Finish Full Season | Attendance | Manager | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 84–56 | First (American Div.) | 102,537 | Bobby Cox | League champions |
| 1973 | 72–66 | Second (American Div.) | 75,128 | Doc Edwards | |
| 1974 | 58–79 | Fourth (American Div.) | 42,878 | Doc Edwards | |
| 1975 | 66–71 | Fourth | 26,549 | Pete Ward | |
| 1976 | 80–59 | First (South Div.) | 28,331 | Pete Ward | League champions |
| 1977 | 86–52 | First (South Div.) | 41,072 | Mike Ferraro | League champions |
| 1978 | 82–57 | First | 46,048 | Stump Merrill | |
| 1979 | 83–56 | First | 71,302 | Stump Merrill | League champions |
| 1980 | 47–90 | Fourth (South Div.) | 30,112 | Ed Nottle | |
| 1981 | 71–67 | Third (South Div.) | 55,552 | Bob Didier | |
| 1982 | 86–54 | First (South Div.) | 51,791 | Bob Didier | League champions |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eastern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 2, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
- ↑ Quigley Memorial Stadium at digitalballparks.com, URL accessed July 07-02-10.
- ↑ New York Yankees Minor League Affiliates at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 7, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
- ↑ Oakland Athletics Minor League Affiliates at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 2, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
- ↑ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd ed. Durham, NC: Baseball America, 2007, p. 600
- ↑ A's, Angels Play to Curfew Before 9,211 in Heritage Park Debut by Bill Palmer at news.google.com, URL accessed July 2, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
| Preceded by Manchester Yankees |
New York Yankees Double-A affiliate 1972–1979 |
Succeeded by Nashville Sounds |
| Preceded by Waterbury A's |
Oakland Athletics Double-A affiliate 1980–1982 |
Succeeded by Albany A's |