Bakersfield Blaze

Bakersfield Blaze
1941–2016
Bakersfield, California
Team logoCap insignia
Class-level
Previous
  • Class A – Advanced (1990–2016)
  • Class A (1964–1989)
  • Class C (1941–1942, 1946–1962)
Minor league affiliations
Previous leagues
 California League
Major league affiliations
Previous
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1970
  • 1989
Team data
Nickname
  • Bakersfield Blaze (1995–2016)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1984–1994)
  • Bakersfield Mariners (1982–1983)
  • Bakersfield Outlaws (1978–1979)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1968–1975)
  • Bakersfield Bears (1957–1967)
  • Bakersfield Boosters (1956)
  • Bakersfield Indians (1946–1955)
  • Bakersfield Badgers (1941–1942)
Previous parks
 Sam Lynn Ballpark

The Bakersfield Blaze were a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, that played in the Class A – Advanced California League. They played their home games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Opened in 1941, the stadium is well known for facing the setting sun and its shallow 354-foot center field fence, and seats 3,500 fans.

Near the end of the 2008 season, it was rumored that the Blaze would move to the Carolina League after the following season. However, Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner announced in February 2009 that they would remain in the California League.[1]

The Blaze were sold to local Bakersfield businessmen Gene Voiland and Chad Hathaway just prior to the 2012 season. The new ownership renovated Sam Lynn Ballpark in time for Opening Day and announced in November 2012 that a new ballpark would be ready for the 2014 season.[2] However, financing plans for a new stadium failed to meet the $30 million target and team ownership was reclaimed by former owner D. G. Elmore. As a result, the California League began looking for a new home for the team.[3] However, in August 2016, the California League announced that the Blaze would not be returning for the 2017 season.[4] The team played its final game on September 12, 2016.[5]

The Buies Creek Astros will replace the Blaze at the Advanced-A level, the Buies Creek Astros are not the continuation of the Blaze.

Hall of Fame Alumni

Notable former Bakersfield players

"Best sunset in professional baseball!"

Year-by-year record

Year Record Finish in Northern Division Manager Playoffs
1941 73–67 3rd Frank Morehouse / Les Powers Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 1 vs Santa Barbara
1942 22–45 4th Jack Colbern / Rex Cecil / Lee Dempsey League suspended operations on June 28
1946 72–58 3rd Martin Metrovich / Tony Governor Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 2 vs Stockton
1947 66–74 5th Tony Governor
1948 70–70 5th (t) Harry Griswold
1949 85–54 1st Harry Griswold Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 2 vs Ventura
1950 61–79 6th Harry Griswold
1951 58–89 8th Wimpy Quinn
1952 70–70 5th Gene Lillard
1953 75–65 2nd Ray Perry Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 0 vs Stockton
1954 80–60 2nd (t) Ray Perry Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 1 vs San Jose
1955 61–85 5th Doc Alexson
1956 48–92 8th Art Lilly / Dick Wilson
1957 64–75 6th Dick Wilson / Babe Herman
1958 84–55 2nd Paul Owens Lost in 1st Round 2 games to 1 vs Visalia
1959 70–71 4th Paul Owens Lost League Finals 4 games to 2 vs Modesto
1960 74–66 3rd Lou Kahn
1961 82–58 2nd Lou Kahn
1962 67–72 6th (t) Bob Wellman
1963 78–62 2nd Bob Wellman
1964 56–83 8th Moose Johnson
1965 66–74 5th Dick Teed
1966 68–72 6th Dick Teed
1967 70–68 4th Nolan Campbell
1968 61–79 7th Don Williams
1969 67–73 6th Don LeJohn
1970 93–46 1st Don LeJohn League Champs – Best Overall Regular Season Record – No Playoffs (Best Record in Bakersfield History)
1971 56–82 8th Don LeJohn
1972 88–52 1st Don LeJohn Lost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Modesto
1973 70–70 4th George Freese Lost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Lodi
1974 65–75 5th George Freese
1975 60–80 8th Ron Brand
1978 48–92 8th George Culver
1979 63–77 9th Ron Mihal
1982 64–76 8th Ken Pape
1983 68–72 6th Greg Mahlberg
1984 68–72 4th Don LeJohn Won 1st Round 2 games to 1 vs Fresno, Lost League Finals 3 games to 1 vs Modesto
1985 65–80 6th Mel Queen
1986 40–102 10th Don LeJohn
1987 78–65 4th Kevin Kennedy
1988 71–71 6th Gary LaRocque
1989 82–60 3rd Tim Johnson Won 1st Round 3 games to 1 vs San Bernardino League Champs Defeated Stockton 3 games to 0
1990 80–62 3rd Tom Beyers Won 1st Round 3 games to 2 vs Visalia, Lost League Finals 3 games to 2 vs Stockton
1991 85–51 2nd Tom Beyers Lost in 1st Round 3 games to 0 vs High Desert
1992 68–68 7th Tom Beyers
1993 42–94 10th Rick Dempsey
1994 69–67 5th John Shelby
1995 58–82 8th (t) Greg Mahlberg
1996 39–101 10th Graig Nettles
1997 62–78 8th Glenn Tufts / Keith Bodie
1998 49–91 10th Frank Reberger
1999 64–76 7th Keith Comstock
2000 80–60 2nd Lenn Sakata Lost in 1st round 2 games to 1 to Visalia (BEST RECORD IN BAKERSFIELD BLAZE HISTORY)
2001 71–69 5th (t) Charlie Montoyo Defeated Stockton 2 games to 1 in 1st Round, Trailed 2 games to 1 in Division Finals vs San Jose when post season cancelled due to 9/11*
2002 69–72 6th (t) Charlie Montoyo
2003 70–70 8th Omer Munoz
2004 59–81 8th Mako Oliveras
2005 68–72 7th Arnie Beyeler
2006 58–82 10th Carlos Subero
2007 57–83 9th Carlos Subero
2008 62–78 9th Damon Berryhill
2009 75–65 5th Steve Buechele Defeated Modesto 2 games to 1 in 1st Round, Lost North Div Finals 3 games to 2 vs San Jose
2010 67–73 7th Bill Haselman
2011 66–74 6th Ken Griffey, Sr.
2012 72–68 5th Ken Griffey, Sr. Won first half championship. Lost North Div Finals in 5 games to Modesto
2013 55–85 5th Ken Griffey, Sr.
2014 78–62 2nd Pat Kelly First Half Champion (Lost to Visalia in Divisional Finals)
2015 61–79 5th Eddie Menchaca
2016 76–64 8th (t) Eddie Menchaca Defeated San Jose 2 games to 1 in 1st Round, Lost Nort Div Finals 3 games to 0 vs Visalia

References

  1. ↑ "2 Cal League teams no longer moving to Carolina League". Bakersfield.com. March 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  2. ↑ "2 Long-awaited plans unveiled for a new Bakersfield Blaze ballpark". Bakersfield.com. November 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  3. ↑ "Previous owner reclaims the Blaze; league looking for a new city". Bakersfield.com. October 14, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  4. ↑ "Cal League to Downsize in 2017". OurSports Central. August 22, 2016.
  5. ↑ Spedden, Zach (September 13, 2016). "Bakersfield Blaze Play Final Game". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
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