Gastonia Pirates

The Gastonia Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Gastonia, North Carolina, between 1959 and 1972. The club was a Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played primarily in the Western Carolinas League. The club was originally named the Columbus Pirates prior to 1959 and were based in Columbus, Georgia, as a member of the South Atlantic League On July 6, 1959 the Pirates moved to Gastonia and became the Gastonia Pirates. In 1960 the Pirates were not an affiliate of the Gastonia team and the void was filled by the Gastonia Rippers in the Western Carolinas League.

Gastonia Pirates
19591972
(1959, 1963-1970, 1972)
Gastonia, North Carolina
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class-A
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 1959
Team data
Previous names
  • Gastonia Pirates (1959, 1962-1972)
  • Gastonia Rippers (1960)
Previous parks
Sims Legion Park I

After the Pirates folded after the 1972 season, the Gastonia Rangers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers became the city's representative in the Western Carolinas League.

Season-by-season

(from Pirates' Baseball Reference Bullpen) (from Rippers' Baseball Reference Bullpen)

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1959*70-694thRay HathawayLeague Champs
196036-628thBilly Queen / Jack Falls
196373-521stBob Clear
196460-685thBob Clear (32-46) / Ray Hathaway (28-22)
196570-543rdClyde Sukeforth / Don Osborn
196667-574thBob ClearNo playoffs
196761-592ndDon LeppertNo playoffs
196868-554thFrank Oceak
196967-582ndFrank Oceak
197055-756thEd HobaughNo playoffs
197260-704thTom Saffell

* Columbus Pirates moved to Gastonia on July 6, 1959

Notable alumni

  • Omar Moreno (1972) 2 x NL Stolen Base Leader (1978-1979)
  • Al Oliver (1965) 7 x MLB All-Star; 1982 AL Batting Title

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.