West Haven Yankees

West Haven Yankees
19721982
(19721982)
West Haven, Connecticut
Class-level
Previous Double-A (1972-1982)
Minor league affiliations
League Eastern League (1972-1982)
Major league affiliations
Previous
Minor league titles
League titles 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982
Team data
Previous names
  • West Haven A's (1981-82)
  • West Haven Whitecaps (1980)
  • West Haven Yankees (1972-1979)
Previous parks
Quigley Stadium

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

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. 1 2 Eastern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 2, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
  2. Quigley Memorial Stadium at digitalballparks.com, URL accessed July 07-02-10.
  3. New York Yankees Minor League Affiliates at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 7, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
  4. Oakland Athletics Minor League Affiliates at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 2, 2010. Archived 07-02-10
  5. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd ed. Durham, NC: Baseball America, 2007, p. 600
  6. 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

External links

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
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