Lynn Sailors
Encyclopedia
The Lynn Sailors were a class AA American
minor league
baseball
team affiliated with the Seattle Mariners
and Pittsburgh Pirates
. They were a member of the Eastern League and played at Fraser Field
in Lynn, Massachusetts
from 1980
-1983
.
After 30 years without pro baseball in Lynn, the Sailors began play in 1980 when owners of the West Haven Yankees moved the franchise to Boston's North Shore. The teams were competititve, but sparse media coverage was partially to blame for the less-than-enthusiastic showing at the gate for two years. In the fall of 1981, Mike Agganis, nephew of former Red Sox player Harry Agganis
, purchased the franchise. After 2 successful seasons, the attendance began to drop, despite improved play on the field. After the 1982 season, the Sailors moved to Burlington, Vermont
. Future major leaguers Spike Owen
, Harold Reynolds
, and Bud Black
all played for the Sailors. In fact, future major league pitching coach Rick Adair once picked three runners off first base in the same inning!
In 1983 the Pirates moved their AA affiliation from the Southern League
to the Eastern League and the newly formed Lynn Pirates began play. However, due to poor attendance, the club moved to Nashua, New Hampshire
and in 1987 moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
as the Harrisburg Senators
where the club remains today. The team's final game was a 3-0 playoff loss against the New Britain Red Sox in New Britain. The 3-hit, 10 strikeout, shutout was Roger Clemens
' final minor league victory before joining Boston. All of the Pirates playoff games were played on the road due to poor home attendance.
Baseball did not return to Lynn until 1996 when the Massachusetts Mad Dogs of the Northeast League began play at Fraser Field. The Sailors franchise is now the Akron Aeros
. http://www.akronaeros.com/info-history.php
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team affiliated with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. They were a member of the Eastern League and played at Fraser Field
Fraser Field
Fraser Field is a baseball park in Lynn, Massachusetts which was built in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Fraser Field has played host to many minor-league baseball teams over the years. The North Shore Navigators of the New England...
in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
from 1980
1980 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals ; Mike Schmidt, MVP*American League Championship Series: Frank White, MVP*National League Championship Series Manny Trillo, MVP...
-1983
1983 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews...
.
After 30 years without pro baseball in Lynn, the Sailors began play in 1980 when owners of the West Haven Yankees moved the franchise to Boston's North Shore. The teams were competititve, but sparse media coverage was partially to blame for the less-than-enthusiastic showing at the gate for two years. In the fall of 1981, Mike Agganis, nephew of former Red Sox player Harry Agganis
Harry Agganis
Aristotle George Agganis ' , nicknamed "The Golden Greek", was an American athletic star in two sports. His family origins were from Longanikos near Sparta, Greece. -Career:...
, purchased the franchise. After 2 successful seasons, the attendance began to drop, despite improved play on the field. After the 1982 season, the Sailors moved to Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
. Future major leaguers Spike Owen
Spike Owen
Spike Dee Owen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , New York Yankees and California Angels...
, Harold Reynolds
Harold Reynolds
Harold Craig Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played from 1983–1994, primarily for the Seattle Mariners.-High school:...
, and Bud Black
Bud Black
Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...
all played for the Sailors. In fact, future major league pitching coach Rick Adair once picked three runners off first base in the same inning!
In 1983 the Pirates moved their AA affiliation from the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
to the Eastern League and the newly formed Lynn Pirates began play. However, due to poor attendance, the club moved to Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
and in 1987 moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
as the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
where the club remains today. The team's final game was a 3-0 playoff loss against the New Britain Red Sox in New Britain. The 3-hit, 10 strikeout, shutout was Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
' final minor league victory before joining Boston. All of the Pirates playoff games were played on the road due to poor home attendance.
Baseball did not return to Lynn until 1996 when the Massachusetts Mad Dogs of the Northeast League began play at Fraser Field. The Sailors franchise is now the Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
. http://www.akronaeros.com/info-history.php
Year-by-year record
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1980 1980 in baseball -Major League Baseball:World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals ; Mike Schmidt, MVP*American League Championship Series: Frank White, MVP*National League Championship Series Manny Trillo, MVP... |
66-71 | 6th | Bobby Floyd Bobby Floyd Robert Nathan Floyd is an American former Major League Baseball player. An infielder, Floyd played for the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.... |
|
1981 1981 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half... |
62-76 | 6th | Bobby Floyd Bobby Floyd Robert Nathan Floyd is an American former Major League Baseball player. An infielder, Floyd played for the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.... |
|
1982 1982 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter... |
82-57 | 2nd | Allen Bowers | Lost League Finals |
1983 1983 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews... |
77-62 | 2nd | Tommy Sandt Tommy Sandt Thomas James Sandt is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He graduated from Pacifica High School in West Garden Grove, CA in 1968 where he excelled as a varsity player.An infielder, Sandt played for the Oakland Athletics in and .Sandt managed in teams in the Eastern... |
Lost League Finals |
As Seattle Mariners affiliate (1980–1982)
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As Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate (1983)
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