Adirondack Lumberjacks
| Adirondack Lumberjacks | |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Ballpark | East Field |
| Based in | Glens Falls, New York |
| Team Colors | Black & Forrest Green (Maroon was also used until 1999)
|
| League(s) | Northeast League (1995-1998)
Northern League (1999-2002) |
| Local Media | The Post-Star |
| Championships | 1995, 2000
File:Lumberjacks-Pennants-1.jpg File:Lumberjacks-Pennants-2.jpg File:Lumberjacks-Pennants-3.jpg |
The Adirondack Lumberjacks were a baseball team based in Glens Falls, New York. The team moved to Bangor, Maine after the 2002 season. The team was a fairly successful franchise winning the inaugural 1995 Northeast League Championship and the 2000 Northern League Championship.
Results
Regular Season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Percentage | First Half | Second Half | Home | Road | Standings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 69 | 42 | 27 | .609 | — | — | 3rd | ||
| 1996 | 80 | 30 | 50 | .375 | — | — | 5th | ||
| 1997 | 83 | 45 | 38 | .542 | — | — | 3rd, North Division | ||
| 1998 | 84 | 34 | 50 | .405 | 15-27 | 19-23 | 4th/4th, North Division | ||
| 1999 | 86 | 43 | 43 | .500 | 22-21 | 21-22 | 1st/3rd, North Division | ||
| 2000 | 85 | 48 | 37 | .565 | 27-15 | 21-22 | 1st/4th, North Division | ||
| 2001 | 89 | 37 | 52 | .416 | 17-28 | 20-24 | 3rd/2nd, North Division | ||
| 2002 | 90 | 52 | 38 | .578 | 24-21 | 28-17 | 2nd/1st, North Division | ||
| Totals | 666 | 331 | 335 | .497 | — | — | — |
Post Season
| Season | First Round | East Divisional Championship | Northeast League Championship | Northern League Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | W, 1-0, Mohawk Valley Landsharks | — | W, 2-1 Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs | — |
| 1996 | Did Not Make Playoffs | |||
| 1997 | Did Not Make Playoffs | |||
| 1998 | Did Not Make Playoffs | |||
| 1999 | L, 0-3, Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs | — | — | — |
| 2000 | W, 3-1, Les Capitales de Québec | W, 3-1, Elmira Pioneers | — | W, 3-0, Duluth-Superior Dukes |
| 2001 | Did Not Make Playoffs | |||
| 2002 | W, 3-2, Les Capitales de Québec | L, 2-3, New Jersey Jackals | — | — |
1995
The Lumberjacks along with the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, Mohawk Valley Land Sharks, Newburgh Night Hawks, Sullivan Mountain Lions, and the Yonkers Hoot Owls form the Northeast League. Their first season was very solid posting a record of 42 victories and 27 defeats under manager Dave LaPoint. August truly was the biggest month of all as the Jacks went 25-5 and earned a playoff berth via the wild card. In the one game wild card playoff the Jacks defeated the Mohawk Valley Land Sharks to move onto the Championship Series against their Northway Rivals, the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs.
The Lumberjacks relished the underdog role as the went down to Albany and beat up on the Diamond Dogs with a 11-1 victory. The Lumberjacks had a chance to wrap up the best of three series in front of the home fans, but the Dogs got the better of them. In the decisive third game of the series, the Post-Star summed it up best with their headline "'Jacks Win A Dogfight" as the third game truly was a dogfight. There was a massive brawl and after the dust settled the Lumberjacks came out on top 8-5 to win the inaugural Northeast League Championship. Third baseman, Bo Durkac received Most Valuable Player Honors, and was signed to a minor league contract with the new Arizona Diamondbacks Franchise in the off season.
1996
With many of the players from the Championship team returning to Glens Falls for the 1996 season, the Jacks were looking to go for the repeat. However, missing from the last year's team were Championship MVP Bo Durkac, ace of the staff Chris Rauth, and closer Matt Stevens. The season did not follow the same script as the previous season as the Lumberjacks stumbled through the season finishing with a franchise-worst record of 30 wins and 50 losses. One of the few bright spots of the season was Glens Falls' own Dave LaPoint returning to the mound and pitching a solid six inning outing against Albany. However, like the 'Jacks, all good things came to an end as he sustained an injury in his next start which ended his pitching career for good. The other bright spot of the season was the Lumberjacks led the league in average attendance, averaging around 1,750 fans per game.
1997
After the letdown of 1996, Dave LaPoint was replaced with former Boston Red Sox catcher, Dave Holt. Dave Holt managed to turn the team around and achieve a record of 45 wins with 38 defeats. Unfortunately the 'Jacks were unable to reach the playoffs with this record, as the Massachusetts Mad Dogs made the playoffs with a record of 45 wins and 37 losses, which was only a half game or .007 winning percentage better than the 'Jacks.
1998
After just missing out on the playoffs in 1997, things looked to be on the rise for the Lumberjacks once again. Dave Holt did not return as manager and Albany native, Kevin Graber, took over the reigns. The Northern League did away with the designated hitter rule and pitchers now got the chance to help or hurt their cause as a part of the offense. This rule change seemed to really affect the Jacks as they struggled into the season finishing the first half with a very disappointing record of 15 wins and 27 losses. The second half was not much better as they finished with a record of 19 wins and 23 losses, which brought their record to 34 wins and 50 losses on the year, their second worst season since 1996 when they finished with only 30 wins and 50 losses.[1]
The 'Jacks' last game
The Lumberjacks' final game in Glens Falls was the fifth and deciding game of the Northern League East Championship series, against the New Jersey Jackals. The Lumberjacks led the game, 2-1, going into the ninth inning, but starter Denny Lail put the first batter, Jackal outfielder Billy Rich, on base with a walk. After closer D.J. Johnson came in, another walk was issued to Jackals catcher Mikaela Dworken. After an out was recorded on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Jackal Craig Conway (who reached first as the lead runner was thrown out at third), Johnson walked utilityman Billy Brown to load the bases. After getting Chas Terni, the Jackals' star second baseman, to strike out, Johnson got first baseman Dave Callahan down to the Jackals' last strike before Callahan hit a bases-clearing double, giving the Jackals a 4-2 lead which they would not relinquish.