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Tri-City Atoms

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RevelationDirect (talk | contribs) at 12:45, 4 October 2023 (new key for Category:Sports in the Tri-Cities, Washington: "Atoms" using HotCat). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the team that played in the Alabama–Tennessee League in 1921, see Tri-Cities Triplets (Alabama–Tennessee League).
Tri-City Atoms
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A Short Season (1966–1974)
Previous classes
  • Class A (1963–1965)
  • Class B (1955–1962)
  • Class A (1952–1954)
  • Class B (1950–1951)
LeagueNorthwest League (1955–1974)
Previous leagues
Western International League (1950–1954)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1965
  • 1966
  • 1968
  • 1971
Team data
Previous names
  • Tri-City Ports (1974)
  • Tri-City Triplets (1973)
  • Tri-City Padres (1970–1972)
  • Tri-City A's (1969)
  • Tri-City Atoms (1965–1968)
  • Tri-City Angels (1963–1964)
  • Tri-City Braves (1962)
  • Tri-City Atoms (1961)
  • Tri-City Braves (1950–1960)
BallparkSanders-Jacobs Field

The Tri-City Atoms were a minor league baseball team located in Kennewick, Washington. The Tri-Cities in southeastern Washington, which include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, fielded a number of minor league teams in the Northwest League and its predecessor, the Western International League, from 1955 to 1974.

History

The Tri-City Braves were a member of the WIL from 1950 through 1954. In 1955 Tri-City joined the Northwest League as a charted member. The Tri-City Braves, while serving as an affiliate of various major league clubs retained the Braves name through 1960. Upon signing on with the Baltimore Orioles in 1961, the club adopted a unique name, the Atoms. The club reverted to Braves for 1962 season, which proved to be a successful year as team finished the regular season in first place. The Braves faced the Wenatchee Chiefs in the league championship, but lost the 2–4. In 1963 the team changed its name to Angels, representative of its parent club.

The franchise again changed affiliates, signing on with the Baltimore Orioles resulting in a name change to Atoms. Led by manager Cal Ripken Sr. the Atoms posted an 81–58 record in the clubs final season of full season baseball. The Atoms swept the Lewiston Broncs in the championship series 3–0 to claim their first Northwest League crown.

In 1966 the Northwest League shifted to a short-season format. Tri-City switched parent clubs and signed a player development contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Atoms had an explosive season and finished the regular season at 57–27. The Atoms finished at the top of the league standings to be named league champion. Two seasons later the Atoms compiled a league best record en route to a third Northwest League title. The Dodgers ended their relationship with Tri-City following the 1968 season and moved their farm system to Medford, Oregon with the Rouge Valley club.

In 1969 Tri-City partnered with the Oakland Athletics, The affiliation would end after only one season as Oakland shifted their short-season. Tri-City inked a player development contract with the San Diego Padres, who were one year removed from their inaugural season as an expansion member of the National League.

In 1974, the Ports were an independent team and went 27–57 in front of 21,611 fans. The team was managed by owner Carl W. Thompson, Sr. before folding.

The Tri-Cities were without baseball until 1983, when the Tri-Cities Triplets relocated from Walla Walla. The Triplets were affiliated with the Texas Rangers for two seasons. The Rangers ended their relationship with the Triplets and the club played two season as an independent team. Following the 1986 season the Triplets relocated to Boise, Idaho and became the Boise Hawks.[1]

Professional baseball returned to the Tri-Cities in 2001 with relocation of the Portland Rockies, who were forced to move as the territory was awarded to a AAA level franchise. Originally the team planned to keep the Rockies name. Ultimately the club selected a unique moniker, the Dust Devils.

Ballpark

Tri-City teams played home games at Sanders-Jacobs Field in Kennewick,[2] The ballpark was opened in 1950 with a seating capacity of 5,000 and a northeast alignment. The field dimensions were 340 feet from home plate down both the right and left field lines and 400 feet to dead center. Originally the stadium was named Sanders Field for Harry Sanders, a Connell farmer. It was later named Sanders-Jacobs Field to honor Tom Jacobs, a former manager and the general manager of the Atoms. The stadium was demolished in 1975.

Notable players

Notable players with the Atoms included Doyle Alexander, Ron Cey, Joe Ferguson, and Ted Sizemore, the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1969.

Season-by-season record

Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Tri-City Braves
1955 6th 66 63 .512 Don Pries 49,296
1956 6th 59 72 .450 Don Pries 78,761
1957 6th 57 79 .419 Don Pries 54,761
1958 PIT 5th 62 73 .459 Ray Hathaway 45,283
1959 6th 60 80 .429 Daniel Holden 46,751
1960 BAL 2nd 81 60 .574 Chester McDowell 80,063
Tri-City Atoms
1961 BAL 6th 49 90 .353 Chester McDowell 37,817
Tri-City Braves
1962 LAA 1st 78 62 .557 Lost to Wenatchee Chiefs in championship series 2-4 Tommy Heath 68,399
Tri-City Angels
1963 LAA 4th 65 75 .464 Tommy Heath 60,123
1964 LAA 5th 66 74 .471 Tommy Heath 51,220
Tri-City Atoms
1965 BAL 1st 81 58 .583 Defeated Lewiston in championship series 3-0 Cal Ripken 42,856
Tri-City Atoms
1966 LAD 1st 57 27 .679 NWL Champions by virtue of record Duke Snider 29,402
1967 LAD 3rd 37 47 .440 Don LeJohn 22,421
1968 LAD 1st 45 30 .600 NWL Champions by virtue of record Don LeJohn 19,356
Tri-City A's
1969 OAK 2nd 41 38 .519 Billy Herman 30,320
Tri-City Padres
1970 SDP North 4th 38 42 .475 Cliff Ditto 30,320
1971 SDP North 1st 50 30 .625 NWL Champions by virtue of record Cliff Ditto 32,648
1972 SDP South 2nd 38 42 .475 Cliff Ditto 36,919
Tri-City Triplets
1973 South 2nd 42 38 .525 Mike Cloutier 20,791
Tri-City Ports
1974 East 4th 27 57 .321 Carl Thompson 21,611
Division winner League champions

Former players

References

  1. ^ Stalwick, Howie (June 16, 1987). "Indians open season tonight". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. B1.
  2. ^ "Tri-City stadium for sale". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 18, 1968. p. 24.
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