Riverside Pilots
The Riverside Pilots were a Minor League Baseball team in Riverside, California. They were a Class A-Advanced team that played in the California League, and were a farm team of the Seattle Mariners. In spite of making the playoffs each year of its existence, poor attendance plagued the franchise throughout its tenure. The Pilots finished last in the league in attendance for three consecutive seasons. The franchise was moved to Lancaster, for the 1996 season as the Lancaster JetHawks.
Riverside Pilots 1993–1995 Riverside, California | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
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Class | Class A-Advanced | ||||
League | California League | ||||
Division | Southern Division | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | Seattle Mariners (1993–1995) | ||||
Minor league titles | |||||
Division titles | 1994 South Division | ||||
Team data | |||||
Nickname |
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Colors | Navy blue, silver, and dark teal | ||||
Ballpark |
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Team identity
The relocated franchise held a name the team contest. Upon receiving over 2,000 entries, the club selected the name Riverside Pilots. "It's got both that nautical and aeronautical feel to it," said General Manager Jack Patton.[1] The team adopted a color scheme mirroring that of their parent club, the Seattle Mariners.
Ballpark
The Riverside Sports Center served as the Pilots' primary ballpark. Now known as the Riverside Sports Complex, the facility is the home of UC Riverside baseball. The Pilots also utilized Palm Springs Stadium as a home venue for 20 games during the 1995 season.
Year-by-year record
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
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1993 | 76–61 | 2nd South | Dave Myers | Lost in Southern Division Finals to the High Desert Mavericks, 3–1 |
1994 | 87–49 | 1st South | Dave Myers | Lost in Southern Division Finals to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 3–1 |
1995 | 72–67 | 3rd South | Dave Brundage | Lost in Southern Division Semi-Finals to the Lake Elsinore Storm, 2–1 |
List of Riverside Pilots players in MLB
All players are listed in alphabetical order by their surname, with the year(s) they played for Riverside in parentheses.
- Rafael Carmona (1994)
- Dean Crow (1995)
- José Cruz, Jr. (1995)
- John Cummings (1994)
- Tim Davis (1993)
- Ryan Franklin (1994)
- Charles Gipson (1994)
- George Glinatsis (1993–1994)
- Giomar Guevara (1995)
- Tim Harikkala (1994)
- Brett Hinchcliffe (1995)
- Raúl Ibañez (1995)
- Kevin King (1993)
- Derek Lowe (1993)
- Trey Moore (1995)
- Julio Peguero (1994)
- Arquimedez Pozo (1993)
- Desi Relaford (1994)
- Steve Rosenberg (1993)
- Marino Santana (1995)
- Andy Sheets (1993–1994)
- Mac Suzuki (1995)
- Ron Villone (1993)
- Chris Widger (1993)
- Bob Wolcott (1994)
- Kerry Woodson (1994)
Notes of interest
- Comedian Billy Crystal had a limited ownership of the Riverside Pilots, at time.[2]
- Dave Brundage got his coaching start with Riverside in 1995.
References
- Oberjuerge, Paul, ed. (1993). "Sports". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. 25.
- Riverside Pilots – Google News Archive Search