Memphis Chicks (Southern League)
Memphis Chicks | |
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Major league affiliations | |
Team |
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Minor league titles | |
League titles (1) |
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Division titles (2) |
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First-half titles (6) |
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Second-half titles (1) | 1988 |
Team data | |
Name | Memphis Chicks (1978–1997) |
Colors | Dark blue, black, white |
Ballpark | Tim McCarver Stadium (1978–1997) |
The Memphis Chicks were a
Over the course of their 20-year run, the Chicks played in 2,858 regular season games and compiled a win–loss record of 1,419–1,439. Memphis reached the
History
Prior professional baseball in Memphis
The first
The city's longest-operating baseball team, first known as
After a seven-year span with no professional team, Memphis became host to the Memphis Blues, a Double-A team of the Texas League, in 1968.[1] The team played at Blues Stadium, a converted American Legion field which opened in 1963 and was located at the former Mid-South Fairgrounds. After six seasons, the Blues moved up to the Triple-A International League in 1974, but the franchise was revoked by the league due to financial problems after the 1976 season.[1][3]
Montreal Expos (1978–1983)
In 1978, a new Memphis Chicks team was created as an
The Chicks played their first game on April 15, 1978, at home against the
Memphis ended the first half of the 1979 season tied for first place with Montgomery. They won the First Half Western Division title by defeating the Rebels, 2–1, in a one-game playoff.
On July 6, 1981, the Chicks played host to the Southern League All-Star Game at Tim McCarver Stadium.[15] The game was originally scheduled to be played in Savannah, Georgia, against the Atlanta Braves, but was changed to Memphis against the Chicks due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.[16] Before an attendance of 5,366 people, a team of the Southern League's All-Stars defeated Memphis, 10–3.[15] The 1981 Chicks won a third consecutive first half title, but were swept by Nashville in the Western Division series, 3–0.[13] The teams fielded in 1982 and 1983 failed to win either half of the season and finished with under-.500 records. Through six years of affiliation with the Montreal Expos, Memphis accumulated a 444–421 record.
Kansas City Royals (1984–1994)
In 1983, team owner Avron Fogelman, purchased a 49 percent interest in the Kansas City Royals.[17] Majority owner Ewing Kauffman then chose to move Kansas City's Double-A affiliation to Memphis for 1984.[18]
On July 2, 1986, Mitch McKelvey no-hit the
The Chicks rebounded in 1990, by winning the first half of the season and beating the
San Diego Padres (1995–1996)
Memphis entered into a two-year affiliation with the San Diego Padres for 1995 and 1996.[26] First baseman Jason Thompson was the Southern League MVP of the 1995 Double-A All-Star Game.[27] On September 2, Robbie Beckett no-hit the Chattanooga Lookouts in the second game of a seven-inning doubleheader, which Memphis lost, 1–0.[25][28] The Chicks won the first-half title in 1995, but lost the Western Division finals to Chattanooga, 3–2.[12] The Chicks repeated as first-half champions in 1996, but were again ousted by the Lookouts, 3–1.[12] The team's 81–58 (.583) record was the highest in franchise history. First baseman Derrek Lee won the 1996 MVP Award.[11] In two seasons with the Padres, the Chicks' record was 149–132. The held a composite franchise record of 1,352–1,367.
Seattle Mariners (1997)
The Chicks entered into a one-year agreement to partner with the
With the 1998 arrival of the
Season-by-season results
The Chicks' best season record occurred in 1996, when they finished 81–58 (.583) as an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Their lowest season record was 59–84 (.413) in 1989 as an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Of the four Major League Baseball teams with which Memphis was affiliated, the Chicks experienced their best record with the Padres from 1995 to 1996. The team had a composite regular season record of 149–132 (.530). They reached the postseason in both years. Conversely, the team's lowest record was with the Seattle Mariners in 1997. The Chicks compiled a 67–72 (.482) record and failed to reach the postseason.
League | The team's final position in the league standings |
---|---|
Division | The team's final position in the divisional standings |
GB | Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season |
‡ | League champions |
† | Division champions |
* | Postseason berth |
Season | Division | Regular season | Postseason | MLB affiliate | Ref. | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record | Win % | League | Division | GB | Record | Win % | Result | ||||
1978 | Western | 71–73 | .493 | 5th | 2nd | 17 | — | — | — | Montreal Expos | [33] |
1979 * |
Western | 82–62 | .569 | 4th | 2nd | 1 | 1–2 | .333 | Won First Half Western Division title[n 1] Lost Western Division title vs. Nashville Sounds, 2–1[12] |
Montreal Expos | [34] |
1980 † * |
Western | 83–61 | .576 | 2nd | 2nd | 14+1⁄2 | 4–4 | .500 | Won First Half Western Division title Won Western Division title vs. Nashville Sounds, 3–1 Lost SL championship vs. Charlotte O's, 3–1[12] |
Montreal Expos | [35] |
1981 * |
Western | 77–66 | .538 | 3rd | 2nd | 4 | 0–3 | .000 | Won First Half Western Division title Lost Western Division title vs. Nashville Sounds, 3–0[12] |
Montreal Expos | [36] |
1982 | Western | 70–74 | .486 | 6th (tie) | 3rd (tie) | 7 | — | — | — | Montreal Expos | [37] |
1983 | Western | 61–85 | .418 | 10th | 5th | 30+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Montreal Expos | [38] |
1984 | Western | 71–75 | .486 | 7th | 2nd | 2+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [39] |
1985 | Western | 65–79 | .451 | 9th | 4th | 14+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [40] |
1986 | Western | 69–75 | .479 | 9th | 4th | 10+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [41] |
1987 | Western | 72–71 | .503 | 4th | 2nd | 1+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [42] |
1988 * |
Western | 79–64 | .552 | 3rd | 2nd | 2 | 1–3 | .250 | Won Second Half Western Division title Lost Western Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–1[12] |
Kansas City Royals | [43] |
1989 | Western | 59–84 | .413 | 10th | 5th | 29 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [44] |
1990 ‡ † * |
Western | 73–71 | .507 | 5th | 3rd | 6 | 6–3 | .667 | Won First Half Western Division title Won Western Division title vs. Orlando SunRays, 3–2[12]
|
Kansas City Royals | [45] |
1991 | Western | 61–83 | .424 | 9th (tie) | 4th (tie) | 16+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [46] |
1992 | Western | 71–73 | .493 | 4th | 3rd | 19+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [47] |
1993 | Western | 63–77 | .450 | 9th | 5th | 14 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [48] |
1994 | Western | 75–62 | .547 | 2nd | 2nd | 5+1⁄2 | — | — | — | Kansas City Royals | [49] |
1995 * |
Western | 68–74 | .479 | 7th | 4th | 14+1⁄2 | 2–3 | .400 | Won First Half Western Division title Lost Western Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–2[12] |
San Diego Padres | [50] |
1996 * |
Western | 81–58 | .583 | 1st | 1st | — | 1–3 | .250 | Won First Half Western Division title Lost Western Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–1[12] |
San Diego Padres | [51] |
1997 | Western | 67–72 | .482 | 7th | 5th | 10 | — | — | — | Seattle Mariners | [52] |
Totals | — | 1,419–1,439 | .497 | — | — | — | 15–21 | .417 | — | — | — |
- ^ The Chicks finished the 1979 first half tied for first place with the Montgomery Rebels. The Chicks defeated the Rebels in a one-game playoff, 2–1, to win the first half title.[12]
Affiliation | Regular season | Postseason | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record | Win % | Appearances | Record | Win % | |
Montreal Expos (1978–1983) | 444–421 | .513 | 3 | 5–9 | .357 |
Kansas City Royals (1984–1994) | 759–814 | .483 | 2 | 7–6 | .538 |
San Diego Padres (1995–1996) | 149–132 | .530 | 2 | 3–6 | .333 |
Seattle Mariners (1997) | 67–72 | .482 | — | — | — |
Totals | 1,419–1,439 | .497 | 7 | 15–21 | .417 |
Achievements
Award winners
Six people associated with the Chicks, four players and two executives, won Southern League year-end awards.
Award | Recipient | Season | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player | Eddie Gates | 1978 | [11] |
Most Valuable Player | Matt Winters | 1988 | [11] |
Most Valuable Player | Jeff Conine | 1990 | [11] |
Most Valuable Player | Derrek Lee | 1996 | [11] |
Executive of the Year | Art Clarkson | 1979 | [11] |
Executive of the Year | Allie Prescott | 1981 | [11] |
All-Star Game MVPs
Three players won Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards for their contributions in an All-Star Game.
Award | Player | Position | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1989 Southern League All-Star Game MVP | Harvey Pulliam | Left fielder | [21] |
1993 Double-A All-Star Game MVP | Les Norman | Right fielder | [24] |
1995 Double-A All-Star Game MVP | Jason Thompson | First baseman | [27] |
Postseason All-Stars
Of the 27 Chicks who were selected for the Southern League Postseason All-Star Team, only Phil Hiatt (1992 and 1994), Bryan Little (1991 at two positions), Dan Rohrmeier (1996 at two positions), and Matt Winters (1987 and 1988) were selected twice.
Hall of Famers
Four people associated with the Chicks, three players and one manager, were inducted in the Southern League Hall of Fame.[54]
Year | Name | Position | Chicks career | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Razor Shines | First baseman | 1981–1983 | [55] |
2016 | Bo Jackson | Outfielder | 1986 | [56] |
2018 | Terry Francona | Outfielder | 1980–1981 | [57] |
2019 | Sal Rende | Manager | 1988 | [58] |
Managers
The Chicks were led by 15 managers over 20 years of competition in 2,858 regular season games in which they compiled a win–loss record of 2,858–1,419 (.497). Their teams qualified for the postseason on 7 occasions and had a postseason record of 15–21 (.417). Manager Jeff Cox won 193 games from 1989 to 1991, placing him first for all-time wins; having managed the team for 431 games over three seasons, he was also the longest-tenured manager in team history. Cox's .448 winning percentage, however, was the lowest over a full season or more by a Chicks manager. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more was Ed Romero (1996), with .583.[10]
No. | Manager | Season(s) | Regular season | Postseason | Ref(s). | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Games | Wins | Losses | Win % | Appearances | Wins | Losses | Win % | ||||
1 | Felipe Alou | 1978 | 144 | 71 | 73 | .493 | — | — | — | — | [59] |
2 | Billy Gardner | 1979 | 144 | 82 | 62 | .569 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .333 | [60] |
3 | Larry Bearnarth | 1980–1981 | 287 | 160 | 127 | .557 | 2 | 4 | 7 | .364 | [61] |
4 | Rick Renick | 1982–1983 | 291 | 132 | 159 | .454 | — | — | — | — | [62] |
5 | Rick Mathews | 1984 | 146 | 71 | 75 | .486 | — | — | — | — | [63] |
6 | Tommy Jones | 1985–1986 | 288 | 134 | 154 | .465 | — | — | — | — | [64] |
7 | Bob Schaefer | 1987 | 143 | 72 | 71 | .503 | — | — | — | — | [65] |
8 | Sal Rende | 1988 | 143 | 79 | 64 | .552 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .250 | [66] |
9 | Jeff Cox | 1989–1991 | 431 | 193 | 238 | .448 | 1 | 6 | 3 | .667 | [67] |
10 | Brian Poldberg | 1992 | 144 | 71 | 73 | .493 | — | — | — | — | [68] |
11 | Tom Poquette | 1993 | 140 | 63 | 77 | .450 | — | — | — | — | [69] |
12 | Ron Johnson | 1994 | 137 | 75 | 62 | .547 | — | — | — | — | [70] |
13 | Jerry Royster | 1995 | 142 | 68 | 74 | .479 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .400 | [71] |
14 | Ed Romero | 1996 | 139 | 81 | 58 | .583 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .250 | [72] |
15 | Dave Brundage | 1997 | 139 | 67 | 72 | .482 | — | — | — | — | [73] |
Totals | 15 managers | 20 seasons | 2,858 | 1,419 | 1,439 | .497 | 7 | 15 | 21 | .417 | — |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Memphis, Tennessee Register History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Chicks Return SA Franchise". The Tennessean. Nashville. November 12, 1960. p. 11. Retrieved May 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Memphis Without Pro Baseball, Seeks Texas League Franchise". Johnson City Press. Johnson City. November 9, 1976. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1978 Southern League Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ Rollins, Glenn (September 16, 1977). "Southern Directors Vote In 2 Teams". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. October 21, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ^ Hanna, Jeff (April 16, 1978). "Sounds Silenced, 4–2". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rebels are No-Hit Again". Alabama Journal. Montgomery. August 21, 1978. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Playoff Procedures". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "Memphis Year-By-Year Results" (PDF). Memphis Redbirds 2019 Media Guide. Minor League Baseball. 2019. pp. 44–46. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Southern League Award Winners". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Year-By-Year Standings". 2019 Southern League Media Guide. Minor League Baseball. 2019. pp. 133–136. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Postseason History" (PDF). 2018 Nashville Sounds Media Guide. Minor League Baseball. 2018. pp. 178–179. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "Southern League Past Champions". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Squires, Tom (July 7, 1981). "All-Stars Fix The Chicks, 10–3". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McCarthy, Larry (July 5, 1981). "Orlando Nearly Had the 'Stars'". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. 4-C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lewis, Jim (December 20, 1983). "Coaches' Deaths Fog State Sports in 1983". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chicks Will Play as Double-A Franchise". Johnson City Press. Johnson City. September 22, 1983. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jackson is Held in Check Again". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 3, 1986. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fogelman Sells Memphis Chicks to Philadelphian". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. March 2, 1988. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "SL All-Stars 5, Blue Jays 3". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. June 2, 1989. p. B-4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Chicks Owner Looking For Triple-A Franchise". Germantown News. Germantown. November 2, 1989. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Higgins, Ron (July 13, 1993). "NL Romps, 12–7, in AA All-Star Game". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore. p. 9C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Gens Help NL Win AA All-Star Game". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson. July 13, 1993. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "All-Time Southern League No-Hitter List". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Chicks Sign Development Deal with Padres". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 15, 1994. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Feducia, Stacy; Ferrell, Scott (July 11, 1993). "All-Star Game More Than Just a Baseball Game". The Times. Shreveport. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Southern League Standings". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 3, 1995. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chicks Sign Deal with Mariners". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. October 20, 1996. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three Chicks Pitchers Throw No-Hit Victory". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. April 15, 1997. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Franklin No-Hits Carolina". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. April 22, 1997. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Memphis Wins Season Finale". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 2, 1997. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1978 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ "1979 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ "1980 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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- ^ "1988 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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- ^ "1990 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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- ^ "1997 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Postseason All-Star Teams". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ^ "Southern League League Hall of Fame". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ "Razor Shines Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Bo Jackson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Terry Francona Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Sal Rende Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Felipe Alou Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Billy Gardner Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Larry Bearnarth Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Rick Renick Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Rick Mathews Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Tommy Jones Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Bob Schaefer Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Jeff Cox Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Sal Rende Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Brian Poldberg Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Tom Poquette Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Ron Johnson Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Jerry Royster Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Ed Romero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ "Dave Brundage Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2020.