The Bakersfield Blaze were a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California. They played in the California League at the Class A-Advanced level, hosting home games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Opened in 1941, the stadium is well known for facing the setting sun and its shallow 354-foot (108 m) center field fence, and seats 3,500 fans.
| Bakersfield Blaze | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||
| |||||
| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Previous classes |
| ||||
Previous leagues | California League | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Previous teams |
| ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (2) |
| ||||
| Team data | |||||
| Name |
| ||||
| Mascot | Torch (2011–2016) Heater (2012–2016, 2003–2010) Rookie the Dalmatian (1995–2002) | ||||
Previous parks | Sam Lynn Ballpark | ||||
Near the end of the 2008 season, it was rumored that the Blaze would move to the Carolina League after the following season. However, Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner announced in February 2009 that they would remain in the California League.[1]
The Blaze were sold to local Bakersfield businessmen Gene Voiland and Chad Hathaway just prior to the 2012 season. The new ownership renovated Sam Lynn Ballpark in time for Opening Day and announced in November 2012 that a new ballpark would be ready for the 2014 season.[2] However, financing plans for a new stadium failed to meet the $30 million target and team ownership was reclaimed by former owner D. G. Elmore. As a result, the California League began looking for a new home for the team.[3] However, in August 2016, the California League announced that the Blaze would not be returning for the 2017 season.[4] The team played its final game on September 12, 2016.[5]
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers replaced the Blaze at the Advanced-A level, however the Fayetteville Woodpeckers are not the continuation of the Blaze.
| Year | Record | Finish in Northern Division | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 73–67 | 3rd | Frank Morehouse / Les Powers | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 1 vs Santa Barbara |
| 1942 | 22–45 | 4th | Jack Colbern / Rex Cecil / Lee Dempsey | League suspended operations on June 28 |
| 1946 | 72–58 | 3rd | Martin Metrovich / Tony Governor | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Stockton |
| 1947 | 66–74 | 5th | Tony Governor | |
| 1948 | 70–70 | 5th (t) | Harry Griswold | |
| 1949 | 85–54 | 1st | Harry Griswold | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Ventura |
| 1950 | 61–79 | 6th | Harry Griswold | |
| 1951 | 58–89 | 8th | Wimpy Quinn | |
| 1952 | 70–70 | 5th | Gene Lillard | |
| 1953 | 75–65 | 2nd | Ray Perry | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 0 vs Stockton |
| 1954 | 80–60 | 2nd (t) | Ray Perry | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 1 vs San Jose |
| 1955 | 61–85 | 5th | Doc Alexson | |
| 1956 | 48–92 | 8th | Art Lilly / Dick Wilson | |
| 1957 | 64–75 | 6th | Dick Wilson / Babe Herman | |
| 1958 | 84–55 | 2nd | Paul Owens | Lost in 1st round 2 games to 1 vs Visalia |
| 1959 | 70–71 | 4th | Paul Owens | Lost League Finals 4 games to 2 vs Modesto |
| 1960 | 74–66 | 3rd | Lou Kahn | |
| 1961 | 82–58 | 2nd | Lou Kahn | |
| 1962 | 67–72 | 6th (t) | Bob Wellman | |
| 1963 | 78–62 | 2nd | Bob Wellman | |
| 1964 | 56–83 | 8th | Moose Johnson | |
| 1965 | 66–74 | 5th | Dick Teed | |
| 1966 | 68–72 | 6th | Dick Teed | |
| 1967 | 70–68 | 4th | Nolan Campbell | |
| 1968 | 61–79 | 7th | Don Williams | |
| 1969 | 67–73 | 6th | Don LeJohn | |
| 1970 | 93–46 | 1st | Don LeJohn | League Champs – Best Overall Regular Season Record – No Playoffs (Best Record in Bakersfield History) |
| 1971 | 56–82 | 8th | Don LeJohn | |
| 1972 | 88–52 | 1st | Don LeJohn | Lost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Modesto |
| 1973 | 70–70 | 4th | George Freese | Lost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Lodi |
| 1974 | 65–75 | 5th | George Freese | |
| 1975 | 60–80 | 8th | Ron Brand | |
| 1978 | 48–92 | 8th | George Culver | |
| 1979 | 63–77 | 9th | Ron Mihal | |
| 1982 | 64–76 | 8th | Ken Pape | |
| 1983 | 68–72 | 6th | Greg Mahlberg | |
| 1984 | 68–72 | 4th | Don LeJohn | Won 1st round 2 games to 1 vs Fresno, Lost League Finals 3 games to 1 vs Modesto |
| 1985 | 65–80 | 6th | Mel Queen | |
| 1986 | 40–102 | 10th | Don LeJohn | |
| 1987 | 78–65 | 4th | Kevin Kennedy | |
| 1988 | 71–71 | 6th | Gary LaRocque | |
| 1989 | 82–60 | 3rd | Tim Johnson | Won 1st round 3 games to 1 vs San Bernardino League Champs Defeated Stockton 3 games to 0 |
| 1990 | 80–62 | 3rd | Tom Beyers | Won 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Visalia, Lost League Finals 3 games to 2 vs Stockton |
| 1991 | 85–51 | 2nd | Tom Beyers | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 0 vs High Desert |
| 1992 | 68–68 | 7th | Tom Beyers | |
| 1993 | 42–94 | 10th | Rick Dempsey | |
| 1994 | 69–67 | 5th | John Shelby | |
| 1995 | 58–82 | 8th (t) | Greg Mahlberg | |
| 1996 | 39–101 | 10th | Graig Nettles | |
| 1997 | 62–78 | 8th | Glenn Tufts / Keith Bodie | |
| 1998 | 49–91 | 10th | Frank Reberger | |
| 1999 | 64–76 | 7th | Keith Comstock | |
| 2000 | 80–60 | 2nd | Lenn Sakata | Lost in 1st round 2 games to 1 to Visalia (BEST RECORD IN BAKERSFIELD BLAZE HISTORY) |
| 2001 | 71–69 | 5th (t) | Charlie Montoyo | Defeated Stockton 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Trailed 2 games to 1 in Division finals vs San Jose when post season cancelled due to 9/11* |
| 2002 | 69–72 | 6th (t) | Charlie Montoyo | |
| 2003 | 70–70 | 8th | Omer Munoz | |
| 2004 | 59–81 | 8th | Mako Oliveras | |
| 2005 | 68–72 | 7th | Arnie Beyeler | |
| 2006 | 58–82 | 10th | Carlos Subero | |
| 2007 | 57–83 | 9th | Carlos Subero | |
| 2008 | 62–78 | 9th | Damon Berryhill | |
| 2009 | 75–65 | 5th | Steve Buechele | Defeated Modesto 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Lost North Div Finals 3 games to 2 vs San Jose |
| 2010 | 67–73 | 7th | Bill Haselman | |
| 2011 | 66–74 | 6th | Ken Griffey, Sr. | |
| 2012 | 72–68 | 5th | Ken Griffey, Sr. | Won first half championship. Lost North Div Finals in 5 games to Modesto |
| 2013 | 55–85 | 5th | Ken Griffey, Sr. | |
| 2014 | 78–62 | 2nd | Pat Kelly | First Half Champion (lost to Visalia in Divisional Finals) |
| 2015 | 61–79 | 5th | Eddie Menchaca | |
| 2016 | 76–64 | 8th (t) | Eddie Menchaca | Defeated San Jose 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Lost Nort Div Finals 3 games to 0 vs Visalia |
