Jump to content
 







Main menu
   


Navigation  



Main page
Contents
Current events
Random article
About Wikipedia
Contact us
Donate
 




Contribute  



Help
Learn to edit
Community portal
Recent changes
Upload file
 








Search  

































Create account

Log in
 









Create account
 Log in
 




Pages for logged out editors learn more  



Contributions
Talk
 



















Contents

   



(Top)
 


1 Year-by-year record  





2 Notable former Bakersfield players  



2.1  Baseball Hall of Fame alumni  





2.2  Notable alumni  







3 References  





4 External links  














Bakersfield Blaze







Add links
 









Article
Talk
 

















Read
Edit
View history
 








Tools
   


Actions  



Read
Edit
View history
 




General  



What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Cite this page
Get shortened URL
Download QR code
Wikidata item
 




Print/export  



Download as PDF
Printable version
 
















Appearance
   

 






From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 


Bakersfield Blaze
  • Bakersfield, California
  • Team logo Cap insignia
    Minor league affiliations
    Previous classes
    • Class A – Advanced (1990–2016)
  • Class A (1964–1989)
  • Class C (1941–1942, 1946–1962)
  • Previous leagues

    California League
    Major league affiliations
    Previous teams
  • Cincinnati Reds (2011–2014)
  • Texas Rangers (2005–2010)
  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2001–2004)
  • San Francisco Giants (1997–2000)
  • Co-Op (1995–1996)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (1984–1994)
  • Seattle Mariners (1982–1983)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (1968–1975)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1958–1967)
  • Chicago Cubs (1957)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1956)
  • Brooklyn Dodgers (1954–1955)
  • Detroit Tigers (1953)
  • Cleveland Indians (1946–1952)
  • Minor league titles
    League titles (2)
    • 1970
  • 1989
  • Team data
    Name
    • Bakersfield Blaze (1995–2016)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1984–1994)
  • Bakersfield Mariners (1982–1983)
  • Bakersfield Outlaws (1978–1979)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1968–1975)
  • Bakersfield Bears (1957–1967)
  • Bakersfield Boosters (1956)
  • Bakersfield Indians (1946–1955)
  • Bakersfield Badgers (1941–1942)
  • MascotTorch (2011–2016)
    Heater (2012–2016, 2003–2010)
    Rookie the Dalmatian (1995–2002)

    Previous parks

    Sam Lynn Ballpark

    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.

    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-by-year record[edit]

    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

    Notable former Bakersfield players[edit]

    Pedro Martínez
    Richard Bleier
    Scott Feldman
    Josh Hamilton
    Orel Hershiser
    Steve Yeager

    Notable alumni[edit]

    References[edit]

    1. ^ "2 Cal League teams no longer moving to Carolina League". Bakersfield.com. March 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  • ^ "2 Long-awaited plans unveiled for a new Bakersfield Blaze ballpark". Bakersfield.com. November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  • ^ "Previous owner reclaims the Blaze; league looking for a new city". Bakersfield.com. October 14, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  • ^ "Cal League to Downsize in 2017". OurSports Central. August 22, 2016.
  • ^ Spedden, Zach (September 13, 2016). "Bakersfield Blaze Play Final Game". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  • External links[edit]


    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bakersfield_Blaze&oldid=1219056920"

    Categories: 
    Baseball teams established in 1941
    Baseball teams disestablished in 2016
    Sports clubs and teams in Bakersfield, California
    Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliates
    Texas Rangers minor league affiliates
    Tampa Bay Rays minor league affiliates
    San Francisco Giants minor league affiliates
    Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates
    Seattle Mariners minor league affiliates
    Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates
    Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates
    Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliates
    Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates
    Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates
    Defunct California League teams
    Professional baseball teams in California
    1941 establishments in California
    2016 disestablishments in California
    Defunct baseball teams in California
    Hidden categories: 
    Articles with short description
    Short description matches Wikidata
     



    This page was last edited on 15 April 2024, at 13:55 (UTC).

    Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.



    Privacy policy

    About Wikipedia

    Disclaimers

    Contact Wikipedia

    Code of Conduct

    Developers

    Statistics

    Cookie statement

    Mobile view



    Wikimedia Foundation
    Powered by MediaWiki