Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
Class | Triple-A (2000–present) | ||||
League | Pacific Coast League (2000–present) | ||||
Division | West Division | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | San Francisco Giants (2015–present) | ||||
Previous teams | Oakland Athletics (2000–2014) | ||||
Minor league titles | |||||
Class titles (3) |
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League titles (5) |
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Conference titles (7) |
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Division titles (12) |
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Team data | |||||
Name | Sacramento River Cats (2000–present) | ||||
Colors | Black, brick red, gold | ||||
Mascot | Dinger | ||||
Ballpark | Sutter Health Park (2000–present) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Vivek Ranadivé | ||||
General manager | Chip Maxson | ||||
Manager | Dave Brundage[1] |
The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics for 15 seasons.[2] They are based in West Sacramento, California, and play their home games at Sutter Health Park, which opened in 2000 and was known as Raley Field through 2019.
Sacramento was previously represented in the Pacific Coast League by the Solons, a charter member of the league which was founded in 1903. Three different versions of the Solons played in California's capital city in 1903, 1905, from 1909 to 1914, from 1918 to 1960, and from 1974 to 1976. The River Cats have played in the PCL since 2000, including the 2021 season in which it was known as the Triple-A West, and are the only charter city to still host a PCL team.
The River Cats have won five PCL championships. Recently they won the league crown in 2019; previously they won back-to-back in 2007 and 2008. They went on to win the Triple-A National Championship Game in all three seasons. Sacramento also won the PCL title in 2003 and 2004.
History
[edit]Following the 1999 season, the Pacific Coast League's Vancouver Canadians were purchased by a group led by Art Savage, moved south to West Sacramento, and renamed the River Cats for the 2000 season. Savage was the majority owner of the team until his death at age 58 in November 2009. His widow, Susan Savage, became majority owner after her husband's death.[3]
In 2016, Mike Piazza became the first and only former River Cats player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, after earning an 83% vote by the committee. Piazza played three games in Sacramento as part of a 2007 rehab assignment before rejoining the Oakland Athletics.[4][5][6][7]
In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the River Cats were organized into the Triple-A West.[8] They also entered into a new 10-year Professional Development License agreement to remain the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants through 2030.[9] Sacramento ended the season in fourth place in the Western Division with a 52–65 record.[10] No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.[11] However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.[11] Sacramento finished the tournament tied for 20th place with a 4–6 record.[12] In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[13]
In August 2022, owner Susan Savage sold a majority interest in the team to the Sacramento Kings.[14]
In April 2024, it was announced that the major-league Oakland Athletics will be moving to Sacramento to play their home games at Sutter Health Park in 2025.[15] The River Cats announced that, tentatively, they will remain as well, playing at Sutter Health Park on days when the Athletics are not playing there.[16]
Season-by-season records
[edit]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 |
‡ | Class champions (2000–present) |
† | League champions (2000–present) |
§ | Conference champions (2000–2020) |
* | Division champions (2000–present) |
Season | League | Regular-season | Postseason | MLB affiliate | Ref. | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record | Win % | League | Division | GB | Record | Win % | Result | ||||
2000 * |
PCL | 90–54 | .625 | 2nd | 1st | — | 2–3 | .400 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Buzz, 3–2[17] |
Oakland Athletics | [18] |
2001 * |
PCL | 75–69 | .521 | 5th | 1st | — | 2–3 | .400 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2[19] |
Oakland Athletics | [20] |
2002 | PCL | 66–78 | .458 | 14th | 3rd | 19 | — | — | — | Oakland Athletics | [21] |
2003 * § † |
PCL | 92–52 | .639 | 1st | 1st | — | 6–0 | 1.000 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Edmonton Trappers, 3–0 Won PCL championship vs. Nashville Sounds, 3–0[22] |
Oakland Athletics | [23] |
2004 * § † |
PCL | 79–65 | .549 | 5th | 1st | — | 6–1 | .857 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Portland Beavers, 3–1 Won PCL championship vs. Iowa Cubs, 3–0[24] |
Oakland Athletics | [25] |
2005 * |
PCL | 80–64 | .556 | 2nd (tie) | 1st | — | 2–3 | .400 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2 |
Oakland Athletics | [26] |
2006 | PCL | 78–66 | .542 | 4th | 2nd | 13 | — | — | — | Oakland Athletics | [27] |
2007 * § † ‡ |
PCL | 84–60 | .583 | 2nd | 1st | — | 7–2 | .778 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Bees, 3–2 Won PCL championship vs. New Orleans Zephyrs, 3–0 Won Triple-A championship vs. Richmond Braves[28] |
Oakland Athletics | [29] |
2008 * § † ‡ |
PCL | 83–61 | .576 | 3rd | 1st | — | 7–2 | .778 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Bees, 3–1 Won PCL championship vs. Oklahoma RedHawks, 3–1 Won Triple-A championship vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees[30] |
Oakland Athletics | [31] |
2009 * § |
PCL | 86–57 | .601 | 1st | 1st | — | 3–4 | .429 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–1 Lost PCL championship vs. Memphis Redbirds, 3–0 |
Oakland Athletics | [32] |
2010 * |
PCL | 79–65 | .549 | 4th | 1st | — | 2–3 | .400 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2 |
Oakland Athletics | [33] |
2011 * § |
PCL | 88–56 | .611 | 1st | 1st | — | 3–5 | .375 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Reno Aces, 3–2 Lost PCL championship vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, 3–0 |
Oakland Athletics | [34] |
2012 * |
PCL | 86–58 | .597 | 1st | 1st | — | 2–3 | .400 | Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Reno Aces, 3–2 |
Oakland Athletics | [35] |
2013 | PCL | 79–65 | .549 | 3rd | 2nd | 2 | — | — | — | Oakland Athletics | [36] |
2014 | PCL | 79–65 | .549 | 4th | 2nd | 2 | — | — | — | Oakland Athletics | [37] |
2015 | PCL | 71–73 | .493 | 9th | 2nd | 13+1⁄2 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [38] |
2016 | PCL | 69–75 | .479 | 12th | 4th | 12+1⁄2 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [39] |
2017 | PCL | 64–77 | .454 | 14th | 4th | 15+1⁄2 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [40] |
2018 | PCL | 55–85 | .393 | 15th | 4th | 27+1⁄2 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [41] |
2019 * § † ‡ |
PCL | 73–67 | .521 | 7th | 1st | — | 7–2 | .778 | Won Pacific Conference Northern Division title Won Pacific Conference title vs. Las Vegas Aviators, 3–2 Won PCL championship vs. Round Rock Express, 3–0 Won Triple-A championship vs. Columbus Clippers |
San Francisco Giants | [42] |
2020 | PCL | Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[43] | San Francisco Giants | [44] | |||||||
2021 | AAAW | 52–65 | .444 | 7th | 4th | 19+1⁄2 | 4–6 | .400 | Lost series vs. Salt Lake Bees, 4–1 Won series vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, 3–2 Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch[12] |
San Francisco Giants | [10] |
2022 | PCL | 65–83 | .439 | 9th | 5th | 20 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [45] |
2023 | PCL | 67–82 | .450 | 8th | 5th | 20+1⁄2 | — | — | — | San Francisco Giants | [46] |
Totals | — | 1,740–1,542 | .530 | — | — | — | 53–37 | .589 | — | — | — |
Attendance
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/SacramentoRiverCatsMay2007.jpg/200px-SacramentoRiverCatsMay2007.jpg)
After arriving at Raley Field in 2000, the River Cats led minor leagues in attendance for nine straight seasons.[47]
In 2015, the team drew 672,354 fans in 72 home games, leading the minor league in total attendance. In 2015, they also drew the second highest attendance per game in the minors with an average of 9,338 fans per game.[48]
For the 2017 season, the team drew 562,237 fans in 70 home games, placing them third in overall attendance for the Pacific Coast League.
Year | Total Attendance |
Average |
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2000 | 861,808 | 11,969 |
2001 | 901,214 | 12,516 |
2002 | 817,317 | 11,351 |
2003 | 766,326 | 10,643 |
2004 | 751,156 | 10,432 |
2005 | 755,750 | 10,496 |
2006 | 728,227 | 10,256 |
2007 | 710,235 | 10,003 |
2008 | 700,168 | 9,724 |
2009 | 657,095 | 9,126 |
2010 | 657,910 | 9,138 |
2011 | 600,306 | 8,455 |
2012 | 586,090 | 8,140 |
2013 | 607,329 | 8,435 |
2014 | 607,839 | 8,561 |
2015 | 672,354 | 9,338 |
2016 | 609,666 | 8,587 |
2017 | 562,237 | 8,032 |
2018 | 538,785 | 7,808 |
2019 | 549,440 | 7,849[49] |
2020 | n/a | n/a |
2021 | 256,714 | 4,043[50] |
2022 | 372,769 | 4,970[51] |
2023 | 388,246 | 5,177[52] |
Playoff history
[edit]The River Cats have won 12 division titles, including back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001, three years in a row from 2003 to 2005, and six consecutive titles from 2007 to 2012. In 2019, the River Cats snapped a six-year playoff drought by winning the Pacific Northern Division.
With respect to league championships, the team has won four: 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008. In 2007, they defeated the Richmond Braves in that year's Bricktown Showdown by a score of 7–1. In 2008 they defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 4–1.
Roster
[edit]Players | Coaches/Other | |||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager Coaches
60-day injured list
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Players
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Dave Brundage returns as River Cats manager to defend title in 2020". MiLB.com. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- ^ "Sacramento RiverCats - History".
- ^ "River Cats owner dies suddenly at home." Archived November 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved on November 21, 2009.
- ^ "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 13, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 14, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 15, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Mike Piazza". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "River Cats and Giants Announce 10-Year Affiliation Extension". Sacramento River Cats. Minor League Baseball. February 12, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Triple-A West Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jason (August 27, 2022). "Sacramento Kings finalize deal to purchase Minor League Baseball's Triple-A River Cats". The Sacramento Bee. pp. 1A, 3A. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jason (May 15, 2024) [April 4, 2024]. "Oakland A's to play 3 seasons in Sacramento before Las Vegas". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ Ayestas, Jonathan (April 5, 2024). "How will the A's coming to West Sacramento affect minor league team River Cats?". KCRA-TV. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "2000 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2000 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2001 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2001 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2002 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2003 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2003 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2004 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2004 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2005 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2006 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Sacramento River Cats (85-60) 7, Richmond Braves (77-65) 1" (PDF). Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ "2007 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Sacramento River Cats (84-61) 4, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees (88-57) 1" (PDF). Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ "2008 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2009 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2010 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2011 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2012 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2013 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2014 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2015 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2016 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2017 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2019 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Schedule" (PDF). Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "2022 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ "2023 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ "2008 Minor League Attendance". The Baseball Cube.
- ^ The Sacramento Bee[permanent dead link].
- ^ "2019 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. September 9, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ "2021 Minor League Attendance". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 12, 2022). "2022 MiLB attendance by average". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 16, 2023). "2023 MiLB attendance by average". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
External links
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Sacramento River Cats
- Baseball teams in Sacramento, California
- Professional baseball teams in California
- Pacific Coast League teams
- West Sacramento, California
- Oakland Athletics minor league affiliates
- San Francisco Giants minor league affiliates
- Baseball teams established in 2000
- 2000 establishments in California
- Triple-A West teams
- Sports in Yolo County, California