Everett Giants Explained

Everett Giants
Firstseason:1984
Lastseason:1994
City:Everett, Washington
Class Level:Class A-Short Season
League:Northwest League
Ballpark:Everett Memorial Sports Complex
Leaguenum:1
Leaguechamps:1985
Divnum:2
Mascot:Frank the Hot Dog
Colors:Black, orange, white

The Everett Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Everett, Washington, north of Seattle. The Giants were members of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League from 1984 through 1994 and were an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

History

Following the 1983 season, Bob and Margaret Bavasi purchased the struggling Walla Wallabased Blue Mountain Bears,[1] previously the Walla Walla Padres. Antiquated facilities, compounded by dwindling attendance in Walla Walla, prompted the new owners to move the franchise. The Bavasis, who had secured affiliation with the San Francisco Giants, ultimately selected Everett as the relocation destination.[2]

In their inaugural campaign, Everett went 36–38. The Giants, in their sophomore season, finished the year at 40–34 to claim the Washington division title,[3] [4] and defeated the Eugene Emeralds in a one-game playoff to claim the Northwest League championship.[5] [6] Rounding out the honors of 1985, owner Bob Bavasi was awarded the league's executive of the year.[7] Two years later the Giants won their second division title, and faced East division champion Spokane Indians in the best-of-three championship series.[8] Everett won the opener at home,[9] but dropped the next two in Spokane.[10] The Giants sought to build upon their success, and posted a 42−34 record in 1988. Everett tied Spokane atop the North division standings, but under league tie-breaker rules, the Indians were declared division winners. The teams split their ten-game series, but the run total in those games was 66 to 65 in Spokane's favor.[11]

Entering the new decade, the Giants struggled on the field. With the exception of 1993, when they were the division runner-up at, the Giants failed to post a winning record. The club continued their affiliation with San Francisco through the 1994 season, then signed a player development contract with the Seattle Mariners.[12] The Mariners, who had been affiliated with Bellingham, essentially swapped with San Francisco as the Giants signed on with Bellingham. Upon affiliating with Seattle, the franchise selected a new team name; the Everett AquaSox.

Season-by-season record

SeasonPDCDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%Post-seasonManagerAttendance
Everett Giants
1984SFGNorth 3rd3638.486Rocky Bridges41,442
1985SFGWashington1st4034.541Defeated Eugene in championship gameJoe Strain53,869
1986SFGWashington2nd4034.541Joe Strain51,131
1987SFGWest1st4926.653Lost to Spokane in championship series 2-1Joe Strain58,823
1988SFGNorth1st T4234.553Joe Strain63,887
1989SFGNorth4th3144.413Joe Strain70,714
1990SFGSouth3rd3541.461Deron McCue74,577
1991SFGNorth3rd3739.487Rob Ellis89,906
1992SFGNorth3rd3541.461Norm Sherry85,936
1993SFGNorth2nd4234.553Norm Sherry87,874
1994SFGNorth2nd3739.487Mike Hart94,421
Division winner League champions

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: French. Joan. November 10, 1983. Walla Walla Pro Baseball Sale Becomes Final. July 24, 2020. newspaperarchive.com. en.
  2. Web site: May 6, 1984. Another Bavasi Trying Baseball as a Club Owner. September 26, 2020. Newspapers.com. en.
  3. News: Ems have pennant and want more . Eugene Register-Guard . Pusieski . Stan . September 2, 1985 . 1C.
  4. Web site: September 1, 1985. Everett clinches title. September 27, 2020. Newspapers.com. en.
  5. News: Everett snags Ems' title hopes . Eugene Register-Guard . Pusieski . Stan . September 3, 1985 . 1B.
  6. Web site: September 3, 1985. Everett wins NWL title. September 27, 2020. Newspapers.com. en.
  7. Web site: October 1, 1985. Miscellany. September 27, 2020. Newspapers.com. en.
  8. News: Garner starts for Indians . Spokane Chronicle . Stalwick . Howie . September 2, 1987 . D1.
  9. News: Giants stun Indians in series opener . Spokane Chronicle . Stalwick . Howie . September 3, 1987 . C1.
  10. News: Baseball: Northwest League playoffs . Eugene Register-Guard . September 5, 1987 . 8C.
  11. News: Tribe wins division, faces Medford for title . The Spokesman-Review . Stalwick . Howie . September 2, 1988 . 29.
  12. Web site: September 13, 1994. Giants reach pact with M's. September 27, 2020. Newspapers.com. en.