Medford Giants Explained

Medford Giants
Firstseason:1967
Lastseason:1968
City:Medford, Oregon
Class Level:Class A-Short Season
League:Northwest League
Pastmajorleague:San Francisco Giants (1967–1968)
Ballpark:Jackson County Ballpark
Leaguenum:1
Leaguechamps:1967
Owner:Rouge Valley Baseball, Inc.
Colors:Black, orange, white

The Medford Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon. The Giants were members of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League from 1967-1968 and were an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

History

In early 1967 it was announced that Rouge Valley Baseball, Inc. had secured a Northwest League franchise. The club signed a player development contract with the San Francisco Giants.[1] Adopting their parent club's moniker the club began to play in the summer of 1967 as the Medford Giants. In their innagural season the Giants finished with a record of 51-33. The Giants and Eugene Emeralds were in a dead heat down the stretch. Medford swept the Tri-City Atoms in a season finale double-header to finish one game ahead of Eugene in the standings to claim the Northwest League pennant.[2]

There was uncertainty about whether the franchise would remain in Medford due to a dispute over ballpark rent. Jackson County Commissioners sought to raise rent, an increase that owner Joseph Graham strongly opposed. The county agreed to maintain the same rental rate, which secured the Giants return for the 1968 season.[3] After the completion of the season, citing a lack of available players, San Francisco ended their affiliation with Medford.[4] Medford signed on with the Los Angeles Dodgers and became the Rogue Valley Dodgers.

Season-by-season record

SeasonPDCDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%Post-seasonManagerAttendance
Medford Giants
1967SFG1st5133.607Northwest League champion by virtue of recordTony Eichelberger 43,478
1968SFG3rd3443.442Harvey Koepf 20,585
Division winner League champions

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1967-02-18. Medford Giants' Exec Starts Work. 2020-09-26. Newspapers.com. en.
  2. Web site: 1967-09-05. Giants New NWL Champs. 2020-09-26. Newspapers.com. en.
  3. Web site: 1967-12-17. NW League Will Return to Medford. 2020-09-26. Newspapers.com. en.
  4. Web site: 1968-12-06. SF Giants Drop Medford Club. 2020-09-26. Newspapers.com. en.