Yakima Valley Braves Explained

Yakima Valley Braves
Allyears:1937-1941, 1946-1966
City:Yakima, Washington
Past Class Level:
  • Class A (1952-1964)
  • Class B (1937-1951)
League:Northwest League (1955-1966)
Past League:Western International League (1937-1941, 1946-1954)
Pastmajorleague:
Pastnames:
  • Yakima Bears (1949-1964)
  • Yakima Packers (1948)
  • Yakima Stars (1946-1947)
  • Yakima Pippins (1937-1941)
Pastparks:Parker Field
Leaguenum:7

The Yakima Valley Braves, was the final name of a minor league baseball club, located in Yakima, Washington, playing from 1955 to 1966 as members of the Northwest League. Yakima hosted professional baseball beginning in 1913 through 1965 with a brief hiatus between 1942 and 1945 due to World War II. Playing under various names, Yakima was a member of the Western International League.

History

The Pippins were the club to represent Yakima, starting in 1937. The franchise used the Pippins name through 1941 when the club suspended operations. Likewise, the Western International League suspended play after the 1942 season. The Pippins name was resurrected in by the Yakima Valley Pippins of the collegiate wood bat West Coast League.

The League resumed play in 1946 with Yakima returning to the field under a new name, the Stars. The Stars were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946. In 1948 the club changed names again to the Yakima Packers. The Packers finished the season in last place.

In 1949 the club adopted a new moniker, the Yakima Bears. In their first season the Bears advanced to the post-season. The Bears defeated the Spokane Indians in the semi-final series, but were swept by the Vancouver Capilanos in the championship. The following season the Bears posted a record on 92–58 to claim the league championship. In 1956 won their second league title, finishing the year at 86–45.

Professional baseball returned to Yakima in 1990. The Northwest League franchise revived Yakima Bears playing as an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks until 2012.

Season-by-season record

SeasonPDCDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%Post-seasonManagerAttendance
Yakima Pippins
19371st8061.56754,000
19381st7755.583Defeated Wenatchee in semi-final series 3-1
Lost to Bellingham in championship series 4-3		Ray JacobsNo record
19395th7273.497Ray JacobsNo record
19402nd7967.541Lost to in semi-final series to Tacoma 2-1Goldie HoltNo record
19413rd7064.522Goldie HoltNo record
Yakima Stars
1946PIT5th7169.507Spencer HarrisNo record
19478th5995.383Harlond Clift86,004
Yakima Packers
19488th52109.323Hub Kittle73,600
Yakima Bears
19491st9951.660Defeated Spokane in semi-final series 3-1
Lost to Vancouver in championship series 3-0		Joe Orengo133,917
19501st9258.613League champion by virtue of record Joe Orengo117,790
19515th6380.441Bill Brenner60,018
19524th7379.480Dario Lodigiani64,044
19536th7074.486Dario Lodigiani59,100
19541st8057.584Lou Stringer66,571
19555th5969.461Hub Kittle36,314
19561st8645.656League champion by virtue of record Hub Kittle66,370
19573rd6966.511Hub Kittle56,718
1958MLN2nd7660.559Defeated Lewiston in championship series 4-1Hub Kittle64,974
1959MLN4th 7069.504Defeated Salem in championship series 4-1Hub Kittle43,895
1960MLN1st8557.599League champion by virtue of record Buddy Hicks60,166
1961MLN2nd7960.568Lost to Lewiston in championship series 4-1Buddy Hicks42,806
1962MLN4th6971.493Buddy Hicks35,059
1963MLN1st8456.600Defeated Lewiston in championship series 3-1Buddy Hicks40,628
1964MLN3rd7268.514Defeated Eugene in championship series 3-0Hub Kittle39,300
Yakima Valley Braves
1965MLN5th6277.446Hub Kittle36,050
1966MLN3rd3944.470Eddie Haas13,262
Division winner League champions

Notable alumni

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