Calgary Cannons

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Calgary Cannons 1985 – 2002 Calgary, Alberta
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Class-Level
Triple-A (1985-2002)
Minor League affiliations
Pacific Coast League (1985–2002)
Major League affiliations
Florida Marlins (1999–2002) Chicago White Sox (1998) Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–1997) Seattle Mariners (1985–1994)
Name
Calgary Cannons (1985–2002) Salt Lake City Gulls (1971–1984)
Ballpark
Burns Stadium (1985–2002)
Minor League titles
League titles
Conference titles	1998
Division titles	1987, 1991, 1998

The Calgary Cannons were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for 17 seasons, from 1985–2002. They were a member of the AAA Pacific Coast League and played at Foothills Stadium. The Cannons replaced the Calgary Expos who played in the rookie level Pioneer League from 1977 until 1984. During their time in Calgary, the Cannons qualified for the playoffs four times, and saw many future Major League players wear a Cannons jersey, including Alex Rodriguez.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Relocation 2 All-time record 3 Playoff history 4 Famous Cannons 5 References

[edit] History

Russ Parker had operated a rookie-level Pioneer League team, the Calgary Expos since 1977. In 1983, the opportunity to move up to AAA presented itself when the Salt Lake City Gulls were put up for sale. In December, 1983, Parker purchased an option to buy the Gulls with the intention of moving the team to Calgary for the 1985 season. The Pacific Coast League approved the sale in May, 1984, and reconstruction of Foothills Stadium began.^[1] Over 500 names were submitted in a name the team contest. Five finalists were selected: Stallions, Outlaws, Stetsons, Chinooks and Cannons. The Cannons name was selected by a panel of local media representatives. The name was unique, as at the time, no professional or collegiate team in North America used the name.^[2]

The Cannons began play in 1985 as the AAA affiliate of Seattle Mariners. Following a 6–2 opening road-trip, Calgary's home opener was scheduled for April 19, 1985. It was snowed out, however, as were attempts to play the following two days.^[3] On their fourth attempt, the Cannons finally played their first game on April 22 against the Tucson Toros. Parker threw the ceremonial first pitch out to Calgary's mayor, Ralph Klein.^[4] Led by Mickey Brantley's four-hit game, the Cannons won 7–6 to send the crowd of 4,313 who braved the near-freezing temperatures home happy.^[5]

[edit] Relocation

Dwindling fan interest and an outdated ballpark ultimately led to the departure of the Cannons following the 2002 season, when they relocated to Albuquerque to become the Isotopes in 2003. Albuquerque named their franchise after an episode of The Simpsons, which saw the Springfield Isotopes relocate to Albuquerque, retaining the Isotopes name. Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn was rumored to have been interested in buying the team prior to the sale of the Cannons by Russ Parker. The City of Calgary rejected a deal that would have had a new field built at the former site of Mewata Stadium now Millennium Park. The new stadium would be a similar design of that of Telus Field in Edmonton.

[edit] All-time record

		First Half			Second Half			Overall
Season		W-L	Finish		W-L	Finish		W-L	Win%
1985		37-32	1st		34-38	4th		71-70	.504
1986		36-35	2nd		30-42	5th		66-77	.462
1987		38-32	2nd		46-25	1st		84-57	.596
1988		33-38	3rd		35-36	3rd		68-74	.479
1989		28-43	5th		42-29	1st		70-72	.493
1990		37-33	3rd		29-42	5th		66-75	.468
1991		27-40	4th		45-24	1st		72-64	.529
1992		28-41	4th		32-37	4th		60-78	.435
1993		34-36	3rd		34-36	4th		68-72	.486
1994		34-37	5th		37-35	2nd		71-72	.497
1995		30-41	5th		28-42	5th		58-83	.411
1996		37-34	4th		37-34	3rd		74-68	.521
1997		29-38	5th		31-40	5th		60-78	.435

Season			W-L	Finish	Win%
1998			81-62	1st	.566
1999			57-82	---	.410
2000			60-82	4th	.423
2001			72-71	---	.503
2002			67-71	3rd	.486
Total			1225-1308	---	.484

Note: the PCL abandoned the split-season format following the 1997 season as the league expanded to 16 teams following the dissolution of the American Association.

[edit] Playoff history

The Cannons were rarely blessed with contending teams, and never won a league championship. The Cannons did qualify for the post season five times in their 18-year history. All time, the Cannons had a 3-5 series record and a 14-19 win-loss record in the post season.

• 1985 First half pennant winners
  • Lost North Division Championship Series to Vancouver 3-0

• 1987 Second half pennant winners
  • Defeated Tacoma in the North Division Championship Series 3-2
  • Lost to Albuquerque in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-1

• 1989 Second half pennant winners
  • Lost North Division Championship Series to Vancouver 3-0

• 1991 Second half pennant winners
  • Defeated Portland in the North Division Championship Series 3-0
  • Lost to Tucson in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-2

• 1998 Pacific Conference North Division pennant winners
  • Defeated Fresno in the Pacific Conference Championship Series 3-2
  • Lost to New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series 3-2

[edit] Famous Cannons

Several future Major League stars passed through Calgary on their way to the big leagues.

Jim Abbott – 1998 Jay Buhner – 1989-90 Mike Blowers – 1992 Brett Boone – 1992 Chad Bradford – 1998 Dave Burba – 1990–91 A.J. Burnett – 2000 Luis Castillo – 2000

Ramon Castro – 2000 Ryan Dempster – 1999 Mariano Duncan – 1999 Cliff Floyd – 1999 Jason Grilli – 2000 Bobby Howry – 1998 Jon Lieber – 1995 Esteban Loaiza – 1996

Mike Lowell – 1999 Edgar Martínez – 1985, 1987–88 Tino Martinez – 1990–91 Kevin Millar – 1999 Brad Penny – 2000 Mike Remlinger – 1992 Harold Reynolds – 1985–86

Alex Rodriguez – 1994 Olmedo Saenz – 1998 Randall Simon – 2000 Danny Tartabull – 1985 Omar Vizquel – 1992 Craig Wilson – 1998 Tony Womack – 1995–96

[edit] References

• 2001 Calgary Cannons Media Guide