The Phoenix Firebirds were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona , from 1958 to 1959, and from 1966 to 1997. Before 1986, the team was known as the Phoenix Giants .
38-747: The franchise was a member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL), and were the top minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants . The Firebirds were forced to leave Phoenix following the 1997 season, as the new National League expansion team, the Arizona Diamondbacks would begin play in Phoenix the following year. In a complicated series of events, the owners of the Firebirds moved their team to Tucson, Arizona , and became
76-476: A Triple-A player as an injury replacement is a common occurrence. The term " AAAA player ," pronounced "four-A" or "quadruple-A," refers to a player who is consistently successful when playing for Triple-A teams, but is not successful at the major league level. The term is usually used derisively and has itself been criticized as flawed. Major league team executives and managers disagree whether AAAA players exist. Teams at this level are divided into two leagues:
114-547: A nine-inning game. For the 2019 season, the number of mound visits was reduced to five, and pitchers were required to face a minimum of three consecutive batters unless the side is retired or the pitcher becomes injured and is unable to continue playing. List of defunct baseball teams in Canada#AAA From Misplaced Pages, the 💕 The following is a list of defunct baseball teams in Canada . It includes
152-518: A runner on first, than it is to take three of four from the Portland Beavers . Both young players and veterans play for Triple-A teams: There are the young prospects speeding through the organization on the fastest treadmill, the guys who used to be young prospects who are in danger of topping out in Triple-A, the 30-somethings trying to get back to the majors after an injury or a rough patch, and
190-405: A team of National League -affiliated Triple-A All-Stars. Traditionally, the game was held on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game . Such games mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season, despite occurring later than the actual halfway-point of most seasons. Both Triple-A leagues shared a common All-Star break, with no regular-season games scheduled for two days before
228-588: Is incomplete ; you can help by adding missing items . ( December 2021 ) AAA [ edit ] International League [ edit ] Team City Existed Ballpark League titles Notes Affiliate Hamilton Tigers Hamilton, Ontario 1918 0 Moved from Syracuse, New York , mid-season Independent Montreal Royals Montreal, Quebec 1928–1960 Delormier Stadium 7 Moved to Syracuse Los Angeles Dodgers Ottawa Giants Ottawa , Ontario 1951 Lansdowne Park 0 Became
266-1680: The A's 1977 Toronto Blue Jays Independent baseball [ edit ] Can-Am League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Ottawa Champions Ottawa , Ontario 2014–2020 1 Ottawa Rapidz Ottawa, Ontario 2008 0 Canadian Baseball League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Calgary Outlaws Calgary , Alberta 2003 1 Kelowna Heat Kelowna , British Columbia 2003 0 London Monarchs London, Ontario 2003 0 Montreal Royales Montreal , Quebec 2003 0 Road-only team Niagara Stars Welland , Ontario 2003 0 Saskatoon Legends Saskatoon , Saskatchewan 2003 0 Trois-Rivières Saints Trois-Rivières , Quebec 2003 0 Victoria Capitals Victoria , British Columbia 2003 0 Frontier League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes London Rippers London, Ontario 2012 0 Folded during 2012 season London Werewolves London, Ontario 1999–2001 1 Golden Baseball League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Victoria Seals Victoria, British Columbia 2009–10 0 Northern League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks Thunder Bay , Ontario 1993–1998 0 Moved to Schaumburg, Illinois , in 1999 and became
304-575: The Albuquerque Isotopes in 2003 Florida Marlins Edmonton Trappers Edmonton , Alberta 1981–2004 Telus Field 4 Became the Round Rock Express in 2005 Montreal Expos Vancouver Mounties Vancouver , British Columbia 1956–1962, 1965–1969 Capilano Stadium 0 Seattle Pilots Vancouver Canadians Vancouver, British Columbia 1978–1999 Nat Bailey Stadium 3 Became
342-791: The Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays Welland Pirates Welland , Ontario 1989–1994 Welland Stadium 0 Pittsburgh Pirates Northwest League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Affiliate New Westminster Frasers New Westminster , British Columbia 1974 0 Independent Victoria Mussels Victoria , British Columbia 1978–1980 0 Independent Rookie [ edit ] Pioneer League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Affiliate Calgary Expos Calgary , Alberta 1977–1984 0 Known as
380-547: The Cardinals 1977–78 Montreal Expos Lethbridge Dodgers Lethbridge , Alberta 1975–1983 3 Known as the Expos 1975–76 Los Angeles Dodgers Lethbridge Black Diamonds Lethbridge, Alberta 1992–1998 0 Known as the Mounties 1992–1995 Arizona Diamondbacks Medicine Hat Blue Jays Medicine Hat , Alberta 1977–2002 1 Known as
418-934: The Carnivals 1971–1975 Montreal Expos Sherbrooke Pirates Sherbrooke , Quebec 1972–1973 Amedee Roy Stadium 0 Pittsburgh Pirates Trois-Rivières Aigles Trois-Rivières , Quebec 1971–1977 Stade Municipal 0 Not to be confused with the current team of the same name in the independent Can-Am League. Cincinnati Reds Thetford Mines Pirates Thetford Mines , Quebec 1974–1975 Bellevue Stadium 1 Moved from Sherbrooke (above) Milwaukee Brewers A [ edit ] New York–Penn League [ edit ] Team City Existed Ballpark League titles Notes Affiliate Hamilton Red Wings Hamilton, Ontario 1939–1942 0 St. Louis Cardinals Hamilton Cardinals Hamilton, Ontario 1946–1956 1 Known as
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#1732848031372456-613: The Junior World Series (1932–34, 1936–62, 1970–71, 1973–74), Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), and Triple-A Classic (1988–91). For the 2021 season, in place of the National Championship Game, Minor League Baseball extended the Triple-A regular season to October 3, with league champions determined based on regular-season records through the original end date of the season (September 19 for Triple-A East, and September 21 for Triple-A West). The final 10 games of
494-966: The Ottawa A's after one season New York Giants Ottawa A's Ottawa, Ontario 1952–1954 Lansdowne Park 0 Moved to Columbus, Ohio Philadelphia Athletics Ottawa Lynx Ottawa, Ontario 1993–2007 Lynx Stadium 1 Moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania , for 2008 season. Philadelphia Phillies Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto , Ontario 1912–1967 Maple Leaf Stadium 4 Founded in 1896; moved to Louisville, Kentucky , in 1968 Boston Red Sox Winnipeg Whips Winnipeg , Manitoba 1970–1971 Winnipeg Stadium 0 Moved from Buffalo midway through 1970 season Montreal Expos Pacific Coast League [ edit ] Team City Existed Ballpark League titles Notes Affiliate Calgary Cannons Calgary , Alberta 1985–2002 Foothills Stadium 0 Became
532-455: The Red Wings in 1956 St. Louis Cardinals Hamilton Redbirds Hamilton, Ontario 1988–1992 Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium 0 St. Louis Cardinals London Pirates London , Ontario 1940–1941 Labatt Park 0 Pittsburgh Pirates St. Catharines Stompers St. Catharines , Ontario 1986–1999 Community Park 1 Also known as
570-1403: The Reno Chukars . College Summer Baseball [ edit ] Expedition League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Wheat City Whiskey Jacks Brandon, Manitoba 2019–2021 0 Intercounty Baseball League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Oshawa Dodgers Oshawa , Ontario 2002–2009 0 Western Major Baseball League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Melville Millionaires Melville, Saskatchewan 1901–2021 1/2 Red Deer Generals Red Deer, Alberta 2007 0 St. Albert Big River Prospects St. Albert, Alberta 2005–2008 0 Known as Edmonton Big River Prospects 2005 Saskatoon Yellow Jackets Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 0 Sherwood Park Dukes Sherwood Park, Alberta 2008 0 Yorkton Cardinals Yorkton, Saskatchewan 2004–2021 0 See also [ edit ] [REDACTED] Sports portal [REDACTED] Canada portal Canada national baseball team List of Major League Baseball players from Canada Pearson Cup United League : A planned third league of Major League Baseball that
608-666: The Sacramento River Cats in 2000. Not to be confused with the current Vancouver Canadians that play in the High-A West League. Oakland Athletics AA [ edit ] Eastern League [ edit ] Team City Existed Ballpark League titles Notes Affiliate London Tigers London, Ontario 1989–1993 Labatt Park 1 Moved to Trenton, New Jersey Detroit Tigers Quebec Metros Quebec City , Quebec 1971–1977 Stade Municipal 0 Known as
646-692: The Schaumburg Flyers . North American League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Calgary Vipers Calgary , Alberta 2005–11 1 Moved from the Northern League to the Golden Baseball League on October 23, 2007, then to the North American League in 2011. Folded following the 2011 season. Edmonton Capitals Edmonton , Alberta 2005–2012 1 Moved from
684-682: The Tucson Sidewinders , dropping their affiliation with the Giants in favor of the expansion Diamondbacks. The owners of the existing Tucson Toros then moved their franchise to Fresno, California , thus ending a 92-year hiatus of PCL baseball in Fresno. The transplanted Toros, renamed the Fresno Grizzlies , became the Giants' new PCL affiliate. The Firebirds were known as the Phoenix Giants until
722-785: The 1986 season. They were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants for their entire existence, now a rarity in the minor leagues. The Giants still have a spring training facility in the Phoenix area, but in Scottsdale where the Firebirds played from 1992 to 1997. The Giants first came in 1958 but moved to Tacoma , Washington after the 1959 season. In 1966 the franchise returned to the Phoenix area until their move to Fresno. The Firebirds played their home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium until moving to Scottsdale Stadium upon its reopening in 1992. Their final regular season game in August 1997
760-584: The 2021 season. At that time, the IL and PCL were temporarily renamed Triple-A East and Triple-A West , respectively. The Mexican League continues to operate, independently. Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, they announced on March 16, 2022, that the leagues would once again be called the International League and the Pacific Coast League, effective with
798-517: The 2022 season. While all current and the majority of past Triple-A teams have been located in the United States, Triple-A teams have also been based in: The main purpose of Triple-A teams is to prepare players for the major leagues. In 2010, ESPN wrote: Winning is nice, but secondary. It's much more important for a young prospect like outfielder Xavier Paul to get regular at-bats against lefties, or work on dropping down sacrifice bunts with
SECTION 20
#1732848031372836-551: The All-Star Game itself. Some additional events, such as the All-Star Fan Fest and Triple-A Home Run Derby , were held each year during this break in the regular season. While the 2021 schedule originally included a three-day All-Star break of July 12–14, this was removed after Opening Day was pushed back one month. Team schedules for the 2021 season were subsequently issued without an All-Star break. Beginning in 2006,
874-524: The IL and 10 in the PCL. Triple-A teams are generally located in smaller cities who do not have major sports league teams such as Syracuse , Toledo , Reno and Omaha as well as larger metropolitan areas without MLB teams that may also have teams in other major sports leagues , such as Austin , Jacksonville , Columbus , Buffalo , and Indianapolis . Four Triple-A teams play in the same metro areas as their parent clubs. All current Triple-A teams are located in
912-576: The International League and the Pacific Coast League. The International League fields teams primarily in the Eastern United States, while the Pacific Coast League fields teams mostly in the Western United States. Each of the 30 major league teams has an affiliation with one Triple-A team in the United States. The Triple-A All-Star Game was a single game held between the two affiliated Triple-A leagues—the International League and
950-577: The Las Vegas Ballpark. The winner of this game were the Norfolk Tides. As a part of professional baseball's pace of play initiatives implemented in 2015, 20-second pitch clocks entered use at Triple-A stadiums in 2015. In 2018, the time was shortened to 15 seconds when no runners are on base. Other significant changes implemented in 2018 included beginning extra innings with a runner on second base and limiting teams to six mound visits during
988-1012: The Northern League to the Golden Baseball League on October 23, 2007, then to the North American League in 2011. Suspended operations on February 21, 2012. Known as the Cracker-Cats from 2005 until 2009. North Central League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Regina Cyclones Regina, Saskatchewan 1994 0 Saskatoon Riot Saskatoon , Saskatchewan 1994 0 Prairie League Of Professional Baseball [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs Moose Jaw , Saskatchewan 1995–1997 0 Regina Cyclones Regina, Saskatchewan 1995–1997 1 Saskatoon Stallions Saskatoon , Saskatchewan 1995–1997 0 Entered league as
1026-452: The Pacific Coast League. Each league fielded a team composed of the top players in their respective leagues as voted on by fans, the media, and each club's field manager and general manager . The event took place every year since 1988 when the first Triple-A All-Star Game was played in Buffalo, New York . Prior to 1998, a team of American League -affiliated Triple-A All-Stars faced off against
1064-741: The Phoenix alumni went on to San Francisco, to take part in two of the Giants' National League titles (1962 and 1989). Triple-A (baseball) Triple-A (officially Class AAA ) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL). There are 30 teams, one per each Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, with 20 in
1102-575: The Saskatoon Riot; changed name to Smokin' Guns in 1996 and to Stallions in 1997 West Man Wranglers Brandon, Manitoba 1995–1997 0 Entered league as the Brandon Grey Owls; changed name to West Man Wranglers in 1997 Western Baseball League [ edit ] Team City Existed League titles Notes Surrey Glaciers Surrey, British Columbia 1995 0 Moved to Reno, Nevada , and became
1140-462: The United States; before 2008, some Triple-A leagues also fielded teams in Canada , and from 1967 to 2020 the Mexican League was classified as Triple-A. Reasons for the relocation of these teams were solely because of costs and attendance. Other than the current two Triple-A leagues, only three other leagues have ever held the classification. Prior to 1946, the top level of Minor League Baseball
1178-597: The annual Triple-A National Championship Game was held to serve as a single championship game between the champions of the International League and Pacific Coast League to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball. It was originally held annually at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City , and known as the Bricktown Showdown. Starting in 2011, the game was held in a different Triple-A city each year. Previous postseason interleague championships include
Phoenix Firebirds - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-555: The championship series 3 games to 1 to the Edmonton Trappers . The Phoenix Giants won two PCL championships in 1959 and 1977. The franchise never won a championship title under the Firebirds name. The franchise's final game was September 11, 1997, a 7-1 loss handing the Edmonton Trappers the 1997 PCL Championship played at Scottsdale Stadium . Several Giants alumni like Willie McCovey , Bobby Bonds , Matt Williams , Steve Stone , and Kirt Manwaring played in Phoenix. Some of
1254-470: The guys just playing a few more seasons because someone still wants them and they still want to. Most, if not all, of the players on an MLB team's expanded roster who are not currently on the team's active roster are assigned to the team's Triple-A club. Expanded rosters consist of 40 players, while active rosters generally consist of 26 players as of the 2021 season. Most Triple-A teams are located geographically close to their MLB parent club, as activating
1292-540: The league(s) they played for, and championships won. Major League Baseball [ edit ] National League [ edit ] Team City Existed NL East Titles National League Pennants World Series Titles Notes Montreal Expos Montreal , Quebec 1969–2004 1 0 0 Became the Washington Nationals in 2005 Minor League Baseball [ edit ] [REDACTED] This sports-related list
1330-608: The season, played after those dates, were deemed the "Final Stretch", with the team posting the best winning percentage during that period (the Durham Bulls , who went 9–1) winning a cash prize. Since the 2022 season, the Triple-A National Championship Game has been played between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League. In 2023, the Triple-A Championship game was played at
1368-454: Was Double-A , which had been established in 1912. The Triple-A classification was created before the 1946 season, and began with all three leagues then in Double-A moving up to the new level: This structure persisted for the next 75 years with only a few changes: The IL, PCL, and Mexican League continued as Triple-A leagues until Major League Baseball reorganized the minor leagues prior to
1406-2436: Was formed in the early 1990s and was to have begun play in the late 1990s in Canada and the United States. v t e [REDACTED] Baseball in Canada WBSC Americas Overview Teams Venues Leagues Players Governing bodies Baseball Canada B.C. Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia PEI NL National teams Men's U-18 Women's Professional teams Major League Baseball Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Baseball Northwest League Vancouver Canadians Independent American Association Winnipeg Goldeyes Frontier League Ottawa Titans Québec Capitales Trois-Rivières Aigles Defunct teams Montreal Expos National competitions Senior Men Senior Women Junior Midget Baseball Canada Cup Little League Pearson Cup (defunct) International events World Series 1992 1993 World Baseball Classic 2009 Pan American Games 1967 1999 2015 1990 Baseball World Cup 1981 Intercontinental Cup Grand Forks International Awards and honors Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Jack Graney Award Tip O'Neill Award v t e [REDACTED] Lists of sports teams in Canada Ice hockey by province British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador Other sports Baseball Basketball Football Lacrosse Soccer Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_defunct_baseball_teams_in_Canada&oldid=1244196123 " Category : Defunct baseball teams in Canada Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
1444-473: Was played at their original ball park and featured ceremonies including "passing the torch" to the Arizona Diamondbacks , the major league team which became Phoenix's main baseball team who began play the next year. The team made the 1997 PCL playoffs their final year, which extended their existence by a couple weeks. The Firebirds defeated the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 3-0 in the first round but lost
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