Reno Silver Sox


The Reno Silver Sox were a minor league baseball team that existed on and off from 1947 to 1992. The team name is derived from the nickname of Nevada, the "Silver State". There was another baseball team known as the Reno Silver Sox who played in the Golden Baseball League. From part of the 1955 season to 1992, they played their home games at Moana Stadium. The 1961 Silver Sox were recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time.

History

The team first played in the Sunset League from 1947 to 1949. They were affiliated with the New York Giants during their time in the Sunset League. From 1950 to 1951, they were unaffiliated and played in the Far West League. Starting in 1955, they played in the California League, when the Channel Cities Oilers moved to Reno to become the second incarnation of the Reno Silver Sox. They became affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 and stayed affiliated with them until the Dodgers' move in 1957. They were then affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers until 1962. From 1963 to 1964, they were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They did not organize in 1965, and therefore did not play ball. They came back in 1966 and lasted until 1981. From 1966 to 1974, they were affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. From 1975 to 1976 they were affiliated with both the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres. From 1977 to 1981, they were affiliated with just the Padres. After the 1981 season, the team was renamed the Reno Padres and baseball was not played under the "Reno Silver Sox" name again until 1988. Still in the California League, they were unaffiliated from 1988 to 1991. In 1992 – the last season in which a "Silver Sox" team played in an affiliated league – they were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. Following the 1992 season, the team left Reno and move to Riverside to become the Riverside Pilots. In 1996, they moved to Lancaster and became the Lancaster JetHawks.

Championships

The Reno Silver Sox were league champions in 1948, 1960, 1961, 1975, and 1976. They are the only team in California League history to win back-to-back championships twice.

Notable Reno alumni

alumni
Other notable alumni
Adapted from at baseball-reference.com
YearLeagueRecordFinishManagerPlayoffsNotes
1947Sunset League69-694thThomas Lloyd-
1948Sunset League77-633rdThomas LloydLeague Champs-
1949Sunset League49-757thLilio Marcuccinone-
1950Far West League75-633rdJoe BorichLost in 1st round-
1951Far West League52-653rdCotton Pippen-
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1955California League40-106 overall8thLeonard NorenChannel Cities moved to Reno July 1
1956California League73-674thRay PerryLost in 1st round-
1957California League79-592ndRay PerryLost League Finals-
1958California League68-696thRay Perry-
1959California League81-582ndRay Perry-
1960California League89-511stTom SaffellLeague Champs-
1961California League97-431stRoy SmalleyLeague Champs-
1962California League70-684thRoy SmalleyLost League Finals-
1963California League71-695thTom Saffell-
1964California League66-716thTom Saffell / Harvey Koepfnone-
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1966California League69-714th Phil Cavarretta-
1967California League56-828thPhil Cavarretta-
1968California League67-725thClay Bryant-
1969California League72-683rd Ken Aspromonte-
1970California League79-612ndPinky Maynone-
1971California League64-757thPinky May-
1972California League50-888thLou Klimchock-
1973California League70-704th Lou Klimchock-
1974California League61-796th Joe Azcue / interim / Del Youngblood-
1975California League86-541stHarry WarnerLeague Champs-
1976California League75-623rdJohnny GorylLeague Champs-
1977California League59-815thGlenn Ezell-
1978California League62-785thEddie Watt-
1979California League74-673rdEddie Watt-
1980California League75-662nd Jack Maloof-
1981California League81-582ndJack MaloofLost in 1st round-
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1988California League39-10310thNate Oliver-
1989California League68-746thEli Grba-
1990California League71-686thMike Brown-
1991California League59-777thMal Fichman-
1992California League65-718thGary Jones-