Bakersfield Blaze

The Bakersfield Blaze were a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California. They played in the California League at the Class A-Advanced level, hosting home games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Opened in 1941, the stadium is well known for facing the setting sun and its shallow 354-foot (108 m) center field fence, and seats 3,500 fans.

Bakersfield Blaze
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class A – Advanced (1990–2016)
  • Class A (1964–1989)
  • Class C (1941–1942, 1946–1962)
Previous leagues
California League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1970
  • 1989
Team data
Name
  • Bakersfield Blaze (1995–2016)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1984–1994)
  • Bakersfield Mariners (1982–1983)
  • Bakersfield Outlaws (1978–1979)
  • Bakersfield Dodgers (1968–1975)
  • Bakersfield Bears (1957–1967)
  • Bakersfield Boosters (1956)
  • Bakersfield Indians (1946–1955)
  • Bakersfield Badgers (1941–1942)
MascotTorch (2011–2016)
Heater (2012–2016, 2003–2010)
Rookie the Dalmatian (1995–2002)
Previous parks
Sam Lynn Ballpark

Near the end of the 2008 season, it was rumored that the Blaze would move to the Carolina League after the following season. However, Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner announced in February 2009 that they would remain in the California League.[1]

The Blaze were sold to local Bakersfield businessmen Gene Voiland and Chad Hathaway just prior to the 2012 season. The new ownership renovated Sam Lynn Ballpark in time for Opening Day and announced in November 2012 that a new ballpark would be ready for the 2014 season.[2] However, financing plans for a new stadium failed to meet the $30 million target and team ownership was reclaimed by former owner D. G. Elmore. As a result, the California League began looking for a new home for the team.[3] However, in August 2016, the California League announced that the Blaze would not be returning for the 2017 season.[4] The team played its final game on September 12, 2016.[5]

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers replaced the Blaze at the Advanced-A level, however the Fayetteville Woodpeckers are not the continuation of the Blaze.

Year-by-year record
YearRecordFinish in Northern DivisionManagerPlayoffs
194173–673rdFrank Morehouse / Les PowersLost in 1st round 3 games to 1 vs Santa Barbara
194222–454thJack Colbern / Rex Cecil / Lee DempseyLeague suspended operations on June 28
194672–583rdMartin Metrovich / Tony GovernorLost in 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Stockton
194766–745thTony Governor
194870–705th (t)Harry Griswold
194985–541stHarry GriswoldLost in 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Ventura
195061–796thHarry Griswold
195158–898thWimpy Quinn
195270–705thGene Lillard
195375–652ndRay PerryLost in 1st round 3 games to 0 vs Stockton
195480–602nd (t)Ray PerryLost in 1st round 3 games to 1 vs San Jose
195561–855thDoc Alexson
195648–928thArt Lilly / Dick Wilson
195764–756thDick Wilson / Babe Herman
195884–552ndPaul OwensLost in 1st round 2 games to 1 vs Visalia
195970–714thPaul OwensLost League Finals 4 games to 2 vs Modesto
196074–663rdLou Kahn
196182–582ndLou Kahn
196267–726th (t)Bob Wellman
196378–622ndBob Wellman
196456–838thMoose Johnson
196566–745thDick Teed
196668–726thDick Teed
196770–684thNolan Campbell
196861–797thDon Williams
196967–736thDon LeJohn
197093–461stDon LeJohnLeague Champs – Best Overall Regular Season Record – No Playoffs (Best Record in Bakersfield History)
197156–828thDon LeJohn
197288–521stDon LeJohnLost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Modesto
197370–704thGeorge FreeseLost League Finals 2 games to 0 vs Lodi
197465–755thGeorge Freese
197560–808thRon Brand
197848–928thGeorge Culver
197963–779thRon Mihal
198264–768thKen Pape
198368–726thGreg Mahlberg
198468–724thDon LeJohnWon 1st round 2 games to 1 vs Fresno, Lost League Finals 3 games to 1 vs Modesto
198565–806thMel Queen
198640–10210thDon LeJohn
198778–654thKevin Kennedy
198871–716thGary LaRocque
198982–603rdTim JohnsonWon 1st round 3 games to 1 vs San Bernardino League Champs Defeated Stockton 3 games to 0
199080–623rdTom BeyersWon 1st round 3 games to 2 vs Visalia, Lost League Finals 3 games to 2 vs Stockton
199185–512ndTom BeyersLost in 1st round 3 games to 0 vs High Desert
199268–687thTom Beyers
199342–9410thRick Dempsey
199469–675thJohn Shelby
199558–828th (t)Greg Mahlberg
199639–10110thGraig Nettles
199762–788thGlenn Tufts / Keith Bodie
199849–9110thFrank Reberger
199964–767thKeith Comstock
200080–602ndLenn SakataLost in 1st round 2 games to 1 to Visalia (BEST RECORD IN BAKERSFIELD BLAZE HISTORY)
200171–695th (t)Charlie MontoyoDefeated Stockton 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Trailed 2 games to 1 in Division finals vs San Jose when post season cancelled due to 9/11*
200269–726th (t)Charlie Montoyo
200370–708thOmer Munoz
200459–818thMako Oliveras
200568–727thArnie Beyeler
200658–8210thCarlos Subero
200757–839thCarlos Subero
200862–789thDamon Berryhill
200975–655thSteve BuecheleDefeated Modesto 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Lost North Div Finals 3 games to 2 vs San Jose
201067–737thBill Haselman
201166–746thKen Griffey, Sr.
201272–685thKen Griffey, Sr.Won first half championship. Lost North Div Finals in 5 games to Modesto
201355–855thKen Griffey, Sr.
201478–622ndPat KellyFirst Half Champion (lost to Visalia in Divisional Finals)
201561–795thEddie Menchaca
201676–648th (t)Eddie MenchacaDefeated San Jose 2 games to 1 in 1st round, Lost Nort Div Finals 3 games to 0 vs Visalia

Notable former Bakersfield players
Pedro Martínez
Richard Bleier
Scott Feldman
Josh Hamilton
Orel Hershiser
Steve Yeager

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

References
  1. "2 Cal League teams no longer moving to Carolina League". Bakersfield.com. March 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  2. "2 Long-awaited plans unveiled for a new Bakersfield Blaze ballpark". Bakersfield.com. November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  3. "Previous owner reclaims the Blaze; league looking for a new city". Bakersfield.com. October 14, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  4. "Cal League to Downsize in 2017". OurSports Central. August 22, 2016.
  5. Spedden, Zach (September 13, 2016). "Bakersfield Blaze Play Final Game". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
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