Helena Brewers

The Helena Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pioneer League located in Helena, Montana, from 1978 to 2018. The team played their home games at Kindrick Legion Field, which was built in 1939. They were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers (1985–2000, 2003–2018) and Philadelphia Phillies (1978–1983).

Helena Brewers
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesRookie (1978–2000, 2003–2018)
Previous leagues
Pioneer League (1978–2000, 2003–2018)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1984
  • 1995
  • 1996
  • 2010
Division titles (10)
  • 1979
  • 1984
  • 1987
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 1996
  • 2005
  • 2010
  • 2013
Team data
Previous names
  • Helena Brewers (1987–2000, 2003–2018)
  • Helena Gold Sox (1984–1986)
  • Helena Phillies (1978–1983)
ColorsNavy blue, gold, white
     
MascotWally the Mammoth (2015-2018)
Lewis the Lion and Clark the Cougar (2003-2015)[1]
Brewinkle (1996-2000)
Previous parks
Kindrick Legion Field (1978–2000, 2003–2018)

Among the best-known players to play in Helena are Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who started his career with the Phillies in Helena, Gary Sheffield, who started his career with the Helena Gold Sox in 1986, Jeff Cirillo and Mark Loretta who began their careers with the 1991 and 1993 Helena Brewers, respectively; and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.

History

The Helena Phillies joined the Pioneer League in 1978, giving Helena a professional baseball team for the first time in 64 years. In 1984, the Helena Gold Sox won the Pioneer League Championship, a rarity for an independent club. The team hooked on with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985 and changed its name to the Helena Brewers in 1987. Helena won the league championship in back-to-back seasons in 1995 and 1996. The franchise moved to Provo, Utah, as the Provo Angels after the 2000 season. In 2003, the Medicine Hat Blue Jays moved to Helena, and the team once again became a Brewers affiliate.

The franchise left Helena for Colorado Springs, Colorado, after the 2018 season, where it would play as the Rocky Mountain Vibes.[2]

Season-by-season record

Helena Brewers
YearRegular SeasonPost-season
RecordWin %Finish*RecordWin %Result
197830–38.4416th
197943–26.6232nd0–2.000Lost PL Championship vs Lethbridge Dodgers, 0–2
198032–38.4573rd
198122–44.3714th
198229–41.4144th
198316–54.2294th
198444–24.6471st3–1.750Won PL Championship vs Billings Mustangs, 3–1
198542–26.6182nd
198638–32.5433rd
198746–24.6571st1–3.250Lost PL Championship vs Salt Lake City Trappers, 1–3
198841–29.5862nd
198938–30.5592nd
199037–28.5693rd
199144–26.6292nd
199250–26.6582nd
199343–30.5891st1–2.333Lost PL Championship vs Billings Mustangs, 1–2
199444–28.6111st2–3.400Lost PL Championship vs Billings Mustangs, 2–3
199549–22.6901st4–1.800Won Northern Division Championship vs Idaho Falls Braves, 2–1
Won PL Championship vs Medicine Hat Blue Jays, 2–0
199643–29.5972nd4–1.800Won Northern Division Championship vs Lethbridge Black Diamonds, 2–1
Won PL Championship vs Ogden Raptors, 2–0
199737–34.5215th
199821–55.2764th
199947–28.6271st0–2.000Lost Northern Division Championship vs Missoula Osprey, 0–2
200026–50.3424th
200348–28.6322nd1–2.333Lost Northern Division Championship vs Billings Mustangs, 1–2
200439–37.5132nd
200546–30.6051st2–2.500Won Northern Division Championship vs Billings Mustangs, 2–0
Lost PL Championship vs Orem Owlz, 0–2
200634–42.4473rd
200748–28.6322nd1–2.333Lost Northern Division Championship vs Great Falls White Sox, 1–2
200835–41.4616th
200932–44.4216th
201041–34.4213rd4–1.800Won North Division Championship vs Great Falls Voyagers, 2–1
Won PL Championship vs Ogden Raptors, 2–0
201130–46.3957th
201224–52.3168th
201343–33.5662nd3-2.600Won North Division Championship vs Great Falls Voyagers, 2–0
Lost PL Championship vs Idaho Falls Chukars, 1–2
201427–49.3558th
201532–42.4328th
201628–46.3788th
201728–48.3688th
201836–40.4746th
Totals1,433–1,402.50529–26.5094 League Championships
Note: * Finish denotes overall position in the league standings.

Major leaguers

The following is a list of Helena players by year that later played in Major League Baseball:

References

  1. Shockley, Troy (May 19, 2015). "Brewers introduce team's newest addition". Independent Record. Helena, Montana. Retrieved March 7, 2019. farewell to old mascots Lewis the lion and Clark the cougar.
  2. Hill, Benjamin (November 19, 2018). "Colorado Springs feels the Vibes". MILB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
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