Gary SouthShore RailCats
Encyclopedia
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana
, in the United States
. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. The RailCats have played their home games at the U.S. Steel Yard
since 2002, when the team started as a member of the Northern League. In 2011 the team will be a member of the modern American Association.
During their time in the Northern League, the RailCats were the only team to ever reach the Championship Series five years in a row (2005–09) and won league championships in 2005 and 2007.
by the name of Victory Sports Group was officially registered in Missouri
, led by Michael A. Tatoian.
Amid much controversy, ground was broken for a new 6,000 seat stadium in Gary, Indiana
. Mayor Scott King received much scrutiny for his decision to fund such a stadium; the city of Gary has had a history of mayors who have funded massive white elephants. Again with much controversy the city signed a fifteen year lease with the team ownership for the future baseball stadium.
In September, 2001, the team was officially named the Gary SouthShore RailCats, drawing its name from both the city's deep history of freight lines
and the South Shore Line
commuter train (visible over the left field wall at the stadium).
was named the Northern League Manager of the Year after his club won 35 games, the most ever by a team that played exclusively on the road.
. The RailCats hired former Major League All-Star Garry Templeton
to Manage the team. Unfortunately, stadium or not, the RailCats were little more than a pushover, firmly stuck in last place.
.
as manager. Tagert made a number of roster changes, and turned the RailCats from losers to winners almost immediately, ending the first half with a .563 average, the first winning average in team history. The Northern League All-Star game was held at the U.S. Steel Yard. The second half went the same as the first but ended with an upset victory making the worst team in 2004, the 2005 Champions. The RailCats beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
to win the title.
teams and the rest of the league. Despite this fact, the Calgary Vipers
made it to the championship series. The RailCats spared the league the embarrassment of having a team that was leaving the league win the championship, as the Cats beat the Vipers.
who beat the first place RedHawks in the playoffs to make it to the series.
to join the American Association for the 2011 season.
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The RailCats have played their home games at the U.S. Steel Yard
U.S. Steel Yard
U.S. Steel Yard is an open-air baseball stadium located in Gary, Indiana next to I-90. It is home to the Gary SouthShore RailCats, a professional baseball team and member of the American Association. It seats 6,139 people. It also hosts many Little League Baseball games as well as high school...
since 2002, when the team started as a member of the Northern League. In 2011 the team will be a member of the modern American Association.
During their time in the Northern League, the RailCats were the only team to ever reach the Championship Series five years in a row (2005–09) and won league championships in 2005 and 2007.
2001 'Inception'
On January 23, 2001, the Northern League announced that it had awarded a franchise to Northwest Sports Ventures, LLC . In June a Limited Liability CompanyLimited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
by the name of Victory Sports Group was officially registered in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, led by Michael A. Tatoian.
Amid much controversy, ground was broken for a new 6,000 seat stadium in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. Mayor Scott King received much scrutiny for his decision to fund such a stadium; the city of Gary has had a history of mayors who have funded massive white elephants. Again with much controversy the city signed a fifteen year lease with the team ownership for the future baseball stadium.
In September, 2001, the team was officially named the Gary SouthShore RailCats, drawing its name from both the city's deep history of freight lines
Freight train
A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars or goods wagons hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway, ultimately transporting cargo between two points as part of the logistics chain...
and the South Shore Line
South Shore Line (NICTD)
The South Shore Line is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana...
commuter train (visible over the left field wall at the stadium).
2002 'RoadCats'
The stadium construction was behind schedule forcing the RailCats to play their first season entirely on the road. The city of Gary paid a financial penalty for failure to complete the stadium on time, which helped finance their season. The RailCats traveled approximately 12,000 miles to play 90 games. Despite that, RailCats manager Joe CalfapietraJoe Calfapietra
Joe Calfapietra is a professional independent league baseball manager. He currently manages the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am Association.-About:...
was named the Northern League Manager of the Year after his club won 35 games, the most ever by a team that played exclusively on the road.
2003 'Losing at Home'
Now that the stadium was complete, the RailCats signed a ten year naming rights agreement with United States Steel Corporation for the stadium. Joe Calfapietra resigned as Manager citing that he wanted to be closer to home. He later signed with the New Jersey JackalsNew Jersey Jackals
The New Jersey Jackals are a professional baseball team based in Little Falls, New Jersey, in the United States. The Jackals are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. The RailCats hired former Major League All-Star Garry Templeton
Garry Templeton
Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
to Manage the team. Unfortunately, stadium or not, the RailCats were little more than a pushover, firmly stuck in last place.
2004 'Undesirable Records'
Garry Templeton returned as coach for another season leading the Cats in their worst season. In June, they had a 14 game losing streak which was the longest in Northern League history. They completed the season in last place again securing the record for the most losses for a season in Northern League history. The RailCats announced that Templeton would not be offered his job next season. He later signed with the Fullerton FlyersFullerton Flyers
The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
.
2005 'New Manager, New Lease on Life'
The RailCats hired Greg TagertGreg Tagert
Greg Tagert is a professional independent league baseball manager. He currently manages the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association.-About:...
as manager. Tagert made a number of roster changes, and turned the RailCats from losers to winners almost immediately, ending the first half with a .563 average, the first winning average in team history. The Northern League All-Star game was held at the U.S. Steel Yard. The second half went the same as the first but ended with an upset victory making the worst team in 2004, the 2005 Champions. The RailCats beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are a professional baseball team based in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. The RedHawks are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
to win the title.
2006 'Rematch'
Tagert returned as manager in 2006. The Cats were first in their division, second overall for the season. They returned to the championship series to face the RedHawks again. This time losing the title.2007 'O Canada'
Tagert returned yet again. He proved that he could make the RailCats a legacy team. The RailCats appeared unstoppable all season. Winning first place both halves. The season was fraught with controversy between the AlbertaAlberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
teams and the rest of the league. Despite this fact, the Calgary Vipers
Calgary Vipers
The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
made it to the championship series. The RailCats spared the league the embarrassment of having a team that was leaving the league win the championship, as the Cats beat the Vipers.
2008 'Not in Kansas anymore'
Prior to the season the Cats signed Tagert to an extended contract to keep him at least until the completion of the 2010 season. Patrick A. and his wife Lindy Salvi purchased the RailCats. Patrick is the managing partner of the law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. With the loss of the Alberta teams, the league contracted to six teams. Due to the size, the league opted to have a single-division full season. Tagert again lead the Cats in a winning season, ending in second place. They lost the championship series to the fourth place Kansas City T-BonesKansas City T-Bones
The Kansas City T-Bones are a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Kansas, in the United States. The T-Bones are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
who beat the first place RedHawks in the playoffs to make it to the series.
2009 'Little Birdy'
The Cats again proved a force to be reckoned with as they ended the season in first place yet again and made it to the championship season for the fifth straight season. They lost to RedHawks.2010 'Three Steps Back'
The Cats finished in fourth place in the Northern League, their worst place finish in five years. For the first time since 2004, the RailCats did not reach the championship series, being swept by the RedHawks in the league semifinals.2011 'Coming To America'
On October 13, 2010, the RailCats left the Northern League, along with the RedHawks, T-Bones, and the Winnipeg GoldeyesWinnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
to join the American Association for the 2011 season.
Fast Facts
- Founded: 2001
- Playoff appearances: 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09
- Divisional titles won: 2006, 07, 09
- League Championships won: 2005, 07
- Broadcasts:
- Audio: WLPRWLPR-FMWLPR-FM is a FM noncommercial, public radio station broadcasting on 89.1 MHz in Lowell, Indiana, east of the Chicago metropolitan area. Financed primarily by listener contributions, Lakeshore Public Radio is affiliated with National Public Radio. The station is owned and operated by Northwest...
89.1 FM, or Click Here to listen live online - Video: iBN Sports, Click Here to view all home games live online
- Audio: WLPR
Year-by-year record
| First Half | Second Half | Overall | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Division | W-L | Finish | W-L | Finish | W-L | Win% | Playoffs | ||||||
| 2002 | South | 16-28 | 5th | 18-27 | 3rd | 35-55 | .389 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2003 | East | 15-30 | 5th | 21-24 | 5th | 36-54 | .400 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2004 | South | 13-35 | 5th | 18-30 | 5th | 31-65 | .323 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2005 | South | 27-21 | 3rd | 27-21 | 3rd | 54-42 | .563 | Won championship | ||||||
| 2006 | South | 24-24 | 2nd | 27-22 | 1st | 51-46 | .526 | Lost championship | ||||||
| 2007 | South | 30-18 | 1st | 28-20 | 1st | 58-38 | .604 | Won championship | ||||||
| 2008 | N/A | 56-40 | 2nd | N/A | N/A | 56-40 | .583 | Lost championship | ||||||
| 2009 | N/A | 57-39 | 1st | N/A | N/A | 57-39 | .594 | Lost championship | ||||||
| 2010 | N/A | 52-48 | 4th | N/A | N/A | 52-48 | .520 | Lost in 1st round | ||||||
| 2011 | Central | 54-46 | 2nd | N/A | N/A | 54-46 | .540 | Did not qualify | ||||||
Notable alumni
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- Tim ByrdakTim ByrdakTimothy Christopher Byrdak is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. His previous major league experience came from to , when Byrdak played for the Kansas City Royals, an injury-plagued stint with the Baltimore Orioles, and one year with the Detroit Tigers.After playing for...
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- Willie GlenWillie GlenWilliam German Glen is a professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2010.-Baseball career:...
- Brad HalseyBrad HalseyBradford Alexander Halsey is currently a pitcher in the New York Yankees organization.-Amateur career:Halsey attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the No...
- Nathan HaynesNathan HaynesNathan Raymond Haynes is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. His major league debut came with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 28, , and he has played all three spots in the outfield since debuting.Haynes was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st Round of the amateur draft...
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- Jarrod PattersonJarrod PattersonJarrod Lane Patterson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman. He is a graduate of Chilton County High School in Clanton, Alabama. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 20th round of...
- Ben RisingerBen RisingerBenjamin Risinger, is an Australian professional baseball player.-Early Career:Risinger played for the Australian entry that won Bronze at the 1995 World Junior Baseball Championship. He made his professional debut in the 1995-1996 Australian Baseball League, hitting .265/.321/.286 as a backup...
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- Randall SimonRandall SimonRandall Carlito Simon is a professional baseball first baseman. He has played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball and one in Nippon Professional Baseball between 1997 and 2006. Simon's debut season came with the Atlanta Braves in 1997, for whom he played until 1999...
- Brad VoylesBrad VoylesBradley Roy Voyles is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three seasons. He pitched in 40 games for the Kansas City Royals from 2001 to 2003.-External links:...
- Matt WagnerMatt Wagner (baseball)Matthew William Wagner , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Seattle Mariners. He batted and threw right-handed. Wagner had a 3-5 record, with a 6.86 ERA, in 15 games, in his one year career. He was drafted by the Mariners in the 3rd round of the 1994 amateur...
Retired numbers
| Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947... |
Joe Gates |
| 2B Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997 |
1B Coach Retired by the Gary SouthShore RailCats on May 21, 2010 |
Official websites
- Gary SouthShore RailCats Official Website
- RailCats page on MySpace
- RailCats page on Facebook
- American Association Official Website