Hamilton Redbirds
Encyclopedia
The Hamilton Redbirds were a minor league baseball team that played in the New York-Penn League from 1988 to 1992. They were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals
and played their home games at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium
in Hamilton, Ontario
. The Redbirds were founded in 1988, but the franchise itself was founded in 1981 as the Erie Cardinals. The Erie Cardinals played at Ainsworth Field
in Erie, Pennsylvania
from 1981-1987 and were also affiliated with the Cardinals from 1981-1987. The Erie Cardinals then relocated to Hamilton, Ontario
to become the Hamilton Redbirds. The Hamilton Redbirds set the all-time record for winning percentage by a St. Louis Cardinals minor league team at .651 in 1992, with a record of 56-20. Future Major League
players Keith Johns and Mike Gulan lead the offensive attack along with unsung centerfielder Brad Owens. Lefty David Orlein and righty T.J. Mathews (en route to an MLB career) both posted a 10-1 mark, and closer Jamie Cochrane set a NY-Penn League saves record with 40.
In their five seasons at Bernie Arbour Stadium, the Redbirds developed future Major League talent that included NFL
Pro Bowl
defensive back Brian Jordan, pitchers Allen Watson and Donovan Osborne
. The Redbirds inaugural season also featured a rarity when Auburn Astros
centrefielder Kenny Lofton
hit into an unassisted triple play to the hands of first baseman Joe Federico. Federico's glove and #24 jersey were secured by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. However, as the result of a reporting error by the official scorer to the Elias Sports Bureau
(then league statisticians) the rare feat is not logged in league records.
From 1989 to 1992 the club's general manager was Suffern, NY native Ben Liotta. He was a graduate of Cortland State University and was handed the reins of the operations when traveled Minor League executive Ric Jacobson was released after one season. For the most part Liotta along with Hamilton native Tony Torre ran the front office operations. The two forged an alliance with former Ontario Premier Larry Grossman in an attempt to save Minor League baseball for Hamilton when they bid on an expansion Class AA franchise in the Eastern League. The bid failed the as result of local governments unwillingness to build a stadium that met with Minor League standards. City council also rejected a rumored proposal by Rosart Properties that would have seen the developer construct a stadium at no cost to the city in exchange for a 3 acre tract of land to offset costs with a commercial property. While local government was not supportive there were voices at city council including mayor Robert Morrow and alderman Tom Murray who tried hard to salvage the bid.
The Redbirds were the quintessential minor league team that featured unique promotions such as Camel Races, The San Diego Chicken
, the zany antics of baseball clown Max Patkin
and the national anthem was a recording of Montreal Canadiens famed anthem singer Roger Doucet.
The Hamilton Redbirds relocated to East Field
in Glens Falls, New York
in 1993 to become the Glens Falls Redbirds. After the 1993 season, the Glens Falls Redbirds were then relocated to Skylands Park
located in Augusta, New Jersey
in 1994 to become the New Jersey Cardinals
. Today, the franchise is now stationed in University Park, Pennsylvania
, located right outside of State College, Pennsylvania
. The franchise is now known as the State College Spikes
.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and played their home games at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium
Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium
Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium is a stadium on Upper Kenilworth Avenue in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Located in Mohawk Sports Park, it is primarily used for baseball and was once the home of the minor league Hamilton Redbirds of the New York - Penn League...
in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. The Redbirds were founded in 1988, but the franchise itself was founded in 1981 as the Erie Cardinals. The Erie Cardinals played at Ainsworth Field
Ainsworth Field
Ainsworth Field is a 3,000 seat baseball stadium located in Erie, Pennsylvania. It hosted the Erie Sailors and other Erie based minor league teams between 1928 and 1994. In 1995, it was made obsolete for professional use by the opening of Jerry Uht Park...
in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
from 1981-1987 and were also affiliated with the Cardinals from 1981-1987. The Erie Cardinals then relocated to Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
to become the Hamilton Redbirds. The Hamilton Redbirds set the all-time record for winning percentage by a St. Louis Cardinals minor league team at .651 in 1992, with a record of 56-20. Future Major League
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...
players Keith Johns and Mike Gulan lead the offensive attack along with unsung centerfielder Brad Owens. Lefty David Orlein and righty T.J. Mathews (en route to an MLB career) both posted a 10-1 mark, and closer Jamie Cochrane set a NY-Penn League saves record with 40.
In their five seasons at Bernie Arbour Stadium, the Redbirds developed future Major League talent that included NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
defensive back Brian Jordan, pitchers Allen Watson and Donovan Osborne
Donovan Osborne
Donovan Alan Osborne is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from -.-Career:...
. The Redbirds inaugural season also featured a rarity when Auburn Astros
Auburn Astros
The Auburn Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1982 to 1995. The team played in the New York–Penn League and was affiliated with the Houston Astros. The team was located in Auburn, New York; played home games at Falcon Park; and was owned and operated by Auburn Community...
centrefielder Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
hit into an unassisted triple play to the hands of first baseman Joe Federico. Federico's glove and #24 jersey were secured by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. However, as the result of a reporting error by the official scorer to the Elias Sports Bureau
Elias Sports Bureau
The Elias Sports Bureau is an American company that provides historical research and statistical services in the field of professional sports.In 1913, Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the Al Munro Elias Bureau in New York City...
(then league statisticians) the rare feat is not logged in league records.
From 1989 to 1992 the club's general manager was Suffern, NY native Ben Liotta. He was a graduate of Cortland State University and was handed the reins of the operations when traveled Minor League executive Ric Jacobson was released after one season. For the most part Liotta along with Hamilton native Tony Torre ran the front office operations. The two forged an alliance with former Ontario Premier Larry Grossman in an attempt to save Minor League baseball for Hamilton when they bid on an expansion Class AA franchise in the Eastern League. The bid failed the as result of local governments unwillingness to build a stadium that met with Minor League standards. City council also rejected a rumored proposal by Rosart Properties that would have seen the developer construct a stadium at no cost to the city in exchange for a 3 acre tract of land to offset costs with a commercial property. While local government was not supportive there were voices at city council including mayor Robert Morrow and alderman Tom Murray who tried hard to salvage the bid.
The Redbirds were the quintessential minor league team that featured unique promotions such as Camel Races, The San Diego Chicken
The San Diego Chicken
The San Diego Chicken, also known as The Famous Chicken, the KGB Chicken or just The Chicken, is an advertising mascot played by Ted Giannoulas, which originated as an animated TV commercial for KGB-FM Radio in San Diego...
, the zany antics of baseball clown Max Patkin
Max Patkin
Max Patkin was an American baseball player and clown, best known as the Clown Prince of Baseball ....
and the national anthem was a recording of Montreal Canadiens famed anthem singer Roger Doucet.
The Hamilton Redbirds relocated to East Field
East Field
East Field is a stadium in Glens Falls, New York. It is primarily used for baseball and is the former home of the Adirondack Lumberjacks, Glens Falls White Sox, Adirondack Red Birds and Glens Falls Tigers, The Detroit Tigers Minor League Team in the 1980s. The ballpark has a capacity of 8,000...
in Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
in 1993 to become the Glens Falls Redbirds. After the 1993 season, the Glens Falls Redbirds were then relocated to Skylands Park
Skylands Park
CenturyLink Field at Skylands Park is a baseball stadium located in Augusta, New Jersey. Skylands Park opened in 1994 and was built for the New Jersey Cardinals, the New York-Penn League affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals called the park home until 2005, after which the team was...
located in Augusta, New Jersey
Augusta, New Jersey
Augusta is an unincorporated area located within Frankford Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.Augusta is the home of the New Jersey State Fair and the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show....
in 1994 to become the New Jersey Cardinals
New Jersey Cardinals
The New Jersey Cardinals were a Short-Season A minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. They were a member of the New York - Penn League and played at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey from 1994-2005.-History:...
. Today, the franchise is now stationed in University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
, located right outside of State College, Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
. The franchise is now known as the State College Spikes
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the New York – Penn League. The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park located on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Medlar Field is...
.
Year-by-year record
(from Baseball Reference)| Year | NYPL Division | Record | W% | GB | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Stedler | 36-39 | .480 | 10.5 | Dan Radison Dan Radison Daniel John Radison is an American coach and instructor in professional baseball. On November 20, 2009, he was appointed first-base coach of the Washington Nationals by newly named permanent manager Jim Riggleman.... |
DNQ |
| 1989 | Stedler | 32-44 | .421 | 12.0 | Joe Pettini Joe Pettini Joseph Paul "Joe" Pettini is a former Major League Baseball player and a current major league bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe and his family now reside in Bethany, West Virginia.... |
DNQ |
| 1990 | Stedler | 30-46 | .395 | 13.5 | Luis Melendez Luis Meléndez (baseball) Luis Antonio Meléndez Santana is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1970 until 1977, for the St... |
DNQ |
| 1991 | West | 35-42 | .455 | 15.5 | Rick Colbert | DNQ |
| 1992 | West | 56-20 | .737 | - | Chris Maloney Chris Maloney James Christopher Maloney is the first base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. A former minor league first baseman and outfielder, he began the season as the skipper of the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League, his fifth consecutive season as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A... |
Lost in 1st round |