New Jersey Jackals
Encyclopedia
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
. From their inception, the Jackals have played their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium
, on the campus of Montclair State University
.
in Colonie, New York, over the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
.
The Jackals joined the Northern League for the 1999 season along with the rest of the Northeast League teams after the two leagues approved a merger. New Jersey finished 45–40 and advanced to the playoffs, where they swept the Allentown Ambassadors
in the first round. This set up a rematch with Albany-Colonie for a chance to advance to the Northern League Championship Series, but the Diamond Dogs ended the Jackals' season with a 3–1 series defeat.
In Tsamis' first season the Jackals again struggled. The team finished five games under .500 in the first half of the season, but was able to even their record by finishing five games above .500 in the second half. Their 45–45 record barely qualified the Jackals for the 2001 Northern League playoffs, but the team managed to sweep Albany-Colonie in the first round. They then took on the Elmira Pioneers
in the Northern League East Championship Series, winning in five games. The Jackals completed their run by defeating the North Division champion, the Winnipeg Goldeyes
, 3 to 1 to claim their first Northern League Championship.
The 2002 Jackals season was historic on two fronts. The first historic moment came when Jeremy Callier threw a no-hitter on August 28 against the Berkshire Black Bears, requiring a home run by Ryan Kane in the bottom of the ninth inning to make it official. The second piece of team history saw the Jackals set a team record for victories, finishing with 62 to lead the league. In the playoffs, however, the Jackals did not have any relative ease in winning games as they were taken to five games by Elmira again in the first round and required a two-out bases clearing double by first baseman Dave Callahan to win over the Adirondack Lumberjacks
in the fifth game of their Northern League East Championship Series tilt. Once again, though, the Jackals finished with a championship by defeating Winnipeg in four games.
2003 saw two major changes for the Jackals. After Tsamis resigned following the year to take the managerial position with the St. Paul Saints
, New Jersey hired Gary SouthShore RailCats
manager Joe Calfapietra to take his place. The second saw the end of the merger with the Northern League, as the Northeast League once again became its own entity. The Jackals returned to the playoffs for a third consecutive year by winning both halves of the season in their division, but were dispatched in the first round by the eventual league champion Brockton Rox
. Despite this, the Jackals finished with a 52–37 record.
In 2004, New Jersey improved their record to what was then the team's second-best showing in its history, winning 54 games and losing 29. However, the first half of the season required saw the Jackals end in a tie with the New Haven County Cutters
, requiring a one-game playoff which New Jersey won for their fifth consecutive half-season victory. The Jackals pulled away in the second half with a 28–18 record, winning both halves for a third straight year. After dispatching of the Bangor Lumberjacks
in the first round of the playoffs, the Jackals found themselves in trouble against the North Shore Spirit
in the league championship series. Trailing two games to none and down late in the third game, the Jackals rallied for an extra inning victory. They duplicated the feat the next day in Game 4 to tie the series, and then won the fifth and deciding game to take the Northeast League Championship. To date, this is the last time the Jackals have won a league championship.
In 2005 the Jackals joined the Can-Am League and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000 despite posting a winning record of 48–44. 2006 saw another history-making performance as Aaron Myers threw the second no-hitter in team history, but New Jersey again missed the playoffs and- with a 43–48 record- finished with only their second losing record in team history.
The Jackals won the Can-Am League First Half Championship in 2007 with a 31–15 record, guaranteeing them a spot in the playoffs. Their 31 wins in the first half still mark a franchise best in the first half, and second most in a half (32 in 2002). The Jackals' second half was not as strong, as they finished in last place with an 18–29 record. New Jersey took the Nashua Pride
to a fifth game at Yogi Berra Stadium in their best-of-five series before losing and getting knocked out. The Jackals missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 43–51.
New Jersey was able to ride a CanAm League record 14 game win streak to a First Half Championship in 2009 with a 28–19 record, once again guaranteeing the team a playoff spot. The Jackals won 27 games in the second half for a total of 55, the second most in team history. Despite that, New Jersey was quickly eliminated from the playoffs by the Worcester Tornadoes
.
For the second time in their history, the Jackals lost 50 games in 2010. However, their combined record of 42–50 was enough for the team to qualify as one of four teams in what was now a seven-team Can-Am League. For the second consecutive year, though, the Jackals were swept in the first round of the playoffs; this time, the defending league champion Quebec Capitales
defeated the Jackals.
In 2011, the Jackals finished the regular season 57-36, the second most season wins in franchise history (62 is currently the record). Despite an impressive record, the Jackals were unable to win either half of the regular season (Quebec won both halves), and finished second among the eight teams. New Jersey swept the Pittsfield Colonials in the first round of the playoffs three games to none, giving the Jackals their first trip to the championship since 2004. Quebec and New Jersey met in the championship, with the Capitales winning the series three games to one, capturing their third consecutive CanAm League title. Jackals pitcher Isaac Pavlik made a close run for the triple crown, finishing the regular season atop the league in wins and strikeouts, but third in ERA.
The mascot for the Jackals is an anthropomorphic Jackal
named Jack. He entertains the fans and has some trademark game antics, such as wiggling his tail, the Cha Cha Slide
, the YMCA, etc. Jack is popular with children who attend the games, as well as the community.
The Jackals play at Yogi Berra Stadium
, which is located on the Little Falls side of the Montclair State University campus and named for Hall of Fame ex-Yankee catcher Yogi Berra
, a longtime Montclair resident. Also located at the stadium site is the Yogi Berra Museum, a baseball-themed educational attraction which also contains a stadium luxury box. The luxury box is used only by major league scouts and Berra himself, who attends at least twice a year during special theme nights on which he signs autographs for fans.
The Jackals have retired three jersey numbers. #8 has never been issued by the team in honor of Yogi Berra, who wore that number for his entire career playing and managing. The first player to have his jersey number retired was Joel Bennett, who pitched for the Jackals from 2000 to 2006 and set most of the team's pitching records that have since been eclipsed by Isaac Pavlik, who has pitched with New Jersey since 2005. Bennett's #28 was retired in his honor shortly after his retirement. The most recent Jackal to have his jersey number retired was outfielder/infielder Zach Smithlin, who played for the Jackals from 2004-2009 and holds team records for most games played by a position player, runs scored, and stolen bases. Smithlin retired from professional baseball after the 2010 season and had his jersey number #4 retired by the Jackals on July 30, 2011.
shortly after the Bears joined the Can-Am League in 2010. Since both teams play in Essex County, New Jersey
, they established the County Executives' Cup to formalize this geographical contest. Off the field, the Jackals and the Bears will collaborate in order to strengthen each teams' respective recognition in Essex County, support fund-raising projects for local charities, and coordinate educational programs to benefit area students. The New Jersey Jackals won the inaugural County Executives' Cup in 2011.
The Jackals have also had rivalries in the past, notably between the Quebec Capitales and the Winnipeg Goldeyes
, of the American Association. The Jackals defeated the Goldeyes in the 2001 and 2002 championship (winners of the East and Central). The Jackals won both Northern League championships series 3–1. The rivalry between the leagues, rematches, and off-field incidents led to the formation of this feud. Since their inception, Quebec and New Jersey have played in the same league. Both teams have won four league championships. In 2011, the Capitales defeated the Jackals three games to one in the championship series.
The Jackals wear a black cap for home games and red for away. The road cap has the "NJ" cap logo centered on the front, with a baseball dotting the "J." The home cap is black with the "jackal" cap logo centered on the front with a baseball incorporated with the logo to the left. The home jerseys are white with black pinstripes with the "Jackals" wordmark centered across in red with black outline. The away jerseys are grey with the "New Jersey" wordmark arched across the front in red letters with black outline. An alternate jersey is black with red piping with the "Jackals" wordmark centered across in red with white outline. The batting practice jersey is red with black sleeves, with the "NJ" cap logo centered on the left-side chest.
When the Jackals began in 1998, games were carried over Seton Hall University
's WSOU. After a season there, the team moved to commercial station WMTR-AM, a low-powered oldies station in Morristown, New Jersey
. They also were heard on WJUX-FM
, a New York-based standards station, ending their run on commercial radio in 2002. For this entire stretch, Jim Cerny was the voice of the Jackals.
WPSC-FM, the on-campus radio station for William Paterson University
, took broadcast rights in 2003 and kept them until 2006. The original broadcast team consisted of Darren Cooper on play-by-play with Joe Ameruoso as color commentator. Cooper left the broadcast after the season, and Tony Colucci was added as color man to take over for the promoted Ameruoso. Beginning in 2005, Ameruoso did the broadcasts by himself.
Little Falls, New Jersey
Little Falls is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,855. It is located about from New York City....
, in the United States. The Jackals are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional, independent baseball league located in the Northeastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is...
, 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...
. From their inception, the Jackals have played their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium
Yogi Berra Stadium
Yogi Berra Stadium is a baseball stadium in Little Falls, New Jersey, US, on the campus of Montclair State University, which is located in Montclair...
, on the campus of Montclair State University
Montclair State University
Montclair State University is a public research university located in the Upper Montclair section of Montclair, the Great Notch area of Little Falls, and Clifton, New Jersey. As of October 2009, there were 18,171 total enrolled students: 14,139 undergraduate students and 4,032 graduate students...
.
1990s
The club was formed in 1998, and they posted the best record in the Northeast League in their inaugural season under manager Kash Beauchamp. The Jackals won the first half with a 30–12 record, clinching the team a playoff spot. After finishing 53–31, New Jersey went on to sweep the two playoff series and win the league championship, capturing the final game at Heritage ParkHeritage Park (Colonie)
Heritage Park was a stadium in Colonie, New York, USA. It was primarily used for baseball but was also used for high school and college football games. It had a capacity of 5,500.-History:...
in Colonie, New York, over the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
The Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs were a minor league baseball team based in Albany, New York from 1995 to 2002. The team played at Heritage Park in Colonie. The Diamond Dogs competed in the Northeast League from 1995-98 and then in the Northern League when the two leagues merged prior to the 1999...
.
The Jackals joined the Northern League for the 1999 season along with the rest of the Northeast League teams after the two leagues approved a merger. New Jersey finished 45–40 and advanced to the playoffs, where they swept the Allentown Ambassadors
Allentown Ambassadors
The Allentown Ambassadors were an independent baseball team that competed in the Northeast League and the Northern League from 1997 until 2003. They played their home games at Allentown, Pennsylvania's Bicentennial Park.- History :...
in the first round. This set up a rematch with Albany-Colonie for a chance to advance to the Northern League Championship Series, but the Diamond Dogs ended the Jackals' season with a 3–1 series defeat.
2000s
The Jackals were chosen to host the 2000 Northern League All-Star Game at Yogi Berra Stadium. However, it was one of few highlights in an otherwise down year. New Jersey failed to finish with a winning record for the first time in team history and finished up the season at 31–52. Manager Kash Beauchamp resigned at the end of the season and the team chose Waterbury Spirit manager George Tsamis to replace him.In Tsamis' first season the Jackals again struggled. The team finished five games under .500 in the first half of the season, but was able to even their record by finishing five games above .500 in the second half. Their 45–45 record barely qualified the Jackals for the 2001 Northern League playoffs, but the team managed to sweep Albany-Colonie in the first round. They then took on the Elmira Pioneers
Elmira Pioneers
The Elmira Pioneers are an amateur baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They currently compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league. Prior to the 2006 baseball season, the team was a professional ballclub with a rich history of league...
in the Northern League East Championship Series, winning in five games. The Jackals completed their run by defeating the North Division champion, the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg 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...
, 3 to 1 to claim their first Northern League Championship.
The 2002 Jackals season was historic on two fronts. The first historic moment came when Jeremy Callier threw a no-hitter on August 28 against the Berkshire Black Bears, requiring a home run by Ryan Kane in the bottom of the ninth inning to make it official. The second piece of team history saw the Jackals set a team record for victories, finishing with 62 to lead the league. In the playoffs, however, the Jackals did not have any relative ease in winning games as they were taken to five games by Elmira again in the first round and required a two-out bases clearing double by first baseman Dave Callahan to win over the Adirondack Lumberjacks
Adirondack Lumberjacks
The Adirondack Lumberjacks were an independent professional baseball team based in Glens Falls, New York. The team moved to Bangor, Maine and became the Bangor Lumberjacks following the 2002 season...
in the fifth game of their Northern League East Championship Series tilt. Once again, though, the Jackals finished with a championship by defeating Winnipeg in four games.
2003 saw two major changes for the Jackals. After Tsamis resigned following the year to take the managerial position with the St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, New Jersey hired Gary SouthShore RailCats
Gary SouthShore RailCats
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...
manager Joe Calfapietra to take his place. The second saw the end of the merger with the Northern League, as the Northeast League once again became its own entity. The Jackals returned to the playoffs for a third consecutive year by winning both halves of the season in their division, but were dispatched in the first round by the eventual league champion Brockton Rox
Brockton Rox
The Brockton Rox were a professional baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Rox were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2002 season to 2011, the Rox played their home...
. Despite this, the Jackals finished with a 52–37 record.
In 2004, New Jersey improved their record to what was then the team's second-best showing in its history, winning 54 games and losing 29. However, the first half of the season required saw the Jackals end in a tie with the New Haven County Cutters
New Haven County Cutters
The New Haven County Cutters were an independent baseball team based in New Haven, Connecticut. From 2004 through 2007, it played in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
, requiring a one-game playoff which New Jersey won for their fifth consecutive half-season victory. The Jackals pulled away in the second half with a 28–18 record, winning both halves for a third straight year. After dispatching of the Bangor Lumberjacks
Bangor Lumberjacks
The Bangor Lumberjacks were an independent minor league baseball team in the Northeast League that was based in Bangor, Maine. Prior to 2003, the Lumberjacks played in Glens Falls, New York and were known as the Adirondack Lumberjacks. The team moved to Maine following the 2002 season...
in the first round of the playoffs, the Jackals found themselves in trouble against the North Shore Spirit
North Shore Spirit
The North Shore Spirit was a minor-league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. The Spirit played in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
in the league championship series. Trailing two games to none and down late in the third game, the Jackals rallied for an extra inning victory. They duplicated the feat the next day in Game 4 to tie the series, and then won the fifth and deciding game to take the Northeast League Championship. To date, this is the last time the Jackals have won a league championship.
In 2005 the Jackals joined the Can-Am League and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000 despite posting a winning record of 48–44. 2006 saw another history-making performance as Aaron Myers threw the second no-hitter in team history, but New Jersey again missed the playoffs and- with a 43–48 record- finished with only their second losing record in team history.
The Jackals won the Can-Am League First Half Championship in 2007 with a 31–15 record, guaranteeing them a spot in the playoffs. Their 31 wins in the first half still mark a franchise best in the first half, and second most in a half (32 in 2002). The Jackals' second half was not as strong, as they finished in last place with an 18–29 record. New Jersey took the Nashua Pride
Nashua Pride
The Nashua Pride were a professional baseball team based in Nashua, New Hampshire, in the United States, not affiliated with Major League Baseball. They played home games at Holman Stadium from 1998 through 2008, when they were sold and renamed the American Defenders of New Hampshire. In 2010 that...
to a fifth game at Yogi Berra Stadium in their best-of-five series before losing and getting knocked out. The Jackals missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 43–51.
New Jersey was able to ride a CanAm League record 14 game win streak to a First Half Championship in 2009 with a 28–19 record, once again guaranteeing the team a playoff spot. The Jackals won 27 games in the second half for a total of 55, the second most in team history. Despite that, New Jersey was quickly eliminated from the playoffs by the Worcester Tornadoes
Worcester Tornadoes
The Worcester Tornadoes are a professional baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Tornadoes are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
.
For the second time in their history, the Jackals lost 50 games in 2010. However, their combined record of 42–50 was enough for the team to qualify as one of four teams in what was now a seven-team Can-Am League. For the second consecutive year, though, the Jackals were swept in the first round of the playoffs; this time, the defending league champion Quebec Capitales
Quebec Capitales
The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
defeated the Jackals.
2010s
In 2010, the Jackals slipped in the first half, finishing fourth with a 19–27 record. The team battled back to a 23–23 record in the second half, beating out the Worcester Tornadoes by 0.5 game for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Jackals were swept by Quebec three games to none in the opening round.In 2011, the Jackals finished the regular season 57-36, the second most season wins in franchise history (62 is currently the record). Despite an impressive record, the Jackals were unable to win either half of the regular season (Quebec won both halves), and finished second among the eight teams. New Jersey swept the Pittsfield Colonials in the first round of the playoffs three games to none, giving the Jackals their first trip to the championship since 2004. Quebec and New Jersey met in the championship, with the Capitales winning the series three games to one, capturing their third consecutive CanAm League title. Jackals pitcher Isaac Pavlik made a close run for the triple crown, finishing the regular season atop the league in wins and strikeouts, but third in ERA.
Miscellaneous
- Founded: 1998
- Playoff Appearances: (8) 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
- League Championships won: (4) 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004
The mascot for the Jackals is an anthropomorphic Jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
named Jack. He entertains the fans and has some trademark game antics, such as wiggling his tail, the Cha Cha Slide
Cha Cha Slide
The "Cha Cha Slide" is a song often played at dance clubs, school dances/proms, parties, skating rinks, bar mitzvahs and weddings in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom , created by Chicago's DJ Casper...
, the YMCA, etc. Jack is popular with children who attend the games, as well as the community.
The Jackals play at Yogi Berra Stadium
Yogi Berra Stadium
Yogi Berra Stadium is a baseball stadium in Little Falls, New Jersey, US, on the campus of Montclair State University, which is located in Montclair...
, which is located on the Little Falls side of the Montclair State University campus and named for Hall of Fame ex-Yankee catcher Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, a longtime Montclair resident. Also located at the stadium site is the Yogi Berra Museum, a baseball-themed educational attraction which also contains a stadium luxury box. The luxury box is used only by major league scouts and Berra himself, who attends at least twice a year during special theme nights on which he signs autographs for fans.
The Jackals have retired three jersey numbers. #8 has never been issued by the team in honor of Yogi Berra, who wore that number for his entire career playing and managing. The first player to have his jersey number retired was Joel Bennett, who pitched for the Jackals from 2000 to 2006 and set most of the team's pitching records that have since been eclipsed by Isaac Pavlik, who has pitched with New Jersey since 2005. Bennett's #28 was retired in his honor shortly after his retirement. The most recent Jackal to have his jersey number retired was outfielder/infielder Zach Smithlin, who played for the Jackals from 2004-2009 and holds team records for most games played by a position player, runs scored, and stolen bases. Smithlin retired from professional baseball after the 2010 season and had his jersey number #4 retired by the Jackals on July 30, 2011.
Rivalries
The New Jersey Jackals announced a formal rivalry with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
shortly after the Bears joined the Can-Am League in 2010. Since both teams play in Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
, they established the County Executives' Cup to formalize this geographical contest. Off the field, the Jackals and the Bears will collaborate in order to strengthen each teams' respective recognition in Essex County, support fund-raising projects for local charities, and coordinate educational programs to benefit area students. The New Jersey Jackals won the inaugural County Executives' Cup in 2011.
The Jackals have also had rivalries in the past, notably between the Quebec Capitales and the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg 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...
, of the American Association. The Jackals defeated the Goldeyes in the 2001 and 2002 championship (winners of the East and Central). The Jackals won both Northern League championships series 3–1. The rivalry between the leagues, rematches, and off-field incidents led to the formation of this feud. Since their inception, Quebec and New Jersey have played in the same league. Both teams have won four league championships. In 2011, the Capitales defeated the Jackals three games to one in the championship series.
Logos and uniforms
The official colors of the New Jersey Jackals are red and black. The primary logo incorporates several elements, including the initials "NJ" for New Jersey with the "Jackals" wordmark following the "J." A stylized baseball in white with red threading and black outline dots the "J", with a depiction of a jackal's head in red with white shadowing and black outline is centered above the wordmark.The Jackals wear a black cap for home games and red for away. The road cap has the "NJ" cap logo centered on the front, with a baseball dotting the "J." The home cap is black with the "jackal" cap logo centered on the front with a baseball incorporated with the logo to the left. The home jerseys are white with black pinstripes with the "Jackals" wordmark centered across in red with black outline. The away jerseys are grey with the "New Jersey" wordmark arched across the front in red letters with black outline. An alternate jersey is black with red piping with the "Jackals" wordmark centered across in red with white outline. The batting practice jersey is red with black sleeves, with the "NJ" cap logo centered on the left-side chest.
Notable alumni
- Craig BreslowCraig BreslowCraig Andrew Breslow is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He throws left-handed, and is considered a lefty specialist....
, relief pitcher for the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. Breslow joined the Jackals midway through the 2004 season and was bought by the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in 2005, making his major league debut later that season. Breslow has also pitched for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
- John LindseyJohn LindseyJohn William Lindsey is a professional baseball first baseman.-Colorado Rockies:A football and baseball star in high school in Hattiesburg, Lindsey was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft...
, Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
first baseman, Lindsey played for the Jackals in 2005 and was bought by the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
at midseason, only to be released at the end of the year. Lindsey returned to the Jackals in 2006, played the entire season, and joined the Dodgers in 2007. Lindsey made his major league debut in 2010 at 33 years old.
- Raul ValdesRaúl ValdésRaúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
, relief pitcher for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Valdes pitched for the Jackals in 2006 and went 7-3 in 17 games with 12 starts. He signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
following the season and made his major league debut for them in 2010. Valdes signed with the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe 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...
in the 2010 offseason and began the 2011 season with the Memphis RedbirdsMemphis RedbirdsThe Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
, the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate. He was released by St. Louis after making seven appearances and finished the 2011 season with New York.
- Mark LemkeMark LemkeMark Alan Lemke is a former Major League Baseball player. Nicknamed "The Lemmer", he was a popular second baseman for the Atlanta Braves from to .-Biography:...
, former second baseman for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. After retiring from the major leagues in 1998, Lemke decided to try to become a knuckleballKnuckleballA knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
pitcher and joined the Jackals for 1999. He was released early in the 2000 season due to control problems.
- Pete Rose, Jr., son of Pete RosePete RosePeter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
and career minor leaguer. Rose, who played as "PJ Rose", spent two season with the Jackals from 1998-99.
- Timo PerezTimo PérezTimoniel M. "Timo" Pérez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Detroit Tigers organization.-Hiroshima Toyo Carp:...
, outfielder in the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
organization. Perez played for the Jackals in 2009 for 21 games.
- Benji GilBenji GilRomar Benjamin Gil Aguilar is a former Major League Baseball utility player.Gil made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1993...
, former major league infielder. Gil joined the Jackals as part of a comeback attempt in 2005 but was released.
- Argenis ReyesArgenis ReyesArgenis N. Reyes Sanchez is a Major League Baseball second baseman. Formerly a member or the New York Mets organization, he is not related to former teammate José Reyes, although the two were childhood friends in the Dominican Republic.Reyes was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the...
, infielder in the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organization. Reyes played for the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
from 2008-2009, joined the Jackals in 2010, and was sold by the team to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in July 2011. The Red Sox promptly traded him to Cleveland, where he joined the Columbus ClippersColumbus ClippersThe Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
and led them to the International LeagueInternational LeagueThe International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
championship.
- D'Angelo JiménezD'Angelo JiménezD'Angelo Jiménez is a Major League Baseball player who is currently in the Minnesota Twins organization. He is an infielder that plays primarily second base. He made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in .In , Jiménez appeared in a game as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres...
, former major league second baseman. Jiménez joined the Jackals in the second half of the 2011 season after spending the previous season split between the Rochester Red WingsRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
and the Mexican League.
Season records
New Jersey Jackals 1998–2010 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | League | Manager | First Half Record | Second Half Record | Season Record |
1998 | Northeast League | Kash Beauchamp Kash Beauchamp James Kash Beauchamp is the son of Jim Beauchamp, and a former minor league baseball outfielder and manager. Beauchamp originally attended Grove High School in Oklahoma and then Bacone College... |
30–12, 1st place South | 23–19, 2nd place South | 53–31 |
1999 | Northeast League | Kash Beauchamp | 23–19, 1st place South | 22–21, 2nd place South (tie) | 45–40 |
2000 | Northern League | Kash Beauchamp | 17–25, 4th place South | 14–27, 4th place South | 31–52 |
2001 | Northern League | George Tsamis George Tsamis George Alex Tsamis is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched one season in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins in 1993. He is the current manager of the St. Paul Saints, and has been since 2003. He led the Saints to the 2004 Northern League championship.- Playing career... |
20–25, 3rd place South | 25–20, 2nd place South | 45–45 |
2002 | Northern League | George Tsamis | 30–15, 1st place South | 32–12, 1st place South | 62–27 |
2003 | Northern League | Joe Calfapietra Joe Calfapietra Joe Calfapietra is a professional independent league baseball manager. He currently manages the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am Association.-About:... |
28–17, 1st place South | 24–20, 1st place South | 52–37 |
2004 | Northeast League | Joe Calfapietra | 26–21, 1st place South | 28–18, 1st place South | 54–39 |
2005 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 25–21, 2nd place South | 23–23, 3rd place South | 48–44 |
2006 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 25–20, 2nd place (tie) | 18–28, 7th place | 43–48 |
2007 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 31–15, 1st place | 18–29, 10th place | 49–34 |
2008 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 25–22, 4th place | 18–29, 8th place | 43–41 |
2009 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 28–19, 1st place | 27–20, 3rd place | 55–39 |
2010 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 19–27, 5th place | 23–23, 4th place | 42–50 |
2011 | CanAm League | Joe Calfapietra | 27-20, 2nd place | 30-16, 1st place | 57-36 |
Post-Season records
Post Season Records | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Opening Round | League Championship | Northern League Championship |
1998 | Defeated Allentown Ambassadors Allentown Ambassadors The Allentown Ambassadors were an independent baseball team that competed in the Northeast League and the Northern League from 1997 until 2003. They played their home games at Allentown, Pennsylvania's Bicentennial Park.- History :... , 2 games to 0 |
Def. Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs The Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs were a minor league baseball team based in Albany, New York from 1995 to 2002. The team played at Heritage Park in Colonie. The Diamond Dogs competed in the Northeast League from 1995-98 and then in the Northern League when the two leagues merged prior to the 1999... , 2 games to 0 |
|
1999 | Defeated Allentown Ambassadors, 3 games to 0 | Lost to Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, 3 games to 1 | |
2001 | Defeated Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, 3 games to 0 | Def. Elmira Pioneers Elmira Pioneers The Elmira Pioneers are an amateur baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They currently compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league. Prior to the 2006 baseball season, the team was a professional ballclub with a rich history of league... , 3 games to 2 |
Def. Winnipeg Goldeyes Winnipeg 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... , 3 games to 1 |
2002 | Defeated Elmira Pioneers, 3 games to 2 | Def. Adirondack Lumberjacks Bangor Lumberjacks The Bangor Lumberjacks were an independent minor league baseball team in the Northeast League that was based in Bangor, Maine. Prior to 2003, the Lumberjacks played in Glens Falls, New York and were known as the Adirondack Lumberjacks. The team moved to Maine following the 2002 season... , 3 games to 2 |
Def. Winnipeg Goldeyes Winnipeg 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... , 3 games to 1 |
2003 | Lost to Brockton Rox Brockton Rox The Brockton Rox were a professional baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Rox were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2002 season to 2011, the Rox played their home... , 3 games to 1 |
||
2004 | Defeated Bangor Lumberjacks Bangor Lumberjacks The Bangor Lumberjacks were an independent minor league baseball team in the Northeast League that was based in Bangor, Maine. Prior to 2003, the Lumberjacks played in Glens Falls, New York and were known as the Adirondack Lumberjacks. The team moved to Maine following the 2002 season... , 3 games to 1 |
Def. North Shore Spirit North Shore Spirit The North Shore Spirit was a minor-league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. The Spirit played in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball... , 3 games to 2 |
|
2007 | Lost to Nashua Pride Nashua Pride The Nashua Pride were a professional baseball team based in Nashua, New Hampshire, in the United States, not affiliated with Major League Baseball. They played home games at Holman Stadium from 1998 through 2008, when they were sold and renamed the American Defenders of New Hampshire. In 2010 that... , 3 games to 2 |
||
2009 | Lost to Worcester Tornadoes Worcester Tornadoes The Worcester Tornadoes are a professional baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Tornadoes are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... , 3 games to 0 |
||
2010 | Lost to Québec Capitales Quebec Capitales The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... , 3 games to 0 |
||
2011 | |Defeated Pittsfield Colonials, 3 games to 0 | Lost to Québec Capitales Quebec Capitales The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... , 3 games to 1 |
Broadcast homes
The Jackals currently offer broadcasts of their games via webcast at jackals.com and also provide a stadium-only radio broadcast for its fans attending games at Yogi Berra Stadium which is available on 88.1 FM. Since 2008, Cody Chrusciel has been the play-by-play broadcaster, taking over for Joe Ameruoso. For home games only, Chrusciel is joined by Matt Sutor as color man.When the Jackals began in 1998, games were carried over Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
's WSOU. After a season there, the team moved to commercial station WMTR-AM, a low-powered oldies station in Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
. They also were heard on WJUX-FM
Jukebox Radio
Jukebox Radio was a low power FM radio station in Dumont, New Jersey from 1993 to 2003 with the call letters W276AQ on 103.1 FM. In addition, "Jukebox radio" was heard on a Full Power Class A FM station, WJUX-FM 99.7 from Monticello, New York from 1995 until 2004. These two stations simulcast...
, a New York-based standards station, ending their run on commercial radio in 2002. For this entire stretch, Jim Cerny was the voice of the Jackals.
WPSC-FM, the on-campus radio station for William Paterson University
William Paterson University
William Paterson University is a comprehensive public institution located in Wayne, New Jersey serving nearly 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students through five colleges: , , , , and ....
, took broadcast rights in 2003 and kept them until 2006. The original broadcast team consisted of Darren Cooper on play-by-play with Joe Ameruoso as color commentator. Cooper left the broadcast after the season, and Tony Colucci was added as color man to take over for the promoted Ameruoso. Beginning in 2005, Ameruoso did the broadcasts by himself.
External links
- New Jersey Jackals (official site)