The Pittsburg Diamonds were an independent professional baseball team based in Pittsburg, California. Originally named the Pittsburg Mettle, the club changed their name to the Diamonds in 2015.[1]
| Pittsburg Diamonds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Information | |||||
| League | Pacific Association | ||||
| Location | Pittsburg, California | ||||
| Ballpark | Michael V. Valle Stadium | ||||
| Founded | 2013 | ||||
| Folded | 2019 | ||||
| Former name(s) | Pittsburg Mettle | ||||
| Colors | Black, orange, white | ||||
| Ownership | Khurram Shah | ||||
| Manager | Aaron Miles | ||||
| Website | diamondsproball | ||||
History
edit2014: Pittsburg Mettle
editOn April 1, 2014, the Pittsburg Mettle were announced to play alongside San Rafael, Sonoma and Vallejo of the Pacific Association. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Wayne Franklin, wife Cris, and business partner Tom Macari made up the Backwards K Group, the team's owners. The club was an outgrowth of the 2013 traveling club East Bay Lumberjacks.[2] The Mettle's team colors were black, green, dark gray, light gray and white.[3] Franklin was announced as the clubs first player manager. On June 3, the Mettle played their first game against the Vallejo Admirals where they were defeated 2–7.[4] On June 6, the Mettle picked up their first professional win against the San Rafael Pacifics, 8–3.[5][6] On June 29, actress Stacy Caroll of Major League threw out the ceremonial first pitch.[7] The Mettle held a 22–56 regular season record.
2015–2018: Pittsburg Diamonds
editIn 2015, the club rebranded after Khurram Shah, a local businessman, took over for the 2015 season during which the team made news signing former Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco for two separate weekend stints.[8][9] Pittsburg was managed by former Major League Baseball professional Aaron Miles, who was a part of the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.[10] In his first season, the Diamonds saw a 16 game win improvement, earning him Manager of the Year honors.[11] In 2016, the Diamonds again signed Canseco, this time to a month-long contract to finish the regular season.[12][13] Canseco would collect two RBI in 14 plate appearances in addition to making three starts as a pitcher.[14] In 2018, Travis Blackley made the Diamonds first post-season start against the Sonoma Stompers where they were defeated 0–5 in the semi-final.[15]
The club announced before the 2019 season that it would take a one-year hiatus with plans to return in 2020. However, the team hasn’t returned, and the Pacific Association has since folded as well.[16]
Season-by-season results
edit| Season | Overall | Win % | Standing | Manager | Postseason | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg Mettle | ||||||
| 2014 | 22–56 | .282 | 4th in Division (first half) 4th in Division (second half) |
Wayne Franklin | Did not qualify | |
| Pittsburg Diamonds | ||||||
| 2015 | 38–39 | .494 | 3rd in Division (first half) 2nd in Division (second half) |
Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2016 | 36–42 | .462 | 3rd in Division (first half) T-3rd in Division (second half) |
Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2017 | 36–42 | .462 | 2nd in Division (first half) T-3rd in Division (second half) |
Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2018 | 36–44 | .450 | 4th | Aaron Miles | Lost semifinals (Sonoma) | |
| Totals | 168–223 | .430 | — | — | 0–1 (.000) | |
Notable alumni
edit- Wayne Franklin (2014)
- Tony Torcato (2014-2015)
- Aaron Miles (2014-2016)
- Tony Phillips (2015)
- Jose Canseco (2015-2017)
- Trent Oeltjen (2016)
- Travis Blackley (2017-2018)
References
edit- ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds: Bringing new sparkle to East County baseball". The Mercury News. 30 May 2015.
- ^ "Minor league baseball coming to Pittsburg". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Official Colors (2013 through 2019)". trucolor.net. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Pittsburg Mettle vs Vallejo Admirals: 2-7". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Pittsburg Mettle baseball team's season gets underway". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Pittsburg Mettle vs San Rafael Pacifics: 8-3". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Eye on the East Bay: 'Major League' actress throws out first pitch in Pittsburg". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Jose Canseco Playing Ball Again in the Bay Area, For Independent League Pittsburg Diamonds". NBC Bay Area. 23 June 2015.
- ^ "Jose Canseco will return to play for Pittsburg Diamonds". Vallejo Times-Herald. 8 July 2015.
- ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds polishing up for second season". East Bay Times. 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Aaron Miles, Manager". diamondsproball.com. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "'Bash Brother' Canseco joins Pittsburg Diamonds for season". The Mercury News. 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Former A's superstar Jose Canseco returns to Bay Area play". KTVU. 4 August 2016.
- ^ "2016 Pittsburg Diamonds". Baseball-reference. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds vs Sonoma Stompers: 0-5". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Bay Area independent baseball league's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseason continues". The Mercury News. April 5, 2019.