Evansville Triplets
Encyclopedia
The Evansville Triplets were a minor league baseball
team of the American Association
from to . In its last season, Evansville was the Triple-A farm team for the Detroit Tigers
. In , the Triplets were purchased by Larry Schmittou
and moved to Nashville, Tennessee
to become the Nashville Sounds
.
Schmittou and team owners arrived at terms in June 1984 to purchase the Evansville Triplets of the American Association, with plans to move the franchise from Evansville, Indiana, to Nashville for the 1985 season. In order to prove to the team's Nashville banks, which would back the purchase, that the move was financially viable, Schmittou commissioned a survey to evaluate the potential turnout for a Triple-A team versus a Double-A team. Though the research proved to team owners that the move was a sensible decision, the banks were not impressed. As a result, the team switched banks and went ahead with the purchase and relocation. The Triplets' legacy was retired, and the team that was moved to Nashville, the Triple-A Sounds, carried on the history of the Double-A team that preceded it.
Schmittou considered moving Nashville’s existing Southern League (AA) franchise back to Evansville but city leaders declined improvements to aging Bosse Field
, currently the 3rd oldest ballpark in continuous operation behind Wrigley Field
and Fenway Park
. City leaders in Huntsville, Alabama
, including then Mayor Joe W. Davis were instrumental in building a new stadium there and Schmittou moved the team to Huntsville where it became the Huntsville Stars
. The stadium was named after the mayor (Joe W. Davis Stadium
). It stands today as the home of the Stars, although it is currently the oldest stadium in the Southern League. Former Major Leaguer Don Mincher
, a native of Huntsville was the team's first General Manager.
Jim Leyland
managed the Triplets for three years (1979-1981).
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
from to . In its last season, Evansville was the Triple-A farm team for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
. In , the Triplets were purchased by Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou is an American entrepreneur. He currently owns a S&S Family Entertainment LLC, which operates a chain of bowling centers. He is a former coach of the Vanderbilt University baseball team. From the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, he was the owner of several minor league baseball teams...
and moved to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
to become the Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
.
Schmittou and team owners arrived at terms in June 1984 to purchase the Evansville Triplets of the American Association, with plans to move the franchise from Evansville, Indiana, to Nashville for the 1985 season. In order to prove to the team's Nashville banks, which would back the purchase, that the move was financially viable, Schmittou commissioned a survey to evaluate the potential turnout for a Triple-A team versus a Double-A team. Though the research proved to team owners that the move was a sensible decision, the banks were not impressed. As a result, the team switched banks and went ahead with the purchase and relocation. The Triplets' legacy was retired, and the team that was moved to Nashville, the Triple-A Sounds, carried on the history of the Double-A team that preceded it.
Schmittou considered moving Nashville’s existing Southern League (AA) franchise back to Evansville but city leaders declined improvements to aging Bosse Field
Bosse Field
Bosse Field, is a baseball stadium located in Evansville, Indiana. Built in 1915, it is the third oldest ballpark used for professional baseball on a regular basis in the country, surpassed only by Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago.It is the current home of the Frontier League...
, currently the 3rd oldest ballpark in continuous operation behind Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
and Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. City leaders in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, including then Mayor Joe W. Davis were instrumental in building a new stadium there and Schmittou moved the team to Huntsville where it became the Huntsville Stars
Huntsville Stars
The Huntsville Stars are a minor league baseball team of the Southern League and are the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Huntsville, Alabama and are named for the space industry with which Huntsville is economically tied .The Stars play their home games at Joe W...
. The stadium was named after the mayor (Joe W. Davis Stadium
Joe W. Davis Stadium
Joe W. Davis Stadium was built in 1985 in Huntsville, Alabama, United States to host the Southern League Huntsville Stars minor league baseball team. The stadium is a multi-purpose facility that seats 10,200 with 15 air-conditioned skyboxes. Ticket offices and general office are located on the...
). It stands today as the home of the Stars, although it is currently the oldest stadium in the Southern League. Former Major Leaguer Don Mincher
Don Mincher
-External links:***...
, a native of Huntsville was the team's first General Manager.
Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
managed the Triplets for three years (1979-1981).
Alumni from the 1984 Championship Detroit Tigers
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- Tom BrookensTom BrookensThomas Dale Brookens is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , and Cleveland Indians...
- Marty Castillo
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- Dan PetryDan PetryDaniel Joseph Petry is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , California Angels , Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ....
- Milt WilcoxMilt WilcoxMilton Edward Wilcox was a pitcher who had a sixteen-year career from 1970 to 1975, 1977–1986. He played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners of the American League...
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Other alumni
- Fernando ArroyoFernando ArroyoFernando Arroyo was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , Minnesota Twins , and Oakland Athletics ....
- Rich Auerbach
- Doug BakerDoug BakerDouglas Lee Baker is a former infielder in Major League Baseball player who played with the Detroit Tigers from - and the Minnesota Twins from -. Baker played in 136 Major League games and had a .207 batting average with 51 hits, 38 runs, 22 RBIs, and 11 doubles.-External links:...
- Bert BlylevenBert BlylevenBert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
- Mark FidrychMark FidrychMark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
- Mike LagaMike LagaMichael Russell Laga is a former professional baseball player for the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants in the 1980s and 1990s...
- Gene LamontGene LamontGene William Lamont is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who managed the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
- Ron LeFloreRon LeFloreRonald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
- Charlie ManuelCharlie ManuelCharles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
- Darrell PorterDarrell PorterDarrell Ray Porter was a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting...
- John WockenfussJohn WockenfussJohnny Bilton Wockenfuss is a former utility player in Major League Baseball who had a twelve year career from 1974 to 1985.-Playing career:...