Hawaii Islanders
Encyclopedia
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii
, that played in the Pacific Coast League
from 1961
through 1987
. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics
. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium
, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium
and later at Les Murakami Stadium
. After being one of the most successful minor league teams, the Islanders faltered and ultimately moved to the mainland as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
in 1988
.
, a longtime PCL stalwart, moved to Honolulu. Minor league baseball was then in free fall, as sparse attendance, rampant major league
TV broadcasts, expansion and franchise shifts at the major league level, and retrenchment in farm system support caused the contraction of many leagues, and the utter collapse of others. By the end of the 1960s, however, Hawaii was the model franchise for the minors. In 1970, the Islanders, then an affiliate of the California Angels
, won 98 games and drew over 400,000 fans to lead the PCL and the minors as a whole.
Due to being 2,500 miles from their nearest opponent, the PCL had a unique schedule for the Islanders. Initially, teams made a four- and a seven-game visit to the Islands, with the Islanders doing the same. Later, as the league expanded, the Islanders played an eight-game series against each team in order to cut down on travel costs.
The travel costs also applied to radio coverage. In the early years of the team in the 1960s, the Islanders radio announcer would use the old method of "re-creating" the road games in the Honolulu radio studio, which was used by most major league teams during the 1930s and 1940s. In those days, the team's radio play by play man was Harry Kalas
, who had just gotten out of the service. When Kalas later moved on to the mainland (with the Houston Astros
and later the Philadelphia Phillies
), he was replaced as Islanders play by play man by Hank Greenwald
(later a broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants
); Greenwald was succeeded in turn by a young Al Michaels
. Other Islanders broadcast alumni included Ken Wilson, Les Keiter
and Mel Proctor
.
The 1970 team was named #38 out of the top 100 Greatest Minor League Teams of All Time as selected by MiLB.com.
In the early 1970s the Islanders were the closest thing to an independent team in the high minors. While standard minor league working agreements in recent times require a minor league team to cede complete control of its roster to its major league affiliate, the Islanders' early deals with the San Diego Padres
typically called for the Padres to send only about six players to Hawaii. The Islanders' management signed players on its own to fill most of the roster spots, and was free to trade, sell or release them without approval from San Diego.
Ultimately, being located thousands of miles from the other PCL teams proved too much of a challenge. The Islanders achieved success and stability as a longtime affiliate of the Angels and the Padres, but when those teams found tie-ups closer to home, Hawaii shifted from organization to organization. It was also affiliated over the years with the Kansas City A's
, Washington Senators
, California Angels
, Chicago White Sox
, San Diego Padres
and Pittsburgh Pirates
.
Its last club, in 1987, finished last in its division and last overall in attendance (a little over 116,000) in the PCL.
Prior to the 1988 season, the team moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado
, and became the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
, where its been ever since.
was founded in 1993 and played their games from October to December. The league was affiliated with the Major Leagues and continued play until 1997, and from 2006 until it folded a second time in 2008.
guest starred in a two part Hawaii 5-O episode, "The Grandstand Play," as a former major league
star who moved to Hawaii for the benefit of his son (played by Elliot Street), who gets mixed up in the murder of a local socialite.
The Islanders baseball team is mentioned on a number of occasions in the 1980s television series Magnum, P.I.
The main character played by Tom Selleck
was a baseball fan for the Islanders and often wore a Detroit Tigers
ball cap.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, that played in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
from 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
through 1987
1987 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals ; Frank Viola, MVP**American League Championship Series: Gary Gaetti, MVP**National League Championship Series: Jeff Leonard, MVP...
. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The 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....
. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium
Honolulu Stadium
Honolulu Stadium was a stadium located in the Moiliili district of Honolulu, Hawai'i, at the corner of King and Isenberg Streets. It was opened in 1926 and demolished in 1976. It was the primary sports venue in Hawai'i preceding Aloha Stadium. Famous athletes who competed in Honolulu Stadium...
, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium
Aloha Stadium
Aloha Stadium is a stadium located in the Halawa CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Currently Aloha Stadium is home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team...
and later at Les Murakami Stadium
Les Murakami Stadium
Les Murakami Stadium is the baseball stadium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. The stadium was built in 1984 and renamed after legendary Rainbow coach Les Murakami for the 2002 season....
. After being one of the most successful minor league teams, the Islanders faltered and ultimately moved to the mainland as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
in 1988
1988 in baseball
See also: 1988 Major League Baseball season-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics ; Orel Hershiser, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dennis Eckersley...
.
History
The Islanders were originally an amateur team, but on December 17, 1960, the Sacramento SolonsSacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
, a longtime PCL stalwart, moved to Honolulu. Minor league baseball was then in free fall, as sparse attendance, rampant 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...
TV broadcasts, expansion and franchise shifts at the major league level, and retrenchment in farm system support caused the contraction of many leagues, and the utter collapse of others. By the end of the 1960s, however, Hawaii was the model franchise for the minors. In 1970, the Islanders, then an affiliate of the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, won 98 games and drew over 400,000 fans to lead the PCL and the minors as a whole.
Due to being 2,500 miles from their nearest opponent, the PCL had a unique schedule for the Islanders. Initially, teams made a four- and a seven-game visit to the Islands, with the Islanders doing the same. Later, as the league expanded, the Islanders played an eight-game series against each team in order to cut down on travel costs.
The travel costs also applied to radio coverage. In the early years of the team in the 1960s, the Islanders radio announcer would use the old method of "re-creating" the road games in the Honolulu radio studio, which was used by most major league teams during the 1930s and 1940s. In those days, the team's radio play by play man was Harry Kalas
Harry Kalas
Harry Norbert Kalas was an American sportscaster, best known for his Ford C. Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies...
, who had just gotten out of the service. When Kalas later moved on to the mainland (with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and later the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
), he was replaced as Islanders play by play man by Hank Greenwald
Hank Greenwald
Howard "Hank" Greenwald is a former Major League Baseball announcer, known best for being a play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants.-Early career:...
(later a broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
); Greenwald was succeeded in turn by a young Al Michaels
Al Michaels
Alan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
. Other Islanders broadcast alumni included Ken Wilson, Les Keiter
Les Keiter
Les Keiter , also known as the "General", was a newscaster and sports director of Honolulu, Hawaii television station KHON-TV. Keiter, who also lived in New York and San Francisco, also called some of the biggest fights in the history of boxing.- Early career :Keiter was raised in Seattle and...
and Mel Proctor
Mel Proctor
Mel Proctor is an American television sportscaster, actor, and book author.-Biography:A Denver, Colorado native, Proctor has called play-by-play for such teams as the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Clippers at various points in his career...
.
The 1970 team was named #38 out of the top 100 Greatest Minor League Teams of All Time as selected by MiLB.com.
In the early 1970s the Islanders were the closest thing to an independent team in the high minors. While standard minor league working agreements in recent times require a minor league team to cede complete control of its roster to its major league affiliate, the Islanders' early deals with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The 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...
typically called for the Padres to send only about six players to Hawaii. The Islanders' management signed players on its own to fill most of the roster spots, and was free to trade, sell or release them without approval from San Diego.
Ultimately, being located thousands of miles from the other PCL teams proved too much of a challenge. The Islanders achieved success and stability as a longtime affiliate of the Angels and the Padres, but when those teams found tie-ups closer to home, Hawaii shifted from organization to organization. It was also affiliated over the years with the Kansas City A's
Oakland Athletics
The 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....
, Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The 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...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
Its last club, in 1987, finished last in its division and last overall in attendance (a little over 116,000) in the PCL.
Prior to the 1988 season, the team moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, and became the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
, where its been ever since.
Aftermath and influence
Five years after the Islanders left Hawaii, the minor league Hawaii Winter BaseballHawaii Winter Baseball
Hawaii Winter Baseball, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a professional baseball league located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was loosely affiliated with Major League Baseball.-History:...
was founded in 1993 and played their games from October to December. The league was affiliated with the Major Leagues and continued play until 1997, and from 2006 until it folded a second time in 2008.
Notable alumni
- Hank AllenHank AllenHarold Andrew "Hank" Allen is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators , Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox ....
- Bobby BalcenaBobby BalcenaRobert Rudolph Balcena was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Cincinnati Redlegs in . Balcena batted right-handed and threw left-handed. He was born in San Pedro, California.Balcena became the first player of Filipino ancestry to appear in a major league game...
- Barry BondsBarry BondsBarry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
- Carmen FanzoneCarmen FanzoneCarmen Ronald Fanzone is a former utility man who played between and in Major League Baseball. Listed at 6' 0", 200 lb., he batted and threw right-handed...
- Tony GwynnTony GwynnAnthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
- Dick LinesDick LinesRichard George Lines is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 1957 season, and played for the Washington Senators in 1966 and 1967....
- Winston LlenasWinston LlenasWinston Enriquillo Llenas Davila ' is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder who played for the California Angels from 1968 to 1969, and again from 1972 to 1975...
- Jim McManusJim McManus (baseball)James Michael McManus is a former American Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Kansas City Athletics during the season.-References:...
- Diego SeguiDiego SeguíDiego Pablo Seguí González is a Cuban former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was known for his forkball.During a 16-year baseball career, Seguí played for the Kansas City Athletics , Washington Senators , Oakland Athletics , Seattle Pilots , Boston Red Sox , and Seattle Mariners . He batted and...
- Derek TatsunoDerek Tatsuno-College career:Tatsuno attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 1977 to 1979 where he amassed an impressive record in collegiate baseball as a pitcher....
- Mark ThurmondMark ThurmondMark Anthony Thurmond , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-1990...
- Jay WardJay Ward (baseball)John Francis "Jay" Ward is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager.An infielder, Ward played for the Minnesota Twins in and and the Cincinnati Reds in...
- Bobby ValentineBobby ValentineRobert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
- Harry KalasHarry KalasHarry Norbert Kalas was an American sportscaster, best known for his Ford C. Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies...
(Announcer) - Al MichaelsAl MichaelsAlan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
(Announcer)
Year-by-year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 68-86 | 6th | Tommy Heath Tommy Heath (baseball) Thomas George Heath was an American catcher and scout in Major League Baseball and a manager in minor league baseball. He played in parts of three seasons in the majors between and , all for the St. Louis Browns... / Bill Werle Bill Werle William George "Bill" Werle was a left-handed major league baseball pitcher fromOakland, California. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox from 1949–1954. His nickname was Bugs. He threw and batted left-handed... |
none |
| 1962 | 77-76 | 5th | Irv Noren Irv Noren Irving Arnold Noren is a retired American professional baseball and basketball player. He played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1950-1960. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers... |
none |
| 1963 | 81-77 | 4th | Irv Noren Irv Noren Irving Arnold Noren is a retired American professional baseball and basketball player. He played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1950-1960. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers... |
|
| 1964 | 60-98 | 10th | Bob Lemon Bob Lemon Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.... |
|
| 1965 | 75-72 | 6th (t) | George Case George Case George Washington Case was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Washington Senators... |
|
| 1966 | 63-84 | 10th | George Case George Case George Washington Case was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Washington Senators... |
|
| 1967 | 60-87 | 12th | Wayne Terwilliger Wayne Terwilliger Willard Wayne "Twig" Terwilliger is a former second baseman, coach, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:... |
|
| 1968 | 78-69 | 3rd | Bill Adair Bill Adair Marion Danne "Bill" Adair was an American coach and interim manager in Major League Baseball. A second baseman, he was a career minor-league player who never rose about the Class AA level but who spent 21 years as a manager in the minors.-History:Born in Mobile, Alabama, Adair was a skipper in the... |
|
| 1969 | 74-72 | 4th | Chuck Tanner Chuck Tanner Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979... |
|
| 1970 | 98-48 | 1st | Chuck Tanner Chuck Tanner Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1971 | 73-73 | 4th (t) | Bill Adair Bill Adair Marion Danne "Bill" Adair was an American coach and interim manager in Major League Baseball. A second baseman, he was a career minor-league player who never rose about the Class AA level but who spent 21 years as a manager in the minors.-History:Born in Mobile, Alabama, Adair was a skipper in the... |
|
| 1972 | 74-74 | 5th | Rocky Bridges Rocky Bridges Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges is a former utility infielder with an 11-year career in American Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1961. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, and the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland... |
|
| 1973 | 70-74 | 5th | Rocky Bridges Rocky Bridges Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges is a former utility infielder with an 11-year career in American Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1961. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, and the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland... / Warren Hacker Warren Hacker Warren Louis Hacker was an American professional baseball player, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs , Cincinnatiu Redlegs , Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox... / Roy Hartsfield Roy Hartsfield Roy Thomas Hartsfield was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball; his MLB playing and managing careers each lasted three years. Hartsfield played his entire major-league career with the Boston Braves from 1950 to 1952. He was then traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Andy... |
|
| 1974 | 67-77 | 6th | Roy Hartsfield Roy Hartsfield Roy Thomas Hartsfield was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball; his MLB playing and managing careers each lasted three years. Hartsfield played his entire major-league career with the Boston Braves from 1950 to 1952. He was then traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Andy... |
|
| 1975 | 88-56 | 1st | Roy Hartsfield Roy Hartsfield Roy Thomas Hartsfield was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball; his MLB playing and managing careers each lasted three years. Hartsfield played his entire major-league career with the Boston Braves from 1950 to 1952. He was then traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Andy... |
League Champs |
| 1976 | 77-68 | 2nd | Roy Hartsfield Roy Hartsfield Roy Thomas Hartsfield was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball; his MLB playing and managing careers each lasted three years. Hartsfield played his entire major-league career with the Boston Braves from 1950 to 1952. He was then traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Andy... |
League Champs |
| 1977 | 79-67 | 2nd | Dick Phillips Dick Phillips Richard Eugene Phillips was a North American professional baseball player, manager and coach. A native of Racine, Wisconsin, who attended Valparaiso University, Phillips batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds .Phillips' playing career extended from ... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1978 | 56-82 | 8th | Dick Phillips Dick Phillips Richard Eugene Phillips was a North American professional baseball player, manager and coach. A native of Racine, Wisconsin, who attended Valparaiso University, Phillips batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds .Phillips' playing career extended from ... |
|
| 1979 | 72-76 | 8th | Dick Phillips Dick Phillips Richard Eugene Phillips was a North American professional baseball player, manager and coach. A native of Racine, Wisconsin, who attended Valparaiso University, Phillips batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds .Phillips' playing career extended from ... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1980 | 76-65 | 5th | Doug Rader Doug Rader Douglas Lee Rader , nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974.... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1981 | 72-65 | 3rd (t) | Doug Rader Doug Rader Douglas Lee Rader , nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974.... |
Lost in 1st round |
| 1982 | 73-71 | 5th | Doug Rader Doug Rader Douglas Lee Rader , nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974.... |
|
| 1983 | 72-71 | 5th | Tom Trebelhorn | |
| 1984 | 87-53 | 1st | Tommy Sandt Tommy Sandt Thomas James Sandt is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He graduated from Pacifica High School in West Garden Grove, CA in 1968 where he excelled as a varsity player.An infielder, Sandt played for the Oakland Athletics in and .Sandt managed in teams in the Eastern... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1985 | 84-59 | 1st | Tommy Sandt Tommy Sandt Thomas James Sandt is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He graduated from Pacifica High School in West Garden Grove, CA in 1968 where he excelled as a varsity player.An infielder, Sandt played for the Oakland Athletics in and .Sandt managed in teams in the Eastern... |
Lost in 1st round |
| 1986 | 65-79 | 9th | Tommy Sandt Tommy Sandt Thomas James Sandt is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He graduated from Pacifica High School in West Garden Grove, CA in 1968 where he excelled as a varsity player.An infielder, Sandt played for the Oakland Athletics in and .Sandt managed in teams in the Eastern... |
|
| 1987 | 65-75 | 9th | Bob Bailey Bob Bailey (baseball) Robert Sherwood Bailey is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed... |
Cultural references
Pernell RobertsPernell Roberts
Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. was an American stage, movie and television actor, as well as a singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was widely known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son, Adam Cartwright, on the western series Bonanza, a role he played from...
guest starred in a two part Hawaii 5-O episode, "The Grandstand Play," as a former 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...
star who moved to Hawaii for the benefit of his son (played by Elliot Street), who gets mixed up in the murder of a local socialite.
The Islanders baseball team is mentioned on a number of occasions in the 1980s television series Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I. is an American television series starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living on Oahu, Hawaii. The series ran from 1980 to 1988 in first-run broadcast on the American CBS television network....
The main character played by Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck
Thomas William "Tom" Selleck is an American actor, and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum on the 1980s television show Magnum, P.I.. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the Robert B....
was a baseball fan for the Islanders and often wore a 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...
ball cap.