Hyannis Mets
Encyclopedia
The Hyannis Harbor Hawks, formerly the Hyannis Mets, are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Hyannis, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League
and plays in the league's Western Division. Hyannis currently plays its home games at McKeon Park, which opened for play in 1979. The team is owned and operated by the non-profit Hyannis Athletic Association and, like other Cape League teams, are funded through merchandise sales, donations, and other fundraising efforts at games such as fifty-fifty raffles.
Hyannis finished the 2007 season in third place in the Western Division with 43 points, falling a single point shy of earning a playoff berth. Hyannis qualified for the playoffs in 2011 after winning the division in the regular season, but were swept in the Division Semi-Finals by the Falmouth Commodores
.
in the semifinals two games to none. They were named the Mets because the founders thought that it might lead to financial support from the New York Mets
. This never happened.
In only their third year in the league, Hyannis finished the 1978 season with a 31-11 record, the best in the league. The Mets would eliminate the Orleans Cardinals
in the semifinals three games to two and ultimately defeat the Harwich Mariners
three games to one in the championship series to win the league crown. Hyannis would repeat the feat in 1979 after finishing the regular season with 33 wins, a single season record which still stands today. That team would again defeat Harwich in the championship series in four games to become the first team to defend their Cape League title since the 1975 Cotuit Kettleers.
The Mets would reach the playoffs five times in the 1980s, reaching the championship series twice in 1982 and 1989. Hyannis would be swept both times, losing to Chatham in 1982 and to the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
in 1989.
Hyannis would once again claim the Cape League title in 1991 when they swept Chatham in two games to claim the championship. Though the Mets would return to the post-season in 1993, they were promptly swept by the Wareham Gatemen
two games to none.
The Mets saw some success early in the 21st century, finishing in second place in the Western Division three times, in 2000, 2003, and 2004. Hyannis would reach the championship series one of those years, in 2000, where they were swept by the Brewster Whitecaps
two games to none.
In March 2010 it was announced that the Mets would be changing their name to "Harbor Hawks". In doing so, the Harbor Hawks became the third Cape Cod Baseball League team to change their name since 2008.
Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in which many college baseball stars play during the summer. Many future Major League Baseball players have started there during their college years; MLB has provided...
and plays in the league's Western Division. Hyannis currently plays its home games at McKeon Park, which opened for play in 1979. The team is owned and operated by the non-profit Hyannis Athletic Association and, like other Cape League teams, are funded through merchandise sales, donations, and other fundraising efforts at games such as fifty-fifty raffles.
Hyannis finished the 2007 season in third place in the Western Division with 43 points, falling a single point shy of earning a playoff berth. Hyannis qualified for the playoffs in 2011 after winning the division in the regular season, but were swept in the Division Semi-Finals by the Falmouth Commodores
Falmouth Commodores
The Falmouth Commodores are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Western Division. Falmouth currently plays its home games at Arnie Allen Diamond at Guv Fuller Field, one of 6 ballparks in...
.
History
The Harbor Hawks were formed in 1976, as the Mets, with the help of former state senator Jack Aylmer after the Bourne Canalmen ceased operations in 1972. The team finished in fourth place in the eight team Cape League that season and qualified for the playoffs, losing to the Chatham AthleticsChatham Athletics
The Chatham Anglers, more commonly referred to as the Chatham A's and formerly the Chatham Athletics, are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Chatham, MA. Prior to the 2009 season, the team changed its name to the Chatham Anglers due to Major League Baseball Properties' trademark of...
in the semifinals two games to none. They were named the Mets because the founders thought that it might lead to financial support from the New York Mets
New York Mets
The 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...
. This never happened.
In only their third year in the league, Hyannis finished the 1978 season with a 31-11 record, the best in the league. The Mets would eliminate the Orleans Cardinals
Orleans Cardinals
The Orleans Firebirds are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Orleans, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division....
in the semifinals three games to two and ultimately defeat the Harwich Mariners
Harwich Mariners
The Harwich Mariners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Harwich, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division. Harwich currently plays its home games at Whitehouse Field in the historic village of Harwich Center...
three games to one in the championship series to win the league crown. Hyannis would repeat the feat in 1979 after finishing the regular season with 33 wins, a single season record which still stands today. That team would again defeat Harwich in the championship series in four games to become the first team to defend their Cape League title since the 1975 Cotuit Kettleers.
The Mets would reach the playoffs five times in the 1980s, reaching the championship series twice in 1982 and 1989. Hyannis would be swept both times, losing to Chatham in 1982 and to the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
The Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox, or Y-D Red Sox, is a collegiate summer baseball team based in South Yarmouth, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division...
in 1989.
Hyannis would once again claim the Cape League title in 1991 when they swept Chatham in two games to claim the championship. Though the Mets would return to the post-season in 1993, they were promptly swept by the Wareham Gatemen
Wareham Gatemen
The Wareham Gatemen are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Wareham, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Western Division...
two games to none.
The Mets saw some success early in the 21st century, finishing in second place in the Western Division three times, in 2000, 2003, and 2004. Hyannis would reach the championship series one of those years, in 2000, where they were swept by the Brewster Whitecaps
Brewster Whitecaps
The Brewster Whitecaps are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Brewster, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division. Brewster played its home games at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School until 2006, when Stony Brook Field was opened...
two games to none.
In March 2010 it was announced that the Mets would be changing their name to "Harbor Hawks". In doing so, the Harbor Hawks became the third Cape Cod Baseball League team to change their name since 2008.
Notable alumni
- Rich AuriliaRich AuriliaRichard Santo Aurilia is a former Major League Baseball player, mainly as a shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed.The 24th round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Aurilia worked in the Rangers minor league system before being traded with first baseman Desi...
1991 - Albert BelleAlbert BelleAlbert Jojuan Belle is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles...
1987 - Kris BensonKris BensonKristin James Benson is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Benson pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from to , New York Mets from to , Baltimore Orioles in to , Texas Rangers in , and Arizona Diamondbacks in ....
1994 - Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
1996 - Jeromy BurnitzJeromy BurnitzJeromy Neal Burnitz is a former baseball player who was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Mets , Cleveland Indians , Milwaukee Brewers , Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Chicago Cubs , and Pittsburgh Pirates .Burnitz played his...
1988 - Pat BurrellPat BurrellPatrick Brian "Pat" Burrell , nicknamed "Pat the Bat," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
1996 - Eric ByrnesEric ByrnesEric James Byrnes , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, the Colorado Rockies, the Baltimore Orioles, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Seattle Mariners...
1996, 1997 - Sam FuldSam FuldSamuel Babson "Sam" Fuld is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball....
2003 - Ryan GarkoRyan GarkoRyan Francis Garko is a professional baseball outfielder, first baseman, and designated hitter, who plays for the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization. In college, he was a catcher. He has played for the Cleveland Indians, the San Francisco Giants, and the Texas Rangers in Major...
2001-02 - Eric HinskeEric HinskeEric Scott Hinske is a Major League Baseball outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman currently an Atlanta Braves organization...
1997 - Doug MirabelliDoug MirabelliDouglas Anthony Mirabelli is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants , Texas Rangers , Boston Red Sox , and San Diego Padres before returning to the Red Sox to end his eleven year career...
1990 - Matt Morris 1993
- Buck ShowalterBuck ShowalterWilliam Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III is an American Major League Baseball manager for the Baltimore Orioles. He has previously served in a similar capacity with the New York Yankees , Arizona Diamondbacks , and Texas Rangers...
1976 - John ValentinJohn ValentinJohn William Valentin is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played most of his major league career with the Boston Red Sox, with his final season being for the New York Mets. He batted and threw right-handed...
1988 - Jason VaritekJason VaritekJason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
1991-93 - Robin VenturaRobin VenturaRobin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
1987 - Josh FoggJosh FoggJoshua Smith Fogg is an American professional baseball player who has been a pitcher for nine Major League Baseball seasons. Fogg played college baseball for the University of Florida, and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft...
1996