Tucson Sidewinders
League	Pacific Coast League
Division	Pacific Conference
Year founded	1969
Major League affiliation	Arizona Diamondbacks
Home ballpark	Tucson Electric Park
Previous home ballparks	Hi Corbett Field
City	Tucson, Arizona
Current uniform colors	black, bronze, teal
Previous uniform colors	red, gold
Logo design	The wordmark "Sidewinders" in bronze outlined in black with the two "s"'s formed by a snake colored in bronze with black outline and teal markings wrapped around a baseball bat.
Division titles
League titles	2006
Manager	Bill Plummer
Owner	Jay Zucker

The Tucson Sidewinders (1998-present) are a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club. The Sidewinders play in Tucson Electric Park, located on the south side of Tucson. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1969 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) West Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present) Ballpark Chase Field (1998–present) formerly known as Bank One Ballpark (1998-2005) Major league titles World Series titles (1) 2001 NL Pennants (1) 2001 National League West Division titles (3) 2002... TEP prior to a Spring Training game, March 2005 Tucson Electric Park (TEP) is home to the Tucson Sidewinders, the AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Hi Corbett Field is a baseball field located in Tucson, Arizona. ... Nickname: The Old Pueblo Location in Pima County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Pima Government  - Mayor Bob Walkup (R) Area  - City  195. ... William Francis Plummer (born March 21, 1947 in Oakland, CA) was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Seattle Mariners. ... A Class A California League game in San Jose, California (1994) Minor baseball leagues are North American professional baseball leagues that compete at a level below that of Major League Baseball. ... Nickname: The Old Pueblo Location in Pima County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Pima Government  - Mayor Bob Walkup (R) Area  - City  195. ... The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) West Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present) Ballpark Chase Field (1998–present) formerly known as Bank One Ballpark (1998-2005) Major league titles World Series titles (1) 2001 NL Pennants (1) 2001 National League West Division titles (3) 2002... TEP prior to a Spring Training game, March 2005 Tucson Electric Park (TEP) is home to the Tucson Sidewinders, the AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. ...

History

Team origins

From 1969-1997 the Tucson Toros were Tucson's Triple-A baseball club, playing at Hi Corbett Field in midtown Tucson. Part of the old 10-team configuration of the Pacific Coast League, the Toros won the PCL Championship in 1991 and 1993. The Toros were preceded by a number of other Tucson teams between 1915 and 1958, such as the Tucson Cowboys and the Tucson Lizards. TUCSON TOROS For 28 years the Tucson Toros were an icon in the Old Pueblo bringing excitement and family fun to Hi Corbett Field. ... Nickname: The Old Pueblo Location in Pima County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Pima Mayor Bob Walkup (R) Area    - City 505. ... Hi Corbett Field is a baseball field located in Tucson, Arizona. ...

After the MLB expansion that added the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toros moved to Fresno, California as the Fresno Grizzlies. The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Tucson, briefly became the Tucson Toros (1997), and then became the Sidewinders (1998), the Triple-A affiliate of the new Diamondbacks. This was accomplished by what amounted to a "swap" in ownership in 1997, with Firebirds owner Martin Stone purchasing the Toros and Toros owner Rick Holtzman receiving interest in the Firebirds. The Tucson team retained management and staff primarily from the Toros, and traces its history from the Toros rather than the Firebirds.^[1] Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) West Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present) Ballpark Chase Field (1998–present) formerly known as Bank One Ballpark (1998-2005) Major league titles World Series titles (1) 2001 NL Pennants (1) 2001 National League West Division titles (3) 2002... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Major league affiliations American League (1998–present) East Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 12, 42 Name Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–present) Ballpark Tropicana Field (1998–present) Major league titles World Series titles (1) 2007 AL Pennants (1) 2007 Division titles (1) 2007 Wild card berths (0) None... Nickname: Fresno, the All American City & Raisin Capital of the World Location in the state of California County Fresno Government  - Mayor Alan Autry Area  - City 104. ... Official language(s) English Capital  Sacramento Largest city  Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Categories: Minor league baseball teams | California sports | Baseball stubs ... The Phoenix Firebirds were the minor league baseball team of Phoenix, Arizona, until 1997. ...

The Phoenix Firebirds had played from 1958 through 1997 as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The franchise joined the Pacific Coast League as a charter member in 1904 as the San Francisco Seals (baseball), relocating to Phoenix when the major league New York Giants moved to San Francisco. Seals alumni include Joe DiMaggio. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885-1957) New York Gothams (1883-1885) Troy Union Cities / Trojans (1879-1882) Ballpark AT... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... The San Francisco Seals were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 until 1957. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Joseph Paul DiMaggio, born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, Jr. ...

The Tucson Toros had been affiliated with the Chicago White Sox (1969-1972), the Oakland Athletics (1973-1976), the Texas Rangers (1977-1979), the Houston Astros (1980-1996), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1997 only, with one Diamondbacks prospect, Travis Lee, playing with them by special arrangement).^[1] At the time of the change in venue and affiliations (1998), a new Tucson team name, the "Sidewinders" was chosen after a name the team contest was held. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 16, 19, 42, 72 Name Chicago White Sox (1904–present) White Stockings (1900-1903) St. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 9, 27, 34, 42, 43, (As) Name Oakland Athletics (1968–present) Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967) Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954) (Referred to as As) Ballpark McAfee Coliseum (1968–present) a. ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1972–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 26,34,42 Name Texas Rangers (1972–present) Washington Senators (1961-1971) Ballpark Ameriquest Field in Arlington (1994–present) a. ... Astros redirects here, for other uses see Astros (disambiguation) Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 19, 34, 42, 44 Name Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present) Seattle Pilots (1969) Ballpark Miller Park (2001–present) County Stadium (1970-2000) Sicks Stadium (Seattle) (1969) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None... Travis Lee (born May 26, 1975) is a major league first baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ...

Sidewinders era

With the coming of the Diamondbacks, a new ballpark was needed for spring training in Tucson, since the Colorado Rockies used Hi Corbett Field. Tucson Electric Park was built, and became the spring training site for the both the D'backs and the Chicago White Sox. It also became home to the Tucson Sidewinders in 1998. This ended minor league baseball history at Hi Corbett Field. Many changes took place between 1997 and 1999 - a new name, new affiliation, newly expanded league, new owner, new general manager and new venue - resulting in disgruntled fans and lower than expected attendance. Financial arrangements between team owners and Pima County were also the subject of criticism.^[2] Since purchasing the team in 2000, owner Jay Zucker has attempted to improve the situation with a variety of promotions, including weekly fireworks. These efforts have met with limited success. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 16, 19, 42, 72 Name Chicago White Sox (1904–present) White Stockings (1900-1903) St. ... Pima County is located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. ...

The team has been very successful as a supplier of major league-quality players to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Many individual Sidewinders have performed admirably in mid-season call-ups, sometimes returning to the major league club time and again as needed. This has earned the Sidewinders the nickname "Baby 'Backs."

In 2006, the Tucson Sidewinders won the Pacific Coast League championship, and afterwards defeated the Toledo Mud Hens 5-2 in the Bricktown Showdown for the Triple-A baseball championship at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. League International League Division West Division Year founded 1896 Major League affiliation Detroit Tigers Home ballpark Fifth Third Field Previous home ballparks Ned Skeldon Stadium City Toledo, Ohio Current uniform colors navy blue, red, gold Previous uniform colors navy blue, red Logo design A white egg-shaped oval outlined in... AT&T Bricktown Ballpark opened in 1998 in downtown Oklahoma Citys Bricktown district. ... Nickname: Capital of the New Century, O-K-C, O-City, O-C, Renaissance City Location in Oklahoma County and the state of Oklahoma. ...

Sidewinders timeline

1997 - Martin Stone, a businessman, land speculator and former owner of the Phoenix Firebirds,^[2] purchases the Tucson Toros from Rick Holtzman. The Tucson Toros have a one year player development contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, filling the gap between the end of the Toros' contract with Houston and the beginning of the team's affiliation with the expansion Diamondbacks. Diamondbacks prospect Travis Lee plays in Tucson for part of the season. Toros owner Stone persuades the Pima County Board of Supervisors to approve a lease on Tucson Electric Park (then under construction) that protects the team owner from a portion of the team's financial losses at taxpayer expense.^[3] The Phoenix Firebirds were the minor league baseball team of Phoenix, Arizona, until 1997. ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 19, 34, 42, 44 Name Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present) Seattle Pilots (1969) Ballpark Miller Park (2001–present) County Stadium (1970-2000) Sicks Stadium (Seattle) (1969) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None... Travis Lee (born May 26, 1975) is a major league first baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ...

1998 - The renamed Tucson Sidewinders begin their affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks, playing at Tucson Electric Park. A new mascot is also introduced, Sandy Sidewinder, a snake with arms. The old mascot, Tuffy the Toro, is phased out.

1999 - In May, longtime Toros general manager Mike Feder is fired from the Sidewinders by team owner Stone. A local uproar ensues in support of Feder. He is replaced by Jack Donovan.^[4]

2000 - Before the 2000 baseball season, broadcasting entrepreneur Jay Zucker purchases the Sidewinders from Martin Stone, reportedly for about $7 to $8 million, after Stone is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Zucker loses over $200,000 in his first season as owner.

2002 - Despite the parent club's World Series win the previous year, the Sidewinders report 268,807 total attendance for the season, an average of 3,895 per game. Tucson Electric Park has a capacity of 11,000.

2003 - Tucson Sidewinders prospects earn the nickname "Baby 'Backs" with their relative youth and frequent call-ups to the major league club.

2006 - The team finishes the regular season 91-53, the best in AAA baseball for 2006 and a new franchise record. Team manager Chip Hale is named PCL Manager of the Year. After defeating the Salt Lake Bees 3-1 in a best-of-five PCL Pacific Conference Championships series, the Sidewinders win the Pacific Coast League Championship Series in three straight games versus the Round Rock Express. They then defeat the International League champion, the Toledo Mud Hens, 5-2 in a one-game playoff in Oklahoma City for the unofficial AAA title. Walter William Hale (born December 2, 1964, in San Jose, California) was a Major League Baseball designated hitter, third baseman, and second baseman. ... The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League (PCL) minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... The Round Rock Express is a minor league baseball franchise based in the Austin, Texas suburb of Round Rock. ... The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ... League International League Division West Division Year founded 1896 Major League affiliation Detroit Tigers Home ballpark Fifth Third Field Previous home ballparks Ned Skeldon Stadium City Toledo, Ohio Current uniform colors navy blue, red, gold Previous uniform colors navy blue, red Logo design A white egg-shaped oval outlined in... Downtown Oklahoma City The State Capitol of Oklahoma From The South Motto: Nickname: Capital of the New Century Founded 1889 Incorporated County Oklahoma County Cleveland County Canadian County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Mick Cornett Area  - Total  - Water 1,608. ...

2007 and beyond - after the 2006 season, the Sidewinders renew their player development contract with the Diamondbacks for another two years. Manager Chip Hale is promoted to the Diamondbacks coaching staff as their new third base coach. Bill Plummer, the former manager of the Diamondbacks' former Double-A affiliate, the Tennessee Smokies, is signed to take over as skipper for the Sidewinders in 2007. William Francis Plummer (born March 21, 1947 in Oakland, CA) was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Seattle Mariners. ... Arizona Diamondbacks National League AAA Tucson Sidewinders AA Tennessee Smokies A Lancaster JetHawks South Bend Silver Hawks Yakima Bears R Missoula Osprey The Tennessee Smokies are a minor league baseball team based near Knoxville, Tennessee. ...

Notable Players

Some notable players to don a Toros or Sidewinders uniform:

Several players listed were "Tucson" players only by virtue of being sent down to AAA for rehab after an injury. Bob Kelly Abreu [ah-BREH-yu] (born March 11, 1974 in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the New York Yankees. ... Brian James Anderson is a pitcher who is currently signed to a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers. ... Ronnie Belliard (born April 7, 1975 in Bronx, New York) is a second baseman of Dominican descent who currently plays for the Washington Nationals. ... Craig Alan Biggio [BIDGE-ee-oh] (born December 14, 1965 in Kings Park, NY) is a seven-time All-Star baseball player who has played his entire Major League career with the Houston Astros. ... Kenneth Gene Caminiti (April 21, 1963 – October 10, 2004) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. ... Alex Cintron (pronouned SIN-tron) (born December 17, 1978 in Humacao, Puerto Rico) is a baseball player who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Craig John Counsell (born August 21, 1970 in South Bend, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball infielder who currently plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a career batting average of . ... David Michael Dellucci (born October 31, 1973 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball. ... Stephen Oris Drew (born March 16, 1983 in Valdosta, Georgia) is a shortstop in major league baseball who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Erubiel Cardenas Durazo (born January 23, 1974 in Hermosillo, Sonora) is a Mexican baseball player. ... Michael Lee Fetters (Born December 19, 1964 in Van Nuys, California) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for seven teams during his sixteen year career from 1989 to 2004. ... Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949, in Jefferson City, Tennessee) is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988. ... Luis Emilio Gonzalez (born September 3, 1967) (affectionately called Gonzo by many of his fans), is a baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks and plays left field. ... Jason Alan Grimsley (born August 7, 1967 in Cleveland, Texas) was best known as a professional relief pitcher. ... Conor Sevin Jackson (nicknamed Co-Jack) was born May 7, 1982 in Austin, Texas. ... Geoff Jenkins (born July 21, 1974 in Olympia, Washington) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played solely for the Milwaukee Brewers since 1998. ... Todd Jones can refer to different people: Todd Jones: a baseball player Todd Jones: a rock musician This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Jeffrey Daniel Juden (born January 19, 1971 in Salem, Massachusetts) is a former Major League Baseball player. ... Darryl Andrew Kile (December 2, 1968 – June 22, 2002) was a professional baseball player and pitcher who last played with the St. ... Byung-Hyun Kim (born January 21, 1979 in Gwangju, South Korea) is a right-handed pitcher who has played for the Colorado Rockies since 2005. ... Travis Lee (born May 26, 1975) is a major league first baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ... Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball center fielder who plays with the Texas Rangers. ... Leo Mazzone (born October 16, 1948 in Keyser, West Virginia) is a former pitcher in minor league baseball and a current coach in Major League Baseball. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Joe Mikulik is the current manager of the Asheville Tourists class A minor league baseball team. ... Damian Miller (born October 10, 1969 in La Crosse, Wisconsin) is an professional baseball player on the Milwaukee Brewers. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Phillip Joseph Phil Nevin (born January 19, 1971 in Fullerton, California) is a Major League Baseball player who currently is a Free Agent. ... Carlos Quentin (born August 28, 1982 in Chula Vista, California, is an outfielder who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. ...   Richard Shane Reynolds (born March 26, 1968 in Bastrop, Louisiana) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Astros (1992-2002), Atlanta Braves (2003) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2004). ... Reginald Laverne Reggie Sanders (born December 1, 1967) is currently the starting left fielder for the Kansas City Royals baseball team. ... Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American Major League Baseball player, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ... Ernest Lee Spivey, Jr. ... Chad Austin Tracy (born May 22, 1980 in Charlotte, North Carolina) is a third baseman in Major League Baseball who plays with the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Óscar Eduardo Villareal (born November 22, 1981 in Nuevo León, Mexico is a relief pitcher who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves (2006-present). ... Fernando Viña [VEE-nyah] (born April 16, 1969 in Sacramento, California) is a Major League Baseball second baseman who plays with the Detroit Tigers. ... William Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Tannersville, Virginia) is a American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. ... Donnell Lee Wall (born July 11, 1967 in Potosi, Missouri), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from 1995-2002. ... Matthew Derrick Matt Williams (born November 28, 1965 in Bishop, California) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played for the San Francisco Giants (1987-96), Cleveland Indians (1997) and Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2003). ... Anthony Darrell Womack (born September 25, 1969) is a center fielder for the New York Yankees. ...

Team name

The name "Sidewinders" refers to both a snake indigenous to Arizona and pitchers with a particular style of throwing. Since a Diamondback rattlesnake is also common in Arizona, the Tucson team's name is now more in line with that of the parent club than the alliterative name "Tucson Toros." Nevertheless, many fans seem to miss the old club name with its long history. For a few seasons on Tuesdays, the Sidewinders reverted back to throwback "Toros nights," wearing the old Toros pinstriped uniforms. 2005 was the last season that Tucson held "Toros Tuesdays." However, Tuffy the Toro continues to make cameo appearances at the ballpark, joining the latest Tucson mascot, Sandy Sidewinder. The team still has the occasional Toros-related promotions, such as a giveaway of replica Toros hats.^[1] Binomial name Crotalus cerastes Hallowell, 1854 The Sidewinder is the most common name of a species (Crotalus cerastes) of highly nocturnal rattlesnake found in the southwestern United States. ... A baseball pitcher delivers the ball to home plate In baseball, pitching is the act of throwing the baseball from the pitchers mound toward the catcher with the goal of retiring a batter who attempts to make contact with it, or draw a walk. ... Binomial name Crotalus atrox Baird & Girard, 1853 Crotalus atrox is a highly venomous rattlesnake species found in the United States and Mexico. ...

See also

• Tucson Toros

TUCSON TOROS For 28 years the Tucson Toros were an icon in the Old Pueblo bringing excitement and family fun to Hi Corbett Field. ...

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Team History. Tucson Sidewinders web site. Minor League Baseball (2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
2. ^ ^{a b} Limberis, Chris (2002-10-03). Currents: Pay Ball. Tucson Weekly. Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
3. ^ Limberis, Chris (2001-11-15). Currents: Pinched Hitters. Tucson Weekly. Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
4. ^ Danehy, Tom (1999-05-13). Foul Ball. Tucson Weekly. Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.

• The Pepper spring training page
• Ballpark Watch
• article "Diamond in the Rough" by Chris Limberis, Tucson Weekly, March 1, 2001
• series preview Unofficial Portland Beavers Web Page, 2004.

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ...

External links

• Tucson Sidewinders official site
• Tucson Sidewinders Roster, Splits, and Situational Stats