Columbus Jets

Last updated
Columbus Jets
Columbus Jets Logo.png
Minor league affiliations
Class Triple-A
League International League
Major league affiliations
Team Pittsburgh Pirates (1957–1970)
Previous teams Kansas City Athletics (1955–1956)
Minor league titles
League titles 1961, 1965
Team data
NameColumbus Jets (1955–1970)
Ballpark Jets Stadium
General manager Harold Cooper (1955-1968), Charles Wareham (1969-1970)

The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the Triple-A International League.

Contents

The Jets' name came from Columbus' role in manufacturing aircraft by North American Aviation for World War II. [1] [2]

They were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics (1955–56) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1957–70). The Jets played their home games at Jets Stadium.

In 1971 the franchise moved to Charleston, West Virginia, and became the Charleston Charlies, leaving Columbus without organized baseball for the first time since 1894. In 1977 the Columbus Clippers returned baseball to Ohio's capital.

Notable alumni

Yearly record

YearRecordFinish
Full Season
AttendanceManagerPostseason
1955 64–89Seventh202,854 Nick Cullop DNQ
1956 69–84Seventh163,128Nick CullopDNQ
1957 69–85Seventh180,418 Frank Oceak DNQ
1958 77–77Fourth196,644 Clyde King Lost to Montreal in first round
1959 84–70Second204,157 Cal Ermer Lost to Havana in first round
1960 69–84Sixth136,195Cal ErmerDNQ
1961 92–62First187,471 Larry Shepard Lost to Rochester in first round
1962 80–74Fifth191,730Larry ShepardDNQ
1963 75–73Fourth
(South Division)
167,121Larry ShepardDNQ
1964 68–85Sixth134,448Larry ShepardDNQ
1965 85–61First197,680Larry ShepardLost to Toronto in finals
1966 82–65Second
(tied)
193,881Larry ShepardLost to Toronto in first round
1967 69–71Fourth148,365 Harding "Pete" Peterson Lost to Toledo in finals
1968 82–64Second178,003 Johnny Pesky Lost to Jacksonville in finals
1969 74–66Fourth153,802 Don Hoak Lost to Syracuse in finals
1970 81–59Second140,700 Joe Morgan Lost to Syracuse in finals

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References

  1. Worth, Richard. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Directory 1869-2011. McFarland, 2013, page 82.
  2. Barrett, Richard E. Columbus 1910-1970. Arcadia, page 83