| Pittsburg Diamonds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Information | |||||
| League | Pacific Association | ||||
| Location | Pittsburg, California | ||||
| Ballpark | Michael V. Valle Stadium | ||||
| Founded | 2013 | ||||
| Folded | 2019 | ||||
| Former name(s) | Pittsburg Mettle | ||||
| Colors | Black, orange, white | ||||
| Ownership | Khurram Shah | ||||
| Manager | Aaron Miles | ||||
| Website | diamondsproball | ||||
The Pittsburg Diamonds were an independent professional baseball team based in Pittsburg, California. Originally named the Pittsburg Mettle, the club changed their name to the Diamonds in 2015. [1]
On April 1, 2014, the Pittsburg Mettle were announced to play alongside San Rafael, Sonoma and Vallejo of the Pacific Association. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Wayne Franklin, wife Cris, and business partner Tom Macari made up the Backwards K Group, the team's owners. The club was an outgrowth of the 2013 traveling club East Bay Lumberjacks. [2] The Mettle's team colors were black, green, dark gray, light gray and white. [3] Franklin was announced as the clubs first player manager. On June 3, the Mettle played their first game against the Vallejo Admirals where they were defeated 2–7. [4] On June 6, the Mettle picked up their first professional win against the San Rafael Pacifics, 8–3. [5] [6] On June 29, actress Stacy Caroll of Major League threw out the ceremonial first pitch. [7] The Mettle held a 22–56 regular season record.
In 2015, the club rebranded after Khurram Shah, a local businessman, took over for the 2015 season during which the team made news signing former Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco for two separate weekend stints. [8] [9] Pittsburg was managed by former Major League Baseball professional Aaron Miles, who was a part of the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. [10] In his first season, the Diamonds saw a 16 game win improvement, earning him Manager of the Year honors. [11] In 2016, the Diamonds again signed Canseco, this time to a month-long contract to finish the regular season. [12] [13] Canseco would collect two RBI in 14 plate appearances in addition to making three starts as a pitcher. [14] In 2018, Travis Blackley made the Diamonds first post-season start against the Sonoma Stompers where they were defeated 0–5 in the semi-final. [15]
The club announced before the 2019 season that it would take a one-year hiatus with plans to return in 2020. However, the team hasn’t returned, and the Pacific Association has since folded as well. [16]
| Season | Overall | Win % | Standing | Manager | Postseason | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg Mettle | ||||||
| 2014 | 22–56 | .282 | 4th in Division (first half) 4th in Division (second half) | Wayne Franklin | Did not qualify | |
| Pittsburg Diamonds | ||||||
| 2015 | 38–39 | .494 | 3rd in Division (first half) 2nd in Division (second half) | Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2016 | 36–42 | .462 | 3rd in Division (first half) T-3rd in Division (second half) | Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2017 | 36–42 | .462 | 2nd in Division (first half) T-3rd in Division (second half) | Aaron Miles | Did not qualify | |
| 2018 | 36–44 | .450 | 4th | Aaron Miles | Lost semifinals (Sonoma) | |
| Totals | 168–223 | .430 | — | — | 0–1 (.000) | |
José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his time with the Oakland Athletics, he established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year (1986), and Most Valuable Player award (1988), and was a six-time All-Star. Canseco is a two-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics (1989) and the New York Yankees (2000).
Keith Anthony Phillips was an American professional baseball utility player who had an 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career from 1982 to 1999. He played regularly at second base, but also had significant time as a shortstop and third baseman. In addition, Phillips showed his versatility with over 100 game appearances in the outfield corners and as a designated hitter.
Aaron Wade Miles is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2003 to 2011 for the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He also managed the Pittsburg Diamonds of the Pacific Association. In 2024, Miles was named infield and third base coach of the newly formed Oakland Ballers of the Pioneer League. On July 21, 2024, the Ballers fired manager Micah Franklin and named Miles interim manager.
Na Koa Ikaika Maui were an independent professional baseball team based out of Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii and 2013 champions of the Pacific Association. They played their home games at Maehara Stadium in Wailuku on the island of Maui. Over four seasons, they also played the Golden Baseball League and North American League.
The Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs is an independent professional baseball league headquartered in Houston, which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The league plays in cities that do not have Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either.
The San Rafael Pacifics are an American professional baseball team based in San Rafael, California, United States. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball. They were previous members of the North American League and charter members of the Pacific Association. The Pacifics have played their homes games at Albert Park since 2012. The Pacifics were the winningest franchise of the Pacific Association, capturing four championships in seven seasons.
The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs was an independent baseball league based in Northern California. The league was founded in 2013 by four former North American League teams.
The Vallejo Admirals were an independent professional baseball team based in Vallejo, California. They were members of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, which was not associated with Major League Baseball. In 2017, the Admirals won the Pacific Association championship.
The East Bay Lumberjacks were an independent professional baseball team based out of Concord, California.
The Sonoma Stompers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Sonoma, California. They are current members of the California Collegiate League. They began play as members of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs in 2014. They are a successor franchise to the defunct Sonoma County Grapes, and were the first professional team to make Sonoma County home since the Sonoma County Crushers ceased play following the 2002 season.
James Allen Hoyt is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels.
Stacy Piagno is a member of the United States women's national baseball team which won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.
The 2019 Pacific Association season was the seventh season of the Pacific Association. There was a five team 64 game schedule.
The 2018 Pacific Association season was the sixth season of the Pacific Association. There was a six team 80 game schedule. Most series included a two-game series with each team having 40 home games.
The 2017 Pacific Association season was the fifth season of the Pacific Association. There was a four team 78 game schedule. Most series included a three-game series with each team having 39 home games.
The 2016 Pacific Association season was the fourth season of the Pacific Association. There was a four team 78 game schedule. Most series included a three-game series with each team having 39 home games.
The 2015 Pacific Association season was the third season of the Pacific Association. There was a four team 77 game schedule. Most series included a three-game series with each team having 39 home games. The Pittsburg Mettle became the Pittsburg Diamonds for the 2015 season.
The 2014 Pacific Association season was the second season of the Pacific Association. There was a four team 78 game schedule.
The 2013 Pacific Association season was the first season of the Pacific Association. In 2013, The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs was announced as a new Independent professional baseball league based out of California and Hawaii. The league was an outgrowth of the North American Baseball League, which ceased operations after the 2012 season.
Chris Kwitzer is an American professional baseball infielder for the New York Boulders of the Frontier League. He played for the Spain national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.
Sports teams based in the San Francisco Bay Area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baseball |      | |
| Basketball | ||
| American football | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| Soccer | ||
| Esports | ||
| Roller derby | ||
| Rugby League | ||
| Ultimate | ||
| College athletics (NCAA Div. I) | ||
