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.
| San Rafael Pacifics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Information | |||||
| League | Pecos League | ||||
| Location | San Rafael, California | ||||
| Ballpark | Albert Park | ||||
| Founded | 2011 | ||||
| League championships | 6 (NABL: 2012), (PA: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019), (PL: 2023) | ||||
| Former league(s) |
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| Colors | Navy blue, light blue, white | ||||
| Ownership | Pecos League | ||||
| Manager | Austin Fitzpatrick | ||||
| General Manager | Soren O'Connell | ||||
| Website | www | ||||
History
edit2012: North American League
editOn November 3, 2011, the team name Pacifics was selected.[1] The franchise was launched by Centerfield Partners of Dublin, California but was sold to Red Sports and Entertainment Group on November 15.[2][3] The Pacifics announced Mike Marshall as manager and Mike LaCoss as pitching coach in November.[4]
With Calgary, Edmonton and Lake County folding in the North Division, the Pacifics ownership created a second franchise, the Sonoma County Grapes.[5] Hawaii Baseball LLC, owners of Maui also started a second franchise, the Hawaii Stars. The four teams traveled to and from Hawaii and California to play each other. On April 2, the Pacifics announced the signing of Tomochika Tsuboi.[6] On June 4, the Pacifics made their franchise debut, defeating the Grapes 3–1 at Albert Park. Former Fresno State College World Series champion and local player Steve Detwiler hit two home runs.[7] San Rafael finished the season 34–26, defeating Maui in the North Division championship series.[8] Outfielder Maikel Jova was named North American League Most Valuable Player and also held a 37 game hit streak.[9][10] The North American Baseball League folded after the 2012 season and the Pacifics were the final champions of the league.
2013–2019: Pacific Association
editOn January 14, 2013, it was announced that San Rafael would become charter members of the Pacific Association along with Hawaii, Sonoma County and Maui.[11] Later it would be announced that the Vallejo Admirals would be taking place of the Grapes. On January 21, James Frisbie was announced as their new manager. The club also announced Stefan Wever as the bench coach.[12] On March 20, Jeff Russell was announced as pitching coach.[13] San Rafael opened their season with inter-league play against the Freedom Pro Baseball League of Arizona. After a 3–3 start, manager James Frisbee resigned and hitting coach Ryan Priddy was named manager.[14] Shortly after, Frisbee joined the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League.[15] San Rafael finished with a 54–21 first place record but fell to Maui in the championship game. Infielder Price Kendall was named Most Valuable Player.[16]
After the 2013 season, Maui and Hawaii folded. To fill the void, Sonoma and Pittsburg were added to the league. On December 11, Dan DiPace was named manager.[17] After clinching the first-half Pacific Association title with a 23–16 record, President and GM Mike Shapiro announced manager DiPace left to pursue other baseball opportunities.[18] For the second consecutive season, Priddy filled in as manager.[19] In August, Eric Byrnes made his debut, where San Rafael donated a portion of ticket sales to the Pat Tillman foundation.[20] The Pacifics won both halves of the season, earning them their first Pacific Association championship with a 48–30 record.
In 2015, former player Matt Kavanaugh was announced as manager.[21] San Rafael finished with a 48–30 record, defeating Sonoma in the championship game. Matt Chavez was unanimously named the leagues Most Valuable Player. Over 66 games, Chavez had 31 home runs and 85 RBI while hitting for a .383 average. In August, he was signed by the Lake Elsinore Storm, the High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.[22]
In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, San Rafael held a combined 73–83 record and did not make a post-season appearance.
In 2018, the Pacific Association expanded to six teams with the addition of Martinez and Napa. On May 28, Pacifics announced the signing of J. P. Howell.[23] San Rafael finished second with a 50–30 regular season record. The Pacifics then defeated Vallejo and Sonoma in the post-season to claim their third league championship. Outfielder, Javion Randle was named Most Valuable Player. Pitcher Jared Koenig was named Pitcher of the Year.[24] In late August, the team announced they were being put up for sale.[25]
In December of 2018, the franchise announced that the team was purchased by Gabe Suárez.[26] For the 2019 season, it was announced that Martinez folded and Pittsburg would take a hiatus. The Salina Stockade joined as a traveling team.[27] On May 16, Derrick Pyles was announced as manager, replacing Kavanaugh who guided the team to two championships in four seasons.[28] After a 7–2 start to the season, the Suarez ownership group released Pyles of his duties. Oscar Suarez was named manager the following week. On June 29, former 2018 Pacifics' pitcher Chris Mazza made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Mets, becoming the first Pacific Association player to make the major leagues. After a 38–26 regular season record, San Rafael defeated Napa and Sonoma, claiming their fourth championship. Shortstop Raúl Navarro was named Most Valuable Player. Reliever Jailen Peguero was named Co-Reliever of the Year.
2020–Present: Pecos League
editIn November 2019, the Pacifics announced their departure from the Pacific Association, citing a desire to join a new independent league in Northern California for the 2020 season and beyond.[29] The Pacifics were purchased by Andrew Dunn, founder of the Pecos League in March 2020 after the Pacifics and the Pacific Association agreed to not continue their affiliation due to major differences in operating a sound independent baseball league.
San Rafael was originally scheduled to appear in the Pacific Division of the 2020 Pecos League season, but ultimately had their season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Stephen Leonetti was named manager. San Rafael finished 22–18 in the regular season and defeated the Martinez Sturgeon in the bay championship series.
In 2022, former player Kyle Ulanday was named manager.[30] San Rafael finished with a Pecos League best 41–9 record but were defeated by the Tucson Saguaros in the Pacific Division championship series. On June 8, former Pacifics' pitcher Jared Koenig made his Major League Baseball debut for the Oakland Athletics, becoming the second Pacific to make the major leagues. Koenig won Pacific Association pitcher of the year in 2018, going 11-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 96+2⁄3 innings pitched. Koenig also set a Pacific Association record with 140 strikeouts.
On January 16, 2023, Austin Fitzpatrick was announced as manager.[31] San Rafael finished with a 39–8 record and claimed their first Pecos League championship against Tucson.[32]
On May 21st, 2024, Soren O'Connell was announced as General Manager.[33]
Roster
edit| Active roster | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Season-by-season results
edit| San Rafael Pacifics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Division | Overall | Win % | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
| 2012 | NABL | North | 34–26† | .567 | 1st | Mike Marshall | Won North Division championship series (Maui) 2–1 |
| 2013 | PACA | — | 54–21† | .720 | 1st | James Frisbie (3–3) Ryan Priddy (51–18) |
Lost championship game (Maui) |
| 2014 | PACA | — | 48–30 | .615 | 1st in Division (first half) 1st in Division (second half) |
Dan DiPace (23–16) Ryan Priddy (25–14) |
First half winner; Second half winner; League Champions |
| 2015 | PACA | — | 48–30† | .615 | 2nd in Division (first half) 1st in Division (second half) |
Matt Kavanaugh | Won championship game (Sonoma) |
| 2016 | PACA | — | 41–37 | .526 | 2nd in Division (first half) 2nd in Division (second half) |
Matt Kavanaugh | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | PACA | — | 32–46 | .410 | 3rd in Division (first half) T-3rd in Division (second half) |
Matt Kavanaugh | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | PACA | — | 50–30 | .625 | 2nd | Matt Kavanaugh | Won semifinals (Vallejo) Won championship game (Sonoma) |
| 2019 | PACA | — | 38–26 | .594 | 2nd | Derrick Pyles (7–2) Oscar Suárez (31–24) |
Won Semifinals (Napa) Won championship series (Sonoma) 2–1 |
| 2020 | Pecos | Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic) | |||||
| 2021 | Pecos | Pacific | 22–18 | .550 | 3rd | Stephen Leonetti | Won Pacific Division semifinals (Santa Cruz) 2–0 Won Pacific Division championship series (Martinez) 2-1 |
| 2022 | Pecos | Pacific | 41–9 | .820 | 1st | Kyle Ulanday | Won Pacific Division semifinals (Santa Rosa) 2–0 Lost Pacific Division championship series (Tucson) 0–2 |
| 2023 | Pecos | Pacific | 39–8 | .830 | 1st | Austin Fitzpatrick | Won Pacific Division semifinals (Lancaster) 2–0 Won Pacific Division championship series (Bakersfield) 2–0 Won Pecos League championship series (Tucson) 2–1 |
| 2024 | Pecos | Pacific | 31–23 | .574 | 2nd | Austin Fitzpatrick | Won Pacific Division semifinals (Marysvile) 2–1 Won Pacific Division championship series (Bakersfield) 2–1 Lost Pecos League championship series (Alpine) 0–2 |
| Totals | 478–304 | .611 | — | — | 24–11 (.686) | ||
† 2012, 2013 and 2015 post-season was also included in regular season record.
Notable alumni
edit- Jailen Peguero (2019)
- J.P. Howell (2018)
- Chris Mazza (2018)
- Jared Koenig (2017-18)
- Eric Byrnes (2014)
- Bill "Spaceman" Lee (2012-2013)
- Tomochika Tsuboi (2012)
References
edit- ^ ""Pacifics" picked as team name for San Rafael baseball". ABC7news.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics new ownership group led by Marin men". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Shea, John (2012-02-12). "San Rafael professional baseball team promises fun". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics Name Mike Marshall as Manager". patch.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacifics ownership group adds Sonoma County traveling squad for 2012 season". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics sign Japanese player". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Detwiler hits two homers to lift San Rafael Pacifics in first game". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics Win North American League North Division Championship". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Shafer, Jacob (September 5, 2016). "Maikel Jova's Death-Defying Journey to US a Success, Far from MLB Limelight". Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Maikel Jova Named MVP of North American Baseball League's North Division". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "New Independent League Announced". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics Name James Frisbie New Manager". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacifics Hire Former MLB Pitcher Russel as Pitching Coach". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Ryan Priddy Named San Rafael Pacifics Manager". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Baseball: Aviators change managers". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacifics Fall to Maui in Championship Game". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics name new manager for 2014 season". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Minor-league baseball: Pacifics manager DiPace steps down". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Priddy filling in as manager for second year in a row". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Sports name: Eric Byrnes". SF Gate. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Former catcher Matt Kavanaugh takes over as Pacifics manager". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacifics Matt Chavez Named MVP". Pacific Association. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "How big-league reliever J.P. Howell wound up with independent San Rafael Pacifics". ctinsider.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Sports briefs: Pacifics' Koenig named Pitcher of the Year". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Pacifics Up for Sale". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ San Rafael Pacifics owner Gabriel Suarez has lengthy baseball background, Marin Independent Journal, December 28, 2018
- ^ "Bay Area independent baseball league's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseason continues". The Mercury News. April 5, 2019.
- ^ "New look San Rafael Pacifics eager to repeat as Pacific Association champs". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics Ready For Opener Under New Skipper". patch.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Austin Fitzpatrick 2023 San Rafael Pacifics Field Manager". pecosleague.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "San Rafael Pacifics Win 2023 Pecos League Championship". independentbaseball.net. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Soren OConnell named General Manager for San Rafael Pacifics". Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs. Retrieved 29 May 2024.