The Pittsfield Cubs, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, were a minor league baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1985 to 1988. They played their home games at Wahconah Park and were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.
History
The Cubs were founded in 1985 after an investment group acquired the Double-A franchise rights for $350,000 from the Buffalo Bisons.
On the field, the Cubs were successful, making the playoffs in three of four years. In 1987, the team finished first during the regular season, although they failed to win the championship. In addition to Eastern League all-star selections, the team had two Eastern League Most Valuable Players, Rafael Palmeiro in 1986 and Mark Grace in 1987. The team also had two no-hitters during their existence. On August 1, 1985, Johnny Abrego threw a no-hitter against the Nashua Pirates winning by a 1-0 score. On July 18, 1988, Kris Roth pitched a no-hitter against the Harrisburg Senators, winning by a 3-0 score.
Off the field, the Cubs were plagued by attendance problems. They finished last or next to last in Eastern league attendance during each of their four years of existence.
Season-by-season record Season Class League Affiliation Manager Record Finish Attendance Postseason 1985 AA Eastern Chicago Cubs Tom Spenser 59-79 7th 60,585 - 1986 AA Eastern Chicago Cubs Tom Spenser 76-64 3rd 47,709 Lost to Vermont in first round 3-2 1987 AA Eastern Chicago Cubs Jim Essian 87-51 1st 51,551 Lost to Vermont in first round 3-1 1988 AA Eastern Chicago Cubs Jim Essian 75-63 3rd 53,121 Lost to Vermont in first round 3-1
Legacy The Pittsfield Cubs moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania after the 1988 season, becoming the Williamsport Bills and affiliating with the Seattle Mariners. The community of Pittsfield gained the Pittsfield Mets for the 1989 season. The Chicago Cubs transferred their AA level affiliation to the Charlotte Knights.
Future Major League Pittsfield Cubs
Johnny Abrego (1985) Mike Brumley (1985) Mike Capel (1985-1986) Steve Engel (1985) Darrin Jackson (1985-1986) Jamie Moyer (1985) Gary Varsho (1985-1986) Rich Amaral (1986-1988) Damon Berryhill (1986) Drew Hall (1986) Les Lancaster (1986) Greg Maddux (1986) Mike Martin (1986) Paul Noce (1986) Rafael Palmeiro (1986) Rolando Roomes (1986-1987) Phil Stephenson (1986) Doug Dascenzo (1987) Mark Grace (1987) Dave Pavlas (1987) Jeff Pico (1987) Laddie Renfroe (1987-1988) Rich Scheid (1987-1988) Dwight Smith (1987) Héctor Villanueva (1987-1988) Rick Wrona (1987-1988) Jim Bullinger (1988) Joe Girardi (1988) Mike Harkey (1988) Joe Kraemer (1988) Ced Landrum (1988) Kelly Mann (1988) Jeff Schwarz (1988) Jerome Walton (1988) Dean Wilkins (1988)
Pittsfield Cubs with previous Major League experience Jeff Cornell (1985) Steve Hammond (1985) Jeff Jones (1985) Dickie Noles (1987) Al Chambers (1988)
Eastern League All-Stars First Base: Phil Stephenson (1986), Mark Grace (1987) Shortstop: Mike Brumley (1985), Paul Noce (1986) Outfield: Rafael Palmeiro (1986), Dwight Smith (1987), Jerome Walton (1988) Pitcher: Dean Wilkins (1988)
Eastern League Season Leaders
Pitching Winning Percentage: .813 (13-3), David Masters (1987) .818 (9-2) Michael Harkey (1988)
Hitting Batting Average: .331, Jerome Walton (1988) Runs: 87, Paul Noce (1986) 111, Dwight Smith (1987) 82, Ced Landrum (1988) Hits: 156, Rafael Palmeiro (1986) Runs Batted In: 95, Rafael Palmeiro (1986) 101, Mark Grace (1987)
References Notes
Sources
Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: The Official Record of Minor League Baseball – Lloyd Johnson, Miles Wolff. Publisher: Baseball America, 2007. Format: Hardback, 767 pp.