Walla Walla Phillies

The Walla Walla Phillies were a minor league baseball team in the northwest United States, located in Walla Walla, Washington. Named after their parent club, the Phillies were members of the Class A short-season Northwest League for two seasons from 1970 to 1971.

Walla Walla Phillies
(1970-1971)
Walla Walla, Washington
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A Short Season (1970–1971)
LeagueNorthwest League (1970–1971)
DivisionNorth (1970–1971)
Major league affiliations
TeamPhiladelphia Phillies (1970–1971)
Minor league titles
League titles None
Division titles None
Team data
ColorsCrimson, white
   
BallparkBorleske Stadium (1970–1971)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Verne Russell
General ManagerBob Dyer
ManagerGary Powel

History

In 1969, with the expansion of Major League Baseball, Walla Walla was awarded a Northwest League franchise.[1] The franchise secured a working agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. The club played their inaugural season as the Walla Walla Bears. In January of 1970, the franchise was sold to Verne Russell.[2] Building upon local ownership, the club stayed close to home in selecting its new general manager. Bob Dyer, who had played and managed the semi-professional Walla Walla Bears, was tabbed to head the front office.[3]

Russell announced that Walla Walla and the Phillies would continue their relationship. At the behest of Philadelphia, the club dropped the Bears moniker to become the Walla Walla Phillies.[4]

The Phillies finished the year at 39–41, placing second in the north division standings. Walla Walla led the league in attendance with over thirty-two thousands passing through the gates at Borleske Stadium.[5]

Walla Walla continued their relationship with Philadelphia in 1971. Gary Powel returned as manager. The Phillies finished with a record of 47–32 only to be bested by the Tri-City Padres by two and a half games in the final standings. Following the season Philadelphia elected to move their short season affiliate closer to home, linking up with Auburn of the New York–Penn League. Walla Walla signed on with the Hawaii Islanders of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and became the Walla Walla Islanders.

The Ballpark

The Walla Walla Phillies played at Borleske Stadium, located at 409 West Rees Avenue in Walla Walla, Washington. The stadium is still in use today.[6]

Season-by-season record
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Walla Walla Phillies
1970 PHI North 2nd 39 41 .488 Gary Powel 32,043
1971 PHI North 2nd 47 32 .595 Gary Powel 32,195

References
  1. "It's Official! Pro Baseball in Walla Walla". 1969-01-13. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  2. Reding, Jim (1970-01-29). "Bears Now Under Local Ownership". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  3. Reding, Jim (1970-02-03). "Dyer Named Bears' GM". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  4. "Bears to Phillies". NewspaperArchive.com. 1970-03-11. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  5. "Walla Walla Leads NWL in Crowds". The World. 1970-09-17. p. 18. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  6. "Borleske Stadium". Walla Walla Sweets. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved 2020-07-24.


Preceded by
Walla Walla Bears		 Northwest League franchise
(1970-1971)		 Succeeded by
Walla Walla Islanders


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