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66-768: The Aces were known as the Tucson Sidewinders from 1998 to 2008. Before that, the team was first known as the Tucson Toros . They were Tucson 's Triple-A baseball club, playing at Hi Corbett Field in midtown Tucson from 1969 to 1997. Part of the old ten-team configuration of the Pacific Coast League, the Toros won the PCL Championship in 1991 and 1993. The Toros were preceded by a number of other Tucson teams between 1915 and 1958, such as

132-528: A best of five championship series. On October 27, 2010, it was announced on the GBL website that the Toros would take 2011 off due to the Triple-A Tucson Padres playing their season at Kino Stadium (formerly Tucson Electric Park). In July 2011, the suspended franchise received an eviction notice from the city of Tucson due to reportedly defaulting on their lease at Hi Corbett Field. On July 21,

198-852: A businessman, land speculator and former owner of the Phoenix Firebirds , purchased the Tucson Toros from Rick Holtzman. In a "swap", the Toros' former owners moved to Fresno, California as the Grizzlies , and inherited the Firebirds' former affiliation with the San Francisco Giants , while the Phoenix AAA team moved to Tucson while retaining the Tucson club's staff and facilities. The Toros' long affiliation with

264-417: A dual meaning: "ace" is a baseball slang term for a team's top pitcher, and the ace is the highest card in several card games (a reference to Nevada's legalized gambling history). The logo features the diamonds symbol, which can be seen as another gambling reference, as well as to the diamond of a baseball field and their MLB affiliate's name. The Reno Aces were due to begin their inaugural season in 2009 on

330-539: A former major league player and the owner of the PCL Portland Beavers , moved the team to Salt Lake City. Buzas made a deal wherein the city would build a new ballpark on the site of historic Derks Field in exchange for relocating the team. The new ballpark, Franklin Quest Field , opened in 1994 with the renamed Salt Lake Buzz drawing 713,224 fans to home games during their inaugural season—breaking

396-1032: A game in team history, and the 24 runs fell 1 run short of the club record. All nine offensive starters recorded a hit, with Dominic Fletcher , Buddy Kennedy , Phillip Evans , P. J. Higgins , Dominic Canzone , and Jake Hager enjoying multi-hit nights. The 2024 Aces won the second-half title, earning them a playoff berth, but they lost the PCL championship to Sugar Land, 2–0, in the best-of-three series. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches [REDACTED] 7-day injured list * On Arizona Diamondbacks 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated September 23, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB  •  Pacific Coast League → Arizona Diamondbacks minor league players Tucson Sidewinders The Tucson Toros were

462-650: A good year, the transitional Toros only managed a 64–78 record. It was the Tucson team's last season at Hi Corbett Field, and their last season with the Toros name. After the 1997 season, the Tucson club became the top affiliate of the Diamondbacks and changed their name to the Sidewinders. With the coming of the Diamondbacks, a new ballpark was needed for spring training in Tucson, since the Colorado Rockies used Hi Corbett Field. Tucson Electric Park

528-790: A league-best 85–63 record. They then defeated the El Paso Chihuahuas , winners of the Eastern Division, in a single playoff game, 6–2, to win their second PCL championship. Reno faced the Durham Bulls for the Triple-A championship, but they were defeated, 10–6. On April 27, 2023, the Aces defeated the Sugar Land Space Cowboys by a score of 24–2. The 22-run margin of victory marked the Aces' largest in

594-413: A name under which they played until relocating to Reno following the 2008 season. During the Sidewinders era, the team won both the PCL and Triple-A championships for the 2006 season. A new iteration of the Toros continued the original team's history in the independent Golden Baseball League for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The team went on hiatus for the 2011 season but folded later that year. Tucson had

660-821: A number of baseball teams between 1915 and 1958, including the Tucson Old Pueblos, the Tucson Waddies, the Tucson Cowboys (several teams), the Tucson Missions and the Tucson Lizards. None of these were part of the Pacific Coast League. When the last iteration of the Cowboys folded in 1958, Tucson was left with no professional baseball until the advent of the Toros. Hiram "Hi" Corbett, a former Arizona state senator, helped to bring

726-583: A number of outstanding players, such as pitchers Donne Wall and Billy Wagner , to major league call-ups. In addition to Lofton, Wall and Wagner the Astros-era also yielded several future MLB players including Ray Montgomery, Mike Simms, Bobby Abreu, Dave Hajek, Melvin Mora, Phil Nevin, Craig Biggio, Brian Hunter and Mike Hampton. 1997 was the last year of the Tucson Toros, in more ways than one. Martin Stone,

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792-483: A part of the Golden League. Zucker owned the rights to the name, logos, colors, uniforms and history of the Toros. Though they entered the league as an expansion team, the Toros adopted the original franchise's history and records up until 1997, essentially being "resurrected." In addition to celebrating their return to professional baseball, the Toros celebrated their 40th anniversary of their formation during

858-569: A plant in Ogden, Utah. The Bees played their final game at Smith's Ballpark on September 22, 2024. Keith Johnson joined the Bees' management team in 2016, following a one-season stint as an instructor for the Angels. Over the course of three seasons, he achieved an additional 195 victories. However, his streak was briefly interrupted in 2018 when he received a promotion to an assistant's position within

924-672: A professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona , in the United States. The original Toros were a Triple-A minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League from 1969 to 1997, where they won the PCL Championship in 1991 and 1993. They were affiliated with several Major League Baseball teams over the years, most notably with the Houston Astros . The team rebranded as the Tucson Sidewinders in 1998,

990-670: The Chicago White Sox (1969–1972), the Oakland Athletics (1973–1976), the Texas Rangers (1977–1979), the Houston Astros (1980–1996), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1997 only, with one Diamondbacks prospect, Travis Lee , playing with them by special arrangement). At the time of the change in venue and affiliation (1998), the name Sidewinders was chosen from a contest. The Toros became a member of

1056-721: The Los Angeles Angels . Based in South Jordan, Utah , the team will begin play at Daybreak Field at America First Square in 2025. The team previously played its home games at Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City from its opening in 1994 until the end of the 2024 season. Formerly known as the Salt Lake Buzz from 1994 to 2000 and the Salt Lake Stingers from 2001 to 2005, the team adopted

1122-611: The Toledo Mud Hens , 5–2 in the Bricktown Showdown for the Triple-A baseball championship at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City . Despite this feat, the Sidewinders still suffered from dwindling fan attendance and a general lack of interest from the Tucson market. After the 2006 season, the Sidewinders renewed their player development contract with the Diamondbacks for another two years. Chip Hale

1188-467: The 2001 season to take a role as Regional Marketing Director for the NFL's New Orleans Saints. Todd Woodford, a previous assistant general manager, returned to Tucson as general manager after spending a year with the PCL's Salt Lake franchise . In 2002, Rick Parr became the team's general manager. Despite the parent club's World Series win the previous year, the Sidewinders reported 268,807 total attendance for

1254-835: The 2006 regular season 91–53, the best in AAA baseball for 2006 and a new franchise record. Team manager Chip Hale was named PCL Manager of the Year. After defeating the Salt Lake Bees 3–1 in a best-of-five PCL Pacific Conference Championships series, the Sidewinders won the Pacific Coast League Championship Series in three straight games versus the Round Rock Express . They then defeated the International League champion,

1320-595: The 2006 season, with the PCL's best record in the regular season and won the Pacific Coast League and National Championships in the postseason. The Phoenix Firebirds played from 1958 through 1997 as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants . The franchise joined the Pacific Coast League as a charter member in 1903 as the San Francisco Seals , relocating to Phoenix in 1958 when the major league New York Giants moved to San Francisco. Seals alumni include Joe DiMaggio . The Tucson Toros have been affiliated with

1386-614: The 2009 season. The reconstituted Tucson Toros returned to Hi Corbett Field to begin play in 2009. On, September 7, 2009, the Toros captured their very first GBL South Division Championship by defeating the St. George RoadRunners three games to two and advanced to the GBL Championship Series in their inaugural GBL season. They faced the North Division champion Calgary Vipers , to whom they lost three games to one in

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1452-538: The Aces were organized into the Triple-A West . Reno ended the season in second place in the Western Division with a 69–49 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called

1518-577: The Angel's office in Los Angeles. At the time of his departure, Johnson had amassed a total of 468 wins. Subsequently, he transitioned to the Miami Marlins organization after the 2018 season, where he spent four years alternating between the minor league and major league coaching staffs. In 2023, Johnson made a return to the Bees. On April 6, 2023, with the Bees' triumph, Johnson set the record for

1584-543: The Bees in 2012. The Bees plan to leave Smith's Ballpark for Daybreak Field at America First Square , a new ballpark in South Jordan, Utah , after the 2024 season. In 2024, the Bees have played under multiple names including the Buzz, Gulls, Occidentals, Trappers and Stingers. They played under the name Malmö Oat Milkers due to a licensing deal that Minor League Baseball struck with the Swedish firm Oatly . Oatly operates

1650-595: The Bees moniker in 2006. Since their inception in 1994, they have been a part of the PCL, including the 2021 season when the league was called Triple-A West. After the 1914 Pacific Coast League season, Salt Lake City businessman Bill "Hardpan" Lane purchased the Sacramento Solons and brought the team to Utah as the Salt Lake City Bees . Though a charter member of the PCL, the Solons suffered on

1716-536: The Bees. The Bees beat the Aces 6–2 on Friday, April 10. The Aces won their home opener at Greater Nevada Field on Friday, April 17, 11–1 against the Salt Lake Bees, to an over-capacity sell-out crowd of 9,167. The Aces made the playoffs for the first time in 2011, but lost the fifth and deciding game in the first round to the Sacramento River Cats . The Aces made it back to the post-season

1782-607: The Clock Night , "bull bells" and a cow-milking contest on Arizona Dairy Night , and the annual Diamond Dig in the base paths. Huey Lewis once wrote and performed a theme song for the Tucson Toros (circa 1993). Ray Charles also appeared in concert after a Tucson Toros game in the early 1990s. Toros broadcasters Vince Cotroneo , Mario Impemba and Matt Vasgersian all went on to major league broadcast jobs. The Tucson Toros were featured in an episode of Highway To Heaven , titled "Popcorn, Peanuts and Cracker Jacks." Parts of

1848-599: The Houston Astros was suddenly over, as the "new" Toros signed a one-year agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers . The one major league prospect with the Toros who was not part of the Brewers' organization was Travis Lee of the Arizona Diamondbacks . The new franchise did not yet have a AAA team of its own, so Lee was assigned to the nearby Tucson team for part of the season. Although Lee personally had

1914-513: The Larry H. Miller Company announced they would build a new baseball stadium in Daybreak , a master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah , for the Salt Lake Bees. Construction on the privately financed stadium is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in time for the 2025 season. The Bees will continue playing at Smith's Ballpark until the current lease expires in fall 2024. The team mascot

1980-638: The PCL single-season attendance record that had stood for 48 years. Buzas owned the team until his death in 2003. The team was purchased by Larry H. Miller , who also owned the NBA 's Utah Jazz . Miller died in February 2009, and the team is owned by his widow, Gail Miller. Known as the Salt Lake Buzz from 1994 to 2000, the team changed its name to the Salt Lake Stingers in 2001. The change

2046-620: The PCL. SK Baseball relocated the team to Reno, Nevada for the 2009 season, where they became the Reno Aces . With the impending move of the Sidewinders (who would be renamed as the Aces ) to Reno, the Reno Silver Sox of the independent Golden Baseball League were reported to be forced to leave Reno once the Sidewinders move into town. The Silver Sox franchise was sold by the league to former Sidewinders owner Tucson Baseball LLC, but

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2112-455: The Pacific Coast League to Tucson, in recognition of which the 1937 ballpark in midtown Tucson's Reid Park was eventually renamed Hi Corbett Field. The Tucson Toros, a AAA team in the league's southern division, began play in 1969. The name Toros was suggested by name-the-team contest winner Clarence Dupnik , who went on to become the Sheriff of Pima County , Arizona. From 1969 through 1972,

2178-458: The Sidewinders, reportedly for about $ 7 to $ 8 million, after Stone was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Tucson Baseball, LLC, the new ownership group led by Jay and Melinda Zucker, attempted to improve the situation with a variety of promotions, including weekly fireworks. These efforts met with limited success, as Zucker would lose over $ 200,000 in 2000, his first season as owner. Mike Feder returned as general manager, but would leave again prior to

2244-595: The Toros announced on their website that members of the Yuma Scorpions would play as the Toros in a doubleheader and that it would be the team's final night in action. On November 29, 2011, the Toros announced that they were folding after agreeing to a settlement of $ 300,000 paid to the team by the city paving the way for the University of Arizona baseball team to play their home games at Hi Corbett. Zucker and his wife Melinda wore classic throwback jerseys at

2310-539: The Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Reno finished the tournament in 28th place with a 1–5 record. In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization. Manager Gil Velazquez led the 2022 Aces to win the Western Division title with

2376-400: The Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization. In the early part of the 2023 season, Jo Adell broke a franchise record with a six-game straight home run streak. In early 2024, Marc Amicone left the Bees to become an advisor on baseball matters for the Larry H. Miller Company. He will work with

2442-540: The Tucson Cowboys and the Tucson Lizards. After the 1998 Major League Baseball expansion , which added the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix and Tampa Bay Devil Rays , the Toros moved to Fresno, California , as the Fresno Grizzlies . The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Tucson, briefly became the Tucson Toros (1997), and then became the Sidewinders (1998), the Triple-A affiliate of the new Diamondbacks. This

2508-578: The Tucson Toros were the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox . During this period, the team managed no better than a fourth-place finish for the season. The Toros did better as the AAA team of the Oakland Athletics (1973–1976), winning the PCL Eastern Division title in 1973 and finishing in second place in 1975. As the Texas Rangers farm team (1977–1979) they finished in third and fourth place, but with outstanding individual performances by outfielder Billy Sample (AAA Minor League Player of

2574-558: The Year, 1978) and others. In 1980 the Toros began a long association with the Houston Astros . Following the lead of the parent club (which was widely criticized for its 1980s uniforms), the Toros introduced what some consider the ugliest uniform in the history of organized baseball: orange pants with yellow and red stripes, and a jersey with a turquoise back, yellow raglan sleeves, and a front resplendent in yellow, avocado, red, orange, and lime green stripes of various widths. The look in 1981, an all-orange uniform with red and yellow trim,

2640-496: The coach with the highest number of all-time wins in the Bees' history. At that point, Johnson was just 23 victories away from reaching the milestone of 500 wins. It is worth noting that Johnson himself had a previous career as a minor league baseball player, during which he had played for the Bees. The Bees play at Smith's Ballpark . It was formerly known as Franklin Covey Field. It was renamed in 2014. On January 17, 2023,

2706-417: The company and Big League Utah in their efforts to bring a Major League Baseball team to Utah. The team named Ty Wardle, the Bees' former chief revenue officer as the new general manager. Cameron Coughlan was hired as assistant general manager. During the 2024 season, three-time Major League Baseball MVP Mike Trout played with the Bees as part of his physical rehabilitation. Trout had previously played for

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2772-446: The end of the Toros era of Tucson AAA baseball. His family-friendly promotions brought immediate results. The club was named Promotional Club of the Year in 1990, and had its highest season attendance to date. The following season, 1991, was the Toros' first championship season. The team overcame a series deficit of 0–2 to sweep the Calgary Cannons in the remaining games of the best of five series. Third year Toros manager Bob Skinner

2838-410: The episode were filmed at Hi Corbett Field. The team mascot, Tuffy the Toro, also appeared intermittently with the Tucson Sidewinders before being phased out. A new mascot was introduced in 1998; Sandy Sidewinder, a snake with arms. Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of

2904-418: The field and at the gate, being exiled at times to Tacoma , Fresno , and San Francisco . On March 31, 1915, their first game was played with 10,000 fans pouring into Majestic Park (later renamed Bonneville Park) to cheer the Bees to a 9–3 win over the Vernon Tigers .[Salt Lake Telegram , April 1, 1915, p. 3] The original Bees never won a PCL pennant, but they drew attendees well, especially considering

2970-437: The following year in 2012, defeated Sacramento in five games, and the Omaha Storm Chasers in four to win the PCL title. Reno then won the Triple-A National Championship Game , defeating the Pawtucket Red Sox 10–3 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina . The Reno Aces hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 17, 2013. In conjunction with Major League Baseball 's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021,

3036-402: The independent Golden Baseball League , adopting their previous Triple-A history from 1969 to 1997. The Aces adopted the Sidewinders' history from 1998 to 2008 before the franchise was moved to Reno. The Toros folded in 2011 after the AAA Portland Beavers moved to town to become the Tucson Padres . The Padres moved again in 2014, this time to Texas to become the El Paso Chihuahuas . In 2006

3102-409: The latter Bees PCL franchise. Bees have long been a symbol of Utah. The original name of the Mormon settlement, Deseret , is said to be the word for "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon; a beehive appears on the Utah state flag ; the state motto is " Industry " (for which bees are known); and Utah is widely known as the " Beehive State ." In 2019, the Bees announced a new logo, name, and branding for

3168-472: The location and playing field maintenance at Tucson Electric Park , Tucson Baseball LLC would sell the Tucson Sidewinders to SK Baseball LLC for $ 15 million in June 2007. The sale was completed on September 12, 2007. Tucson would finish the 2007 season with a 75–67 record, the second most wins in Sidewinders history. The Sidewinders had a win–loss record of 60–82 in 2008, their final season in Tucson, finishing in fourth (last) place in Pacific South division of

3234-407: The name "Sidewinders" in place of a new identity. Some fans suggested that the team should adopt or purchase the rights to the Silver Sox name from the GBL for the new PCL club, but that was ruled out as that team was, at that point (prior to folding), likely to relocate to Carson City . The Reno Aces introduced their new team name and logo at a press conference on September 23, 2008. The nickname has

3300-539: The press conference when the initial announcement was made. However, the team would be donning new uniforms to coincide with the new updated team logo and colors of black, red and gold unveiled at the press conference. The players would sport throwback jerseys at times to pay homage to the original team. Some notable players to don a Toros or Sidewinders uniform: At least a few of these were "Tucson" players only by virtue of being sent down to AAA for rehab after an injury. Some popular Toros promotions included Turn Back

3366-404: The road against the Salt Lake Bees on Thursday, April 9. However, the game was postponed due to the death of Los Angeles Angels ' Nick Adenhart (a Salt Lake alumnus), who was killed by a hit-and-run driver earlier in the day. Adenhart had played for the Bees during the 2008 season, and was remembered the next day in what was originally the second game in a four-game series between the Aces and

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3432-435: The season, an average of just 3,895 per game (compared to Tucson Electric Park's capacity of 11,000). The team was very successful as a supplier of major league-quality players to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Many individual Sidewinders performed admirably in mid-season call-ups, sometimes returning to the major league club time and again as needed. This earned the Sidewinders the nickname "Baby 'Backs" in 2003. The team finished

3498-440: The single-A level, was the PCL MVP with 92 RBI and 40 stolen bases. The Toros had the PCL's second-best overall record in 1994, and Rick Sweet was named PCL Manager of the Year. In 1995 the team had the best record in the PCL (87–56), but was defeated by the champion Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the first round of the playoffs. The 1996 campaign proved to be the Toros' last as a Houston affiliate. The team went 70–74, while "losing"

3564-447: The small market size. However, other PCL team owners resented the high cost of travel to Salt Lake City. When the Vernon Tigers abandoned Los Angeles after the 1925 season, it was suggested to Lane that he would do well to transfer his team to Southern California. After 11 seasons, the Bees moved to Los Angeles for the 1926 season. Initially known as the Hollywood Bees, the team soon became the Hollywood Stars. After ten seasons in Hollywood,

3630-444: The subject of criticism, as Martin Stone persuaded the Board of Supervisors to approve a lease on Tucson Electric Park that protected the owner from a portion of the team's financial losses at taxpayer expense. In May 1999, longtime Toros general manager Mike Feder was fired from the Sidewinders by Stone, resulting in local uproar. Feder was replaced by Jack Donovan. Following the season, broadcasting entrepreneur Jay Zucker purchased

3696-455: The team transferred again to San Diego, where it played as the San Diego Padres from 1936 to 1968. Salt Lake City was without a baseball team until 1946, when it received a franchise in the Pioneer League . Salt Lake City once was home to an all-black baseball team called the Occidentals. They played during the early 1900s against white teams in Utah and across the Western United States. The current franchise dates from 1994, when Joe Buzas ,

3762-415: The team was sold to Manhattan Capital Sports Fund led by Stuart Katzoff and Jerry Katzoff, later in 2007 it was formally announced that the Sidewinders would be moving to Reno after the 2008 season. A new 9,100-capacity venue, Greater Nevada Field , was constructed for the team in downtown Reno. The move forced the Reno Silver Sox of the independent Golden Baseball League to fold. The franchise dropped

3828-404: The team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Salt Lake finished the tournament tied for seventh place with a 6–4 record. In 2022,

3894-428: The team's history (including Reno's 2006 GBL Championship) did not go with them. There were original reports of a possible relocation to Carson City, Nevada , but the team instead moved to Tucson. On September 1, 2008, Jay Zucker of Tucson Baseball LLC and GBL chief executive officer David Kaval announced at a press conference at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson that the Tucson Toros were coming back and are now officially

3960-412: The team, taking on the name "Abejas de Salt Lake" for their ongoing participation in The Copa de la Diversión . In conjunction with Major League Baseball 's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Bees were organized into the Triple-A West . Salt Lake ended the season in fifth place in the Western Division with a 49–70 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead,

4026-457: Was accomplished by what amounted to a swap in ownership in 1997, with Firebirds owner Martin Stone purchasing the Toros and Toros owner Rick Holtzman receiving interest in the Firebirds. The Tucson team retained management and staff primarily from the Toros, and traces its history from the Toros rather than the Firebirds. The Sidewinders had humble beginnings, as it was five years before they enjoyed their first winning regular season. They dominated

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4092-433: Was built, and became the spring training site for both the Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox . It also became home to the Tucson Sidewinders in 1998, ending 60 years of minor-league baseball at Hi Corbett Field. The changes were not well received by fans, who responded to the new stadium, affiliation and team name with significantly reduced attendance. Financial arrangements between team owners and Pima County were also

4158-399: Was forced by a trademark dilution lawsuit filed by Georgia Tech , whose yellowjacket mascot is named Buzz . Following the 2005 season, the team announced the Stingers would henceforth be known as the Salt Lake Bees, the name of the original PCL franchise which played in Salt Lake City from 1915 to 1926 and from 1958 to 1965. The team also chose a logo, jersey, and color scheme similar to

4224-428: Was named PCL Manager of the Year, while series MVP Kenny Lofton led all of professional baseball with 17 triples for the season. After a second-place finish in 1992, the Toros had their second and final championship season in 1993 under new manager Rick Sweet, winning both halves of the season. First baseman Jim Lindeman led the league with a .362 batting average. Second baseman James Mouton , in his first season above

4290-443: Was promoted to the Diamondbacks coaching staff as their new third base coach. Bill Plummer , the former manager of the Diamondbacks' former Double-A affiliate, the Tennessee Smokies , took over as skipper for the Sidewinders in 2007. Randy Johnson pitched the home opener as part of a brief rehab stint with the Sidewinders, and picked up a win for the team in his second outing on April 20. Hampered by low attendance and concerns over

4356-416: Was similarly ill-received. In their first year of affiliation with the Astros, the Toros won the first half Southern Division title, but were quickly eliminated by the Albuquerque Dukes in the second half playoffs. The team spent most of the rest of the decade in third place for the season. In 1989, under new team owner Rick Holtzman, Mike Feder became the Toros' general manager, a post he would hold through

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