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{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
{{Defunct MiLB infobox
|name = Phoenix Firebirds | name = Phoenix Firebirds
|firstseason = 1958 | firstseason = 1958
|lastseason = 1997 | lastseason = 1997
|allyears = {{By|1958}}–{{By|1959}}, {{By|1966}}–{{By|1997}} | allyears = {{Baseball year|1958}}–{{Baseball year|1959}}, {{Baseball year|1966}}–{{Baseball year|1997}}
|city = Phoenix, Arizona | city = Phoenix, Arizona
|logo = PhoenixFirebirdsLogo.PNG | logo = PhoenixFirebirdsLogo.PNG

|caplogo = PhoenixFirebirdsCapLogo.PNG
|lastclasslevel = ] (1958–1959), (1966–1997) | past class level = ] (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
⚫ | league = ] (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
|pastclasslevel =
⚫ | conference =
⚫ |lastleague = ] (1958–1959), (1966–1997)
⚫ | division =
⚫ |conference =
| past league =
⚫ |division =
⚫ | pastmajorleague = ] (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
|pastleague =
| pastnames = {{plainlist|
⚫ |lastmajorleague = ] (1958–1959), (1966–1997)
⚫ *Phoenix Firebirds (1986–1997)
|pastmajorleague =
⚫ *Phoenix Giants (1958–1959, 1966–1985)
⚫ |lastnickname = Phoenix Firebirds (1986–1997)
}}
⚫ |pastnames = Phoenix Giants (1958–1959), (1966–1985)
| pastparks = {{plainlist|
|lastballpark = ] (1992–1997)
|pastparks = ] (1966–1992) *] (1992–1997)
*] (1966–1991)
⚫ |classchamps =
}}
⚫ |leaguechamps = 1959, 1977
| mascot = Phineas T. Firebird (1989-1997)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/kid-pics-for-the-week-6423779|title=Kid pics for the week|publisher=Phoenix New Times}}</ref><br /> Booster Rooster (1978-1985)
⚫ |conferencechamps=
⚫ | classchamps =
⚫ |divisionchamps = 1977, 1985, 1996, 1997
⚫ | leaguechamps = 1959, 1977
⚫ | conferencechamps =
⚫ | divisionchamps = 1977, 1985, 1996, 1997
}} }}
The '''Phoenix Firebirds''', formerly the '''Phoenix Giants''', were a ] team that played in ], ] from 1958-1959, and 1966 until 1997. The '''Phoenix Firebirds''' were a ] team that played in ], from 1958 to 1959, and from 1966 to 1997. Before 1986, the team was known as the '''Phoenix Giants'''.


The franchise was a member of the ] ] (PCL), and were the top minor league affiliate of the ]. The Firebirds were forced to leave Phoenix following the 1997 season, as the new ] expansion team, the ] would begin play in Phoenix the following year. In a complicated series of events, the owners of the Firebirds moved their team to ] and became the ], dropping their affiliation with the Giants in favor of the expansion Diamondbacks. The owners of the existing ] then moved their franchise to ], thus ending a 92-year hiatus of PCL baseball in Fresno. The transplanted Toros, renamed the ], became the Giants' new PCL affiliate. The franchise was a member of the ] ] (PCL), and were the top minor league affiliate of the ]. The Firebirds were forced to leave Phoenix following the 1997 season, as the new ] expansion team, the ] would begin play in Phoenix the following year. In a complicated series of events, the owners of the Firebirds moved their team to ], and became the ], dropping their affiliation with the Giants in favor of the expansion Diamondbacks. The owners of the existing ] then moved their franchise to ], thus ending a 92-year hiatus of PCL baseball in Fresno. The transplanted Toros, renamed the ], became the Giants' new PCL affiliate.


==History== ==History==
The Firebirds were known as the Phoenix Giants until the 1986 season. They were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants for their entire existence, now a rarity in the minor leagues. The Giants' still have spring training facility in the Phoenix area, but in ] where the Firebirds played from 1992-1997. The Firebirds were known as the Phoenix Giants until the 1986 season. They were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants for their entire existence, now a rarity in the minor leagues. The Giants still have a spring training facility in the Phoenix area, but in ] where the Firebirds played from 1992 to 1997.


The Giants first came in ] but moved to ] after the ] season. In ] the franchise returned to the Phoenix area until their move to ]. {{see|Tacoma Rainiers}} The Giants first came in 1958 but moved to ], ] after the 1959 season. In 1966 the franchise returned to the Phoenix area until their move to Fresno. {{further information|Tacoma Rainiers}}


The Firebirds played their home games at ] until moving to ] upon its reopening in ]. Their final regular season game in ] was played at the old ball park known locally as Phoenix Muni, which is also the spring training home of the ]. The team made the ] PCL playoffs their final year, which extended their existence by a couple weeks. The Firebirds defeated the ] 3-0 in the first round but lost the championship series 3 games to 1 to the ]. The Firebirds played their home games at ] until moving to ] upon its reopening in 1992. Their final regular season game in August 1997 was played at their original ball park and featured ceremonies including "passing the torch" to the ], the major league team which became Phoenix's main baseball team who began play the next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/124171521/|title=Firebirds expect fans to have ball on historic night|date=August 27, 1997|publisher=Arizona Republic|first=Janet|last=Trent}}</ref> The team made the 1997 PCL playoffs their final year, which extended their existence by a couple weeks. The Firebirds defeated the ] 3-0 in the first round but lost the championship series 3 games to 1 to the ].


==Championships== ==Championships==
The Phoenix Giants won two PCL championships in ] and ]. The franchise never won a championship title under the Firebirds name. The Phoenix Giants won two PCL championships in 1959 and 1977. The franchise never won a championship title under the Firebirds name.


The franchise's final game was September 11, 1997, a 7-1 loss handing the ] the 1997 PCL Championship played at ]. The franchise's final game was September 11, 1997, a 7-1 loss handing the ] the 1997 PCL Championship played at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2017/01/03/what-happened-phoenix-firebirds/96020572/|title=What happened to the Phoenix Firebirds?|date=January 3, 2017|publisher=Arizona Republic|first=Mark|last=Nothaft}}</ref>


==Playoff history== ==Playoff history==
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** Championship: Lost to ] 3 games to 0 ** Championship: Lost to ] 3 games to 0
* 1986 * 1986
** Division Series: Lost to ] 3 games to 2 ** Division Series: Lost to ] 3 games to 2
* 1996 * 1996
** Division Series: Defeated ] 3 games to 0 ** Division Series: Defeated ] 3 games to 0
** Championship: Lost to ] 3 games to 1 ** Championship: Lost to ] 3 games to 1
* 1997 * 1997
Line 56: Line 59:


==Alumni== ==Alumni==
Several Giants alumni like ], ], ], ] and ] played in Phoenix. Some of the Phoenix alumni went on to San Francisco, to take part in the Giants' two National League titles (] and ]). Several Giants alumni like ], ], ], ], and ] played in Phoenix. Some of the Phoenix alumni went on to San Francisco, to take part in two of the Giants' National League titles (1962 and 1989).


==Links== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
*


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 00:15, 1 February 2024

Minor league baseball team
Phoenix Firebirds
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesAAA (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
LeaguePacific Coast League (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsSan Francisco Giants (1958–1959, 1966–1997)
Minor league titles
League titles 1959, 1977
Division titles 1977, 1985, 1996, 1997
Team data
Previous names
  • Phoenix Firebirds (1986–1997)
  • Phoenix Giants (1958–1959, 1966–1985)
MascotPhineas T. Firebird (1989-1997)
Booster Rooster (1978-1985)
Previous parks

The Phoenix Firebirds were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona, from 1958 to 1959, and from 1966 to 1997. Before 1986, the team was known as the Phoenix Giants.

The franchise was a member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL), and were the top minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The Firebirds were forced to leave Phoenix following the 1997 season, as the new National League expansion team, the Arizona Diamondbacks would begin play in Phoenix the following year. In a complicated series of events, the owners of the Firebirds moved their team to Tucson, Arizona, and became the Tucson Sidewinders, dropping their affiliation with the Giants in favor of the expansion Diamondbacks. The owners of the existing Tucson Toros then moved their franchise to Fresno, California, thus ending a 92-year hiatus of PCL baseball in Fresno. The transplanted Toros, renamed the Fresno Grizzlies, became the Giants' new PCL affiliate.

History

The Firebirds were known as the Phoenix Giants until the 1986 season. They were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants for their entire existence, now a rarity in the minor leagues. The Giants still have a spring training facility in the Phoenix area, but in Scottsdale where the Firebirds played from 1992 to 1997.

The Giants first came in 1958 but moved to Tacoma, Washington after the 1959 season. In 1966 the franchise returned to the Phoenix area until their move to Fresno.

Further information: Tacoma Rainiers

The Firebirds played their home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium until moving to Scottsdale Stadium upon its reopening in 1992. Their final regular season game in August 1997 was played at their original ball park and featured ceremonies including "passing the torch" to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the major league team which became Phoenix's main baseball team who began play the next year. The team made the 1997 PCL playoffs their final year, which extended their existence by a couple weeks. The Firebirds defeated the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 3-0 in the first round but lost the championship series 3 games to 1 to the Edmonton Trappers.

Championships

The Phoenix Giants won two PCL championships in 1959 and 1977. The franchise never won a championship title under the Firebirds name.

The franchise's final game was September 11, 1997, a 7-1 loss handing the Edmonton Trappers the 1997 PCL Championship played at Scottsdale Stadium.

Playoff history

Alumni

Several Giants alumni like Willie McCovey, Bobby Bonds, Matt Williams, Steve Stone, and Kirt Manwaring played in Phoenix. Some of the Phoenix alumni went on to San Francisco, to take part in two of the Giants' National League titles (1962 and 1989).

References

  1. "Kid pics for the week". Phoenix New Times.
  2. Trent, Janet (August 27, 1997). "Firebirds expect fans to have ball on historic night". Arizona Republic.
  3. Nothaft, Mark (January 3, 2017). "What happened to the Phoenix Firebirds?". Arizona Republic.
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