Tri-City ValleyCats

History

Before Tri-City

Prior to their arrival in Albany, the club was based first in Little Falls, New York, as the Little Falls Mets (1977–1988), and then in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the Pittsfield Mets (1989–2000) and Pittsfield Astros (2001).

2002 season

The ValleyCats played their first game on the road in Lowell, Massachusetts, on June 18, 2002, against their former rivals, the Lowell Spinners. The Spinners had a 3–1 lead going into the eighth inning, but a triple by Aneudi Cuevas down the right field line drove in three runs leading the ValleyCats to a 5–4 victory.

2006 season

In their 2006 season, the ValleyCats registered an attendance of 129,126 in 37 contests, averaging 3,489 fans per game. On July 4, 2006, the ValleyCats set a new all-time home attendance mark as 6,123 people attended a game against the Lowell Spinners which was later broken in the following years.

2008 season

All-Star game

The Valley Cats hosted the fourth annual New York–Penn League All-Star Game at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in 2008. The game was played between teams made up of the affiliates of National League (NL) and American League (AL) teams. The ValleyCats, affiliates of the National League's Houston Astros, were part of the NL squad. Four ValleyCats were voted to play in the game: first baseman Phil Disher, left fielder Jack Shuck, pitcher Philip Rummel, and center fielder Thomas Steele. However, Steele was injured two weeks before the game and was replaced by Tri-City third baseman David Flores. The NL All-Stars won the game on a walk-off RBI by Tri-City's David Flores. Flores was also voted MVP of the game.

No-hitter

On June 21, 2008, pitchers Shane Wolf, David Miller, and Ashton Mowdy combined to throw the first no-hitter in the franchise's history. Wolf is a native of nearby Lansing. The ValleyCats won, 10–0, over the Oneonta Tigers.

2009 season

The ValleyCats once again broke attendance records in 2009. Their single-game attendance record was broken again on July 4 against the Brooklyn Cyclones. A crowd of 6,838 fans attended the 2–1 ValleyCats loss. They also set a new single season attendance record, attracting 145,976 fans to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium that season. Tri-City finished the season in fourth place in the Stedler Division, 18 games behind first-place Lowell.

2010 Championship season

After three losing seasons, the ValleyCats finally turned around to be one of the front runners in the Stedler Division. Led by manager Jim Pankovits, they were the underdog in the 2010 NYPL playoffs with a 38–36 record, and having won their division by only a half game over the Connecticut Tigers. They reached the championship series for the third time in their short history, and beat the heavy favorite Brooklyn Cyclones (51–24), two games to none.

2015 season

The second no-hitter in ValleyCats history was thrown on August 6, 2015. Pitchers Kevin McCanna, Ralph Garza, and Zac Person combined for the road win against the Aberdeen IronBirds at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, 5–0.

2021 and beyond

After the cancelled 2020 minor league season, Major League Baseball took direct control of Minor League Baseball and discontinued short-season play. The ValleyCats were not among the teams invited to continue in affiliated baseball. On January 7, 2021, the team announced that it would be joining the Frontier League, an independent MLB Partner league, for the 2021 season. The 2021 and 2022 seasons were disappointing for the ValleyCats as they missed the playoffs both years. In the 2023 season, the ValleyCats attempted to get into the playoffs. However, they were beaten by the Sussex County Miners for the third and final playoff spot. Despite both clubs having the same record in the East Division, the Miners had a longer winning streak than the Valley Cats. This meant that the ValleyCats missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. In 2024, the Valley Cats clinched the playoffs for the first time since 2018, placing second in the East Division. However, they lost to the Ottawa Titans in the Wild Card game 5-2. They made the playoffs again in 2025. They swept the Sussex County Miners in two straight games in the Wild Card Round, but lost to the Québec Capitales three games to one in the East Division Conference Finals.

Mascots

The ValleyCats have several mascots, the three most prominent being SouthPaw, his grandfather, Pappy, and his best friend, Ribbie. SouthPaw is a jersey-wearing cat, representing the "ValleyCat", the team's nickname. Another fan-favorite is Sammy Baseball who wears a patriotic costume and resembles Uncle Sam, reputedly derived from Samuel Wilson who operated a meat packing plant in Albany. The Tri-City Mayors, large caricature heads representing the current Mayors of Troy, Albany, and Schenectady, race (and dance) on a nightly basis at the ballpark. Ketchup, Mustard, and Relish mascots participate in a hot dog race. Other mascots include Spiedie the Chicken, Zoggy the Dinosaur, and Rowdy the River Rat, obtained when the Albany River Rats moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Season results

Postseason results

• 2004: Defeated Brooklyn Cyclones, 2 games to 1; lost to Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2 games to 0, in championship round.
• 2006: Defeated Auburn Doubledays, 2 games to none; lost to Staten Island Yankees, 2 games to 1, in championship round.
• 2010: Defeated Batavia Muckdogs, 2 games to 1; defeated Brooklyn Cyclones, 2 games to 0, in championship round.
• 2012: Defeated Auburn Doubledays, 2 games to 1; lost to Hudson Valley Renegades, 2 game to 1, in championship round.
• 2013: Defeated Aberdeen IronBirds, 2 games to 0; defeated State College Spikes, 2 games to 1, in championship round.
• 2014: Defeated the Connecticut Tigers, 2 games to none; lost to the State College Spikes, 2 games to 1.
• 2015: Lost semi-finals to Staten Island Yankees, 2 games to 0.
• 2018: Defeated Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2 games to 0; defeated Hudson Valley Renegades, 2 games to 0, in championship round.
• 2024: Lost East Division Wild Card Game to Ottawa Titans 5-2.
• 2025: Won Wild Card Round vs. Sussex County Miners 2 games to 0; Lost East Division Conference Finals to Québec Capitales 3 games to 1

Fast facts

• Total Attendance
  • Joseph L. Bruno Stadium
    • 2002 – 108,409
    • 2003 – 103,984
    • 2004 – 110,497
    • 2005 – 116,674
    • 2006 – 129,126
    • 2007 – 136,809
    • 2008 – 140,631 (7th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2009 – 145,976 (6th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2010 – 155,315 (5th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2011 – 156,297 (6th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2012 – 159,966 (5th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2013 – 156,712 (4th most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2014 – 161,171 (3rd most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2015 – 153,692 (3rd most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2016 – 149,847 (3rd most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2017 – 142,922 (3rd most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2018 – 140,036 (3rd most in NY–Penn League).
    • 2019 - 131,529 (3rd most in NY-Penn League).
    • 2020 - SEASON CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19.
    • 2021 - 100,519 (2nd most in Frontier League).
    • 2022 - 134,617 (5th most in Frontier League).
    • 2023 - 136,231 (4th most in Frontier League).
• Ballpark Dimensions
  • LF – 325 feet (99 m)
  • CF – 400 feet (122 m)
  • RF – 325 feet (99 m)
• First Game
  • Tuesday, June 18, 2002 vs Lowell Spinners (at LeLacheur Park, Lowell, Massachusetts – W 5–4)
• Season Records (2002–present)
  • Hits
    • 2022 – Brantley Bell (138)
  • Doubles
    • 2022 – Brantley Bell (30)
  • Triples
    • 2015 – Aaron Mizell (7)
    • 2017 – Andy Pineda (7)
  • Home runs
    • 2022 – Denis Phipps (33)
  • Runs Batted In
    • 2022 – Denis Phipps (91)
  • Stolen Bases
    • 2023 – Jaxon Hallmark (33)
  • Wins
    • 2004 – Ronnie Ventura (11)
  • Saves
    • 2021 – Trey Cochran-Gill (24)
  • Strikeouts
    • 2022 – Joey Gonzalez (128)

Current roster

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(pitching)

Notable alumni

Former/Current notable baseball players who played for the ValleyCats as a minor league affiliate, the year they played for the ValleyCats, and the team they debuted with (If debuted yet).

• Mark McLemore (2002, Houston Astros)
• Jailen Peguero (2002, Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Devern Hansack (2002, Boston Red Sox)
• Jason Hirsh (2003, Houston Astros)
• Matt Albers (2003, Houston Astros) (First ValleyCat in the Major Leagues)
• Josh Anderson (2003, Houston Astros)
• Edwin Maysonet (2003, Houston Astros)
• Ben Zobrist (2004, Tampa Bay Rays)
• Hunter Pence (2004, Houston Astros)
• Troy Patton (2004, Houston Astros)
• Chad Reineke (2004, San Diego Padres)
• Drew Sutton (2004, Cincinnati Reds)
• Tommy Manzella (2005, Houston Astros)
• Koby Clemens (2005)
• Felipe Paulino (2005, Houston Astros)
• Brian Bogusevic (2005–2006, Houston Astros)
• Chris Johnson (2006, Houston Astros)
• Bud Norris (2006, Houston Astros)
• Víctor Gárate (2006–2007, Washington Nationals)
• Fernando Abad (2007, Houston Astros)
• Brandon Barnes (2007, Houston Astros)
• Jason Castro (2008, Houston Astros)
• Jordan Lyles (2008, Houston Astros)
• J. B. Shuck (2008, Houston Astros)
• J. D. Martinez (2009, Houston Astros)
• Jose Altuve (2009, Houston Astros)
• Dallas Keuchel (2009, Houston Astros)
• Jake Goebbert (2009, San Diego Padres)
• Jorge de León (2009–2010, Houston Astros)
• David Martínez (2010, Houston Astros)
• Jake Buchanan, (2010, Houston Astros)
• Kiké Hernández (2010, Houston Astros)
• George Springer (2011, Houston Astros)
• Nick Tropeano (2011, Houston Astros)
• Matt Duffy (2011, San Francisco Giants)
• Dayán Díaz (2011, Cincinnati Reds)
• Preston Tucker (2012, Houston Astros)
• Vince Velasquez (2012, Houston Astros)
• Brady Rodgers (2012, Houston Astros)
• Juan Minaya (2012, Chicago White Sox)
• Tyler Heineman (2012, Miami Marlins)
• Chia-Jen Lo (2013, Houston Astros)
• Michael Feliz (2013, Houston Astros)
• Adrian Houser (2013, Milwaukee Brewers)
• Tyler White (2013, Houston Astros)
• Tony Kemp (2013, Houston Astros)
• Richard Rodríguez (2013, Baltimore Orioles)
• Jack Mayfield (2013, Houston Astros)
• Troy Scribner (2013–2014, Los Angeles Angels)
• Daniel Mengden (2014, Oakland Athletics)
• A. J. Reed (2014, Houston Astros)
• Joe Musgrove (2014, Houston Astros)
• Derek Fisher (2014, Houston Astros)
• J. D. Davis (2014, Houston Astros)
• Alfredo González (2014, Chicago White Sox)
• Jason Martin (2014, Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Ryan Thompson (2014, Tampa Bay Rays)
• David Paulino (2015, Houston Astros)
• Elieser Hernández (2015, Miami Marlins)
• Dean Deetz (2015, Houston Astros)
• Trent Thornton (2015, Toronto Blue Jays)
• Garrett Stubbs (2015, Houston Astros)
• Rogelio Armenteros (2015, Houston Astros)
• Zac Grotz (2015, Seattle Mariners)
• Ralph Garza Jr. (2015, Houston Astros)
• José Urquidy (2015; 2018, Houston Astros)
• Framber Valdez (2016, Houston Astros)
• Jake Rogers (2016, Detroit Tigers)
• Jorge Alcalá (2016, Minnesota Twins)
• Taylor Jones (2016, Houston Astros)
• Carlos Sanabria (2016, Houston Astros)
• Daz Cameron (2016, Detroit Tigers)
• Héctor Pérez (2016, Toronto Blue Jays)
• Ronnie Dawson (2016, Houston Astros)
• Alex De Goti (2016, Houston Astros)
• Ryan Hartman (2016, Houston Astros)
• Akeem Bostick (2016, New York Mets)
• Bryan De La Cruz (2016-2017, Miami Marlins)
• Corbin Martin (2017, Houston Astros)
• Patrick Sandoval (2017, Los Angeles Angels)
• Abraham Toro (2017, Houston Astros)
• Jonathan Araúz (2017, Boston Red Sox)
• Cristian Javier (2017, Houston Astros)
• Brandon Bielak (2017, Houston Astros)
• Tyler Ivey (2017, Houston Astros)
• Jake Meyers (2017, Houston Astros)
• Humberto Castellanos (2017–2018, Houston Astros)
• J. B. Bukauskas (2017–2018, Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Bryan Abreu (2018, Houston Astros)
• Nivaldo Rodríguez (2018, Houston Astros)
• Luis García (2018, Houston Astros)
• Gilberto Celestino (2018, Minnesota Twins)
• CJ Stubbs (2019, Washington Nationals)

Former/Current notable baseball players who played for the ValleyCats in the Frontier League, the year they played for the ValleyCats, and the team they returned with.

• Chris Kwitzer (2021)
• Denis Phipps (2021–2022)
• Willy García (2021–2022)
• Ryan Hartman (2022)
• Cito Culver (2022–2023)
• Reymin Guduan (2023)
• Aaron Altherr (2023)
• Carson McCusker (2021–2023, Minnesota Twins)

References

References

1. "Frontier League Official Colors (1993 through present)".
2. (August 20, 2008). "Flores sends All-Star fans home happy". New York–Penn League.
3. (June 21, 2008). "Three ValleyCats Combine for First No-Hitter in Franchise History". Tri-City ValleyCats.
4. (July 4, 2009). "'Cats Shatter Single Game Attendance Record". Tri-City ValleyCats.
5. (September 1, 2009). "ValleyCats Set Season Attendance Record for Sixth Consecutive Season". Tri-City ValleyCats.
6. "2009 New York–Pennsylvania League". Sports Reference.
7. "New York-Penn League No-Hit Games". Minor League Baseball.
8. Singelais, Mark. (December 9, 2020). "ValleyCats lose bid to affiliate with Major League Baseball team".
9. Schott, Ken. (January 7, 2021). "ValleyCats will join Frontier League".
10. "ValleyCats adopt Rowdy the Rat".
11. (June 26, 2009). "2008 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
12. (September 23, 2009). "2009 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
13. (September 10, 2010). "2010 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
14. (September 12, 2013). "2011 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
15. (September 7, 2013). "2012 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
16. (September 9, 2013). "2013 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest.
17. (September 5, 2014). "2014 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest.
18. (September 9, 2015). "2015 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest.
19. (September 9, 2016). "2016 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
20. (September 10, 2017). "2017 Affiliated Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest.
21. (September 17, 2018). "2018 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest.
22. (September 9, 2019). "2019 Affiliated Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest.
23. (June 30, 2020). "ValleyCats season canceled". Times Union.
24. (October 12, 2021). "2021 MLB Partner League attendance by average". Ballpark Digest.
25. (September 20, 2022). "2022 MLB Partner League attendance by average". Ballpark Digest.
26. (September 19, 2023). "2023 MLB Partner League attendance by total". Ballpark Digest.