Columbus Jets
The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the Triple-A International League.
Columbus Jets Founded in 1955 Columbus, Ohio | |
Minor league affiliations | |
---|---|
Class | Triple-A |
League | International League |
Major league affiliations | |
Team | Pittsburgh Pirates (1957–1970) |
Previous teams | Kansas City Athletics (1955–1956) |
Minor league titles | |
League titles | 1961, 1965 |
Team data | |
Name | Columbus Jets (1955–1970) |
Ballpark | Jets Stadium |
General Manager | Harold Cooper (1955-1968), Charles Wareham (1969-1970) |
The Jets' name came from Columbus' role in manufacturing aircraft by North American Aviation for World War II.[1][2]
They were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics (1955–56) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1957–70). The Jets played their home games at Jets Stadium.
In 1971 the franchise moved to Charleston, West Virginia, and became the Charleston Charlies, leaving Columbus without organized baseball for the first time since 1894. In 1977 the Columbus Clippers returned baseball to Ohio's capital.
Notable alumni
Yearly record
Year | Record | Finish Full Season | Attendance | Manager | Postseason |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 | 64–89 | Seventh | 202,854 | Nick Cullop | DNQ |
1956 | 69–84 | Seventh | 163,128 | Nick Cullop | DNQ |
1957 | 69–85 | Seventh | 180,418 | Frank Oceak | DNQ |
1958 | 77–77 | Fourth | 196,644 | Clyde King | Lost to Montreal in first round |
1959 | 84–70 | Second | 204,157 | Cal Ermer | Lost to Havana in first round |
1960 | 69–84 | Sixth | 136,195 | Cal Ermer | DNQ |
1961 | 92–62 | First | 187,471 | Larry Shepard | Lost to Rochester in first round |
1962 | 80–74 | Fifth | 191,730 | Larry Shepard | DNQ |
1963 | 75–73 | Fourth (South Division) | 167,121 | Larry Shepard | DNQ |
1964 | 68–85 | Sixth | 134,448 | Larry Shepard | DNQ |
1965 | 85–61 | First | 197,680 | Larry Shepard | Lost to Toronto in finals |
1966 | 82–65 | Second (tied) | 193,881 | Larry Shepard | Lost to Toronto in first round |
1967 | 69–71 | Fourth | 148,365 | Harding "Pete" Peterson | Lost to Toledo in finals |
1968 | 82–64 | Second | 178,003 | Johnny Pesky | Lost to Jacksonville in finals |
1969 | 74–66 | Fourth | 153,802 | Don Hoak | Lost to Syracuse in finals |
1970 | 81–59 | Second | 140,700 | Joe Morgan | Lost to Syracuse in finals |
References
- Worth, Richard. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Directory 1869-2011. McFarland, 2013, page 82.
- Barrett, Richard E. Columbus 1910-1970. Arcadia, page 83