Auburn Astros
Auburn's New York–Penn League affiliate of the Houston Astros.
The Auburn Astros were a minor league baseball team of the New York–Penn League, based in Auburn, New York, and affiliated with the Houston Astros. They played at Falcon Park and returned to the league in 1982 after a brief hiatus.
Quick Facts
- League
- New York–Penn League
- Affiliation
- Houston Astros
- First season
- 1982
- Home field
- Falcon Park
Facts from the source article.
History
The Auburn Astros joined the New York–Penn League in 1982 as a Houston Astros affiliate. Under general manager John H. Graham, the team set Falcon Park’s all-time attendance record in 1991. Before the 1996 season, the club became the Auburn Doubledays. In 1998, after a torrential rainstorm made fields unplayable in both parks, the Doubledays and the Oneonta Yankees were declared co-champions of the league.
Playoffs
The Auburn Astros’ playoff history includes a 1985 semifinal win over Jamestown, followed by a championship loss to Oneonta. They fell to St. Catharines in the 1986 semifinals. In 1994, they beat Watertown in the semifinals but lost the championship to New Jersey. Their 1998 semifinal victory over Batavia led to a rainout and a co-championship with Oneonta.
Alumni
The Auburn Astros produced a notable group of players and coaches who later reached the major leagues. Jeff Datz, who played for the team in 1982 and 1984, later coached for the Indians, Orioles, and Mariners; as of 2011, he was the only former Auburn Astro to have both played and coached in MLB. Glenn Sherlock, a Yankees and Diamondbacks coach, played for the team in 1983 and 1984. Ken Bolek, an Indians coach in 1992 and 1993, served as a coach for the 1985 Auburn Astros. Gary Tuck, a Yankees and Red Sox bullpen coach, managed the team in 1987. Rick Aponte, a former Nationals bullpen coach, was the team’s pitching coach that same year. Other alumni include Mark Bailey (1982), Jeff Ball (1990), Gary Cooper (1986), Cameron Drew (1985), John Fishel (1985), Tom Funk (1983), Luis Gonzalez (1988), Mike Grzanich (1993), John Halama (1994), Dean Hartgraves (1987), Chris Hatcher (1990), Randy Hennis (1987), Chris Holt (1992), Trent Hubbard (1986), Blaise Ilsley (1985), Chuck Jackson (1984), Todd Jones (1989), Kenny Lofton (1988, 1989), Rob Mallicoat (1984), Dave Meads (1984), Brian Meyer (1986), Ray Montgomery (1990), Andy Mota (1987, 1988), James Mouton (1991), Bryant Nelson (1994), Al Osuna (1987), Shane Reynolds (1989), Dave Rohde (1986), Sean Runyan (1994), Roger Samuels (1983), Mark Small (1989), Chris Truby (1994), Billy Wagner (1993), Jamie Walker (1992), Donne Wall (1989), Dan Walters (1985), Terry Wells (1985), Ed Whited (1986), Brian Williams (1990), and Robbie Wine (1983).
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