Martinez Clippers

History

The Martinez Clippers were a professional baseball team from Martinez, California, playing in the independent Pacific Association, which is not connected to Major League Baseball. The team’s name honored Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankee known as “The Yankee Clipper,” who was born in Martinez. The league added the Clippers and the Napa Silverados on February 8, 2018, for that summer’s season. Their first pitcher, Zach Compton, was signed on April 22, 2018, and the team held its first draft the next day.

After a rough 7-30 start, manager Chris Decker was replaced by former Houston Astros prospect Daniel Parker, who led the team to a 22-21 finish. Former MLB player Bart Zeller served as bench coach. The top hitters were third baseman Alan Mocahbee, who batted .332 with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs in 68 games, and second baseman Shaine Hughes, who hit .331. Pitcher Robert Humes posted a 2.77 ERA with six saves.

In December 2018, owners Jeff and Paulette Carpoff were investigated by the FBI for running a Ponzi scheme through their company DC Solar Inc. The city of Martinez then canceled the team’s stadium lease. In January 2020, the Carpoffs pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, forfeiting $120 million in assets, and four other business partners also pleaded guilty. The league commissioner expressed hope that the Clippers would continue under new ownership. As of 2022, no update had been given on the Pacific Association’s future after the 2020 season was canceled.