Great Falls White Sox
From BR Bullpen
- Location: Great Falls, MT
- League: Pioneer League 2003-2007
- Affiliation: Chicago White Sox 2003-2007
- Ballpark: Centene Stadium
The Great Falls White Sox spent five years as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in the Pioneer League. After the 2007 season the team changed its name to the Great Falls Voyagers.
Contents |
[edit] 2003
In their first year as a White Sox affiliate, skipper Chris Cron led the team to a .500 mark. Pitcher Brandon McCarthy anchored the rotation, going 9-4 with a 3.65 ERA and a league-best 125 strikeouts. Second baseman Brandon Bounds, who hit .326 with 9 homers, and outfielder Ricardo Nanita, who hit .384, earned spots on the league's All-Star team.
[edit] 2004
Under new skipper John Orton, the White Sox went 17-20 in the first half but went 25-13 after that to capture the second half division title. However, they were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Billings Mustangs. Pitcher Ray Liotta went 5-1 for the club and led the league with a 2.54 ERA.
[edit] 2005
Orton's club fell below .500 in 2005 and missed out on the playoffs. Evan Tartaglia hit .305 with a league leading 38 stolen bases, and designated hitter Francisco Hernandez hit .349 and was named an All-Star.
[edit] 2006
Bobby Tolan took over as the White Sox manager in 2006, and after a first half near .500, the club went 10-28 in the season's second half. First baseman Chris Carter paced the circuit with 15 home runs, and outfielder Archie Gilbert hit .332 and led the league with 35 steals. Pitcher Ramon Sanchez notched 6 wins, tying for the league lead.
[edit] 2007
Cron returned to the White Sox as skipper in 2007, and the club saw a drastic improvement on the field. After finishing second in the first half, the team went 24-9 after that and captured the second half crown. After defeating the Helena Brewers in the first round, the White Sox were swept by the Orem Owlz in the league finals. Pitcher Juan Moreno was the team's star on the mound, going 6-4 and leading the league with a 2.39 ERA and 77 strikeouts.
[edit] Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 38-38 | 3rd/2nd (tie) | Chris Cron | |
| 2004 | 42-33 | 3rd/1st | John Orton | Lost first round |
| 2005 | 32-44 | 3rd/4th | John Orton | |
| 2006 | 28-48 | 2nd (tie)/4th | Bobby Tolan | |
| 2007 | 52-24 | 1st | Chris Cron | Lost League Finals |
