Sherbrooke Pirates

From BR Bullpen

Location: Sherbrooke, QC
League: Eastern League 1972-1973
Affiliation: Pittsburgh Pirates 1972-1973
Ballpark:

As of 2006, the most recent professional baseball team in Sherbrooke, QC was the Sherbrooke Pirates, who operated in 1972 and 1973. Playing in the Eastern League Sherbrooke went 77-63, one game behind the Trois-Rivières Aigles in the National Division. Steve Demeter managed the team, which drew 66,101 fans (5th in the 8-team league) and had two All-Stars, outfielder Dave Augustine (.301/~.350/.416) and 3B Fernando Gonzalez (.333/~.389/.493), who won the batting title and led the EL in hits (172) and doubles (42). OF Dave Arrington (.274/~.349/.497) provided the pop with 25 homers. Brad Meyring (12-10, 2.82) finished fifth in the league in ERA while Kent Tekulve (7-6, 9 Sv, 2.63) and Ray Cordeiro (7-1, 10 Sv, 1.17) provided fine relief work.

In 1973, the Pittsburgh Pirates farm club went 76-63 and lost the National Division by just half a game behind the Reading Phillies. Attendance rose to 70,457 (6th of 8 teams) to see the club managed by Tim Murtaugh. All-Stars were SS Mario Mendoza, 3B Luther Quinn and OF Arrington. Arrington fell from 25 HR to 14 but his .311/~.409/.496 line was clearly better than a year earlier. Quinn (.294/~.375/.463) had a well-rounded year while Mendoza hit .268/~.335/.371 and stole 30 bases (but was caught 23 times). Also appearing for the club were OF Tony Armas Sr. (.301/~.351/.493) and future big-league managers Terry Collins (.235/~.354/.262( at 2B and Ken Macha (.267/~.355/.425) behind the plate. Despite being used strictly as a reliever, Tekulve was part of a five-way tie for the EL lead in wins with a 12-4 record. He saved 18 games in 57 appearances, posting just a 1.53 ERA in 94 innings. It was the club's final season.

The team moved to Thetford Mines, QC for the 1974 season.

Sources: 1973 and 1974 Baseball Guides