Pulaski Yankees

Pulaski Yankees
Pulaski Yankees
1942–2020; Pulaski, Virginia ;
Minor league affiliations
Class	Advanced Rookie League (1969–1977, 1982–1992, 1997–2006, 2008–2020); Class D (1946–1958); Class C (1942);
League	Appalachian League (1946–1950, 1952–1955, 1957–1958, 1969–1977, 1982–1992, 1997–2006, 2008–2020); Virginia League (1942);
Major league affiliations
Team	New York Yankees (2015–2020) Seattle Mariners (2008–2014); Toronto Blue Jays (2003–2006); Texas Rangers (1997–2002); Atlanta Braves (1982–1992); Philadelphia Phillies (1969–1977); Chicago Cubs (1957–1958); Philadelphia Phillies (1952–1955); Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–1949);
Minor league titles
League titles (3)	1986; 1991; 2013;
Division titles (10)	1984; 1986; 1989; 1991; 1997; 1999; 2008; 2010; 2013; 2019;
Team data
Name	Pulaski Yankees (2015–2020); Pulaski Mariners (2008–2014); Pulaski Blue Jays (2003–2006); Pulaski Rangers (1997–2002); Pulaski Braves (1982–1992); Pulaski Phillies (1969–1977); Pulaski Cubs (1957–1958); Pulaski Phillies (1952–1955); Pulaski Counts (1942, 1946–1950);
Ballpark	Calfee Park (1982–1992, 1997–2006, 2008–2020)

The Pulaski Yankees were a minor league baseball team based in Pulaski, Virginia, United States. They were an Advanced Rookie League team in the Appalachian League.^[1] The team played its home games at Calfee Park. They were affiliated with several Major League Baseball teams, including the New York Yankees in their final season.

The Pulaski Yankees were awarded Minor League Baseball's top honor, the John H. Johnson President's Award, in 2019. The award recognizes the "complete baseball franchise—based on franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry."^[2]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.^[3]^[4] In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Yankees were replaced by a new franchise, the Pulaski River Turtles, in the revamped league designed for rising college freshmen and sophomores.^[5]

Pulaski baseball history

Pulaski Counts, 1942, 1946–1950
Pulaski Phillies, 1952–1955, 1969–1977
Pulaski Cubs, 1957–1958
Pulaski Braves, 1982–1992
Pulaski Rangers, 1997–2002
Pulaski Blue Jays, 2003–2006
Pulaski Mariners, 2008–2014
Pulaski Yankees, 2015–2020

Pulaski's teams won the Appalachian League's championship in 1948, 1969, 1986, 1991 and 2013.

Pulaski was the 2010 Appalachian League Eastern Division Champion.

Ballpark

The Pulaski Yankees played at Calfee Park. Calfee Park opened in 1935 and had a capacity of 3,200 fans. A number of houses that surround the park had good views of games.

The park had major renovations prior to the 1999 season, with a new grandstand behind the plate and along the first-base side as well as "open-air suites" (railed-in areas with picnic tables) farther down on the first-base line. A new scoreboard was also installed.

Since the Shelor Automotive Group purchased Calfee Park from the Town of Pulaski in 2015, ownership has completed numerous upgrades including a renovated home team clubhouse; a new visiting team clubhouse, concession stand, press box, and souvenir store; the addition of two VIP Towers, upgrading seating, and a 35’ x 22’ JumboTron; a Bermuda grass playing field and new irrigation system; construction of new home offices for ballpark employees; and the expansion of the upper concourse.

Most recently prior to the 2019 season, a three-tiered party deck and new boxes were added along the third base line, increasing the ballpark's capacity to 3,200. Additional upgrades including 800 new seats behind the party deck and new concessions points of sale were planned for 2020 before being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calfee Park was voted the best rookie-level ballpark in America in 2019 and 2020 by a fan vote in Ballpark Digest's annual Best of the Ballparks competition.

Playoffs

2019: Lost to Burlington 2–1 in semifinals.
2017: Defeated Bluefield 2–1 in semifinals; lost to Elizabethton 2–0 in finals.
2015: Lost to Princeton 2–1 in semifinals.
2013: Defeated Bluefield 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Greeneville 2–0 to win championship.
2010: Lost to Elizabethton 2–0 in semifinals.
2008: Lost to Elizabethton 2–0 in finals.
1999: Lost to Martinsville 2–0 in finals.
1997: Lost to Bluefield 2–0 in finals.
1991: Defeated Burlington 2–0 to win championship.
1989: Lost to Elizabethton 2–0 in finals.
1986: Defeated Johnson City 2–1 to win championship.
1984: Lost to Elizabethton 1–0 in finals.

Notable Pulaski alumni

Steve Avery (1988) MLB All-Star
Jeff Blauser (1984) 2 x MLB All-Star
Don Cardwell (1954)
Larry Christenson (1972)
Mark Clear (1974) 2 x MLB All-Star
Julio Cruz (MGR, 1997)
David Elder (1997)
Jim Essian (1970)
Tony Graffanino (1990)
Dallas Green (1970, MGR) Manager: 1980 World Series Champion - Philadelphia Phillies
Aaron Harang (1999)
David Justice (1985) 3 x MLB All-Star; 1990 NL Rookie of the Year
Mike Lamb (1997)
Kameron Loe (2002)
Colby Lewis (1999)
Grady Little (MGR, 1986–1987)
Javy López (1989) 3 x MLB All-Star
Jerry Martin (1971)
Kevin Mench (1999)
Urban Meyer (1983) College Football Coach
Travis Snider, Pulaski Blue Jays
Jason Schmidt (1992) 3 x MLB All-Star
Mike Stanton (1987) MLB All-Star
Eugenio Vélez, Pulaski Blue Jays
Turk Wendell (1988)
C. J. Wilson (2001) 2 x MLB All-Star
Mark Wohlers (1988-1989) MLB All-Star
Zack Littell (2014)
Anthony Volpe (2019) New York Yankees

References

Avallone, Michael. "Minor League Baseball returns to Pulaski." MiLB.com. December 21, 2007.

^ Gangloff, Mike (September 9, 2014). "New York Yankees to Field Farm Club in Pulaski". Retrieved September 10, 2014.
^ "John H. Johnson President's Award". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^ "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

External links

[1] Gangloff, Mike (September 9, 2014). "New York Yankees to Field Farm Club in Pulaski". Retrieved September 10, 2014.

[winners-2] "John H. Johnson President's Award". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.

[3] "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

[2020can-4] "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.

[5] "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

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