Columbus Clippers

Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are the AAA baseball affiliate of the National League Washington Nationals. The Clippers are members of the International League.The Clippers franchise was born in 1977.

The Jersey City team moved to Ottawa, Ontario, in 1951. At the close of the 1954 season, the Columbus Red Birds moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Columbus joined the International League in 1955. This team eventually affiliated with the Pirates and became the Columbus Jets. When the Jets encountered stadium problems after the 1970 campaign, they moved to West Virginia as the Charleston Charlies from 1971-76.

The former Jets were allured back to the Ohio capital, and the Clippers were launched in 1977. The Clippers became the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1979. For 2007, the Clippers became the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

In February of 2006, plans were announced for a new stadium to be built in the Arena District. Play is expected to begin at the new stadium in the 2009 season.

THE HISTORY OF THE COLUMBUS CLIPPERS:

The Columbus Jets pulled up stakes and moved away after the 1970 season. For six years as Jet Stadium deteriorated central Ohio fans did without baseball. Franklin County Commissioner Harold Cooper had led the drive to buy the Jets in 1955. Cooper again pushed for a professional team and a major stadium renovation in 1977. The Columbus Clippers and Franklin County Stadium were born. A multi-million dollar renovation made Franklin County Stadium the jewel of the International League.

The Columbus Clippers were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977-78. The Clippers finished in seventh place both seasons but they developed a lot of young talent. Righty Tim Jones was 15-6 in ?77 and Mike Edwards made All-League honors. Steve Nicosia, Mike Easler and Alberto Lois, Dale Berra, Doe Boyland, Gary Hargis and Eddie Whitson and Don Robinson all played for the 1979 World Champion Pirates.

Joe Altobelli?s Clippers won the following year on the strength of great defense, first baseman Marshall Brant?s bat and one of the strongest pitching staffs in history. Bob Kammeyer won 15 games and Greg Cochran added 12 more, on a staff that had nine hurlers with ERAs less than 3.00. Ken Clay led all hurlers with a 1.96 ERA. The only losing record on the staff belonged to rookie 21-year-old southpaw, Dave Righetti. Frank Verdi?s squad made it three in a row in 1981, powered by first basemen Steve Balboni and Brant, third baseman Tucker Ashford and outfielder Mike Patterson. Pitchers Dave Wehrmeister, John Pacella and Paul Boris all won in double figures. Dave Righetti turned things around going 5-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his first seven games before being called up by the Yankees. Thirteen former Clippers on the 1981 American League Champion Yankees joined Righetti.

2005 So Close
The 2005 Columbus Clippers missed the playoffs by just one game. The Clippers sent a record 24 players to New York during the season. Columbus finished third behind Toledo and Indianapolis.The Clippers jumped out to a 14-10 record in April. Batting average 297. Robinson Cano hit .337 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 23 RBIs.

Clippers end 2006 season on a high note
58 different players came and went 158 times. Add to those thirteen players on the DL for a total of 391 days, it was a tough season. The only players available to every game this season was Andy Cannizaro, Danny Garcia and Mark Corey. The Clippers had eight different players play first base, nine at second base, eight at shortstop, ten third basemen, fifteen outfielders, seven catchers, 28 designed hitters and 27 pitchers.In August, Columbus turned things around and had the best record in the league.