Minor League Nerd

Today's franchise collection is the San Jose Giants.

They began in the California League in 1979, adopting the Giants name in 1988. Before then, they played at the Missions, Expos and Bees.

Today's franchise collection is the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

They began in Fresno in 1946. During their time in the city, they played as the Cardinals, Sun Sox, Giants and Suns.

In 1989, they moved to Salinas where they became the Spurs.

Following the 1992 season, they relocated to San Bernardino. From 1993 to 1995 they were known as the Spirit. In 1996, they changed to the Stampede. Following the 2003 season, they rebranded to the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino.

As part of the three franchise shuffle in the California League before the start of this season, they were relocated to Rancho Cucamonga where they took up the Quakes identity.

Today's franchise collection is the new Ontario Tower Buzzers. I don't actually have any of their caps as of yet.

They began in 1966 playing in Lodi, CA, leaving the city following the 1984 season. During that time, they played as the Crushers, Padres, Orioles, Lions and Dodgers. They team did not play in 1985.

The franchise returned in 1986 as the Ventura County Gulls. After that one season, they moved to San Bernardino in 1987 where they became the Spirit. Following the 1992 season, they relocated to Rancho Cucamonga where they became the Quakes.

Before the start of this season, they moved to Ontario where they became the Tower Buzzers.

Hey, my fellow Minor League Nerds. Our newest Franchise History Series episode sees us return to the Class B Colonial League, where we look at the team that played in Poughkeepsie, NY from 1947 to 1950. The episode is available on all podcast platforms.

Today's franchise collection is the Inland Empire 66ers.

They began in Modesto in 1966 playing as the Reds, A's and Nuts, moving to San Bernardino before the start of this season.

I need to update to their new caps. I tried doing so last month, but they were out of my size.

Today's franchise collection is the Lake Elsinore Storm.

They began playing in the California League in 1979 as the Santa Clara Padres.

After that one season, they relocated to Rohnert Park, CA where they became the Redwood Pioneers. After six seasons as the Pioneers, they relocated to Palm Springs for the 1986 season where they became the Palm Springs Angels.

Before the 1994 season, the moved again, becoming the Lake Elsinore Storm.

We made an episode covering their history back in November 2023. It's available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

Hey, my fellow Minor League Nerds. As you may have already seen, this year's Meet Up will be Aug 28 at the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Aug 29 at the Quad Cities River Bandits, with a visit to the Field of Dreams also on the 29th. We will be organizing group tickets. If you plan on attending send me a message with the number of tickets you would like either on here or at [email protected]. We hope to see you there.

Okay my fellow Minor League Nerds. Which Joliet Slammers caps are your favorites?

Alright, my fellow Minor League Nerds. Which Chicago Dogs caps are your favorites?

Today's franchise collection is the Fresno Grizzlies of the California League.

The team began in 1969, playing as the Tucson Toros in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. They remained in Tucson through the 1997 season.

In 1998, they relocated to Fresno, CA where they adopted the Grizzlies name. With the reorganization of MiLB in 2020, they were moved down to the Single-A California League.