Tri-Cities Triplets

The Triple-Cities Triplets were a minor league baseball team in the northwest United States, located in Richland, Washington. The Triplets were members of the Class A short-season Northwest League from 1983-1986.

Tri-Cities Triplets
1983–1986
Richland, Washington
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A Short Season
LeagueNorthwest League
DivisionWashington
Major league affiliations
TeamTexas Rangers
(1983-1984)
Independent
(1985-1986)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1984
Division titles (1)1984
Team data
ColorsRoyal blue, red, white
     
BallparkBomber Bowl

History

After an eight year absence, professional baseball returned to the Tri-Cities area. New Jersey-based Big Six Sports purchased the Walla Walla Padres franchise following the 1982 season.[1] Seeking a large market and improved facilities, the new ownership group promptly moved the club to Richland, Washington, even taking the outfield fence with them.[2] The team would adopt the unique name, Tri-Cities Triplets. The Triplets would link up with the Texas Rangers.

In their inaugural season the team would compile a record of 33-37. The Triplets would ultimately finish third in the Washington Division jockeying with the Blue Mountain Bears down the stretch for the runner-up position. The team would come just shy of forty-nine thousand fans entering the turnstiles in addition to hosting the Northwest League All-Star Game.

The club would continue their affiliation with the Texas Rangers in 1984. Tri-Cities would go on to post a league best record of 46-28 and win the Washington Division title. The Triplets faced the Medford A's in the championship game. In a game with 34 combine hits, the Triplets outscored the A's 17-8 to claim the Northwest League crown.[3] Coinciding with their on field success, attendance exceeded fifty-two thousand over the course of the season.

Coming off a league championship the club would witness substantial changes. Southern California based attorney Leavitt led a group that purchased the franchise. [4] The new owners hoped to build on the success of the previous season. This would prove to be difficult as the Texas Rangers declined extending their player development contract. Tri-Cities was left to play the season as an independent club. The team would finish last in their division with a record of 33-41.

The franchise would again change hands entering 1986. Tri-Cities Baseball Inc., composed of Brett family members including George Brett, purchased the club. [5] The new owners identified the need for a facility renovations or a new stadium as being necessary for long term viability. The team would be again without a major league affiliation. The Triplets would again finish at the bottom of the division at 25-49.

Following two consecutive last place finishes and no prospect of improved facilities the relocation of the team was imminent. The Brett group, who also owned the Spokane Indians, would sell the team. Diamond Sports would take control of the franchise with approval to relocate.[6] The club would move to Boise, Idaho for the 1987 season. The franchise remains in Boise, playing as the Boise Hawks.

The Ballpark

The Triplets played at the Richland Bomber Bowl, now known as Fran Rish Stadium, located at 1350 Lee Boulevard in Richland, Washington. The stadium is still in use today serving as a football only facility for Richland High School.

Season-by-season record
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Tri-Cities Triplets
1983 TEX Washington 3rd 33 37 .471 Dave Oliver 48,896
1984 TEX Washington 1st 46 28 .622 Defeated Medford in championship Marty Scott 52,042
1985 Washington 4th 33 41 .446 Ed Olsen 32,424
1986 Washington 4th 25 49 .338 Pat Murphy 30,605
Division winner League champions

References
  1. "NWL approves owner for Walla Walla team". Walla Walla Union Bulletin. February 9, 1983. p. 6. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2020 – via Newspaper Archive.
  2. "Walla Walla: A Town without a Baseball Team". newspaperarchive.com. September 12, 1982. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "Tri-Cities tops NWL". newspaperarchive.com. September 4, 1984. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  4. Libman, Gary (June 27, 1985). "Businessmen Going to Bat for Minor League Baseball". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  5. "Bretts buy Triplets of Northwest League". newspaperarchive.com. February 19, 1986. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  6. "NWL baseball exits Tri-Cities, goes to Boise". newspaperarchive.com. October 14, 1986. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.

Franchise chronology
Preceded by
Walla Walla Padres		 Northwest League franchise
(1983-1986)		 Succeeded by
Boise Hawks

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