Sacramento River Cats

The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics for 15 seasons.[2] They are based in West Sacramento, California, and play their home games at Sutter Health Park which opened in 2000 and was known as Raley Field through 2019.

Sacramento River Cats
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (2000–present)
LeaguePacific Coast League (2022–present)
DivisionWest Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamSan Francisco Giants (2015–present)
Previous teamsOakland Athletics (2000–2014)
Minor league titles
Class titles (3)
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2019
League titles (5)
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2019
Conference titles (7)
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2011
  • 2019
Division titles (12)
  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2019
Team data
NameSacramento River Cats (2000–present)
ColorsBlack, brick red, gold
     
MascotDinger
BallparkSutter Health Park (2000–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Vivek Ranadivé
General managerChip Maxson
ManagerDave Brundage[1]

Sacramento was previously represented in the Pacific Coast League by the Solons, a charter member of the league which was founded in 1903. Three different versions of the Solons played in California's capital city in 1903, 1905, from 1909 to 1914, from 1918 to 1960, and from 1974 to 1976. The River Cats have played in the PCL since 2000, including the 2021 season in which it was known as the Triple-A West, and are the only charter city to still host a PCL team.

The River Cats have won five PCL championships. Recently they won the league crown in 2019; previously they won back-to-back in 2007 and 2008. They went on to win the Triple-A National Championship Game in all three seasons. Sacramento also won the PCL title in 2003 and 2004.

History

Following the 1999 season, the Pacific Coast League's Vancouver Canadians were purchased by a group led by Art Savage, moved south to West Sacramento, and renamed the River Cats for the 2000 season. Savage was the majority owner of the team until his death at age 58 in November 2009. His widow, Susan Savage, became majority owner after her husband's death.[3]

In 2016, Mike Piazza became the first and only former River Cats player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, after earning an 83% vote by the committee. Piazza played three games in Sacramento as part of a 2007 rehab assignment before rejoining the Oakland Athletics.[4][5][6][7]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the River Cats were organized into the Triple-A West.[8] They also entered into a new 10-year Professional Development License agreement to remain the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants through 2030.[9] Sacramento ended the season in fourth place in the Western Division with a 52–65 record.[10] No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.[11] However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.[11] Sacramento finished the tournament tied for 20th place with a 4–6 record.[12] In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[13]

In August 2022, owner Susan Savage sold a majority interest in the team to the Sacramento Kings.[14]

Season-by-season records
Table key
League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
‡ Class champions (2000–present)
† League champions (2000–present)
§ Conference champions (2000–2020)
* Division champions (2000–present)
Season-by-season records
Season League Regular-season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
2000
*		 PCL 90–54 .625 2nd 1st — 2–3 .400 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Buzz, 3–2[15]		 Oakland Athletics [16]
2001
*		 PCL 75–69 .521 5th 1st — 2–3 .400 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2[17]		 Oakland Athletics [18]
2002 PCL 66–78 .458 14th 3rd 19 — — — Oakland Athletics [19]
2003
* § †		 PCL 92–52 .639 1st 1st — 6–0 1.000 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Edmonton Trappers, 3–0
Won PCL championship vs. Nashville Sounds, 3–0[20]		 Oakland Athletics [21]
2004
* § †		 PCL 79–65 .549 5th 1st — 6–1 .857 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Portland Beavers, 3–1
Won PCL championship vs. Iowa Cubs, 3–0[22]		 Oakland Athletics [23]
2005
*		 PCL 80–64 .556 2nd (tie) 1st — 2–3 .400 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2		 Oakland Athletics [24]
2006 PCL 78–66 .542 4th 2nd 13 — — — Oakland Athletics [25]
2007
* § † ‡		 PCL 84–60 .583 2nd 1st — 7–2 .778 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Bees, 3–2
Won PCL championship vs. New Orleans Zephyrs, 3–0
Won Triple-A championship vs. Richmond Braves[26]		 Oakland Athletics [27]
2008
* § † ‡		 PCL 83–61 .576 3rd 1st — 7–2 .778 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Bees, 3–1
Won PCL championship vs. Oklahoma RedHawks, 3–1
Won Triple-A championship vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees[28]		 Oakland Athletics [29]
2009
* §		 PCL 86–57 .601 1st 1st — 3–4 .429 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–1
Lost PCL championship vs. Memphis Redbirds, 3–0		 Oakland Athletics [30]
2010
*		 PCL 79–65 .549 4th 1st — 2–3 .400 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 3–2		 Oakland Athletics [31]
2011
* §		 PCL 88–56 .611 1st 1st — 3–5 .375 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Reno Aces, 3–2
Lost PCL championship vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, 3–0		 Oakland Athletics [32]
2012
*		 PCL 86–58 .597 1st 1st — 2–3 .400 Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Reno Aces, 3–2		 Oakland Athletics [33]
2013 PCL 79–65 .549 3rd 2nd 2 — — — Oakland Athletics [34]
2014 PCL 79–65 .549 4th 2nd 2 — — — Oakland Athletics [35]
2015 PCL 71–73 .493 9th 2nd 13+1⁄2 — — — San Francisco Giants [36]
2016 PCL 69–75 .479 12th 4th 12+1⁄2 — — — San Francisco Giants [37]
2017 PCL 64–77 .454 14th 4th 15+1⁄2 — — — San Francisco Giants [38]
2018 PCL 55–85 .393 15th 4th 27+1⁄2 — — — San Francisco Giants [39]
2019
* § † ‡		 PCL 73–67 .521 7th 1st — 7–2 .778 Won Pacific Conference Northern Division title
Won Pacific Conference title vs. Las Vegas Aviators, 3–2
Won PCL championship vs. Round Rock Express, 3–0
Won Triple-A championship vs. Columbus Clippers		 San Francisco Giants [40]
2020 PCL Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[41] San Francisco Giants [42]
2021 AAAW 52–65 .444 7th 4th 19+1⁄2 4–6 .400 Lost series vs. Salt Lake Bees, 4–1
Won series vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, 3–2
Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch[12]		 San Francisco Giants [10]
2022 PCL 65–83 .439 9th 5th 20 — — — San Francisco Giants [43]
2023 PCL 67–82 .450 8th 5th 20+1⁄2 — — — San Francisco Giants [44]
Totals — 1,740–1,542 .530 — — — 53–37 .589 — — —

Attendance
Raley Field in 2007
River Cats at Raley Field in 2007
River Cats players in 2007

After arriving at Raley Field, the River Cats led minor leagues in attendance during each of its first nine seasons.[45] In 2015, the team drew 672,354 fans in 72 home games, leading the minor league in total attendance. In 2015, they also drew the second highest attendance per game in the minors with an average of 9,338 fans per game.[46] In 2017, the team drew 562,237 fans in 70 home games, placing them third in overall attendance for the Pacific Coast League for the season. In 2018, the River Cats drew their lowest attendance since arriving at Raley Field with 538,785 fans attending 70 home games. While this was the team's lowest attendance since arriving in West Sacramento, it was strong enough to place them fifth in attendance for the Pacific Coast League for the 2018 season.

YearTotal
Attendance		Average
  2000  861,80811,969
2001901,21412,516
2002817,31711,351
2003766,32610,643
2004751,15610,432
2005755,75010,496
2006728,22710,256
2007710,23510,003
2008700,1689,724
2009657,0959,126
2010657,9109,138
2011600,3068,455
2012586,0908,140
2013607,3298,435
2014607,8398,561
2015672,3549,338
2016609,6668,587
2017562,2378,032
2018 538,785 7,808
2019549,4407,849[47]
2020n/an/a
2021256,7144,043[48]
2022372,7694,970[49]

Playoff history

The River Cats have won 12 division titles, including back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001, three years in a row from 2003 to 2005, and six consecutive titles from 2007 to 2012. In 2019, the River Cats snapped a six-year playoff drought by winning the Pacific Northern Division.

They won back-to-back league championships in 2003 and 2004 and again in 2007 and 2008.

In 2007, they went on to defeat the Richmond Braves in that year's Bricktown Showdown by a score of 7–1. The River Cats repeated in 2008, defeating the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 4–1.

Roster
Sacramento River Cats roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

60-day injured list

7-day injured list
* On San Francisco Giants 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated June 19, 2023
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Pacific Coast League
 → San Francisco Giants minor league players

Players
See: Category:Sacramento River Cats players

References
  1. "Dave Brundage returns as River Cats manager to defend title in 2020". MiLB.com. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  2. "Sacramento RiverCats - History".
  3. "River Cats owner dies suddenly at home." Archived 2009-11-24 at the Wayback Machine Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved on 21 November 2009.
  4. "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 13, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  5. "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 14, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  6. "Portland vs. Sacramento - July 15, 2007 | Sacramento River Cats Box". Sacramento River Cats. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  7. "Mike Piazza - The Baseball Cube". www.thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  8. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  9. "River Cats and Giants Announce 10-Year Affiliation Extension". Sacramento River Cats. Minor League Baseball. February 12, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  10. "2021 Triple-A West Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  11. "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  12. "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  14. Anderson, Jason (August 27, 2022). "Sacramento Kings finalize deal to purchase Minor League Baseball's Triple-A River Cats". The Sacramento Bee. pp. 1A, 3A. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  15. "2000 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  16. "2000 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  17. "2001 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  18. "2001 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  19. "2002 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  20. "2003 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  21. "2003 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  22. "2004 Pacific Coast League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
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  24. "2005 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. "2006 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
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  27. "2007 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  28. "Sacramento River Cats (84-61) 4, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees (88-57) 1" (PDF). Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  29. "2008 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  30. "2009 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  31. "2010 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  32. "2011 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  33. "2012 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  34. "2013 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  35. "2014 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  36. "2015 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  37. "2016 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  38. "2017 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  39. "2018 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  40. "2019 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  41. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  42. "2020 Schedule" (PDF). Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  43. "2022 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  44. "2023 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  45. "2008 Minor League Attendance - the Baseball Cube".
  46. The Sacramento Bee.
  47. "2019 Affiliated Attendance by Average | Ballpark Digest". Ballpark Digest. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  48. "2021 Minor League Attendance - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  49. Reichard, Kevin (12 October 2022). "2022 MiLB attendance by average - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 5 March 2023.
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