Pittsburg Diamonds

For the 1948–1951 team of the same name, see Pittsburg Diamonds (Far West League).
Pittsburg Diamonds
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeaguePacific Association
LocationPittsburg, California
BallparkMichael V. Valle Stadium
Founded2013
Folded2019
Former name(s)Pittsburg Mettle
ColorsBlack, orange, white
     
OwnershipKhurram Shah
ManagerAaron Miles
Websitediamondsproball.com

The Pittsburg Diamonds were an independent professional baseball team based in Pittsburg, California. Originally named the Pittsburg Mettle, the club changed their name to the Diamonds in 2015.[1]

History

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2014: Pittsburg Mettle

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Main article: 2014 Pacific Association season

On April 1, 2014, the Pittsburg Mettle were announced to play alongside San Rafael, Sonoma and Vallejo of the Pacific Association. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Wayne Franklin, wife Cris, and business partner Tom Macari made up the Backwards K Group, the team's owners. The club was an outgrowth of the 2013 traveling club East Bay Lumberjacks.[2] The Mettle's team colors were black, green, dark gray, light gray and white.[3] Franklin was announced as the clubs first player manager. On June 3, the Mettle played their first game against the Vallejo Admirals where they were defeated 2–7.[4] On June 6, the Mettle picked up their first professional win against the San Rafael Pacifics, 8–3.[5][6] On June 29, actress Stacy Caroll of Major League threw out the ceremonial first pitch.[7] The Mettle held a 22–56 regular season record.

2015–2018: Pittsburg Diamonds

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Main articles: 2015 Pacific Association season, 2016 Pacific Association season, 2017 Pacific Association season, and 2018 Pacific Association season

In 2015, the club rebranded after Khurram Shah, a local businessman, took over for the 2015 season during which the team made news signing former Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco for two separate weekend stints.[8][9] Pittsburg was managed by former Major League Baseball professional Aaron Miles, who was a part of the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.[10] In his first season, the Diamonds saw a 16 game win improvement, earning him Manager of the Year honors.[11] In 2016, the Diamonds again signed Canseco, this time to a month-long contract to finish the regular season.[12][13] Canseco would collect two RBI in 14 plate appearances in addition to making three starts as a pitcher.[14] In 2018, Travis Blackley made the Diamonds first post-season start against the Sonoma Stompers where they were defeated 0–5 in the semi-final.[15]

The club announced before the 2019 season that it would take a one-year hiatus with plans to return in 2020. However, the team hasn’t returned, and the Pacific Association has since folded as well.[16]

Season-by-season results

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Season Overall Win % Standing Manager Postseason
Pittsburg Mettle
2014 22–56 .282 4th in Division (first half)
4th in Division (second half)		 Wayne Franklin Did not qualify
Pittsburg Diamonds
2015 38–39 .494 3rd in Division (first half)
2nd in Division (second half)		 Aaron Miles Did not qualify
2016 36–42 .462 3rd in Division (first half)
T-3rd in Division (second half)		 Aaron Miles Did not qualify
2017 36–42 .462 2nd in Division (first half)
T-3rd in Division (second half)		 Aaron Miles Did not qualify
2018 36–44 .450 4th Aaron Miles Lost semifinals (Sonoma)
Totals 168–223 .430 — — 0–1 (.000)

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds: Bringing new sparkle to East County baseball". The Mercury News. 30 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Minor league baseball coming to Pittsburg". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Official Colors (2013 through 2019)". trucolor.net. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Pittsburg Mettle vs Vallejo Admirals: 2-7". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Pittsburg Mettle baseball team's season gets underway". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Pittsburg Mettle vs San Rafael Pacifics: 8-3". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Eye on the East Bay: 'Major League' actress throws out first pitch in Pittsburg". Mercury News. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Jose Canseco Playing Ball Again in the Bay Area, For Independent League Pittsburg Diamonds". NBC Bay Area. 23 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Jose Canseco will return to play for Pittsburg Diamonds". Vallejo Times-Herald. 8 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds polishing up for second season". East Bay Times. 20 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Aaron Miles, Manager". diamondsproball.com. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  12. ^ "'Bash Brother' Canseco joins Pittsburg Diamonds for season". The Mercury News. 4 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Former A's superstar Jose Canseco returns to Bay Area play". KTVU. 4 August 2016.
  14. ^ "2016 Pittsburg Diamonds". Baseball-reference. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Pittsburg Diamonds vs Sonoma Stompers: 0-5". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  16. ^ "Bay Area independent baseball league's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseason continues". The Mercury News. April 5, 2019.
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