Lethbridge Expos
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Lethbridge Dodgers 1975–1983 Lethbridge, Alberta |
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| Class-level | |
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| Previous | Rookie |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| League | Pioneer Baseball League |
| Major league affiliations | |
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| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 3 (1977, 1979, 1980) |
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Previous names
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The Lethbridge Dodgers arrived in Lethbridge, Alberta when the Ogden Spikers moved to town, 65 years after the city had last hosted a professional baseball team. In their debut 1975 season the team went 35–37, third in the four-team Pioneer League, under manager Van Kelly. Steve Ratzer (3-4, 5 saves, 2.33 ERA) was third in the league in ERA and second in saves for a team that seemingly played in a high-offense environment (league-high 403 runs and 437 runs allowed). First baseman Ray Crowley was second in the league in average and hit .338/~.495/.543. He did not make the All-Star team, but two outfielders did – Andy Dyes (.324/~.393/.407, a league-high 58 RBI) and Andre Dawson (.330/~.389/.553, the league leader with 99 hits, 166 total bases and 13 homers and presumably the slugging leader as well).
In 1976 Walt Hriniak managed the team to a last-place (30-42) finish. They again led in runs (449) and allowed 434 (3rd), a positive run differential despite their bad record. Third baseman John Scoras (.370/~.449/.619) led the league in batting average, hits (101), total bases (169), homers (13) and RBI (63) and tied for the doubles lead (17) in winning a Triple Crown, the only one in the Pioneer League between 1961 and 1997. He was joined on the All-Star team by catcher Doug Simunic (.244/~.371/.413). David Palmer (0-5, 7.20) had a horrible year but went on to the best major-league career from the team.
In 1977, the Lethbridge Expos of the Pioneer League began an affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers and became known as the Lethbridge Dodgers. The team was an instant success, going 44–26 and capturing a championship for manager Gail Henley in its first season. Michael Zournas hit 21 home runs to lead the league, James Nobles paced the circuit with 9 wins, and catcher Jesse Baez and second baseman Don LeJohn were All-Stars. Jim Lefebvre took over as the club's skipper the next season, and the team fell to fifth place with a 33–35 record. Still, pitcher Roberto Alexander won 9 games to lead the league and third baseman German Rivera made the All-Star team.
Henley returned as the team's manager in 1979, and the Dodgers responded by going 38–30 and capturing another league title. Richard Rodas won the pitching Triple Crown with 12 wins, a 1.12 ERA, and 148 strikeouts, and was joined by first baseman Greg Brock on the All-Star team. Henley remained with the club in 1980, and they posted a league-best 52–18 record and repeated as champs. Pitcher Charles Jones struck out a league-high 115 batters, and first baseman Greg Smith, designated hitter Audie Cole, and pitcher Curtis Reade were All-Stars.
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