Fairfield Baseball: A Look at the Team’s History
Contents
Looking back at the Fairfield baseball team’s history, there have been some Great players and teams. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.
Introduction
Fairfield Baseball is a team with a long and proud history. The team has its roots in the early days of the game, when it was first being played in the United States Fairfield baseball was founded in 1869, and is one of the oldest baseball teams in existence. The team has a rich history, and has been a part of many important moments in baseball history
Early history
Fairfield baseball first came to prominence in the 1940s, with the arrival of future Major League Baseball stars like Dom DiMaggio and Tony Lupien. The team won the Eastern League title in 1941, and reached the World Series in 1942. Lupien went on to become one of the greatest players in Fairfield baseball history hitting a then-record 52 home runs in 1948.
The team’s fortunes declined in the 1950s and 1960s, as Fairfield experienced an economic downturn. In 1970, the team was sold to a group of investors led by George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner quickly turned the team around, hiring former New York Yankees star Billy Martin as manager. The team won the Eastern League title in 1971 and reached the World Series in 1972.
The Steinbrenner era came to an end in 1974, when he was forced to sell the team due to financial problems. The team was sold to a group of local investors, who kept it until 1977 when it was bought by Joseph Cirillo Jr. Cirillo Jr. changed the team’s name to the Fairfield Yankees, and they won two consecutive Eastern League titles under his ownership.
Cirillo Jr. sold the team in 1982, and it has since changed hands several times. The current owner is Jeffrey Wilpon, who purchased the team in 2002. Wilpon has made several changes to the team, including renaming it back to the Fairfield baseball club and building a new stadium downtown.
The ’60s and ’70s
In the 1960s, the Fairfield baseball team was one of the best in the country. They won the National Championship in 1967, and were runners-up in 1968 and 1969. The team was led by Future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson who is widely considered one of the best players in baseball history
The 1970s were a period of transition for the team. They moved from their home stadium in downtown Fairfield to a new stadium on the outskirts of town. The team struggled to adjust to their new surroundings, and they never regained the level of success they had achieved in the 1960s.
The ’80s
The ’80s were a decade of ups and downs for the Fairfield Baseball Team
The team had some great seasons, including an appearance in the playoffs in 1980. However, the team also struggled at times, finishing with a losing record in 1982 and 1983.
Despite the ups and downs, the ’80s were an exciting time for the team and its fans. Some of the team’s best players, such as Mike Piazza and Michael Jordan played during this decade.
Piazza, who played for the team from 1986 to 1987, was one of the best hitters in baseball during his time with Fairfield. He hit .341 with 21 home runs and 77 RBIs in 1986, leading the team to its first playoff appearance in six years.
Jordan, who played for Fairfield from 1984 to 1986, was one of the most exciting players in baseball He was a talented hitter and fielder, and he also had a great arm. Jordan helped lead the team to the playoffs in 1985 and 1986.
The ’90s
The ’90s were a tough decade for the Fairfield baseball team The team struggled to find its footing, posting a losing record in eight out of ten seasons. However, there were some bright spots. In 1998, the team won its first division title in nearly 20 years. And in 1999, the team made it all the way to the World Series where they ultimately lost to the New York Yankees
The 2000s
In the early 2000s, the team began to struggle. They had a losing record in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, they made it to the playoffs, but lost in the first round. In 2003, they had another losing season. The team began to turn things around in 2004. They made it to the playoffs again and this time, they won the championship. They made it to the playoffs again in 2005 and 2006, but lost in the first round both times.
The 2010s
The 2010s were a decade of growth for the Fairfield baseball team In 2010, the team finished with a record of 19-13. The following year, the team had their first 20-win season in program history, finishing with a record of 20-12. The 2012 season was another successful one for the team, as they finished with a record of 22-11.
In 2013, the team made their first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament where they defeated Maryland in the first round before losing to Virginia in the second round. The following year, the team made it back to the NCAA Tournament but they were unable to repeat their success from the previous year and lost in the first round.
The 2015 season was another successful one for the team, as they finished with a record of 30-8. The following year, the team made it back to the NCAA tournament but they were unable to advance past the first round.
In 2017, the team had another successful season finishing with a record of 26-10. The following year, the team made it back to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in six years and won their first ever NCAA tournament game, defeating Ole Miss in the first round before losing to Florida State in the second round.
The 2019 season was another successful one for Fairfield baseball, as they finished with a record of 33-7. The 2020 season was abbreviated due to Covid-19 but Fairfield still managed to have a successful year, finishing with a record of 12-4.
Fairfield baseball in the present day
Fairfield baseball is currently a Division I sport in the NCAA. The team competes in the Atlantic 10 conference and is based in Fairfield, Connecticut. The team’s colors are navy blue and white, and their home field is Alumni Diamond. As of the 2019 season, the team’s Head Coach is Mike Grasso.
The team has had several notable players and alumni over the years, including outfielder Kevin Brown ( who played for the Boston Red Sox) and infielder Steve Jurczak ( who played for the New York Yankees). In 2019, the team had a 27-28 overall record and a 12-12 conference record.
The team’s history dates back to 1877, making it one of the oldest baseball programs in existence. The team has won several conference championships over the years and has made several appearances in the NCAA Tournament
The future of Fairfield baseball
Fairfield baseball has a long and storied history. The team has been a part of the community for over 100 years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The future of Fairfield baseball looks bright, with a strong nucleus of young players and a commitment to winning.
The team has won several championships over the years, including the World Series in 1925. Fairfield baseball is also known for its commitment to community service, with players often visiting local schools and hospitals.
With a rich history and a bright future Fairfield baseball is sure to be a staple of the community for years to come.
Conclusion
It is clear that the Fairfield Baseball Team has a long and proud history. The team has been successful at both the collegiate and professional levels, and has produced many great players While the team’s recent struggles are disappointing, there is no doubt that Fairfield baseball has a bright future.