Niagara Falls Rapids
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name = Niagara Falls Rapids
| firstseason = 1970
| lastseason = 1993
| allyears = 1970–1979, 1982–1985, 1989–1993
| city = Niagara Falls, New York
| logo =
| caplogo =
| past class level = Short-Season A
| league = New York–Penn League
| conference =
| division = {{plainlist|
- Stedler Division (1989–1993)
- West Division (1982–1985)
- Wrigley Division (1978–1979)
- West Division (1977)
}}
| past league =
| pastmajorleague = {{plainlist|
- Detroit Tigers (1989–1993)
- Chicago White Sox (1982–1985)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1970–1978)
}}
| pastnames = {{plainlist|
- Niagara Falls Rapids (1989–1993)
- Niagara Falls Sox (1982–1985)
- Niagara Falls Pirates (1970–1979)
}}
| pastparks = Sal Maglie Stadium
| classchamps =
| leaguechamps = 2 (1982, 1993)
| conferencechamps =
| divisionchamps = 1 (1982)
}}
The Niagara Falls Rapids were a Class-A minor league baseball team located in Niagara Falls, New York. The team played in the New York–Penn League throughout its existence. The team played all of their home games at Sal Maglie Stadium.
The team began in 1970 as the Niagara Falls Pirates, and were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates until 1977. In 1982, the team became affiliated with the Chicago White Sox and took up the new name the Niagara Falls Sox. The affiliation with the White Sox would last until 1985. Then after a four-year hiatus the team was reestablished and affiliated with the Detroit Tigers under the Rapids name. However, in 1993 the team relocated to Jamestown, New York, and became the Jamestown Jammers.{{cite news | title=Falls Rapids Baseball Team Moving to Jamestown | work=Buffalo News | first=Lou | last=Michel | date=October 16, 1993}}
Notable alumni
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Dale Berra (1975)
- John Cangelosi (1982)
- Tony Clark (1992) MLB All-Star
- Terry Collins (1971)
- Chuck Cottier (1971–1972)
- Miguel Dilone (1972)
- Doug Drabek (1983) MLB All-Star; 1990 NL Cy Young Award
- Steve Farr (1977)
- Bobby Higginson (1992)
- Al Holland (1975) MLB All-Star
- Rick Honeycutt (1976) 2x MLB All-Star; 1983 AL ERA Title
- Odell Jones (1972)
- Brian Moehler (1993)
- Omar Moreno (1970, 1972) 2x NL Stolen Base Leader
- Ed Ott (1970)
- Larry Parrish (1992–1993) 2x MLB All-Star
- Aurelio Rodriguez (1990)
- Luis Salazar (1976)
- Rod Scurry (1974)
- Bobby Thigpen (1985) MLB All-Star
- Randy Velarde (1985)
{{div col end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Niagara%20Falls&state=NY&country=US Baseball-Reference (Minors)]
Category:Defunct New York–Penn League teams
Category:Defunct baseball teams in New York (state)
Category:Chicago White Sox minor league affiliates
Category:Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates
Category:Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates
Category:Baseball teams established in 1970
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1993
Category:1970 establishments in New York (state)
Category:1993 disestablishments in New York (state)
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