Walla Walla Phillies

Minor league baseball team

BallparkBorleske Stadium (1970–1971)

Owner(s)/
Operator(s)

Verne RussellGeneral managerBob DyerManagerGary Powel

The Walla Walla Phillies were a minor league baseball team in the northwest United States, located in Walla Walla, Washington. Named after their parent club, the Phillies were members of the Class A short-season Northwest League for two seasons from 1970 to 1971.

History

In 1969, with the expansion of Major League Baseball, Walla Walla was awarded a Northwest League franchise.^[1] The franchise secured a working agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. The club played their inaugural season as the Walla Walla Bears. In January of 1970, the franchise was sold to Verne Russell.^[2] Building upon local ownership, the club stayed close to home in selecting its new general manager. Bob Dyer, who had played and managed the semi-professional Walla Walla Bears, was tabbed to head the front office.^[3]

Russell announced that Walla Walla and the Phillies would continue their relationship. At the behest of Philadelphia, the club dropped the Bears moniker to become the Walla Walla Phillies.^[4]

The Phillies finished the year at 39–41, placing second in the north division standings. Walla Walla led the league in attendance with over thirty-two thousands passing through the gates at Borleske Stadium.^[5]

Walla Walla continued their relationship with Philadelphia in 1971. Gary Powel returned as manager. The Phillies finished with a record of 47–32 only to be bested by the Tri-City Padres by two and a half games in the final standings. Following the season Philadelphia elected to move their short season affiliate closer to home, linking up with Auburn of the New York–Penn League. Walla Walla signed on with the Hawaii Islanders of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and became the Walla Walla Islanders.

The Ballpark

The Walla Walla Phillies played at Borleske Stadium, located at 409 West Rees Avenue in Walla Walla, Washington. The stadium is still in use today.^[6]

Season-by-season record

Season	PDC	Division	Finish	Wins	Losses	Win%	Manager	Attendance
Walla Walla Phillies
1970	PHI	North	2nd	39	41	.488	Gary Powel	32,043
1971	PHI	North	2nd	47	32	.595	Gary Powel	32,195

References

^ "It's Official! Pro Baseball in Walla Walla". 1969-01-13. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
^ Reding, Jim (1970-01-29). "Bears Now Under Local Ownership". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
^ Reding, Jim (1970-02-03). "Dyer Named Bears' GM". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
^ "Bears to Phillies". NewspaperArchive.com. 1970-03-11. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
^ "Walla Walla Leads NWL in Crowds". The World. 1970-09-17. p. 18. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
^ "Borleske Stadium". Walla Walla Sweets. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved 2020-07-24.