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Medford Giants

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Medford Giants
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A-Short Season
LeagueNorthwest League
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsSan Francisco Giants (1967–1968)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1967
Team data
ColorsBlack, orange, white
     
BallparkJackson County Ballpark
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Rouge Valley Baseball, Inc.

The Medford Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon. The Giants were members of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League from 1967-1968 and were an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

History

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In early 1967 it was announced that Rouge Valley Baseball, Inc. had secured a Northwest League franchise. The club signed a player development contract with the San Francisco Giants.[1] Adopting their parent club's moniker the club began to play in the summer of 1967 as the Medford Giants. In their innagural season the Giants finished with a record of 51-33. The Giants and Eugene Emeralds were in a dead heat down the stretch. Medford swept the Tri-City Atoms in a season finale double-header to finish one game ahead of Eugene in the standings to claim the Northwest League pennant.[2]

There was uncertainty about whether the franchise would remain in Medford due to a dispute over ballpark rent. Jackson County Commissioners sought to raise rent, an increase that owner Joseph Graham strongly opposed. The county agreed to maintain the same rental rate, which secured the Giants return for the 1968 season.[3] After the completion of the season, citing a lack of available players, San Francisco ended their affiliation with Medford.[4] Medford signed on with the Los Angeles Dodgers and became the Rogue Valley Dodgers.

Season-by-season record

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Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Medford Giants
1967 SFG 1st 51 33 .607 Northwest League champion by virtue of record Tony Eichelberger 43,478
1968 SFG 3rd 34 43 .442 Harvey Koepf 20,585
Division winner League champions

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Medford Giants' Exec Starts Work". Newspapers.com. 1967-02-18. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  2. ^ "Giants New NWL Champs". Newspapers.com. 1967-09-05. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  3. ^ "NW League Will Return to Medford". Newspapers.com. 1967-12-17. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  4. ^ "SF Giants Drop Medford Club". Newspapers.com. 1968-12-06. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
[edit]
Preceded by
Expansion franchise
Northwest League franchise
1967-1968
Succeeded by