Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Grizzlies Magic: Nats' Win Makes It 5 of 10 for AAA Team
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
October 16, 2019

Share

Are the Fresno Grizzlies the AAA team of the decade?
For the fifth time in the last 10 seasons, the Major League parent club of the AAA Fresno Grizzlies will play in the World Series. And, if the Washington Nationals follow the success of the other clubs, a title could be coming to the nation’s capital.
Washington joins the San Francisco Giants (2010, 2012, 2014) and Houston Astros (2017) as Fresno’s MLB partner playing for baseball’s top prize. Those teams won every time this decade.
The Nationals, who finished a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night to win the National League Championship Series, will play the American League champion, either the Yankees or Astros.

An Impressive AAA Feat

And, Fresno boasted its own title, winning the AAA National Championship in 2015.
Since 1946, only five other cities have served as the top club for three different World Series participants: Columbus, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Portland, and Tacoma.
Columbus                      Pit (1960); NYY (1981; 1996; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2001; 2003); Cle (2016)
Indianapolis                  CWS (1959); Cle (1954); Cin (1961; 1970; 1972; 1975; 1976)
Oklahoma City             Phi (1980); Tex (2010); LAD (2017; 2018)
Portland (OR)              Pit (1979); Phi (1983); Min (1987; 1991)
Tacoma                          SF (1962); NYY (1978); Oak (1988; 1989; 1990)
Note: Bold means World Series winner

(GV Wire/Alexis DeSha)

The Uneasy Nats-Grizzlies Relationship

When the Nationals signed their Player Development Contract last year with Fresno, it was one of the last MLB teams to do so. Many in the Nationals media questioned how such a long-distance relationship would work logistically.
The reports were that Washington kept some of its better players with Harrisburg, its closer AA affiliate. Despite the geographic challenges, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo told the Washington Post that Fresno is “a great facility to play in.”
Fresno’s field manager Randy Knorr noted at the start of the season that Fresno was an upgrade over the big league club’s prior AAA city — Syracuse — mainly because of the weather.
Three players, all relief pitchers, on the Nationals’ current active playoff roster spent time in Fresno this season: Tanner Rainey, Fernando Rodney, and Austin Voth.
Top prospect, infielder Carter Kieboom, spent most of the season with Fresno, save for 11 games with the Nationals. He did not receive a September call-up, nor a spot on the playoff roster, but is on the team’s 40-man roster.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Facing Multiple Charges After Violent Freeway Pursuit and Shooting

DON'T MISS

Former Porterville Librarian Accused of Stealing Thousands From Elderly Friend

DON'T MISS

As Fresno Files First Case, Maxwell Vows to Protect Wage Theft Unit

DON'T MISS

Fowler Felon Jailed After Officers Find Assault Rifle, Drugs in Home Search

DON'T MISS

Young People Drive Fresno to CA’s Top Job Growth: Wells Fargo Study

DON'T MISS

Judge Rejects Claim That Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Treated Differently Because of His Race

DON'T MISS

Rapper Tory Lanez Attacked at a California Prison as He Serves Time for Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

DON'T MISS

Grapevine Fire Forces Full Closure of Southbound I-5

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s New Economic Development Leader Has Boomtown Expertise

DON'T MISS

KMJ’s Ray Appleton Is Off the Air as He Deals With ‘Rare Condition’

UP NEXT

Warriors, Knicks Will Try to Bounce Back From Home Playoff Losses

UP NEXT

Twins Win 8th Straight, Beating Giants on Keirsey’s RBI Single in 10th

UP NEXT

Tony Gonsolin, Freddie Freeman Lead Dodgers Past Diamondbacks

UP NEXT

Oh Ohtani! Dodgers Star Hits 3-Run Homer in Late Rally Victory Over Diamondbacks

UP NEXT

Shohei Ohtani Could Have Landed 15-Year Deal, Agent Says, but He Didn’t Want to Risk Skills Decline

UP NEXT

Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium to Share Opening and Closing Ceremonies for 2028 Olympics

UP NEXT

Freeman’s Bases-Loaded Triple Helps Dodgers Beat Marlins

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray Pitches 6 Effective Innings as the Giants Beat the Cubs

UP NEXT

The Steelers Move on From George Pickens by Trading Mercurial Receiver to Cowboys

UP NEXT

Jesús Sánchez’s RBI Single in 10th Inning Lifts Marlins to Win Over Dodgers

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Fowler Felon Jailed After Officers Find Assault Rifle, Drugs in Home Search

9 hours ago

Young People Drive Fresno to CA’s Top Job Growth: Wells Fargo Study

9 hours ago

Judge Rejects Claim That Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Treated Differently Because of His Race

9 hours ago

Rapper Tory Lanez Attacked at a California Prison as He Serves Time for Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

10 hours ago

Grapevine Fire Forces Full Closure of Southbound I-5

10 hours ago

Fresno’s New Economic Development Leader Has Boomtown Expertise

10 hours ago

KMJ’s Ray Appleton Is Off the Air as He Deals With ‘Rare Condition’

11 hours ago

Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Aiming Laser at Sheriff’s Helicopter

11 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Faces Life Sentence for Murder of Former Exeter Police Officer

11 hours ago

US Car Prices Higher in April After Tariffs Hit

12 hours ago

Fresno Man Facing Multiple Charges After Violent Freeway Pursuit and Shooting

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against a 31-year-old Fresno man, accusing him of attempted murder and ...

8 hours ago

https://www.communitymedical.org/thecause?utm_source=Misfit+Digital&utm_medium=GVWire+Banner+Ads&utm_campaign=Branding+2025&utm_content=thecause
8 hours ago

Fresno Man Facing Multiple Charges After Violent Freeway Pursuit and Shooting

A former Porterville librarian, Vikki Ann Cervantes, 50, faces felony charges for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly friend over the course of a year while managing her finances. (Shutterstock)
8 hours ago

Former Porterville Librarian Accused of Stealing Thousands From Elderly Friend

9 hours ago

As Fresno Files First Case, Maxwell Vows to Protect Wage Theft Unit

Fowler police and sheriff’s deputies arrested two residents Monday, May 12, 2025, after finding illegal firearms, drugs, and stolen property during a search of their home. (Fowler PD)
9 hours ago

Fowler Felon Jailed After Officers Find Assault Rifle, Drugs in Home Search

9 hours ago

Young People Drive Fresno to CA’s Top Job Growth: Wells Fargo Study

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, far left, looks on from the defense table with his attorneys, as a prospective juror, far right, answers questions posed by Judge Arun Subramanian, center, at Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
9 hours ago

Judge Rejects Claim That Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Treated Differently Because of His Race

Singer Tory Lanez returns to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center for his trial, Dec. 13, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP File)
10 hours ago

Rapper Tory Lanez Attacked at a California Prison as He Serves Time for Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

A fire has shut down all southbound lanes of I-5 at Grapevine Road on Monday, May 12, 2025, prompting major traffic delays as crews work to extinguish the flames. (CHP)
10 hours ago

Grapevine Fire Forces Full Closure of Southbound I-5

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend