Tombstone
Born: 1977 – Re-Branded from San Antonio Brewers
Re-Branded: 1988 (San Antonio Missions)
First Game: April 12, 1977 (L 10-7 @ Midland Cubs)
Last Game: August 29, 1987 (W 5-1 vs. El Paso Diablos)
Texas League Championships: None
Stadium
V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium
Opened: 1960
Ownership & Affiliation
Owners:
- 1977-1980: Wally Moon
- 1980-1986: Tom Turner
- 1986-1987: Ethan Blackaby
Major League Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers
Attendance
Best Seller
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San Antonio at Bat: Professional Baseball in the Alamo City
by David King
Available Now at Amazon
Background
The San Antonio Dodgers were the Class AA Texas League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers for eleven years during an era when L.A. had one of the richest farm systems in the Major Leagues.
San Antonio produced a steady stream of future Major League stars during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s:
- Outfielder Jeff Leonard (San Antonio ’77)
- Pitcher Bob Welch (San Antonio ’77)
- Catcher Mike Scioscia (San Antonio ’78)
- Pitcher Dave Stewart (San Antonio ’78)
- Pitcher Steve Howe (San Antonio ’79)
- Outfielder Mike Marshall (San Antonio ’80)
- Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (San Antonio ’80)
- Pitcher Orel Hershiser (San Antonio ’80-’81)
- Second baseman Steve Sax (San Antonio ’81)
- Relief pitcher John Franco (San Antonio ’82)
- Pitcher Sid Fernandez (San Antonio ’83)
- Infielder Mariano Duncan (San Antonio ’84)
San Antonio appeared in three straight Texas League Championship Series from 1979 to 1981 but lost in a three-game sweep each time. The Arkansas Travelers bested the Dodgers in 1979 and 1980. The Jackson Mets swept San Antonio in 1981, beating future N.L. Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser in the 3rd and deciding game.
Missions Reborn
Following the 1987 season, the team took back the historic ‘Missions’ name, which was the identity of San Antonio’s Texas League clubs for the better part of four decades from 1933 to 1971. The Missions remained a Los Angeles Dodgers farm team for another 13 years through the 2000 season.
San Antonio’s Texas League franchise moved to Amarillo in 2019 and is known today as the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Meanwhile, long-time Missions owner David Elmore (’88-present) upgraded to Class AAA by purchasing the Colorado Sky Sox of the Pacific Coast League and moving the team to San Antonio to take on the Missions name.
Trivia
Pitcher Rich Goulding hurled a no-hitter for the San Antonio Dodgers on Independence Day 1979 against the Amarillo Gold Sox. Goulding also walked no batters. He missed a perfect game due a first inning error by third baseman Dave Lanning.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder Wally Moon, owned the San Antonio Dodgers from 1977 to 1980. The 1954 National League Rookie-of-the-Year lost his life savings in the process.1Buchholz, Brad. “That’s Entertainment”. The American-Statesman (Austin, TX). June 28, 1981
Dodgers owner Tom Turner (’80-’86) introduced a cheerleading squad called the “Dodger Dollies”.
San Antonio Dodgers Shop
Editor's Pick
The Texas League Baseball Almanac
By David King & Tom Kayser
Since forming in 1888, the Texas League has produced some of the most beloved American baseball players and seen more than its fair share of colorful events. In 1931, Houston pitcher Dizzy Dean pitched and won both ends of a double-header in Fort Worth, throwing a three-hit shutout in the second game. In 1906, center fielder Tris Speaker pitched for Cleburne to beat Temple 10-3. In 1998, Arkansas’ Tyrone Horne hit for the “homer cycle” in San Antonio, finishing to a standing ovation. “The Texas League Baseball Almanac” delivers day by day the record-breaking events, personal triumphs and memorable games that helped to shape baseball in the region. Join authors David King and Tom Kayser on a nine-inning trip down one of minor-league baseball’s most historic institutions, both in season and off.
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
In Memoriam
Long-time manager Don LeJohn (San Antonio ’77-’82) passed away on February 25, 2005 at age 70.
Pitcher Steve Howe (San Antonio ’79) was killed in a single-car accident on April 28, 2006 at age 48. New York Times obituary.
Pitcher Bob Welch (San Antonio ’78) died of an accidental fall at his home on June 9, 2014. The 1990 A.L. Cy Young Award winner was 57 years old. Los Angeles Times obituary.
Links
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7 Responses
Life long Missions DODGER BASEBALL fan
Hi I hope you can help me I’m looking for anything of Franklin Stubbs from the San Antonio dodgers such as the Jersey # he wore when he was there.
As best as I can remember, Franklin wore #5 while with the SA Dodgers.
Is there a record of a pitcher from the San Antonio Dodgers ‘86-‘87 era named Scott Owens? Maybe George Owens ?
Do you have any footage of George Scott Owens (goes by the name Scott) who was a pitcher of the San Antonio Dodgers team in 1987 season. He had an accident 6 years ago and has been paralyzed, and unable to speak for 6 years. He is now 55 yrs old. I am writing a song with him as a means to connect him with him his friends and tell his story. You can go to conversations in the website and you will see Scotts Song
Can anyone tell me the value of my 1985 San Antonio dodgers baseball with team signatures?
Hi Victor. Thanks for your question. The answer is: Well, not really. It depends on the condition of the ball and the signatures and your ability/luck to connect with someone who cares about the 1985 San Antonio Dodgers. There were no significant future Major League stars on that team. Are the autographs smudged, faded, legible or illegible? All of those are factors. It’s a very specific kind of item. You might find a San Antonio baseball obsessive who thinks that is worth $30 or $50 or $60. But if you don’t find THAT GUY (and it’s not in great condition) then its sentimental value to you is probably worth more than its market value.
Andrew