Tombstone
Born: 1983 – The Amarillo Gold Sox relocate to Beaumont, TX
Moved: October 15, 1986 (Wichita Pilots)
First Game: April 8, 1983 (W 5-0 @ San Antonio Dodgers)
Final Game: August 30, 1986 (L 4-2 vs. El Paso Diablos)
Texas League Champions: 1983
Stadium
Ownership & Affiliation
Owner: Ted Moor
Major League Affiliation: San Diego Padres
Attendance
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.
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Background
The Beaumont Golden Gators were a four-year entry in the Texas League during the mid-1980’s. Though a San Diego Padres farm club, the Gators wore an eye-popping Gold/Green/White color scheme more reminiscent of the Oakland Athletics, topped off by pillbox-style striped caps. The team played at Vincent-Beck Stadium on the campus of Lamar University.
The Padres had a rich farm system at the time. Future Major League stars Ozzie Guillen (Beaumont ’83), John Kruk (’83), Shane Mack (’85-’86), Benito Santiago (’85) and Sandy Alomar, Jr. (’86) all spent time with the Golden Gators.
On Field Success
The Golden Gators won the Texas League championship during their first summer in Beaumont, sweeping the Jackson Mets in a best-of-five championship series in September 1983. Outfielder Mark Gillaspie (.333, 24 HRs, 122 RBI) took home Texas League Player-of-the-Year honors.
The Gators were even better in 1984, posting the Texas League’s best record at 89-47, including a 51-18 mark at home. In the league championship series, the Gators faced the Jackson Mets in a rematch of the 1983 finals. This time Jackson got the best of it, taking the best-of-seven set in 6 games. Outfielder Jim Steels, a holdover from the 1983 squad, earned the Texas League Player-of-the-Year award with a .340 average, 12 homers, 81 RBI and 35 steals.
Joey Cora Stabbing
Following a road game in San Antonio on June 21, 1986, a group of men attacked several Golden Gators player outside V.J. Keefe Stadium as they waited to board the team bus. Joey Cora, the Padres’ 1st round draft pick in 1985, was pinned to the ground by two of the men and stabbed in the gut and arm. He would end up spending six weeks on the disabled list. A 29-year old man was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Cora ultimately made a full recovery and debuted in the Major Leagues with the Padres in April of 1987.
Move to Wichita
After a promising start in 1983, attendance cratered for the Golden Gators during their final season in 1986 to fewer than 1,000 fans per game. Local owner Ted Moor, citing two consecutive years of ~$150,000 losses, sold the team to veteran minor league baseball operator Larry Schmittou at the end of the season.1ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Beaumont Golden Gators Up For Sale”. The Morning Telegraph (Tyler, TX). August 9, 1986 Schmittou moved the team to Wichita, Kansas prior to the 1987 season.
Beaumont Golden Gators Shop
Links
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