Northeast League (1997-1998)
Northern League (1999-2000)
Tombstone
Born: 1996 – Northeast League expansion franchise
Suspended Operations: Postseason 2000
Moved: 2003 (North Shore Spirit)
First Game: May 30, 1997 (W 9-5 @ Massachusetts Mad Dogs)
Last Game: September 5, 2000 (L 9-8 vs. Elmira Pioneers)
Northeast League Championships: None
Northern League Championships: None
Stadium
Municipal Stadium (3,000)11997 Waterbury Spirit Program
Dimensions (1997): LF 349′, CF 400′, RF 338′
Marketing
Team Colors: Purple, Black & Silver21997 Waterbury Spirit Program
Mascot: Sammy Spirit (the Eagle)
Ownership & Affiliation
Owners: David Carpenter & Bob Wirz
Major League Affiliation: Independent
Attendance
Background
Professional baseball made its return to Waterbury, Connecticut in 1997 with the arrival of the Waterbury Spirit of the independent Northeast League.
The Brass City was a long-time outpost in the Class AA Eastern League from the 1960s until the mid-1980s. But the Waterbury franchise was viewed as one of the Eastern League’s most dreadful destinations for much of the late 1970’s and 80’s.
“I don’t think Waterbury is a good baseball town. People are into other things. Softball, betting.” – 1984 Waterbury Angels field manager Winston Llenas.33Karmel, Terese. “Angels Aren’t On Cloud Nine”. The Courant (Hartford, CT). June 17, 1984[/mfn]
“I hate Connecticut with a passion. I can’t wait to get out of here. I’ll never come back – unless they force me to.” – 1985 Waterbury Indians 3rd baseman and Eastern League MVP Cory Snyder.4Crowe, Jerry. “Hit and Run: Cory Snyder Makes a Dash Toward Cleveland After Compiling Some Impressive Batting Statistics With Double-A Waterbury.” The Times (Los Angeles, CA). August 31, 1985
And more succinctly:
“Waterbury sucked. That sucked.” – Veteran Minor League executive Bill Terlecky, who served as Waterbury last General Manager in the Eastern League in 1985 and 1986. (Interviewed 2019).
Prior to the Spirit’s arrival in May 1997, Municipal Stadium had last hosted a pro game in 1986.
Closure & Move to Massachusetts
The Spirit managed to last four summers, but ultimately fared no better at the box office than their Eastern League predecessors. The club suspended operations following the 2000 season and sat dark for two years.
A prominent Boston financial industry exec, Nick Lopardo, purchased the dormant franchise in the early 2000’s and moved the club to Lynn, Massachusetts, where it resumed play in 2003 as the North Spirit. In Massachusetts, the club kept the Spirit name but adopted new red, white & blue colors. The Spirit went out of business in 2007 after five seasons in Lynn.
Professional baseball has never returned to Waterbury since the Spirit closed up shop in 2000.
Trivia
The Spirit made the playoffs in three of their four seasons but never won a post season game. Waterbury lost via first round sweep in 1997, 1998 and 2000.
Waterbury Spirit Shop
Links
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