25 years in Sacramento: History of the River Cats in California’s capital city

(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento River Cats are celebrating their 25th year in the capital city region during the 2024 season.

The Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the San Francisco Giants began the anniversary celebration by welcoming its parent ballclub to Sutter Health Park for an exhibition game on March 24. 
•Video Above:  River Cats beat Giants in exhibition game

In front of a sold-out crowd, the River Cats bested the Major League team 8-1. It was the 103rd sellout in the 25-year history of the River Cats.

With the 25th anniversary season underway, here’s a look at the River Cats’ time in the capital city.

From Vancouver to Sacramento

The River Cats were previously called the Vancouver Canadians and competed in the Pacific Coast League from 1978 to 1999.

A move to the Golden State began after a group led by Art Savage purchased the team in October 1998, according to the team’s website. 

Ownership relocated the newly acquired franchise to Sacramento and the team officially became known as the River Cats.

Sutter Health Park, then known as Raley Field, would get built in West Sacramento and officially open for the River Cats in the 2000 season. The ballpark, located next to the Tower Bridge, would provide local baseball fans a view of the iconic bridge and Sacramento skyline for the next 25 years.

Sacramento Solons: The capital city’s historic baseball team

Baseball returns to Sacramento with River Cats’ arrival

The River Cats marked the return of baseball in the capital city region. Sacramento was left without a baseball team for over two decades when the Solons departed Sacramento for San Jose in 1976.

Before the move to California, the Canadians would leave Vancouver as the 1999 Triple-A Champions.

A run of championships continued in Sacramento with the River Cats winning 12 division titles, seven conference championships, five Pacific Coast League banners and three Triple-A championships.

The River Cats’ last division, conference, PCL and Triple-A class titles all occurred in 2019.

River Cats change ownership

Savage would be the majority owner until his death on Nov. 21, 2009, but his family continued to run the team.

The Savage Family continued to own the team until a majority interest of the team was sold to a group led by Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive in August 2022.

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Notable River Cats alumni

Since 2000, The River Cats provided local baseball fans a chance to watch future Major League players or those already in “the bigs” play in Sacramento rehabbing an injury.

From 2000 to 2014, the River Cats served as the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and a number of the organization’s prospects honed their skills in Sacramento.

Notable players who eventually earned the call-up to the Athletics were eventual Cy Young Winner Barry Zito, Bobby Crosby, Eric Brynes, Nick Swisher, Dallas Braden and Josh Donaldson.

The River Cats later became the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants in 2015, turning into a hub for several of the organization’s prospects and local fans of the MLB team.

Since 2015, notable prospects who played in Sacramento and eventually earned the call-up were Rocklin native Logan Webb, Capital Christian alum and future Gold Glove winner, Mauricio Dubon, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater, Kyle Harrison, Camilo Doval, Thairo Estrada and Patrick Bailey.

The River Cats’ contract with the Giants is through 2030.

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