Potros de Tijuana

(Redirected from Salinas Colts)

The Potros de Tijuana were a professional baseball team based in Tijuana, Baja California. The Potros played in the Mexican Pacific League and later in the Mexican League. The team played their home games at the Estadio Nacional de Tijuana.

Potros de Tijuana
Information
LeagueSunset League (1949–1950)
Southwest International League (1951–1952)
Arizona–Mexico League (1956)
Mexican Pacific League (1977–1991)
Mexican League (2005–2008)
LocationTijuana, Baja California
BallparkEstadio Nacional de Tijuana
Founded1977
Folded2008
League championships2 (1987–88, 1990–91)
ColorsBlue, red and white
     

History

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Early history

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An earlier incarnation of the Potros (or Colts) de Tijuana played in the short-lived Sunset League from 1949–1950 (originally as the Salinas Colts), and moved to the Southwest International League from 1951–1952. After three years of absence, they became a member of the Arizona–Mexico League during the 1956 season.

Mexican Pacific League

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Potros de Tijuana joined the Mexican Pacific League in 1977, taking championship titles in the 1987–1988 and 1990–1991 seasons to advance to the Caribbean Series in both times.[1]

Mexican League

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The franchise actually was a descendant of the Triple-A Toros de Tijuana before the Mexican League reportedly to have stripped the Toros owner of his franchise and gave it to new owners, who renamed the team as the Potros de Tijuana. The team played its games at Estadio Calimax.[2][3]

The new Toros ownership kept the same team name, logo, uniforms and history, as a result of the alleged political wrangling that went on in that league.[4]

In 2009, the Potros moved to Reynosa, Tamaulipas and were renamed the Broncos de Reynosa.[5]

Golden Baseball League

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On 15 December 2008, the Golden Baseball League signed a letter of intent to bring an expansion franchise to Tijuana after the 2008 Mexican League franchise was disbanded and relocated to Reynosa, Tamaulipas.[6][7]

On 13 January 2009, the league officially welcomed the Potros. They were to join fellow expansion teams, the Tucson Toros and Victoria Seals.

On 7 May 2009 the GBL announced the postponement of the Potros' inaugural season until 2010 due to Mexico's swine flu outbreak and the subsequent health risk and precautionary measures that resulted from it.[8]

Before the season was cancelled, the 2009 Potros had three Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame members on the coaching staff including Manager Mario Mendoza, Pitching Coach José Peña, and Bench Coach Jorge Fitch.[9]

The Tijuana Potros changed their name to the Tijuana Cimarrones and joined the Golden Baseball League for one season in 2010.

Championships

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Season Manager Opponent Series score Record
1987–88 Jorge Fitch Mayos de Navojoa 4–0 52–24
1990–91 Joel Serna Tomateros de Culiacán 4–2 55–37–1
Total championships 2

Caribbean Series record

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Year Venue Finish Wins Losses Win% Manager
1988   Santo Domingo 3rd 3 3 .500   Jorge Fitch
1991   Miami 3rd 1 3 .250   Joel Serna
Total 4 6 .400

Notable players

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Triunfo Temporada 1987-88". potrostijuana.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  2. ^ Gómez, Eric (11 May 2017). "Un pueblo mexicano en la frontera abraza al más estadounidense de los deportes". ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Termina ayuno beisbolero". Hitazos.com (in Spanish). 20 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Beisbol in Baja". Baseball Posse. Archived from the original on 18 August 2007.
  5. ^ "Dicen adiós los Potros de Tijuana". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Notimex. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  6. ^ Termina ayuno beisbolero Hitazos.com, 2007
  7. ^ GBL South of the Border![permanent dead link] GBL website, December 15, 2008
  8. ^ Tijuana on Hold for '09, GBL website, May 8, 2009
  9. ^ Tijuana Potros Officially Announced As Member of Golden Baseball League for 2009 OurSportsCentral.com, 2009
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