Good morning guys
Looking for help from any PCL experts with my O's minor league affiliates collection.
I'm currently working on putting together programs from all the Orioles minor league affiliates. I also want to include programs from any co-op teams that the Orioles had working agreements with and/or provided players for during the season.
My question.
In 1954 and 1955, the Orioles didn't have a AAA affiliate. The highest affiliated minor league team with the Orioles were the AA San Antonio Missions. The Oakland Oaks were in the Pacific Coast League, which was classified as Open during 1954-55. The Oaks weren't affiliated with any MLB team. However several players that played for the Oaks during 1954-1955 appeared for the Orioles during the 1954, 1955 and even 1956 seasons. The Oakland Oaks moved to Vancouver in 1956 and became the Mounties (an Orioles affiliate from 1956-1960).
The best example is Duane Pillette, who appeared for the Orioles in 1954 & 1955. He also pitched briefly for the Oaks in 1955. Pillette was traded to the Phillies before the 1956 season. There are plenty of other Oaks players that ended up in Baltimore, but most after 1955.
Does anyone know if the Orioles had any kind of working agreement with Oakland during the 1954 and 55 seasons to provide them players or did teams just purchase contracts directly from the Oaks? My research hasn't confirmed an actual connection with the Orioles. Thanks
1954 Oakland Oaks.jpg
1955 Oakland Oaks #1.jpg 1955 Oakland Oaks #2.jpg