Peninsula Pilots (minor league team)

The Peninsula Pilots franchise began play in the Carolina League in 1963 as a Washington Senators farm team. The franchise had many monikers, playing as the Peninsula Senators (1963), Peninsula Grays (1964–1968), Peninsula Astros (1969), Peninsula Phillies (1970–71), Peninsula Whips (1972–1973), Peninsula Pennants (1974), Peninsula Pilots (1976–1985), Peninsula White Sox (1986-1987), Virginia Generals (1988) and Peninsula Pilots (1976–1985, 1989–1992). The teams were members of the Class A Carolina League (1963–1971), Class AAA International League (1972–1973) and Class A Carolina League (1974–1992). Peninsula teams were an affiliate of the Washington Senators (1963), Cincinnati Reds (1964–1966), Kansas City Athletics (1967), Oakland Athletics (1968), Houston Astros (1969), Philadelphia Phillies (1970–1971), Montreal Expos (1972–1973), Philadelphia Phillies (1976–1985), Chicago White Sox (1986–1987) and Seattle Mariners (1990–1992). ==The ballpark==

Peninsula teams played at War Memorial Stadium (1963-1992). Built in 1948, the ballpark is still in use today and is located at 1889 West Pembroke Avenue, Hampton, Virginia, 23661. Today, War Memorial Stadium is home to the summer collegiate baseball team with the same Peninsula Pilots moniker who play in the Coastal Plain League. War Memorial Stadium was first built by Branch Rickey for the Newport News Dodgers, who played at War Memorial from 1948-1958 as members of the Piedmont League. The ballpark has also been known as Peninsula Stadium. ==Notable Peninsula alumni==

• Johnny Bench (1966) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1989 • Gary Carter (1973) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 2003 • Satchel Paige (1966) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1971 • Bret Boone (1990) 3x MLB All-Star • Bernie Carbo (1966) • Cesar Cedeno (1969) 4x MLB All-Star • Darren Daulton (1982) 3x MLB All-Star; Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame • Bob Dernier (1979) • Jim Essian (1971) • Darrell Evans (1967) 2x MLB All-Star; 1985 AL Home Run Leader; San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame • Ken Forsch (1969) 2x MLB All-Star • Julio Franco (1980) 3x MLB All-Star; 1991 AL Batting Title • Craig Grebeck (1987) • Cliff Johnson (1969) • Mike LaValliere (1982) • Skip Lockwood (1968) • Hal McRae (1966) 3x MLB All-Star; Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame • Mike Maddux (1983) • Steve Mingori (1965–1966) • Jeff Nelson (1990) MLB All-Star • Scott Radinsky (1987) • Steve Rogers (1972) 5x MLB All-Star • Juan Samuel (1982) 3x MLB All-Star • Gene Tenace (1967) MLB All-Star • Andre Thornton (1970) 2x MLB All-Star; Roberto Clemente Award (1979); Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame • Bob Walk (1977) MLB All-Star == Year-by-year records ==