Lubbock Crickets

• Location: Lubbock, TX
• League: Texas-Louisiana League 1995-1997
• Stadium: Dan Law Field

Team Bio

The Lubbock Crickets were the first minor league team in Lubbock, TX in 39 years. They joined the Texas-Louisiana League in 1995, the first Lubbock team not known as the Lubbock Hubbers.

The Crickets started strong, going 31-19 in the first half of '95 for the league's best record. They fell to 22-28 in the second half, then they beat the Amarillo Dillas in the playoffs and the Alexandria Aces in the finals to take their only pennant. Managed by Greg Minton, Lubbock had one All-Star, SS Rouglas Odor, a midseason addition who hit .287 for the team. 3B Frank Bolick (.355) was second in the TLL in average while the staff was led by Frank DiPino (9-5, 12 Sv, 3.39).

In 1996, Lubbock was 27-23 in the first half and 32-17 in the second half, a half-game behind the Abilene Prairie Dogs. Lubbock beat the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings in two games in the first round of the playoffs, but were swept by Abilene in the finals. Minton's team boasted several All-Stars in UT Mike Hardge (.303, 28 SB), SP Steve Duda (11-8, 3.76) and SP Ron Gerstein (14-4, 3.56). 1B Chris Norton batted .380 with 15 home runs.

The Crickets struggled in 1997 under new skipper Glenn Sullivan, going 21-22 in the first half and 16-28 in the second. Hardge (.339, 22 SB) again was named to the All-Star team as a utility man. In 1998, Sullivan's squad was 16-26 in the first hald but 23-19 in the second. OF Derek Vaughn (.350, 46 SB) made the All-Star team while OF Jason Landreth (.377, 22 SB) was third in the TLL in average. It would be the team's last year.

Yearly Record

Year	Record	Manager	Playoffs
1995	53-47	Greg Minton	Champions
1996	59-40	Greg Minton	Lost Final
1997	37-50	Glenn Sullivan

Sources: 1996-1999 Baseball Almanacs