Ottawa A's

• Location: Ottawa, ON
• League: International League 1952-1954
• Affiliation: Philadelphia A's 1952-1954
• Ballpark: Lansdowne Park

Team History

After one season as the Ottawa Giants, the Ottawa-based International League team switched affiliations in 1952 to become the Ottawa A's. They went 65-85 their first year and finished in seventh place. The team, just like the 1951 Ottawa Giants, posted the league leader in ERA - Marion Fricano went 17-8 with a 2.26 ERA, edging Montreal's Ed Roebuck by 0.03. The offense fared better, as the A's hit .240 with 81 homers.

Ottawa improved to 71-83 and 6th place in 1953. Again a pitcher took a prominent spot among the league leaders - Bob Trice went 21-10 with 20 complete games, 4 shutouts and a 3.10 ERA. He led the IL in victories, complete games and whitewashes.

The 1954 team fell to 58-96 and last place under managers Les Bell and Taft Wright.

After the '54 season, the team was purchased by a consortium of fans from Columbus, who moved the squad to their city and renamed them the Columbus Jets.

They played at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa from 1952 to 1954 inclusive. Besides the above-mentioned Fricano and Trice, Hector Lopez was a third baseman with the Athletics. Some other players who reached the major leagues from the Athletics included Charlie Bishop, Moe Burtschy, Art Ditmar, Hank Foiles, Stan Jok, Lou Limmer, Jack Littrell, Joe Taylor, Wilmer (Billy) Shantz and Neal Watlington. Taft Wright and Luke Easter were also members of the Athletics at one time.

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1952	65-85	7th	Frank Skaff
1953	71-83	6th	Frank Skaff
1954	58-96	8th	Les Bell (26-45) / Taft Wright (32-51)

Further Reading

• Gary Belleville: "August 13, 1953: Bob Trice hurls two-hitter for Ottawa Athletics on Bob Trice Night," SABR Baseball Games Project.