Peninsula Phillies

• Location: Hampton, VA
• League: Carolina League 1970-1971
• Affiliation: Philadelphia Phillies 1970-1971
• Ballpark:Peninsula War Memorial Stadium

Replacing the Houston Astros in 1970 were the Phillies. The Peninsula Phillies were a team of two halves their first year. They went 41-29 to tie the Winston-Salem Red Sox for first in the Carolina League but lost the tie-breaker. In the second half, the club (representing Newport News, VA and Hampton, VA) was last at 26-43. They did lead the circuit in attendance (65,114) but were outscored 506-472, avoiding last in offense by three runs. 1B Mike Anderson (.313/~.431/.545, 16-19 in SB, 22 HR) was second in the league in average, fifth in walks, tied for third in home runs and led in both OBP and slugging. He was named the All-Star first baseman.

The next year, they maintained their pace all year. Under Howie Bedell, they were second in the first half (41-29) and first in the second half (44-24). In the championship, they took two straight to topple the Kinston Eagles. They again led in attendance (60,286) and had a 582-453 edge in runs, allowing the fewest in the loop. Six All-Stars were on the team roster - C Jim Essian (.249/~.349/.380), 1B Bob Beall (.314/~.451/.451, the league leader in walks [110] and doubles [31], third in average, second in OBP), 2B Don Kinzel (.277/~.344/.368), SS Sterling Coward (.276/~.327/.378), OF Dick Gialella (.299/~.382/.412) and P Richard Fusari (19-6, 2.19, the league leader in wins, complete games [18] and ERA). They also had the #3-5 pitchers in ERA - Carl Cavanaugh (10-9, Sv, 2.69, who spent half of the year with Rocky Mount), Mike Coble (12-8, 2.72, a league-leading five shutouts) and T. Randy Boyd (8-12, Sv, 2.74). The team ERA of 2.65 was helped by a great bullpen which included Jose Sanchez (3-4, 0.97), Jerry Herron (4-2, 1.17) and Dave Wallace (6-1, 4 Sv, 1.24, 1.00 WHIP).

They became the Peninsula Whips in 1972.

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1970	67-72	5th	Nolan Campbell
1971	85-53	1st	Howie Bedell	League Champs

Sources: 1971-1972 Baseball Guides