West Palm Beach Tropics

From BR Bullpen

WPalmBeachTropics.jpg

The West Palm Beach Tropics were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The club hired Dick Williams as manager and fielder a lineup that included slugger Dave Kingman and future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers. The Tropics went 52-20 in the regular season and ran away with the Southern Division title. Ron Washington led the club's offense, hitting .359 with a league-high 73 RBI. Mickey Rivers hit .366 and Kingman added 8 homers. The pitching staff was led by Juan Eichelberger, who went 11-5 with a 2.90 ERA. Tim Stoddard also won 10 games for the club. Despite their regular season dominance, the Tropics lost 12-4 to the St. Petersburg Pelicans in the league's championship game. The Tropics had the Leagues top attendance with 56,012 in 36 home games. The West Palm Beach Tropics returned for a second season as the Florida Tropics. The Tropics did not have a home field and played all of their games on the road, the team's record was 7-15 and were in last place when the league ceased operation and folded in December 1990.


Home Ballpark: West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium

1989 Attendance 56,012 (36 Games) Average 1,555

Manager: Dick Williams 1989/90 Pete Mackanin 2nd season 1990

Coaches: Bob Fralick, Ed Rakow, Larry Brown

1989 Opening Day Roster:

PITCHERS: Pete Broberg, Ray Burris, Doug Capilla (also with Bradenton), Juan Eichelberger, Rollie Fingers, Al Hrabosky, Odell Jones, Paul Mirabella, Sid Monge (also with Gold Coast), Lowell Palmer, Tim Stoddard, Tom Underwood

CATCHERS: Wes Clements, Luis Pujols

INFIELDERS: Toby Harrah, Dave Kingman, Alfie Rondon, Rodney Scott, Mark Wagner, Ron Washington

OUTFIELDERS: Lee Lacy, Tito Landrum, Mickey Rivers, Jerry White

DISABLED LIST: Will McEnaney

Other Players: Benny Ayala, Mike Easler, Randy Johnson, Ron Johnson, Ed Rakow

1989-1990 Stats (Incomplete)[edit]

Hitting Stats
Player POS AVG HR RBI SB
Mike Easler OF-DH .323 1 29 0
Toby Harrah 3B-SS .318 3 44 7
Randy Johnson C .322 0 15 1
Dave Kingman DH .271 8 40 0
Lee Lacy OF .314 7 45 4
Tito Landrum OF .346 3 55 7
Luis Pujols C .265 4 27 1
Mickey Rivers OF .366 0 33 9
Rodney Scott 2B .274 0 27 14
Ron Washington SS .359 5 73 13
Jerry White 1B .343 6 54 30


Pitching Stats
Pitcher W L ERA SV
Pete Broberg 8 1 3.41 0
Ray Burris 8 2 5.05 0
Juan Eichelberger 11 5 2.90 0
Rollie Fingers 3 0 4.91 6
Al Hrabosky 1 2 6.83 5
Paul Mirabella 2 0 2.74 3
Tim Stoddard 10 2 4.10 0