The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the Triple-A International League.
The Jets' name came from Columbus' role in manufacturing aircraft by North American Aviation for World War II.Worth, Richard. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Directory 1869-2011. McFarland, 2013, page 82.Barrett, Richard E. Columbus 1910-1970. Arcadia, page 83
They were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics (1955–56) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1957–70). The Jets played their home games at Jets Stadium.
In 1971 the franchise moved to Charleston, West Virginia, and became the Charleston Charlies, leaving Columbus without organized baseball for the first time since 1894. In 1977 the Columbus Clippers returned baseball to Ohio's capital.
Notable alumni
Steve Arlin Bob Bailey Steve Blass Donn Clendenon Dock Ellis Johnny Lipon Bob Kuzava Julián Javier Román Mejías Pat Gillick Manny Mota Gene Michael Richie Hebner Milt May Al Oliver Freddie Patek Dave Roberts Manny Sanguillén Billy Shantz Willie Stargell Bob Veale Frank Verdi Wilbur Wood
Yearly record Year Record Finish Attendance Manager Postseason 1955 64–89 Seventh 202,854 Nick Cullop DNQ 1956 69–84 Seventh 163,128 Nick Cullop DNQ 1957 69–85 Seventh 180,418 Frank Oceak DNQ 1958 77–77 Fourth 196,644 Clyde King Lost to Montreal in first round 1959 84–70 Second 204,157 Cal Ermer Lost to Havana in first round 1960 69–84 Sixth 136,195 Cal Ermer DNQ 1961 92–62 First 187,471 Larry Shepard Lost to Rochester in first round 1962 80–74 Fifth 191,730 Larry Shepard DNQ 1963 75–73 Fourth(South Division) 167,121 Larry Shepard DNQ 1964 68–85 Sixth 134,448 Larry Shepard DNQ 1965 85–61 First 197,680 Larry Shepard Lost to Toronto in finals 1966 82–65 Second(tied) 193,881 Larry Shepard Lost to Toronto in first round 1967 69–71 Fourth 148,365 Harding "Pete" Peterson Lost to Toledo in finals 1968 82–64 Second 178,003 Johnny Pesky Lost to Jacksonville in finals 1969 74–66 Fourth 153,802 Don Hoak Lost to Syracuse in finals 1970 81–59 Second 140,700 Joe Morgan Lost to Syracuse in finals
References