The Sacramento Grizzlies never finished first in the Pacific Coast League until this season, which will send them to the Premier League. The Grizzlies have a career .445 winning percentage, and have never had back to back winning seasons until 1896 and 1897. Of course the Grizzlies haven't had a losing season since.
35 year old catcher
Frank Zinn is playing for the third team in his career, but his first full year with the Grizzlies coincided with Sacramento's streak of winning seasons (1896). Zinn is a standout defensively behind the plate, although his seasons in Sacramento with the bat have been hit or miss. Zinn has hit .310, .303, and .301 in the good years, and .239 and .247 in the down years. He's still the leader of the Grizzlies though, and has worked well with the Grizzlies young staff.
Jim Buchanan also made his debut with the Grizzlies in 1896 and went 11-13 with a 4.08 ERA. Buchanan would cut down on his walks, increase his strikeouts, and finish with a 7-15 record the next year with a 3.60 ERA. The next year Buchanan would win the Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Coast League with a 21-4 record and 1.32 ERA. Buchanan would miss almost all of the 1899 season with injury (8-1, 1.32 ERA), but would return this year with a 28-8 record and 1.36 ERA to win his second Pitcher of the Year award.