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The Sacramento Solons were a historic Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) that played in California's capital city during multiple periods from 1903 to 1976. Originally nicknamed after local politicians, the team served as a key farm club for several Major League franchises. Team History & Eras. The PCL Foundation (1903–1960): The Solons were charter members of the Pacific Coast League, which began play in 1903. They played their longest stretch from 1918 to 1960 at Edmonds Field (previously Cardinal Field).The "Home Run Capital" (1974–1976): After a hiatus, the team returned in 1974. Because Edmonds Field had been demolished, they played at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Sacramento City College. The stadium was a converted football field featuring a wildly short 232-foot left-field fence, turning the Solons' outfield into a hitter's paradise where players like Bill McNulty (55 HRs) and Gorman Thomas (51 HRs) put up astonishing power numbers. The team disbanded following the 1976 season.
Nickname Origin The name "Solons" is a slang term for a wise and skillful lawmaker, derived from an ancient Greek statesman. Local journalists in Sacramento used it as a playful nickname for the lawmakers working at the state Capitol, which eventually stuck to the baseball team.
Legacy Major League Roots: The Solons served as an early true "farm" team, notably for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1930s and 40s. Later iterations affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers.
Modern Successor: Sacramento's baseball legacy in the PCL is carried on today by the Sacramento River Cats, who play at Sutter Health Park in nearby West Sacramento and serve as the Triple-A affiliate for the San Francisco Giants.
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