Photos: 2006 Tucson Sidewinders win Triple-A championship
The Tucson Sidewinders won a Pacific Coast League division title at 91-53; no other Tucson team had won more than 87 games. Then the Sidewinders went 6-1 to win both rounds of the PCL playoffs and capped it by winning the 2006 Triple-A championship, beating the Toledo Mud Hens in the Bricktown Showdown in Oklahoma City.
Overall, Tucson finished 98-54. The last minor-league team to win more games was the 1992 Class AA Greenville Braves. – Greg Hansen
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Clockwise from left, Tucson's Donnnie Sadler (1), Alberto Gonzalez (8), Robby Hammock (7) and Brian Barden (9) celebrate after Hammock and Barden were driven in by Matt Erickson (17) in the ninth inning during the Bricktown Showdown Triple-A baseball championship game between the Tucson Sidewinders and the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Tucson won, 5-2.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Micah Owings (34) pitches for Tucson during the Bricktown Showdown Triple-A baseball championship game between the Tucson Sidewinders and the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
The Tucson Sidewinders hold the championship trophy and pose for photos after winning the Bricktown Showdown Triple-A baseball championship game against the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Tucson won, 5-2.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
While Tacoma catcher Rob Johnson awaits a late throw, Juan Brito scores the third in a three-run seventh inning to give Tucson a 4-2 lead.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders shortstop Alberto Gonzalez watches his pivot throw sail into the visitors dugout as Salt Lake baserunner Mike Eylward upends him to break up a double play and let a run score in the eighth inning of the opening round of the 2006 Pacific Coast League playoffs.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Tucson Sidewinders' Stephen Drew tags out Las Vegas 51's Wilson Valdez at TEP on July 7, 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Tucson Sidewinders' Jon Weber sings the song "Crazy" by Gnarles Barkley, with Scott Hairston and catcher Juan Brito after beating the Salt Lake Bees 4-2 in the the second game in the second game in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Conference Series at Tucson Electric Park on September 7, 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders shortstop Alberto Callaspo can't get to a ground ball by Las Vegas' James Loney that went for single at TEP in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Cameron Roy, 14, and his classmates from Desert Springs Academy try to get players to throw spare baseballs during a field trip to Tucson Electric Park to see the Sidewinders play a game against the Fresno Grizzlies in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinder Chris Carter slides into plate during the second inning of the team's contest against the Sacramento Rivercats at Tucson Electric Park on Aug. 11, 2006. Carter was called out at the plate.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders base runner Chris Carter scores against Sacramento in the ninth off a hit by Miguel Montero in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders right fielder Carlos Quentin gets all of the ball as he rips a line-drive two-run home run into the left field bullpen in the bottom of the first against Portland in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders Manager Chip Hale, left, yells as as Alberto Callaspo slides in to third base under the tag by Las Vegas 51s Edwin Bellorin in the middle in the second inning on June 21, 2006. The Sidewinders scored two runs in the second inning.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders pitcher Adam Bass collides with Colorado Springs Sky Sox Jeff Salazar after he slides safely into home for the fifth run during the sixth inning in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Arizona Daily Star Sports reporter Patrick Finley works as 'Sandy the Sidewinder Mascot' during a Sidewinders AAA game at Tucson Electric Park in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders centerfielder Chris Young fights swirling winds to finally race down a fly ball by Las Vegas batter Eric Riggs in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders relief pitcher Evan MacLane, right, has fun with teammate Jon Weber as they wait for the second game vs Tacoma at Tucson Electric Park in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Iowa second baseman Mike Fontenot leaps for an errant throw during the sixth inning Wednesday night as Tucson's Scott Hairston slides into the base in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Tucson's Adam Bass delivers a pitch during the top of the first inning of Tucson's game against Iowa on July 26, 2006 at Tucson Electric Park.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Ben Shelton, 7, waits with his glove to catch a ball with his family at Sidewinders game against the Tacoma Rainiers at Tucson Electric Park, August 26, 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Sidewinders Miguel Montero hits the ball during the inning against Tacoma Rainiers at Tucson Electric Park, August 26, 2006. Sidewinders won 6-0.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Tucson Sidewinders Jon Weber yells at the umpire as Iowa Cubs Casey McGehee tagged him out at third base in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Salt Lake's Adam Pavkovich tags out Tucson's Robby Hammock at second. Salt Lake Bees vs. Tucson Sidewinders game 4 Pacific Conference Championship Series in 2006.
Tucson Sidewinders, baseball, 2006
Tucson Sidewinders, from left, Robby Hammock, Donnie Sadler, back to camera, and Jon Weber celebrate after clinching the Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern Division title at Tucson Electric Park on August 27, 2006.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Hansen's Top Teams, No. 3: Sidewinders shattered Tucson record for wins on way to '06 titleFor Star subscribers: For one season, the Sidewinders were the best minor-league team on the planet.