Gary Bello (.548, 21 HRs, 101 RBIs) and Don Ragozzine (.585 BA, 105 runs scored) of the Pilgrims made the all-APSPL team.
[12][13] 1979 was a different year for the team as the Pilgrims struggled to a 21–41 (.339) finish, 14.5 games behind the division winning Rochester Zeniths, and missing out on the playoffs.
The Pilgrims signed former Detroit Tiger and Boston Red Sox player Dick McAuliffe in July to both play and serve a promotional role.
[20] New England began the season at Blake Field but were denied a permit by New Haven Mayor Biagio DiLieto due to complaints by local residents about noise from the Pilgrim games.
[21] The team was granted a 6-game last-minute extension and would finish the season at the Oakdale Sports Complex in Montville, over 51 miles away from New Haven.
New England then beat Eastern division champions South Jersey Athletics 3-2 as Ralph Calitri went 3–4 with 2 home-runs and 4 RBIs in the 5th game.