Utica Blue Sox

The Blue Sox of the 1940s played in a ballpark in the northern part of the city called McConnell Field, which was named after the team owner and former pro player from Utica.

Future Philadelphia stars such as Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn, who came to Utica as a catcher but within a month was moved to center field by his manager, Eddie Sawyer, to utilize his speed.

Eddie Sawyer, manager of the Blue Sox in 1945 and 1947 and later for seven more years in Philadelphia, once said, "We had great ballclubs in a bad ballpark."

The line up also included future major leaguers Jesse Barfield, David Wells and Paul Hodgson.

Toronto withdrew their affiliation after the 1980 season and the club played as an independent, under the name Blue Sox, from 1981 through 1983.

[3] Acclaimed author and journalist Roger Kahn (The Boys of Summer) wrote about his year as a part owner of the team for the 1983 championship season.