[27][28] Prior to owning the Mussels, both players during the early 70's played in the MLB minor system where Jim rose to AAA in 1973 with the Peninsula Whips of the International League and Don pitched in the New York Yankees farm system in 1972 with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees of the A class Florida State League.
Van Schley even brought along Bill Murray[57][58][59][60][61] to liven up the crowd as a guest base coach and cheerleader.
[27][28] Chapman and Rogelstad stepped away from their on-the-field roles to concentrate on promoting the team; along with Jim's brother Lynn, to a very hardball sleepy Victoria.
[62] During the season the Mussels found a gem in knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti (the CandyMan)[63] earning a 5-1 record & %.833.
After the 1979 season ended[69] the Chapmans sold the Mussels assets (including logos, equipment and copyrights)[70] to Nanaimo/Parksville real estate builder/developer Robert L. Peden[71] formally from the Victoria sports family[72] of the early 20th century.