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Las Vegas Aviators

FieldValue
nameLas Vegas Aviators
founded1983
citySummerlin South, Nevada
logoLas Vegas Aviators logo 2023.png
uniformlogoLas Vegas Aviators Cap.png
class levelTriple-A (1983–present)
current leaguePacific Coast League (1983–present)
divisionWest Division
majorleagueOakland Athletics / Athletics (2019–present)
pastmajorleague{{plainlist
leaguenum3
leaguechamps
divnum6
divisionchamps
firsthalfnum5
firsthalfchamps
secondhalfnum3
secondhalfchamps
nicknameLas Vegas Aviators (2019–present)
pastnames{{plainlist
colorsNavy blue, orange, tangerine, gold, yellow, gray
mascotSpruce the Goose and The Aviator
ballparkLas Vegas Ballpark (2019–present)
pastparksCashman Field (1983–2018)
ownerSeaport Entertainment Group
managerFran Riordan
website
  • New York Mets (2013–2018)
  • Toronto Blue Jays (2009–2012)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (2001–2008)
  • San Diego Padres (1983–2000)
  • Las Vegas 51s (2001–2018)
  • Las Vegas Stars (1983–2000)

The Las Vegas Aviators, formerly known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Stars, are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. They are located in Summerlin South, Nevada, a community in Las Vegas. The Aviators play their home games at Las Vegas Ballpark, a 10,000-seat facility which opened in 2019. The team previously played at Cashman Field from 1983 to 2018.

The team has been members of the Pacific Coast League since 1983, including the 2021 season when it was known as the Triple-A West. They won the PCL championship as the Stars in 1986 and 1988 and again in 2025 as the Aviators.

History

Las Vegas Stars (1983–2000)

The Las Vegas Pacific Coast League franchise traces its roots to the Portland Beavers who entered the PCL in 1919 after a two-year hiatus. The team relocated to Spokane, Washington, in 1973, becoming the Spokane Indians. The franchise moved once again in 1983, becoming the Las Vegas Stars.

The Stars, who were the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, became the first professional sports team to play in Las Vegas since the Las Vegas Quicksilvers soccer club who played a single season in 1977. The Stars' inaugural season was quite successful, posting an 83–60 record and winning the first-half championship for the Southern Division leading to a playoff berth, but eventually losing to the Albuquerque Dukes. The following season, the Stars posted another successful campaign, going 71–65 and winning their second division championship (first half), but ultimately losing in the league semifinals to the Hawaii Islanders. After a dismal 1985 campaign, the Stars finished the 1986 season with an 80–62 record and won the second half of the Southern Division. In the league semifinals, the Stars defeated the Phoenix Firebirds, 3–2, and went on to win their first PCL championship, defeating the Vancouver Canadians in five games. The Stars won their second PCL championship in 1988, once again defeating Vancouver, this time in four games.

After winning five division titles and two league championships in their first six years, the Stars hit a skid, posting a .500 or better record only four times and winning shares of only two division championships in the following 12 years. The Stars were unable to advance past the first round of the playoffs in both seasons that they qualified. The team's affiliation with the Padres ended after the 2000 season.

Las Vegas 51s (2001–2018)

In 2001, Las Vegas became the top farm club of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The new affiliation was accompanied by rebranding to the Las Vegas 51s in reference to Area 51, a military base located north-northwest of Las Vegas legendary for rumors of its housing UFOs and other extraterrestrial technology. The team adopted a logo featuring a grey alien head and introduced an extraterrestrial mascot named Cosmo.

A new affiliate, moniker, and appearance did not translate into improved performance on the field. The 51s experienced only two winning seasons during their eight years as the Triple-A Dodgers. Their only division title came under manager Brad Mills in 2002 as the team posted the best record in the league at 85–59, but lost three games to one to the eventual PCL champion Edmonton Trappers.

On March 24, 2008, Mandalay Baseball Properties sold the 51s franchise to Stevens Baseball Group. There were no plans to move the team, and talks of building a new stadium to replace the ageing Cashman Field became stagnant. The Dodgers and the 51s had a rocky relationship during their eight-year affiliation. The Dodgers were not pleased with Cashman Field, which barely met the standards for Triple-A baseball. It had no weight room or indoor batting cages, and it was decrepit compared to other stadiums in the league. Citing the inadequacies of Cashman and lack of planning for a replacement, Los Angeles decided not to renew their player development contract (PDC) with Las Vegas after the 2008 season.

Following the departure of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 51s signed a PDC with the Toronto Blue Jays, marking the first time that the 51s were affiliated with an American League club. The only time the team finished over .500 with the Blue Jays was in 2012 when Marty Brown led the team to a 79–64 second-place finish. The Blue Jays ended their affiliation with the 51s after the season.

In April 2013, the team was purchased for $20 million by Summerlin Las Vegas Baseball Club, a 50/50 joint venture of The Howard Hughes Corporation and Play Ball Owners Group, including investors Steve Mack, Bart Wear, and Chris Kaempfer, with intentions of moving it to a proposed stadium in Summerlin near the Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino. Howard Hughes later bought out the Play Ball group in 2017, becoming the sole owner of the team.

The 51s became affiliated with the New York Mets in 2013 when they were the only Triple-A team left without an MLB parent. They won back-to-back division titles in 2013 and 2014 under manager Wally Backman, but were eliminated in the Pacific Conference championship series on both occasions.

In 2017 the 51s became one of the first teams to participate in the Copa de la Diversión initiative and for selected games played as the Reyes de Plata ("Silver Kings"). The name was a nod to Nevada being the "Silver State" and a homage to the contribution migrant workers made to the mining industry of Nevada.

In October 2017, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a 20-year, $80 million naming rights agreement to help pay for the new $150 million 10,000-seat ballpark which opened in 2019. Las Vegas Ballpark, located in Summerlin, includes 22 suites, a center field pool, kids' zone, and several bars. Construction began in 2018 and was completed for the 2019 season.

In late 2017, the Mets announced plans to move its Triple-A affiliation to the Syracuse Mets beginning in 2019, meaning the 51s would be in need of a new major league affiliate.

Las Vegas Aviators (2019–present)

Following the conclusion of the 2018 season, Las Vegas signed a two-year PDC with the then Oakland Athletics that ran through 2020. In addition to having a new major league affiliate in 2019 and playing in a new ballpark, the team also changed its name to the Las Vegas Aviators. The name is in reference to aviation pioneer Howard Hughes. The team's new logo depicts a pilot wearing a flight helmet and utilizes their new color scheme of navy blue, orange, tangerine, gold, yellow, and gray. Their first home game at Las Vegas Ballpark was a 10–2 win against the Sacramento River Cats on April 9 before a sellout crowd of 11,036. Las Vegas secured the win with a five-run second inning in which Skye Bolt scored the winning run when he came home on a fielding error. Aviators pitchers Chris Bassitt and Daniel Mengden combined to strikeout 14 Sacramento batters.

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.

With the 2021 Major League Baseball restructuring of Minor League Baseball, the Aviators were organized into the Triple-A West. Las Vegas ended the season in third place in the Western Division with a 62–58 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.

In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.

In 2024, ownership of the team and stadium transferred to Seaport Entertainment Group, a spin-off from Howard Hughes Holdings.

The Aviators qualified for the 2025 postseason with a first-half title win. They defeated the Tacoma Rainiers, 2–0, to win the PCL championship. In the Triple-A National Championship Game versus the International League champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Las Vegas was defeated, 8–7.

Season-by-season records

**League****Division****GB**§*^
The team's final position in the league standings
The team's final position in the divisional standings
Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
Class champions (1983–present)
League champions (1983–present)
Conference champions (1998–2020)
Division champions (1983–2022)
Postseason berth (1983–present)
SeasonLeagueRegular-seasonPostseasonMLB affiliateRef.RecordWin %LeagueDivisionGBRecordWin %Result1983
^1984
^19851986
^ *1987
^1988
^ *1989199019911992
^1993199419951996
^199719981999200020012002
*20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013
*2014
*20152016201720182019
*202020212022202320242025
^**Totals**—2,959–3,035———27–36———
PCL83–60.5802–3*Won First Half Southern Division title*
Lost Southern Division title vs. Albuquerque Dukes, 3–2San Diego Padres
PCL71–65.5221–3*Won First Half Southern Division title*
Lost Southern Division title vs. Hawaii Islanders, 3–1San Diego Padres
PCL65–79.451San Diego Padres
PCL80–62.5636–4*Won Second Half Southern Division title*
*Won Southern Division title vs. Phoenix Firebirds, 3–2*
*Won PCL championship vs. Vancouver Canadians, 3–2*San Diego Padres
PCL69–73.486*Won Second Half Southern Division title*
Lost Southern Division title vs. Albuquerque Dukes, 3–0San Diego Padres
PCL74–66.5296–1*Won First Half Southern Division title*
*Won Southern Division title vs. Albuquerque Dukes, 3–0*
*Won PCL championship vs. Vancouver Canadians, 3–1*San Diego Padres
PCL74–69.517San Diego Padres
PCL58–86.403San Diego Padres
PCL65–75.464San Diego Padres
PCL74–70.5142–3*Won First Half Southern Division title*
Lost Southern Division title vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 3–2San Diego Padres
PCL58–85.406San Diego Padres
PCL56–87.392San Diego Padres
PCL61–83.424San Diego Padres
PCL73–67.521*Won Second Half Southern Division title*
Lost Southern Division title vs. Phoenix Firebirds, 3–0San Diego Padres
PCL56–85.397San Diego Padres
PCL70–72.493San Diego Padres
PCL67–75.472San Diego Padres
PCL73–70.510San Diego Padres
PCL68–76.472Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL85–59.5901–3*Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title*
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Edmonton Trappers, 3–1Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL76–66.535Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL67–76.469Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL57–86.399Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL67–77.465Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL67–77.465Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL74–69.517Los Angeles Dodgers
PCL71–73.493Toronto Blue Jays
PCL66–78.458Toronto Blue Jays
PCL71–73.493Toronto Blue Jays
PCL79–64.552Toronto Blue Jays
PCL81–63.5631–3*Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title*
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Salt Lake Bees, 3–1New York Mets
PCL81–63.5631–3*Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title*
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Reno Aces, 3–1New York Mets
PCL77–67.535New York Mets
PCL70–74.486New York Mets
PCL56–86.394New York Mets
PCL71–69.507New York Mets
PCL83–57.5932–3*Won Pacific Conference Southern Division title*
Lost Pacific Conference title vs. Sacramento River Cats, 3–2Oakland Athletics
PCL*Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)*Oakland Athletics
AAAW62–58.5173–3Lost series vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers, 3–2
*Won series vs. Reno Aces, 1–0*
Placed 13th (tie) in the Triple-A Final StretchOakland Athletics
PCL71–79.473Oakland Athleticsurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=39e6d58atitle=2022 Pacific Coast Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 29, 2022}}
PCL75–74.503Oakland Athleticsurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4ac4afa3title=2023 Pacific Coast Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 28, 2023archive-date=September 28, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928141512/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4ac4afa3}}
PCL74–75.497Oakland Athleticsurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1522c7d0title=2024 Pacific Coast Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 25, 2024archive-date=September 25, 2024archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925121542/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1522c7d0url-status=live}}
PCL83–67.5532–1*Won first-half title*
*Won PCL championship vs. Tacoma Rainiers, 2–0*
Lost Triple-A championship vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 1–0Oakland Athletics

Media

The Las Vegas Aviators are covered by Las Vegas' two daily newspapers, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun. Every Aviators game is broadcast by KRLV 920-AM, with Russ Langer and Matt Neverett as the broadcast's play-by-play men. Several prominent sports radio and television personalities made their start as broadcaster for the Stars and 51s, most notably Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd.

Broadcasters

  • Bob Blum (1985–2005)
  • Dick Calvert (1983)
  • Colin Cowherd (1987–1988)
  • Joe Hawk (1983)
  • Ken Korach (1989–1995)
  • Russ Langer (2000–present)
  • Matt Neverett (2021-present)
  • Tim Neverett (1996–2003, 2005–2006)
  • Paul Olden (1984–1987)
  • Jerry Reuss (1994–1995,1999, 2005–present)
  • Jon Sandler (1993–1999)
  • Dom Valentino (1983–1985, 1987–1989)
  • Rich Waltz (1990–1992)

Roster

Award winners

PCL MVP

  • 1983 – Kevin McReynolds
  • 1986 – Tim Pyznarski
  • 1988 – Sandy Alomar Jr.
  • 1989 – Sandy Alomar Jr.
  • 2001 – Phil Hiatt
  • 2009 – Randy Ruiz
  • 2010 – J. P. Arencibia

PCL Rookie of the Year

  • 2017 – Amed Rosario

PCL Manager of the Year

  • 2002 – Brad Mills
  • 2014 – Wally Backman
  • 2019 – Fran Riordan
  • 2023 – Fran Riordan
  • 2025 – Fran Riordan

PCL Executive of the Year

  • 1992 – Don Logan
  • 1998 – Don Logan
  • 2018 – Don Logan

Notable alumni

  • Roberto Alomar
  • Sandy Alomar Jr.
  • Pete Alonso
  • Carlos Baerga
  • Adrian Beltre
  • Bruce Bochy
  • Larry Bowa (manager)
  • Jolbert Cabrera
  • Chin-Feng Chen
  • Michael Conforto
  • David Cooper
  • Joey Cora
  • Ike Davis
  • Cody Decker
  • Jacob deGrom
  • Edwin Encarnación
  • Andre Ethier
  • Wilmer Flores
  • Éric Gagné
  • Nomar Garciaparra (rehab)
  • Robert Gsellman
  • Vladimir Guerrero
  • Ozzie Guillén
  • Tony Gwynn
  • D. J. Houlton
  • Edwin Jackson
  • Matt Kemp
  • Ty Kelly
  • John Kruk
  • Seth Lugo
  • Russell Martin
  • Gary Matthews Jr.
  • Steven Matz
  • Kevin McReynolds
  • Brad Mills (Manager)
  • Norihiro Nakamura
  • T. J. Rivera
  • Amed Rosario
  • Cody Ross
  • David Ross
  • Jerry Royster (Manager)
  • Benito Santiago
  • Dominic Smith
  • Noah Syndergaard
  • Joe Thurston
  • Kevin Towers (General Manager)
  • Shane Victorino
  • Jayson Werth
  • Zack Wheeler
  • Steve Yeager (hitting coach)

References

References

  1. Hill, Benjamin. (December 8, 2018). "Cleared for liftoff: Aviators take flight". [[MLB Advanced Media]].
  2. "Las Vegas Aviators Nickname & Logo Information". [[MLB Advanced Media]].
  3. Athletics Communications Department. (December 15, 2020). "Fran Riordan Returns as Aviators Manager in 2021".
  4. Gemma, Jim. [https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-373332 "Stevens Baseball Group – New Owner of Las Vegas 51s."] Las Vegas 51s. March 24, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
  5. Gemma, Jim. [https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-319148 "Mandalay Baseball Transacts More Business – Sells Las Vegas 51s Franchise."] Las Vegas 51s. October 31, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  6. Anderson, Mark. [http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Jul-11-Wed-2001/sports/16512065.html "Logan lobbies for new stadium.] ''Las Vegas Review-Journal''. July 11, 2001. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  7. Iole, Kevin. [http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jul-02-Wed-2003/sports/21647316.html "Dodgers threaten to quit 51s."] ''Las Vegas Review-Journal''. July 2, 2003. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  8. Dewey, Todd. (September 19, 2008). "Bye, bye, Blue". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  9. Dewey, Todd. (September 21, 2008). "Las Vegas, Toronto birds of a feather". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  10. Brewer, Ray. (May 20, 2013). "Some Pacific Coast League stadiums will be tough for proposed Summerlin project to match". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
  11. Betsy Hefland. (May 3, 2017). "Howard Hughes Corp. buys out Play Ball Owners Group's share of 51s". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  12. Harrington, Mike. [http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120916/SPORTS/120919212/1004 Bisons, Blue Jays start talking affiliation deal]. ''The Buffalo News''. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  13. (March 20, 2018). "Las Vegas Reyes de Plata Copa Branding". milbcopa.mlblogs.com.
  14. Kraft, Alex. (October 10, 2017). "Report: 51s to move into new ballpark in 2019".
  15. (April 16, 2018). "Construction 'rolling' on Las Vegas 51s new ballpark in Summerlin".
  16. Dixon, Marvin Clemons and Amber. "Mets to leave Las Vegas 51s after '18 season, but bigger deal is stadium vote Tuesday".
  17. (September 17, 2018). "A's Announce Partnership with Las Vegas 51s". Major League Baseball.
  18. Jesse Granger. (August 2, 2018). "1st Game at New Las Vegas Ballpark Set for April 9/". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
  19. (April 9, 2019). "River Cats vs. Aviators Box Score - 04/09/19".
  20. (March 13, 2020). "A Message From Pat O'Conner".
  21. (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".
  22. Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
  23. "2021 Triple-A West Standings".
  24. (July 14, 2021). "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021".
  25. "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings".
  26. (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
  27. (August 1, 2024). "Seaport Entertainment Group completes separation from Howard Hughes Holdings". Seaport Entertainment Group.
  28. "2025 Second Half Standings".
  29. Borek, Jesse. (September 25, 2025). "Viva Las Vegas: A's Triple-A Affiliate Soars to First Title Since 1988".
  30. (September 27, 2025). "Gameday: Aviators 7, Jumbo Shrimp 8 Final Score (09/27/2025) on Gameday".
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