Best Record: 103-59 (1988)
Worst Record: 58-104 (1971)
Playoff Appearances: 11
Championships: 2 (1985, 1988)
The San Diego Sharks entered the league in 1957 as an expansion team, giving the ABC a presence out west after the Captains and Seals of the NBC had relocated to California. The Sharks struggled early on before finding their footing, and after almost 20 years of mediocrity they emerged as a consistent winner. Their first playoff appearance came in 1977, and they have only missed the playoffs twice since then. They have not finished with a losing record since 1976. They made three World Series in a row from 1979 through 1981 but lost all three of them to the Cleveland Lions. They made it back to the World Series in 1983 but lost again, this time to the Hornets. After missing the playoffs in 1984, they made it back to the World Series in 1985. This time they captured their first championship, defeating the surprising Eagles. They got a rematch with the Hornets in the 1988 World Series and prevailed this time. They missed the playoffs in 1989 but barely. Finishing two games behind the Panthers in the ABC West, the lack of a wild card kept them out of the postseason despite the Blackbirds and Gators both wining their divisions with 81-81 records. Not long after the season ended, manager Sean Kendall was arrested for numerous off-the-field crimes which shall not be discussed here. Kendall vehemently denied any wrongdoing, but owner Adam Harman fired him anyway.
Outlook for 1990:
They barely missed out on the playoffs in 1989 and have been a consistent winner for over a decade now. They are going to be in the race in 1990, and have to be considered as a legitimate World Series contender, as long as their managerial change does not drag the team down.
Current Manager:
The Sharks just hired Kerry Lackey as their manager, after previous manager Sean Kendall, despite his on-field success, was fired for some very questionable off-the-field behavior. Lackey was the Sea Monsters' manager in 1986 before somehow being fired after only 24 games. Lackey was a pitcher from 1969 to 1979 for the Tigers, Silverbacks, Seals, Hornets and Lakers.
Hall of Famers:
Jeremy Leonhardt, P, 1964-1977:Jeremy Leonhardt was originally drafted in 1960 by the Chicago Cardinals, but they released him less than a year later. Over the next three years, he was traded once and released by many clubs. He kept trying to get a decent chance with someone, but each and every time he kept getting released. Finally, he pitched well enough to earn a call-up to the Sharks in 1964, and he pitched well enough to stick with the team, finally. He made 34 starts that year and won the Rookie of the Year award. He pitched for the Sharks through the 1970 season and continued to excel. Then after the 1970 season, he was traded to the San Francisco Seals for five players. Only one of the five players, pitcher Jason Hillyer, ever made it to the Majors. Leonhardt went 20-5 with a 1.90 ERA in 1971 and helped the Seals win the World Series. He pitched for five more years in San Francisco and became a free agent after the 1976 season. He signed a 5-year deal with the Cincinnati Silverbacks, but after helping them win the 1977 World Series he decided to call it a career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983, his first year on the ballot. Leonhardt is currently the bench coach for the Charlotte Roadrunners.