River Cats Recognized as Top Triple-A Organization
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. This is the second time that the River Cats have
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. This is the second time that the River Cats have earned the accolade, first receiving the distinction following the 2004 season.
Named after longtime MiLB ambassador Bob Freitas, the annual award is given to one team from each of the MiLB’s three classification levels (Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A), recognizing the franchise’s overall excellence, community engagement, and long-term success as a business operation through marketing, on-field operation, and fan service.
“This award is a testament to the passion, dedication, and hard work of our entire team,” said Sacramento River Cats President and COO Chip Maxson. “Every member of our staff plays a vital role in creating unforgettable experiences for our fans and we are proud to share this honor with our community.”
Ahead of celebrating their 25th season, the team sold out the third exhibition game in the shared history between the River Cats and their parent affiliate, the San Francisco Giants. In addition, Sacramento sold their most new season tickets in a single year since their inaugural season in 2000. The team also sold out its newly renovated Diamond View Dugout and all remaining premium memberships reaching capacity for access to the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Legacy Club.
Including Sacramento’s best single-game turnstile since the 2019 season on Sept. 21, Sutter Health Park and the River Cats saw an 8.8 percent total increase in per-game turnstile. This feat was buoyed by a continued growth of new fans with over 40,000 “first known attendees” visiting this season, 4 percent more than in 2023, in addition to a 16 percent increase in group tickets sold.
Significant to those successes was the introduction of the Sutter Health Park Summer Pass, a ticket pack that included a lawn ticket to more than 40 home games from the end of May to early September. The Summer Pass sold over 500 packs in a three-week timeframe, outperforming the sales of all other MiLB products of its kind during the year. The Pass is slated for a return in 2025.
Also aiding in fan growth this season was an enhanced focus on producing special game takeovers, drawing audiences to honor their diverse communities including Hispanic Heritage Night, Pride Night, and a Juneteenth celebration. As a result of the DEI efforts, the Consulate General of Mexico recognized the organization for their outstanding work in enhancing visibility and representation.
Giveaways and fan engagement have also played a role for Sacramento, as the River Cats’ lead generation database, Fan Compass, grew by 36 percent to become the largest of its kind in MiLB.
The River Cats continued to establish their brand as a trusted marketing platform for regional companies looking to connect with fans, growing their portfolio of corporate partners by 24 percent, including new additions Poppy Bank and Jamba, among others.
Among numerous volunteer and community efforts were a pair of baseball clinics hosted by the River Cats including Baseball for All at Independence Field, an opportunity for River Cats players and coaches to come together with children of all ages and abilities to play ball. The River Cats generated nearly $20,000 in donations in partnership with River Cats sponsors to charitable organizations including Sacramento Food Bank, Sutter Gould Medical, Courage House, and Foundation Diabetes Program.
The 2024 season is the second time that the River Cats have been Bob Freitas Award recipients, first achieving the honor during their fifth season in Sacramento exactly 20 years ago following the 2004 campaign, making the organization one of only eight multi-time winners. Sacramento is the second consecutive Pacific Coast League team and seventh in the past eight seasons (excluding 2020) to earn the award, following in the footsteps of the Albuquerque Isotopes who captured the honor for a Triple-A leading third time in 2023.
To celebrate the award, the River Cats have partnered with Drake’s Brewing Co, to produce a River Cats Celebration Ale. The limited-edition beer will be available exclusively at Drake’s: The Barn located across from Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
Sacramento kicks off its season at home with Opening Night on Friday, March 28 against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 6:45 p.m. (PT). Tickets to the home opener and the entire first half of the season through July 3 are now available. Individual tickets and the full schedule are available online at rivercats.com, while memberships, select ticket packs, and hospitality rentals are available by calling the River Cats ticket hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487).
Cats Claw Back, Bite Giants 4-3 In Exhibition
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While big brother took the lead early, little brother got the last laugh with four unanswered runs as the Sacramento River Cats took down the San Francisco Giants by a final of 4-3 on Sunday night. The Giants (0-1), serving as the home team while visiting
River Cats Announce Partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park have announced a new multi-year partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance to lead engineering and janitorial services for the team and Sutter Health Park. “We are pleased to be partnering with Advanced Building Maintenance as we embark on a
The Nine — Reggie Crawford: Fluid as Water
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
Kimberly-Clark Professional Becomes Proud Partner of Golden 1 Center and Sutter Health Park
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, the Golden 1 Center and Sutter Health Park announced a new multi-year, sustainability-focused partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional™. Fans attending Kings and River Cats home games will benefit from Kimberly-Clark Professional’s high-quality paper towels, soap, and toilet paper, reinforcing both venues’ commitment to cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
The Nine — Spencer Bivens: Through the Valleys
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
Sacramento River Cats Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have announced their full coaching staff for the 2025 campaign. Returning in 2025 are four of Sacramento’s five on-field coaches from last season — Manager Dave Brundage, Pitching Coach Alain Quijano, Fundamentals Coach Jolbert
The Nine – Dusty Baker: A Baseball Life
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
National Anthem Auditions Open for River Cats’ 2025 Season
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The opening of every ballgame starts with the National Anthem, and the Sacramento River Cats want to give you the chance to perform. The River Cats have announced their National Anthem auditions for the 2025 baseball season will take place at Sutter Health Park on Sunday,
First Half Single-Game Tickets on Sale, Promotions Revealed
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fans will be sure to find plenty of fun and new surprises at Sutter Health Park next season as the Sacramento River Cats, proud affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are excited to share the first half of their 2025 promotions schedule while also announcing single
River Cats 24-25 Offseason Update No. 1
With Thanksgiving (and all its leftovers) come and gone and all the kitchen stoves cooling off, the baseball hot stove is heating up as both MLB and MiLB teams start experimenting with their recipes for the 2025 campaign. Each team is building their holiday wish list, so let's dive in
River Cats Earn Gold, Three Bronze Medals from GOAL
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Thanks to the continued implementation of sustainability practices, the Sacramento River Cats have been awarded four medals from Green Operations & Advanced Leadership (GOAL) for their work on Waste Reduction, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainable Partnerships. For efforts throughout the 2024 season, the River Cats were
River Cats, Giants Set to Face Off at Sutter Health Park in 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the second straight year and the fourth time in their shared history, the Sacramento River Cats will see the San Francisco Giants come to town for an exhibition contest to begin the season. Sutter Health Park will once more play host to the Giants, as
Close Contest Completed in Favor of Cats, 3-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A single run in the first, third and seventh innings were all that were needed for the Sacramento River Cats on Saturday, as Sacramento snatched a win in the penultimate game of the season thanks to a 3-1 decision over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. During
Eldridge, Matos Knocks Lift Cats to Victory Over Space Cowboys
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Trailing by one through most of the game, the Sacramento River Cats unleashed a pair of runs thanks to consecutive singles from Bryce Eldridge and Luis Matos to secure a 2-1 victory over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in game four of the series on Friday.
River Cats Rally, but Still Fall Shy Against Space Cowboys
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 entering the eighth, leaving the game to be decided by a four-run top of the eighth despite a late rally from the Sacramento River Cats, ultimately ending in favor of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys by a 5-4 final on
Sacramento Scores 11 to Split Series with Round Rock
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – Needing a win to split their six-game set, the Sacramento River Cats did just that as they scored all 11 of their runs in just three innings leading to a 11-6 win over the Round Rock Express on Sunday. Starting things off hot, the River Cats
Eldridge Makes Triple-A Debut but Cats Slowed by Express
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – The first Triple-A hit in the debut game for Bryce Eldridge was the highlight of the night for the Sacramento River Cats, as offense was otherwise slow in a 7-2 loss to the Round Rock Express in game five of their series on Saturday. After the
Two Big Innings Undoing for Cats, Series Tied at 2-2
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – Two large innings were all that were needed to take down the Sacramento River Cats on Friday, as the Round Rock Express scored seven runs in two innings leading to a 7-5 win in game four of their series. It was the River Cats (32-35/76-66) that
Quick Pitcher’s Duel Ends in Favor of River Cats
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – One run in three of the first four innings was enough to last for the Sacramento River Cats on Thursday, as the pitching was sharp enough to limit the Round Rock Express to a pair of second-inning tallies during Sacramento’s 3-2 victory. Thairo Estrada put the
Four-Run Frame Levels Game but Cats Still Fall to Express
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – Four runs in the top of the sixth helped the Sacramento River Cats draw level in game two of their series with the Round Rock Express, but lone Round Rock run in the bottom of the seventh was the deciding factor in Sacramento’s 6-5 loss on
Three-Run Blasts in Extras Help Cats Outlast Express
ROUND ROCK, Tex. – After scoring once in the top of the eighth to get the game to extra frames, the Sacramento River Cats did what was needed to walk away victorious by blasting a pair of three-run homers, one from each David Villar and Trenton Brooks, to steal an
Pair of Ninth Inning Runs Clinch Sacramento Win and Series Split
SALT LAKE CITY – An early lead disappeared but the Sacramento River Cats responded with a pair of runs in their final chance at the dish, scoring twice in the top of the ninth to snatch a 7-5 win over the Salt Lake Bees on Sunday. Three of the four
Cats Pound Out 15 Hits, Coast to 8-2 Win Over Bees
SALT LAKE CITY – Six runs from the third through the fifth more than sent the Sacramento River Cats on their way to a victory, as they found a way to snap their three-game losing streak with a 8-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees on Saturday. After the two
Kitties Stymied by Bees on Friday
SALT LAKE CITY – The Sacramento River Cats could not find much room to operate on Friday, as both the offense and pitching struggled leading to an 8-1 loss at the hands of the Salt Lake Bees in game four of their series. Thairo Estrada provided most of the offense