The Sacramento River Cats had an exciting 2022 season. Highlighted by infielder David Villar winning Pacific Coast League MVP and a franchise record of 97 players, the River Cats took home four mid-season and four post-season awards.
Villar is the fifth player in franchise history to win league MVP, the first since the River Cats became an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Past winners are infielders Jose Ortiz (2000), Graham Koonce (2003), Dan Johnson (2004), and Scott McClain (2006).
One year after the pandemic canceled the 2020 season, History was made at Sutter Health Park. Four pitchers (righty Norwith Gudino, lefty Conner Menez, righty Tyler Cyr, and righty Trevor Gott) combined to no-hit the Salt Lake Bees on Sept. 3, 2021.
In 2019, the River Cats celebrated their 20th season in Sacramento in championship fashion, capturing their 12th division title, fifth Pacific Coast League title, and third Triple-A Championship in a historic postseason run.
The River Cats have had unparalleled success on the baseball field -- winning three Triple-A Championships (2007, 2008, 2019) and five Pacific Coast League Championships (including back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004 and again in 2007 and 2008). The team has also won 12 PCL North Division titles (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019).
The 2022 season was the eighth in a new era for the Sacramento River Cats. After 15 seasons as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, the River Cats are now the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Since 1904, the Giants have appeared in the postseason 26 times and won 21 National League pennants. After winning their eighth World Championship in 2014, the Giants became just the fifth franchise in Major League Baseball history to win three championships in the span of five seasons ('10, '12, '14).
Since the 2015 season, Sutter Health Park has been home to a number of notable Giants prospects, including Heliot Ramos, Chris Stratton, Austin Slater, Mike Yastrzemski, Mauricio Dubón, Tyler Rogers, 2016 National League All-Star and 2021 World Series Champion Adam Duvall (Braves), and more.
As an affiliate of the Athletics, the River Cats graduated a number of players to the Major Leagues, including 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito (A's), 2002 American League Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske (Blue Jays), 2004 American League Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby (A's), Eric Byrnes, Nick Swisher, and many more.
Off the field, the River Cats have consistently been the talk of Minor League Baseball. Winners of numerous awards for its business practices, sustainability efforts, and outstanding community presence, Sacramento's franchise has led all of the Pacific Coast League in attendance over the past 20 seasons, including the sixth-highest figure in 2018.
The River Cats franchise was purchased by majority owner Art Savage in Oct. 1998 and was relocated to Sacramento prior to the 2000 season from Vancouver, British Columbia. Formerly the Vancouver Canadians (1999 Triple-A World Series Champions), the River Cats call Sutter Health Park home. Nestled along the Sacramento River in West Sacramento, the privately-financed ballpark is the crown jewel of Minor League Baseball.
Affiliate of Oakland A’s 2000-2014
Affiliate of San Francisco Giants 2015- Present
Division Champions – 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019
League Champions – 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2019
Triple-A Champions – 2007, 2008, 2019
Here are just a few features at Sutter Health Park:
- Overall capacity: 14,014 (10,632 bowl seats and space for 2,566 on the Toyota Home Run Hill).
- 36 Luxury/Business Entertainment Suites.
- Only 30 rows in the main seating bowl, including 21 4Topp seating areas behind home plate.
- The exclusive Legacy Club.
- Solon Club.
- On Deck Shop team store.
- Down on the Farm Kid's Corner - wiffleball field, jungle gym, splash pad, and Dingerville.
- Pacifico Porch, Home Run Terrace, and SacTown Smokehouse hospitality areas.
The closest seat in Sutter Health Park is just 58 feet from home plate - 2 1/2 feet closer than where the pitching rubber is. Unique designs to the stadium, such as clubhouses beyond the left-field wall, give fans an opportunity to meet and get autographs from players on their way to and from the field.
Designed by the architectural firm HNTB (Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff) and located in The Bridge District of West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park is just 500 yards from historic Old Sacramento, and just a short walk, bike, or scoot from downtown and the State Capitol. This multi-purpose stadium is primarily home to the Sacramento River Cats but also hosts other sporting events (high school baseball, softball, soccer, etc.), outdoor concerts, festivals, and private functions.