The History of the Salt Lake Bees

Believe it or not, Salt Lake City has a rich history in minor league baseball. In fact, Salt Lake City has been home to a minor league baseball team for most the 20th century, although there were baseball-barren times in the city at certain periods.

Here at Cyprus Family Dental, we are proud of Salt Lake City and all that it has to offer. While we specialize in a variety of dental services, we still like to share our pride with our loyal patients. One of the great aspects of the area we are most proud of is the Salt Lake Bees and their rich history in minor league baseball. Before you come in for your next dental check up, let us share the history of the Salt lake Bees with you.

Humble Beginnings

The original Bees were formed in 1915 out of the ashes of the Salt Lake Skyscrapers who had called the city home since 1911. This original incarnation of the Salt Lake Bees lasted until the mid-1920’s before they were moved to Los Angeles.

The Bees weren’t gone for long, however. A year after they departed, a new franchise under the same name was formed in 1926. Like their predecessor, this version of the Bees was short lived as they left in 1928, after winning their first Utah-Idaho League championship.

It would be more than a decade before the Salt Lake Bees would return to the city.

The Middle of the Century

The Bees returned in 1939, but struggled right out of the gate and were once again out of town by 1942. They returned, however, in 1946 to win their first Pioneer League championship. After a second Pioneer League championship in 1953, they switched over to the Pacific Coast League and soon won a championship there.

They left once again in 1965 and, while the Bees name returned for a brief period from 1969-1970, other franchises became more dominant. From 1967 to 1984, Salt Lake City’s minor league baseball team went through four name changes: the Giants to the Bees to the Angels and finally to the Gulls, the latter of which lasted until 1984 when the team relocated.  

Modern History

From the mid-1980’s until 1994, Salt lake City was starving for some baseball. When the Portland Beavers moved into town, the franchise was renamed the Buzz, which would last until 2001 when the team was rebranded as the Stingers.

The Stingers name only lasted five years before the Bees name was brought back to life in 2006. As an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Salt Lake Bees have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, especially when American league MVP Mike Trout was a member of the team.

Cyprus Family Dental

Since we take pride in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, we here at Cyprus family Dental want to help residents of Magna, West Valley, and the greater Salt Lake City area achieve the perfect smile they deserve.

From routine dental checkups to dental implant placement and everything in between, we can help you regardless of the issue. You can contact us here or call us at 801.250.0203 to schedule an appointment with us today.