Ryan Ward made sweeping impacts in Oklahoma City during his time with the Oklahoma City Comets.

From rewriting the team’s record books, to being named Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player, to volunteering his time throughout the metro area, Ward impressed both on the field and off during his four years in Bricktown.

He became a fan favorite while wearing an Oklahoma City uniform, leading the charge during one of the Triple-A franchise’s most successful periods of the Bricktown era from 2023–26.

After playing more games than any other OKC player during the team’s Bricktown era, Ward’s time with the Comets came to an end in late September when he was designated for assignment and released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in order to sign with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. As he begins a new chapter in his storied career, the Comets are looking back on the contributions of one of Oklahoma City’s all-time greats.

“If you played in Triple-A in the last three or four years, you hear the name Ryan Ward and you know the type of player he is,” Comets pitcher Cole Irvin said. “But then you get to play with him and you just realize the person he is. Man, it’s fun. It’s fun to be around.”

Ward, 28, exited Oklahoma City as one of the franchise’s most successful, popular and longest-tenured players.

During the 2026 season, his fourth in an Oklahoma City uniform, Ward established Bricktown era career records for games (508), hits (513), home runs (108), RBI (400), doubles (95) and runs (349). He finished second in career walks (254) for the franchise.

In 2025, Ward led Minor League Baseball with 36 home runs, 122 RBI, 73 extra-base hits and 315 total bases in 143 games. He collected the most RBI for any PCL hitter since 2010 and set Bricktown era records with 164 hits, 122 RBI and 113 runs scored. Ward’s 36 homers were the second-most by an OKC player since 1998 — one shy of Nelson Cruz’s 2008 Bricktown record.

Ward leads all players in the Minors this decade with 565 RBI and 164 home runs.

“I heard stories about him before I even got here,” Comets infielder Ryan Fitzgerald said. “He’s kind of a walking legend, obviously in Oklahoma, but just in baseball in general. He’s too nice to say it, but he deserves a lot of credit (for OKC’s recent success).”

Minor League Baseball named Ward PCL MVP following the 2025 season. The outfielder/infielder became the third Oklahoma City player to win league MVP since 1998, joining Michael Busch (2023) and Cruz (2008).

The Dodgers added him to their 40-man roster in November 2025 and he made his MLB debut in April 2026. He collected his first Major League hits and RBI with the Dodgers April 19 at Colorado and went on to play 20 MLB games over two stints with the Dodgers.

“He’s the clubhouse leader,” Comets manager Scott Hennessey said. “He’s the same guy every day. If he hits a walk-off home run or if he strikes out four times, you can never tell. He’s always the same guy, positive, upbeat. He has a great perspective on life.”

Away from the field, the native of Millbury, Mass., often made time to sign autographs for fans at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and be active in the Oklahoma City community.

He was often the first to volunteer his time outside of baseball to visit a local hospital, meet with active military personnel at Tinker Air Force Base or read to elementary students.

“I just like giving back,” Ward said. “They all come support us all year. So, being able to give back and show that we care and appreciate all the support that they give us is a cool thing to do.”

After games, Ward could frequently be spotted signing autographs for dozens of young fans.

“I kind of go with the thing my dad always says to me is ‘remember you were that kid one day,’” Ward said. “I know when I was a kid, guys would stop and sign. So, it’s like I’m trying to do the same thing.

“I mean, there’s times where I’m a little angry after a game or something, but you start doing it and then halfway through it changes your mood…I just try to look at myself as that kid and I say, ‘what would I want?’”

Ward won the PCL Championship with OKC in 2023 and 10 days after he played in his final game in a Comets uniform, Oklahoma City had won both the 2026 PCL Championship and Triple-A National Championship titles.

OKC recorded at least 79 wins in each of Ward’s four seasons and won 84 or more games in three of those four seasons. OKC’s 89 wins in 2026 finished as the second-most by the team during the Bricktown era, trailing only the 2023 team’s 90 victories.

The team won the PCL first half title in 2023 and then the PCL second half title in 2026 to advance to the postseason. The Comets’ second half title-clinching game and celebration in El Paso Sept. 16 came on Ward’s last official day with the team.

During his more than 500 Triple-A games with Oklahoma City, Ward has played with the Dodgers, Baseball Club and Comets names across his chest as the organization underwent rebranding. The team’s winning ways and Ward’s success on the field remained the constant.

“It’s usually the same staff here that we’ve had over the years and the teams are always great,” Ward said. “Whoever’s here, we always have a blast. And it’s the same ballpark, so you come in the same city knowing what you’re going to get into and what’s expected of you here. So it’s cool.”

As he embarks on the next chapter in his career, new fans will be introduced to his impressive performances on the baseball field, his willingness to make a young fan’s day with an autograph and give back to the community he now calls home.

“He’s a wonderful human and a great teammate,” Hennessey said.

Ward Left Lasting Impressions During Record-Setting Oklahoma City Career was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The 28th season of Triple-A baseball during the Bricktown era in Oklahoma City proved to be one of the most memorable in franchise history.

The Oklahoma City Comets finished the campaign with an 89–60 regular season, claiming the Pacific Coast League second half title before going on to win both the PCL crown and Triple-A National Championship.

Seven Comets players and manager Scott Hennessey provided their thoughts on the 2026 campaign.

Irvin Becomes an Ace

Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending the 2025 season in the KBO, Cole Irvin became the Comets’ Opening Day starter March 27 vs. Albuquerque.

Irvin remained in the Comets rotation through most of the season, finishing 12–7 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and .271 BAA in 28 starts. He also fired 10 quality starts during the year.

The lefty led the PCL in wins, ERA and starts while ranking second in innings (137.2) and third in BAA. Irvin set a new Bricktown-era starts record in the process.

“We’re still improving, there are a lot of things in my game right now that continue to trend up,” Irvin said. “I’m just gonna take it one start at a time, try and focus and continue to get better.”

Tibbs Makes Strong First Impression

During the Comets’ first road trip of the season March 31-April 5 at Las Vegas, James Tibbs III belted five longballs. That stretch included a three-homer game April 4 as Tibbs earned PCL Player of the Week honors.

That series proved to be a sign of things to come as Tibbs finished 2026 hitting .287 with 32 doubles, 30 homers, 107 RBI and 10 steals in his Triple-A debut season.

Tibbs led the PCL in walks (108), total bases (278) and extra-base hits (tied, 65). His walks total set a new Bricktown-era record as he became the first Oklahoma City hitter to reach triple-digits.

He became one of two Minor League players since 2000 to record at least 100 RBI, 100 runs (109) and 100 walks in one season.

“There were a lot of learning curves for me on and off the field that I had to go through and I was able to come out unscathed,” Tibbs said. “Every chance I get through Minor League Baseball is a chance to learn. I’m just proud of how all of it transpired.”

Ehrhard Goes Inside the Park (twice!)

Tibbs wasn’t the only outfielder making headlines during his Triple-A debut season with Oklahoma City.

On April 15 at Albuquerque, Zach Ehrhard became the first Oklahoma City hitter to collect an inside-the-park grand slam.

“That was pretty wild, I’m not gonna lie. I really wasn’t expecting it,” Ehrhard said. “I was rounding second base headed to third and I was expecting to get a stop sign from Henny [manager Scott Hennessey] soon and then it never came. He just kept waving. I was like, all right, I guess we’re going and I just kind of booked it and we made it.”

He later followed that up with another inside-the-park homer July 8 vs. El Paso, becoming the first Oklahoma City player with at least two in the same season since George Springer in 2013.

Ehrhard ended his season hitting .291 with 30 doubles, 20 homers, 93 RBI and 28 steals. The outfielder became the third Oklahoma City player in the Bricktown era to record at least 20 home runs and 20 steals in a single season.

He also added a Bricktown-era record 120 runs scored to his impressive year.

MLB Debuts

Standing in the on-deck circle prior to his first at-bat April 17 at Albuquerque, Ryan Ward received the life-changing news that he was about to join the Los Angeles Dodgers for his MLB debut.

The 2025 PCL MVP went on to play 20 games across two stints with the Dodgers.

Ward was one of five players on the Oklahoma City roster to make his MLB debut during the season, also joined by Eliezer Alfonzo with the Dodgers and Nick Frasso (COL), Antoine Kelly (CHC) and José Rodríguez (TOR) who got the nod with other organizations.

Rehabbing Stars

On May 8 vs. Salt Lake, the Comets were joined by 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts as he began a Major League Rehab assignment. Going 2-for-5 across his two games played, Betts became the third MVP to play for Oklahoma City after winning the award during the Bricktown era.

Betts was one of 19 rehabbers who joined the Comets roster during the 2026 season.

Other World Series-winning hitters followed as Teoscar Hernández homered in three straight games with Oklahoma City June 23–26 at Reno. Dodgers postseason hero Will Smith went deep in his first game back at Bricktown Aug. 25 vs. El Paso.

Normally in the Dodgers rotation, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow made a combined seven starts with the Comets. Glasnow struck out eight batters across 3.2 innings in Bricktown Aug. 14 vs. Albuquerque.

The Comets also saw the return of a 2026 National League All-Star as Justin Wrobleski tossed 1.1 innings out of the bullpen Aug. 29 vs. El Paso.

Three-time Reliever of the Year Edwin Diaz appeared in eight games across two stints with Oklahoma City.

Bats Shine in Albuquerque

Following two losses to open the series, Oklahoma City put together its best offensive stretch of the season. The Comets collected a combined 59 runs and 69 hits May 14–17 at Albuquerque, winning each game in the process.

Oklahoma City scored double-digit runs in all four games, doing so for the first time since Sept. 16–20, 2022.

In the series finale, the Comets scored a season-high 20 runs. The effort marked the 12th time in the Bricktown era OKC tallied 20 runs in a game, having last reached the total Sept. 18, 2024 at Salt Lake.

Miller Highlights SportsCenter Top 10

Noah Miller’s star-studded glove was on full display June 7 vs. Round Rock.

The infielder produced the №1 play on SportsCenter after catching a fly ball in shallow left field off Jack Suwinski’s glove and throwing out Jose Herrera at first base for the double play. Miller made the play during his first career start at third base.

“The one with Suwinski, that was cool,” Miller said. “Right spot, right time and then just to turn and throw it. I’m always looking to the next thing, and I was looking ahead to try to do something.”

On top of his defensive highlights, Miller put together a career-best offensive season hitting .254 with 21 doubles, nine triples, 12 homers and 70 RBI in a Minor League-leading 142 games.

Miller set career highs in hits (131), doubles, triples, homers and RBI.

Weekly Awards

During Oklahoma City’s June 9–14 series at Charlotte, the Comets swept the PCL weekly awards as Jack Suwinski and Ryder Ryan both earned hardware.

It marked the first of two times the Comets earned two weekly awards in the same week as Alek Thomas and Jackson Ferris matched the effort Sept. 14–20 at El Paso.

Oklahoma City finished with a Triple-A-leading nine weekly awards during the season.

Five of those awards were Player of the Week honors with James Tibbs III being selected twice (March 30-April 5 and May 25–31). The Comets also claimed four Pitcher of the Week awards with three coming in August or later.

Ferris Finds Second Half Groove

Jackson Ferris struggled to find his footing early in his first Triple-A season, finishing June with an 0–4 record and a 7.87 ERA in 12 starts.

After ending the month with 2.2 innings in his prior start, Ferris turned around and fired his first Triple-A quality start with 6.0 innings, one run, two hits, two walks and eight strikeouts July 3 vs. Sugar Land.

During his final six starts of the regular season, Ferris allowed four runs in 36.0 innings, with 22 hits, 11 walks and 48 strikeouts. He led all of Minor League Baseball in ERA (1.00) and strikeouts.

Ferris closed the season by striking out a career-high 13 batters across 7.2 scoreless innings with one hit and one walk while taking a perfect game bid into the seventh. He recorded Oklahoma City’s sixth 13-plus strikeout game in the Bricktown era.

“His stuff’s always been there, just tightened up the command,” Comets Manager Scott Hennessey said. “He’s trusting his stuff and getting swing-and-miss with everything. It’s been fun to watch.”

Rosario Leads Bullpen

From July 7 through Aug. 25, Jerming Rosario put together the longest stretch of scoreless appearances in the Pacific Coast League.

Rosario didn’t allow a run across 14 outings while striking out 17 batters across 17.1 innings.

The right-hander spent the entire season with Oklahoma City, finishing 5–1 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .229 BAA and four saves in a team-leading 52 appearances.

Rosario tied for fifth in the PCL in appearances while finishing 11th in Bricktown-era single-season history.

“He’s a guy I trust,” Comets manager Scott Hennessey said. “You can count on him to go multiple ups if needed. He’s not a one-inning guy. He’s gotten big outs for us. His stuff and command have improved and it’s a testament to his character and work ethic.”

Ward Breaks Records

Ryan Ward added to a legendary Oklahoma City career July 8 vs. El Paso, setting a new Bricktown-era record with hit №463.

He would later set new Bricktown era records for games played (507), doubles (95) and runs (349) adding to his already existing records in homers (108) and RBI (400).

Ward became the first player in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era with 100 career homers July 18 at Tacoma.

“Just a true professional on the field and in that clubhouse,” manager Scott Hennessey said. “He’s a wonderful human being, a good player and I hope good things happen for Wardo.”

Sheehan’s Stellar August

After spending most of his season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Oklahoma City Aug. 3.

During his four starts with the Comets, Sheehan went 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA (3 ER in 18.0 IP), 0.94 WHIP and .161 BAA. He led the PCL in WHIP, BAA, strikeouts per nine innings (12.00) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.00) in August.

Sheehan struck out at least seven batters in each of his final three starts, including a nine-strikeout performance across 6.0 one-hit innings Aug. 23 at Sugar Land. That performance netted Sheehan PCL Pitcher of the Week honors.

He was named August PCL Pitcher of the Month for his efforts, becoming Oklahoma City’s first monthly award winner since 2023.

“True professional; didn’t pout when he got sent back,” manager Scott Hennessey said. “We worked on the delivery and a few pitches, just tightening that up. He’s a winner and he’s going to be a good one for a long time.”

Second Half Surge

Oklahoma City began the second half on rocky footing, entering its July 29 contest against Las Vegas with a 12–15 record and in sixth place in the Pacific Coast League.

What followed was a nine-game winning streak July 29-Aug. 6, which saw the Comets score 64 runs during the stretch.

The Comets later topped that effort with a franchise-record 14-game winning streak Aug. 28-Sept. 12. It marked the PCL’s longest winning streak since Round Rock matched the effort in 2023.

Powered by both winning streaks, Oklahoma City finished the second half on a 36–11 run across the teams’ final 47 games.

Romero Reaches Double Digits

Christian Romero earned his 10th win of the season Sept. 12 vs. Sugar Land, joining Cole Irvin as the first Oklahoma City duo to reach double-digit wins since Justin Masterson and Wilmer Font in 2017.

They became first teammates to do so in the Pacific Coast League overall since Salt Lake’s Jake Kalish and César Valdez in 2022.

Across 30 appearances (22 starts) with Oklahoma City, Romero finished 11–5 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .267 BAA and one save. He set new career-highs in wins, appearances, starts, innings (135.1) and strikeouts (115).

Romero finished second in the PCL in ERA, wins, strikeouts and BAA.

“This year I feel more confident with experience,” Romero said. “It’s my third year here. I feel like a better pitcher.”

Fitzgerald Climbs OKC Hit List

After a two-hit game Sept. 13 vs. Sugar Land, Ryan Fitzgerald set a new single-season hits record in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era.

Fitzgerald closed his campaign with a MiLB-leading 172 hits, as he hit .315 with 35 doubles, 16 homers, 102 RBI and 14 steals in 137 games.

The infielder also led the Pacific Coast League in doubles while ranking second in total bases (265) and third in RBI.

He set new career-highs in runs (93), hits, doubles, RBI and steals while matching his season-best in home runs.

“I just try to hit the ball hard and hit it in the air, let the rest take care of itself,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve been playing for a long time now — this is year 10. My brain and my eyes have seen so many different pitches and pitchers that you just can’t replicate the reps that you need to get.”

Dominant Pitching

The Comets tossed their 13th shutout of the season Sept. 16 at El Paso, recording the most shutouts by a Pacific Coast League team since San Antonio collected 14 during the 2019 season.

Oklahoma City notched its most shutouts in a season since finishing with 17 in 1964.

During the season, Oklahoma City led the PCL in ERA (4.30) and strikeouts (1,375).

From Aug. 12 through the end of the season, the Comets recorded a Minor League-leading 2.72 ERA and 368 strikeouts.

Youth Movement

Following the conclusion of the Texas League postseason, Oklahoma City received a boost with the promotion of Los Angeles Dodgers №2 prospect Mike Sirota from Double-A Tulsa.

Sirota played in the final two games of the Comets’ regular season, going 2-for-6 with a double.

The outfielder also played in all four of the Comets’ playoff games, picking up a hit in each of the final three games. That included an RBI single during the eighth inning of the Triple-A National Championship for Oklahoma City’s first run.

Sirota was later joined by Dodgers’ top prospect Josue De Paula who had played 11 games with the big league club, becoming the first Dodgers position player to skip Triple-A since 2014.

De Paula played in each of the Comets’ three postseason wins, collecting his first two Triple-A hits with a double and RBI during Game 3 of the Pacific Coast League Championship series.

Pacific Coast League Championship Series

After clinching the PCL second half title, Oklahoma City traveled to Las Vegas to take on the first-half champion Aviators in the best-of-three championship series.

The series opener saw Oklahoma City on the wrong side of a high-scoring 13–11 loss. Despite a homer off the bat of James Tibbs III and three RBI from Ryan Fitzgerald, the Comets pitching staff couldn’t recover from 12 walks surrendered.

Oklahoma City kept the series alive with a 7–2 win in Game 2 with homers from Tibbs and Fitzgerald as well as an eight-strikeout gem from Landon Knack who allowed one run and five hits across 6.1 innings.

The Comets cruised in the winner-take-all Game 3, scoring five straight runs to open the game in a 5–2 victory to give Oklahoma City its second PCL championship in four years.

“We were all confident. We all felt like we could win,” Tibbs said. “It was something we all wanted. We all wanted to make the most of it and we did.”

Triple-A National Championship

Oklahoma City would play as the road team once again, welcoming the International League champion Rochester Red Wings who finished the regular season with a Triple-A-best 90–58 record.

The Washington Nationals affiliate scored a run in each of the first two innings against Emmet Sheehan, who held strong through 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts.

Oklahoma City wouldn’t rally until the eighth inning with a single from Mike Sirota and game-tying double from Ryan Fitzgerald.

The game went to extra innings after Seth Halvorsen stranded two runners on in the ninth inning.

Alek Thomas, the game’s eventual MVP, delivered a bases-loaded double in the 10th, driving in three runs to help secure a 5–3 victory and the first Triple-A National Championship in franchise history.

“I was just looking for a fastball over heart of the plate. I got one and I’m very thankful for that,” Thomas said in a postgame interview with MLB reporter Sande Charles. “It’s been such a cool year, a lot of things happened to me and I just continued to push through.”

Postseason Awards

Oklahoma City’s strong season was recognized as James Tibbs III, Christian Romero and Seth Halvorsen were all named to the Pacific Coast League Postseason All-Star team.

The trio marked the most players selected to the team in the same season in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era.

Additionally, Scott Hennessey was named PCL Manager of the Year, becoming the third Oklahoma City manager to win the award.

On to 2027

Oklahoma City will begin its Triple-A National Championship defense Friday, March 26 against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Season tickets are available now at okccomets.com/tickets. To view the Comets’ 2027 schedule or for more information, visit okccomets.com.

2026 Oklahoma City Comets Year in Review was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Champagne bottle in hand, Oklahoma City Comets manager Scott Hennessey addressed players and staff who gathered in the visiting clubhouse at Las Vegas Ballpark after completing a comeback win to claim the 2026 Triple-A National Championship.

“We hung in there,” Hennessey said. “It’s a long season. We did it together.

“You guys deserve this…”

His final words quickly dissipated, overpowered by the sounds of spraying champagne bottles, cheers and hollers from surrounding players and staff decked out in Triple-A Championship T-shirts and hats.

Saturday marked the second clubhouse celebration in three days for the Comets, who also won the Pacific Coast League Championship Thursday, Sept. 24 in Las Vegas.

The Comets closed out the postseason winning three consecutive elimination games to claim two titles — Oklahoma City’s first-ever Triple-A National Championship and sixth league title in franchise history.

“Credit to the guys, their work ethic,” Hennessey said. “They stuck with it. Great work group and everyone just perfected their craft. It’s great to see the guys celebrate.”

The Comets’ run to the postseason included a 36–12 stretch from late July through the end of the regular season as Oklahoma City went 18–3 over the final 21 games.

Oklahoma City clinched the PCL second half title and wrapped up the regular season with an 89–60 record, featuring the most wins in the PCL and second-most wins in all of the Minors in 2026.

“It’s been unbelievable. It’s been so much fun,” pitcher Paul Gervase said. “I feel like we win every game. Every time we go out there, we feel like we have a really good chance to win. And just this group of guys, it’s unbelievable. It’s so much fun.”

Oklahoma City won 14 consecutive games from Aug. 28-Sept. 12 and finished with the second-most wins by the team during the Bricktown era.

“It’s been some of the funnest times of my life,” Hennessey said. “We got 14 straight wins and that’s a credit to these guys. They put in the work every day, and we grinded and we got to 14, and then we just kept going.”

The Comets made their first playoff appearance since 2023, advancing to face first half champion and defending PCL champion Las Vegas in a best-of-three League Championship Series at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The home team Aviators seized Game 1 with a 13–11 win Sept. 22 in a messy contest that included a combined 21 walks and six errors. The teams scored 24 runs for the most combined runs in a playoff game for Oklahoma City during the Bricktown era.

Zach Ehrhard and James Tibbs III both homered and Ryan Fitzgerald led OKC with three RBI as the Comets closed out the game scoring six straight runs.

That late momentum carried into Game 2 for the Comets, who secured a 7–2 victory in a must-win situation Sept. 23 to even the best-of-three series.

Tibbs homered in a second straight game and finished with three RBI. Landon Knack recorded season-highs with eight strikeouts and 6.1 innings pitched with one run and five hits allowed as the Comets limited the Aviators to two runs.

“We really kind of had a turning point in that Game 1 to give us some momentum going into Game 2 and Knack threw a great game and our offense held up their end of the bargain,” pitcher Cole Irvin said.

In a decisive Game 3 to determine the league champion, Irvin started on the mound for the Comets who built a 3–0 lead through three innings.

Oklahoma City collected the first run of the game via a RBI double from Fitzgerald in the second inning and put up two more runs in the third inning on a RBI single from Mike Sirota followed by sacrifice fly by Alek Thomas.

Las Vegas loaded the bases in the sixth inning with two outs before Kyle Hurt forced an inning-ending groundout to maintain the Comets’ three-run lead and keep the Aviators scoreless. Oklahoma City then increased its lead in the eighth inning, plating a pair of runs on two-out doubles from Ehrhard and Josue De Paula.

The Aviators ended the shutout bid in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run homer from Brayan Buelvas, but OKC pitchers Seth Halvorsen and Gervase retired the next six Aviators batters to close out the win.

Seven Comets pitchers combined to limit Las Vegas to two runs and four hits.

“I can’t say enough for the pitchers, the pitching staff, to hold them to two runs in this ballpark,” Hennessey said. “Just a great team effort and the guys wanted it. They wanted to be here and they wanted to win a championship and that’s kind of half of it here at this level. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Gervase recorded the final three outs of Game 3, including a game-ending groundout that he completed by stepping on first base to secure a save.

“Ninth inning on Thursday I was like, ‘just let’s throw strikes. Let’s get after these guys,’” Gervase said. “I wanted to make them beat me and thankfully I was able to get three outs to help the team win.

“It was a lot of fun just getting the last out and celebrating with all your teammates, guys you’ve worked with all year. It’s been a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun seeing all that come together, seeing everybody so excited. So that was the best part.”

The PCL Championship is Oklahoma City’s sixth league title franchise history (since 1962), second in four years after the team won the league title in 2023 and second during the Bricktown era (since 1998).

Tibbs finished the three-game series with a team-leading two homers and tied for the team lead with five RBI.

“That was a great game,” Tibbs said after the Game 3 win. “We came out, we lost Game 1, and Game 2 felt like we put together a good performance… We were all confident. We all felt like we could win. It was something that we all wanted and we all were here and we wanted to make the most of it, and we did. I’m proud of these guys. We’re a great team.”

The Comets extended their stay in Las Vegas to Saturday’s Triple-A National Championship Game to take on the International League champion Rochester Red Wings.

The game featured the teams that finished with the best records in Triple-A this season as the Red Wings closed out the regular season with a 90–58 record — the only team in the Minors to finish with more wins than Oklahoma City.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Irvin said pregame. “I’m excited for our ball club. It’s been a good year and the boys have a lot of energy for today. We are ready to take this thing.”

The Red Wings struck first Saturday, building a 2–0 lead through two innings and held onto the two-run advantage until the eighth inning.

Sirota got Oklahoma City on the scoreboard with a RBI single in the eighth inning before Fitzgerald knotted the score at 2–2, lining a RBI double to the wall in left-center field to bring home Sirota.

“It’s a championship game, so it’s just like, get the hits when you need them,” Fitzgerald said. “I kept saying, ‘I’ve got to be right just once’ and I was right just once. So, just enough to do something for the team.”

The game extended into the 10th inning when the visiting Comets grabbed their first lead of the night during the top of the frame.

Oklahoma City loaded the bases with its automatic runner followed by two walks drawn by Tibbs and Sirota with no outs. Thomas came up to bat next and lined the first pitch he saw out to left-center field to clear the bases with a double and put Oklahoma City in front, 5–2.

“We’ve done that a lot this year,” Fitzgerald said about the Comets’ comeback. “I knew we were going to score. It’s just a matter of when. I mean, our pitchers, if they can hold it down for us, which they did, like it’s inevitable that we’re going to score. So, it was cool to see AT do that too. I mean, great guy, great teammate. So it was fun.”

Rochester, who played as the home team, plated its automatic runner via a double play in the bottom of the 10th inning before Comets pitcher Halvorsen struck out Leandro Pineda to secure the victory and the Comets rushed the field to celebrate.

Thomas was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. He went 2-for-3 with a double and game-high three RBI to win the game for the Comets.

“Alek Thomas and the chance with the bases loaded — great at-bat by Mike Sirota — and then Alek Thomas split that gap,” Hennessey said. “Big-time players make big-time plays.”

Oklahoma City won its first Triple-A National Championship in franchise history. The victory came in the team’s second appearance in the single-game format after a previous 7–6 loss to Norfolk in 2023.

The Comets’ win also marked the Pacific Coast League’s first Triple-A National Championship since Sugar Land in 2024 and the league’s second in the last five seasons.

The PCL champion Comets ended the season winning 21 of their final 25 games overall, including the team’s 3–1 record in the postseason.

The Comets exhibited their strong team camaraderie down the stretch.

“There’s no bad vibes around here,” pitcher Bobby Miller said. “This team is just, it’s great. Everybody wants to be here…We’ve got a lot of guys with multiple years of showtime up in the Show, and we have a great time here every day. It’s a great environment here, great coaching staff. I haven’t been a part of a team like this in the minor leagues ever. I’ve had some really good groups of guys — it’s no knock on anybody else — but this is the best group I’ve been a part of by far.”

Team celebrations followed the championship wins on the field and in the clubhouse Thursday and Saturday.

“A lot of great guys, guys that just continue to show up every single day and compete,” Tibbs said. “I feel like we put our best foot forward in the second half and were able to come out pretty strong. So, I was proud of the guys. It was a great, great team; great, great group. Just been a great year.”

One of the most successful teams in Oklahoma City’s Triple-A history played until the last possible day of the 2026 season, closing out the year with three straight victories.

“It’s been a great year,” Irvin said. “I mean just the camaraderie that that I’m taking away, the friendships I’m taking away, the relationships this year I’m taking away from the great city of Oklahoma City.”

Winning Big in Vegas: Comets Capture Two Championship Titles was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Oklahoma City Comets outfielder James Tibbs III and right-handed pitchers Christian Romero and Seth Halvorsen were named Postseason All-Stars by Minor League Baseball Saturday.

Additionally, Scott Hennessey was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year.

This is the first time Oklahoma City has had three players and four overall selections on the Postseason All-Star team during the Bricktown era since 1998.

Romero and Halvorsen become the first Oklahoma City pitchers to be named All-Stars since Gavin Stone in 2023. This is also the first time in the Bricktown era Oklahoma City had two pitchers make the Postseason All-Star team in the same season.

Hennessey is Oklahoma City’s third Manager of the Year during the Bricktown era and first since Damon Berryhill in 2015.

Tibbs finished his first Triple-A season hitting .287 with 32 doubles, 30 homers, 107 RBI and 10 steals in 141 games. He became the first Pacific Coast League hitter since 1982 with at least 100 RBI, 100 runs and 100 walks in a single season.

He led the PCL in walks (108), total bases (278) and extra-base hits (tied, 65) while ranking second in homers, RBI, SLG (.532) and runs (109) and third in hits (150).

Tibbs was named PCL Player of the Week twice on April 5 and May 31.

He was originally selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by San Francisco.

Romero went 11–5 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .267 BAA and one save in 30 appearances (22 starts). The right-hander set career-highs in wins, appearances, starts, innings (135.1) and strikeouts (115).

Among PCL Pitchers, Romero ranked second in ERA, wins, strikeouts and BAA while sitting third in WHIP.

Alongside teammate Cole Irvin, the pair became the first Oklahoma City duo to record double-digit wins in the same season since Justin Masterson and Wilmer Font in 2017 and first teammates to do so in the PCL overall since Salt Lake’s Jake Kalish and César Valdez in 2022.

Romero was originally signed by the Dodgers Jan. 15, 2021 out of Mexico.

Halvorsen joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization July 20 following a trade from Colorado in exchange for RHP Nick Frasso and OF Landyn Vidourek.

Across 26 relief outings with Oklahoma City and Albuquerque, Halvorsen went 1–1 with a 1.32 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .202 BAA and eight saves.

Halvorsen didn’t allow an earned run across 10 outings (9.2 IP) with Oklahoma City while collecting five saves.

The award is Halvorsen’s first in his professional career. He was originally drafted by Colorado in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Tennessee.

Hennessey finished his second season as Oklahoma City’s manager with a PCL-best 89–60 record. The Comets closed the regular season having won 18 of the final 21 games, including a franchise-best 14-game winning streak, to clinch a second half title.

He led the Comets to their second PCL Championship in the Bricktown era after taking two of three games against Las Vegas.

The title is Hennessey’s second as a manager and first since the 2018 Texas League championship with Double-A Tulsa.

Hennessey earns his first career Manager of the Year award during his ninth season between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Four Oklahoma City Comets Receive MiLB Postseason Honors was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Editor’s note: Following publication of this article, the Oklahoma City Comets went on to win the 2026 Pacific Coast League Championship and Triple-A National Championship in Las Vegas.

Baseball wins keep coming in Oklahoma City, treating fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate to unparalleled success.

Since the Oklahoma City Comets became affiliated with the Dodgers starting with the 2015 season, the organization’s winning ways have spread beyond the Major League level.

In fact, Oklahoma City baseball fans have seen their team win more games than any other team in Minor League Baseball since 2022.

The Oklahoma City Comets wrapped up the 2026 regular season Sunday, posting 89 victories — the most in the Pacific Coast League this season and second-most in all of Minor League Baseball in 2026. This is the third time since 2015 that Oklahoma City has finished with the best record in the league. OKC’s 89 wins this season are the second-most by the team during the Bricktown era and trail only the 2023 team’s 90–58 record.

The Comets’ 36–12 run since late July included the most wins in the Minors during the stretch and clinched the Pacific Coast League second half title for Oklahoma City along with a spot in the best-of-three PCL Championship Series starting tonight in Las Vegas.

The winning culture of the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers is thriving in Oklahoma City.

“Being outside the organization and coming in and seeing the success, it’s driven from the top down,” said Comets pitcher Cole Irvin who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in February and has spent time with five MLB teams. “It’s just fun to be a part of an organization that wants to win at every level, but also cares about guys’ development…It’s everybody’s trying to win and get the best version of you and that’s at all levels of this organization. So, it’s pretty impressive.”

Dodgers affiliates at all four levels of the full-season Minors clinched playoff spots this season.

But no other team at any level of any MLB organization has experienced the success of Oklahoma City over the last five seasons.

Since 2022, OKC’s 426 wins are the most by any of the 120 teams in full-season Minor League Baseball.

During that five-year span, Oklahoma City has recorded four seasons with 80 or more wins for the most 80-win seasons in the Pacific Coast League and tied for the most in Triple-A with Nashville (Milwaukee Brewers).

Oklahoma City has recorded at least 79 wins every season since 2022 and is the lone team in the Minors to do so. In fact, Nashville is the only other MiLB team to have accomplished the feat more than three times during the last five years, reaching 79 or more wins four times in the last five years.

Ryan Ward has been part of four of those seasons in Oklahoma City.

“It’s a credit to us and it’s credit to the Dodgers for having the talent to be able to put those teams together to win 80 games a year,” the outfielder said. “It’s a long season. There’s lots of up and downs, but 80 wins, that’s a lot of wins in Triple-A. So I’d say it’s credit to the players for working on it and winning, but also credit to the Dodgers for getting the right guys and right cultures to be able to have fun and win…We’ve always had good locker room vibes and close-knit groups.”

The Comets’ winning ways go all the way back to the start of the franchise’s affiliation with the Dodgers in 2015.

Oklahoma City has compiled 80 or more wins in six of the last 11 seasons, tied for the most in Triple-A with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (New York Yankees). Prior to the Dodgers affiliation, Oklahoma City teams posted 80 or more wins just four times over a span of 17 seasons from 1998–2014.

Only seven Triple-A teams have recorded 90 wins or more in a season since 2015 and Oklahoma City was one of them in 2023 when they went a franchise best 90–58 during the Bricktown era.

Oklahoma City’s 869 wins since 2015 are the most in the Pacific Coast League and second-most in all of the Minors behind Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 892 wins.

Oklahoma City has posted just one season with a record below .500 since 2015 and has had winning records in six straight seasons.

“We’re the Dodgers,” Comets manager Scott Hennessey said. “I wouldn’t say we have to win, but they expect us to win. They expect our players to get better and when needed, when they get called up, they better be ready and we think we’ve done that.

“It’s just a unique organization where family’s first, but we’ve got to win and it’s championship or bust every year. We know that. The players know that. We know what we sign up for, and it’s just a wonderful organization to work for.”

The Dodgers are the fourth organization Ryan Fitzgerald has been a part of during his professional career. He was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins in January.

“Guys that are in Double-A expect to go straight to the big leagues in other orgs that don’t really have the winning culture,” Fitzgerald said. “Versus here it’s like, man, I’m just hoping to get Triple-A and then play my best in Double-A and then I might get a shot at playing. So, it’s very different that way.”

Hennessey emphasized the same. From amateur scouting, to drafting, to player development and pro scouting, the Dodgers excel in all facets to find and develop players to contribute to the big league club.

“When they get here, they’re really good players,” Hennessey said of Oklahoma City. “It’s really hard to get to Triple-A with us.”

From Oklahoma City’s franchise inception in 1962 through 2016, the parent club made it to the World Series only twice, with one World Series winner (Philadelphia Phillies in 1980).

Starting with 2017, the Dodgers have been in the World Series five of nine years, winning three times in the last six years, including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.

At least 13 former Oklahoma City players have been part of each of the Dodgers World Series-winning rosters in 2020, 2024 and 2025.

The Dodgers secured their fifth consecutive National League West title last week as well as their 13th division title in the last 14 seasons. The Dodgers have 14 straight postseason berths.

“Low-A, High-A, Double-A it’s kind of just drilled into you from the beginning…no one’s going to force you to do anything, but you’re expected to show up and get your stuff done,” Ward said. “It’s expected of you and I think that kind of just carries out from level to level where you have your own freedom, but you know you’ve got to get your stuff done and the staff of the Dodgers the whole way up is incredible. They care about you. They care about how you’re doing and want to work with you. So I think from bottom up, I think it’s culture, staff, and it’s just a winning culture. You look at the big leagues and it’s like, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, it’s just Hall of Famers left and right, so to even want to get up there, you have to be your best to even have a shot. So I think kind of just drives everyone below to keep working and getting better.”

Oklahoma City has had two league MVPs in the last four years — Michael Busch in 2023 and Ward in 2025 — after having one over the previous 24 seasons. Additionally, Oklahoma City has been home to the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Gavin Lux in 2019 and Baseball America Triple-A Player of the Year in 2022 Miguel Vargas.

This season, Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 172 hits — the most among all players in the Minors and the most in a single season for an OKC player during the Bricktown era. He also led the league with 35 doubles, finished second with 265 total bases and third with 102 RBI. He is one of seven players during the Bricktown era to surpass 100 RBI in a season.

Irvin finished the regular season with the lowest ERA (3.33) among all PCL pitchers and tied for the most wins (12) among all Triple-A pitchers. His 28 starts set a new Bricktown era single-season record and he finished the season as one of four OKC pitchers during the Bricktown era with 12 or more wins in a season. His season ERA is the lowest qualified mark in the PCL since 2016.

Ward continued to rewrite Oklahoma City’s record books this season following his PCL MVP season in 2025. Ward set OKC Bricktown era career records for games (508), hits (513), home runs (108), RBI (400), doubles (95), runs (349) and finished second in walks (254) this season before being designated for assignment Sept. 16.

In 2025, Ward led the Minors with 36 home runs, 122 RBI, 73 extra-base hits and 315 total bases in 143 games. He collected the most RBI for any PCL hitter since 2010 and set Bricktown era records with 164 hits, 122 RBI and 113 runs scored.

Fitzgerald emphasized how integral Ward has been to OKC’s success in recent years.

“Wardo doesn’t give himself enough credit either,” Fitzgerald said. “He carried the torch for how long? I heard stories about him before I even got here. He’s kind of a walking legend, obviously in Oklahoma, but just in baseball in general. He’s too nice to say it, but he deserves a lot of credit.”

The records kept falling in Oklahoma City this season. In addition to Irvin’s success on the mound and Fitzgerald surpassing Ward’s team single-season hit record this season, outfielder Zach Ehrhard finished the regular season with the third 20/20 season in the Bricktown era and set a new record for runs scored in OKC with 120. Outfielder James Tibbs III became the first PCL player to cross the 100 RBI/100 R/100 BB barrier since Greg Brock of Albuquerque in 1982. His league-leading 108 walks set an OKC Bricktown-era record and he also led the PCL in total bases (278).

That individual success has translated into wins for Oklahoma City.

“I think once you get to Triple-A, it becomes about how did you develop to start producing wins for the club,” Irvin said.

Oklahoma City has advanced to the postseason five times during the Dodgers affiliation.

This is the third time Oklahoma City advanced to the PCL Championship Series and first time since Oklahoma City won the PCL title in 2023 for the franchise’s first league title during the Bricktown era and first league title since 1996.

The 2026 Comets are looking to continue Oklahoma City’s success during the Dodgers affiliation.

“The developmental system is fabulous, so that’s why we are who we are,” Hennessey said. “We know what we sign up for. We’re trying to develop winning players to help our big club win World Series and we’ve done that.”

Winning Habit: OKC Enters Playoffs Fueled by Unprecedented Success During Dodgers Affiliation was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Oklahoma City Comets outfielder Alek Thomas and left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris were both named Pacific Coast League weekly award winners for Sept. 14–20 by Minor League Baseball today.

Both took home the honors following the Comets’ 4–2 series victory on the road against the El Paso Chihuahuas to close the 2026 regular season.

This is the second time this season Oklahoma City completed a weekly award sweep after outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan both won honors June 9–14 following the Comets’ series at Charlotte.

Thomas was named PCL Player of the Week after going 9-for-17 (.529) with two doubles, two triples, four walks, four RBI and six runs scored in five games against El Paso.

The outfielder recorded multiple hits in each of the final four games of the series, including a 3-for-3 game with a triple, two RBI and two walks Sept. 17 and a two-double contest the following game.

Among Pacific Coast League leaders, Thomas led the league in OBP (.636), SLG (.882), OPS (1.518) and triples while ranking second in batting average (.529) and tied for third in total bases (15) and runs scored (six).

This is Thomas’ first weekly award since being named Midwest League Player of the Week July 7, 2019 with Class-A Kane County (ARI).

Across 68 games with Oklahoma City this season, Thomas hit .305 with 20 doubles, five triples, 11 homers and 51 RBI.

Ferris was named PCL Pitcher of the Week after striking out a career-high 13 batters across 7.2 scoreless frames with one hit and one walk in a victory Sept. 16. He also matched a career-high 102 pitches thrown.

He is the second straight Oklahoma City pitcher to win PCL Pitcher of the Week after Cole Irvin took home the honor Sept. 7–13 against Sugar Land.

The weekly award marks Ferris’ first since being named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week Aug. 4, 2024 with High-A Great Lakes.

Ferris recorded the most strikeouts by an Oklahoma City pitcher since Emmet Sheehan also had 13 strikeouts June 25, 2025 at Sacramento. Ferris became the sixth pitcher in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era to collect at least 13 strikeouts in a start.

He also tossed Oklahoma City’s longest start since Yefry Ramírez threw a nine-inning complete game May 12, 2022 at Round Rock.

Among all PCL pitchers during the week, Ferris led the league in strikeouts, WHIP (0.26) and ERA (tied, 0.00) while ranking second in BAA (.042).

Ferris finished his first Triple-A season 4–5 with a 5.12 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and .258 BAA in 24 games (22 starts). He also struck out a league-leading 119 batters across 109.0 innings.

Over his final six games of the regular season, Ferris allowed four runs in 36.0 innings with 22 hits, 11 walks and 48 strikeouts.

Oklahoma City finished 2026 with a Triple-A leading nine weekly award winners this season.

The Comets won five PCL Player of the Week honors with outfielder James Tibbs III (March 30-April 5 and May 25–31), infielder Alex Freeland (May 11–17), Suwinski (June 9–14) and Thomas while claiming four PCL Pitcher of the Week awards with Ryan, right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan (Aug. 17–23), Irvin (Sept. 7–13) and Ferris.

Oklahoma City’s Alek Thomas and Jackson Ferris Both Earn PCL Weekly Honors was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

As temperatures have soared this summer in Oklahoma City, so has the success of the Oklahoma City Comets.

During the second half of the Pacific Coast League season, the Comets have recorded as many wins as there have been 100-degree days in central Oklahoma this year — 45 through Wednesday.

After Wednesday’s win, the Comets could finally cool off with a celebration shower of champagne and beer.

Oklahoma City clinched the PCL second half title with a 12–0 win Wednesday in El Paso, capping an incredible run of victories over the last seven weeks.

“Our guys are very competitive. They want to win and it’s just great as a manager knowing it’s September…and these guys, they want to keep going,” Comets manager Scott Hennessey said during the team’s final home series last week. “They’re out here today. You know, it’s been a hot summer. No one cares. We’re grinding away and just the guys have been great.”

The Comets will advance to the PCL Championship Series for the third time during the team’s affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2015 and first time since winning OKC’s first PCL championship during the Bricktown era in 2023.

The 2026 season marks OKC’s fifth trip to the postseason during the Dodgers affiliation.

“Towards the end of the year, we’ve all became one huge group and we have a lot of fun,” outfielder Ryan Ward said during the team’s final home series. “Our celebrations and everything, it’s a lot of fun…I’m having a blast this year.”

While having fun and winning, the 2026 Comets have been rewriting the franchise’s record books both as a team and individually, while the Oklahoma heat has been setting records as well.

Oklahoma City has experienced the third-most days of 100 degrees or more ever recorded in a year (45), according to a social media post by KOCO 5 Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane Wednesday.

The Comets’ run since July 29 may be hotter.

Entering their July 29 game against first half champion Las Vegas, the Comets were just 12–15 in the second half. They had lost six of the last seven games as well as eight of 10 games following the league’s All-Star Break.

Oklahoma City responded with nine straight wins.

But the Comets’ PCL foes were also finding success, and after three losses in Sugar Land Aug. 19–21, the Comets sat 6.5 games behind the first-place Space Cowboys in the second half standings.

About a week later, Oklahoma City entered its Aug. 28 game against El Paso tied for fourth place in the second half standings and 4.0 games behind league-leading Sugar Land.

The Comets responded by winning a franchise-best 14 consecutive games during the Bricktown era to take over first place in the second half standings by 5.0 games ahead of second-place Sugar Land Saturday.

OKC’s winning streak from Aug. 28-Sept. 12 was the second-longest across the Minors in 2026 and the longest in the PCL since 2023.

Since July 29, the Comets are 33–11 for the best record among all Triple-A teams and the most wins in the Minors during the stretch.

Infielder Ryan Fitzgerald said personal success or struggles on the field have become secondary down the stretch for the Comets.

“It’s just we’re winning, so they don’t really care about the personal stuff,” Fitzgerald said last week. “Not much is changing on the outside at this point this season anyways, so just find a way to get a win.”

The Comets, who close out the regular season Sunday in El Paso, are undefeated in the last seven series, going 6–0–1 during the stretch.

They open their best-of-three league championship series against first half champion Las Vegas at 9:05 p.m. CT Tuesday at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The winner of the PCL Championship Series advances to play the International League champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game Sept. 26, also in Las Vegas.

“This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had in Triple-A to just win baseball games and show up,” pitcher Cole Irvin said during the team’s final home series. “I can’t say that I’ve ever had the feeling that I do right now on any other minor league club.”

Comets Clinch Second Half Title in Pacific Coast League was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Oklahoma City Comets left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin was named PCL Pitcher of the Week today by Minor League Baseball for the week of Sept. 7–13.

Irvin received the award after tossing a combined 9.2 scoreless innings with eight hits, five walks and eight strikeouts during his two starts against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

During the week, Irvin tied for the PCL lead in ERA and starts while finishing tied for third in strikeouts and innings.

The 32-year-old lowered his PCL-leading ERA to 3.09 as he attempts to become the third Oklahoma City pitcher to win an ERA title during the Bricktown era and first since Aaron Wilkerson in 2021. Irvin’s ERA currently ranks as the lowest qualified mark in the PCL since 2016.

Irvin has also started in 27 games this season for the Comets, tying Matt Perisho (1999) for the Bricktown-era single-season record.

He received his league-leading 12th win of the season Tuesday, matching Terry Clark (1998) for third in the Bricktown era.

Irvin became the third Comets pitcher to win PCL Pitcher of the Week this season, joining Emmet Sheehan (Aug. 17–23) and Ryder Ryan (June 9–14). Sheehan was later named August PCL Pitcher of the Month.

The weekly award marks Irvin’s first since claiming two during the 2018 season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley during a campaign he was named International League Pitcher of the Year and a Postseason All-Star.

Oklahoma City now has seven weekly award winners overall this season, tied with Reno and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the most Triple-A, with outfielder James Tibbs III (March 30-April 5 and May 25-31), infielder Alex Freeland (May 11–17), outfielder Jack Suwinski (June 9–14), Ryan and Sheehan also taking weekly honors this year.

Cole Irvin Named PCL Pitcher of the Week was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

While fighting wildfires in Harper County, Chris Campbell suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms and hands after his firetruck overturned and plunged into a canyon.

After narrowly escaping death, Campbell was transported to the INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center in Oklahoma City to receive the lifesaving care he needed. He is thankful to be alive.

Campbell will be celebrated at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Saturday, Sept. 12 as the INTEGRIS Health “Home Run For Life” series concludes for the 2026 season.

In February 2026, Campbell began another day as a volunteer firefighter, a role he had held for the past 12 years. The weather changed quickly as the day progressed.

“Beginning of the day, it was pretty calm and it seemed like it was a snap of the fingers and the wind came,” Campbell said.

He met up with two other firefighters to grab the last truck at his station. The team began evacuating farmers and their families when they found themselves in sudden danger after realizing they were deeper into the fire than they originally thought.

“It just seemed like there was no fire and then suddenly there was fire crossing Highway 283,” Campbell said. “I was driving. I had Jake Edwards and Randy Masters on the back of the truck. I was trying to turn around and the truck was stuck. Everything kind of went south. I couldn’t see anything, couldn’t breathe and next thing I know, we were on a roll down the canyon.”

Being stuck in a firetruck that plunged down a 40-foot canyon, Campbell knew there was little time to think.

“I did not want to die in that cabin,” Campbell said. “I knew if I could get out of the cab, I had a better chance.”

Knowing his escape options were limited, Campbell began to look for a way out.

“Everything was disoriented,” Campbell said. “My first thought was to kick the windshield out and crawl out. That’s when the fire came in the cab. My next escape route was through the small sliding window between the two front seats. That was too hot to bear, so I crawled back in.”

He was finally able to escape by crawling through the passenger side of the truck.

The other two men also escaped. Once they realized they had all survived the crash, they began to pray and thank God for getting them out of the canyon.

“There’s no other explanation than God got us out,” Campbell said.

When help arrived at the scene, the men were transported out by ambulance. It was obvious that Campbell had sustained the most severe injuries. He lost consciousness on his way to Oklahoma City where he would spend the next 28 days at the INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center inside INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center.

“We heard that a firetruck had wrecked and that there was an injury,” said William Nechtow, D.O., a critical care surgeon at INTEGRIS Health. “We worked together with our trauma colleagues to make sure we had identified all the major injuries. He did have third-degree burns and we did have to do some skin grafting. During his multiple surgeries he did have significant blood loss requiring blood transfusions.”

“The doctors and nurses, hands down are the best in the world,” Campbell said. “The hardest part of my recovery would honestly be not being as I was before. Finding new ways to do things, being in constant pain and just being different.”

He says his wife, Brittney, gave him the strength to keep moving forward.

“My wife is the strongest woman that I’ve ever known,” Campbell said. “She held me up when I couldn’t hold them up. My kids, my church family, the amount of support and love that I’ve gotten from all over the country has been mind-blowing.”

Campbell insists it was faith that truly pulled him through.

“Before the accident, I became a grateful believer in Jesus Christ,” Campbell said. “I believe wholeheartedly that if I didn’t become a believer, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Now back at home, Campbell is continuing to work toward normalcy in his life. His main goal is returning to his role as a volunteer firefighter.

“It’s a way for me in my mind to give back to the people that have given me and my family so much,” Campbell said. “I know getting back on that truck wouldn’t be possible without my care team at INTEGRIS Health.”

Out of the Canyon: Chris Campbell’s Fight to Survive and Return to the Fire was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Nelson Cruz stood behind a podium at home plate at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in late August to address the crowd of Oklahoma City baseball fans who had gathered in the stands.

From that same spot for parts of four seasons with the RedHawks, he dazzled spectators with 52 home runs and 148 RBI in 155 Triple-A games from 2007–10.

This time, instead of holding a baseball bat in the batter’s box, Cruz was holding a microphone and accompanied by his family as he was inducted into the Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame Aug. 29, becoming the 10th member inducted since its start in 2023.

“Wow, what an incredible day — only in my dreams,” Cruz said. “Sometimes you wake up and you dream to be something, to be a big league player…I always have to thank God because he gave me way more than I ever thought; than I would wish. I can say most of my dreams came true and obviously, to be in the Oklahoma City Hall of Fame is one of them.”

The outfielder and designated hitter from Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic was named Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player in 2008 when the RedHawks were affiliated with the Texas Rangers.

He compiled a .342 batting average, belting 37 home runs that season. He racked up 99 RBI and 24 stolen bases as he recorded the first of just two 20/20 seasons in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era since 1998.

His 37 home runs are still a team record for the most in a single season during the Bricktown era and he went on to become the only RedHawks player to named league MVP.

“His 2008 season is still one of the best individual campaigns in franchise history,” Comets Director of Communications and Broadcasting Alex Freedman said in his introductory remarks during the induction ceremony.

Cruz said he enjoyed his time in Oklahoma City with his RedHawks teammates and manager Bobby Jones, leading to their success on the field. Cruz had the opportunity to speak with Jones prior to the induction ceremony and said that Jones, in addition to teaching him to play the game, taught him to also have fun and enjoy baseball.

“He’s the guy who always gave you the freedom to play, to let you be yourself,” Cruz said.

Cruz said his success on the field was also tied to wanting to be able to provide for his growing family with the birth of his first son approaching.

“It was an urgency to perform,” Cruz said. “Just to make sure they call me up to the big leagues.”

Cruz had made his MLB debut in 2005 at the age of 25 with the Milwaukee Brewers before joining the Rangers and Oklahoma City. He went on to play in more than 2,000 MLB games during his 19-year career.

The seven-time MLB All-Star won four Silver Slugger Awards and was named the 2011 American League Championship Series MVP with Texas. He also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2021 for his humanitarian efforts.

Cruz played in the Majors through the 2023 season when the Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame first took shape during the 25th anniversary season of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“One of the first names discussed was Nelson Cruz,” Freedman said. “He has always been considered one of the franchise’s most distinguished alumni. There was one slight issue though. He was still playing. He was about to finish an illustrious 19-year career in the Major Leagues.”

Cruz played for eight teams during his career before retiring in March 2024. He compiled 2,053 career hits and 464 career home runs — 37th all-time in Major League history. His 346 home runs during the 2010s are the most by any player in the decade, leading to his well-known nickname as the Boomstick.

“To be in the game for many years, it’s definitely a privilege,” Cruz said.

Cruz, now 46, has stayed in the game of baseball and currently works as a special assistant in player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier this year, he served as General Manager for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Being around his fellow players during his playing days and now currently in his administrative roles continue to be the most exciting parts of his career for him, he said. Bringing joy to the fans through his teams’ successes on the field is also at the top of the list.

He took the opportunity to address Oklahoma City fans face-to-face 18 years after he made franchise history at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“From the bottom of my heart, my family, Oklahoma, thank you for embracing me like one of you guys,” Cruz said. “I enjoy every moment because you guys make me feel part of you, feel part of the team. So, thank you all again and God bless you all.”

About the Oklahoma Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame was formed in 2023 as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Annual selections are made by a committee comprised of media members, baseball historians and civic leaders that work alongside members of the Oklahoma City Comets front office.

The current Hall of Fame also includes those already inducted into the 89ers Hall of Fame at All Sports Stadium.

Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees by Year

2023—Jason Botts; R.A. Dickey; Bobby Jones

2024—Steve Balboni; Nick Capra; Patty Cox Hampton

2025—John Poff; Scipio Spinks; Jim Weigel

2026—Nelson Cruz

Cruz Inducted into Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame was originally published in Beyond the Bricks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.