banning the grandnephew of Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan from the league. However, the citizens of Williamsport applauded Bresnahan for his ingenuity, eventually prompting the club to retire his number 59. At the retirement ceremony in 1998, Bresnahan was quoted as saying, "Lou Gehrig had to play in 2,130 consecutive games and hit .340 for his number to be retired, and all I had to do was bat .140 and throw a potato." Mariners farm team The Williamsport Bills became a farm team of the Seattle Mariners during the 1989 and 1990 seasons after the franchise was moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, becoming the Hagerstown Suns and the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Pittsfield Cubs were quickly moved to Williamsport to take its place. The team finished in seventh place both years under the leadership of Jay Ward and Rich Morales, respectively. Williamsport trailed the rest of the league in attendance numbers both years. They finished in last place by as many as 50,000 fans behind the next worst team in terms of attendance. Former major leaguers who played for the Bills during the Mariners years included Tino Martinez, Rich DeLucia and Mike Gardiner. Mets farm team The 1991 season was the final season in the Eastern League for the Williamsport Bills. The franchise was purchased by the New York Mets in late 1990; they decided to move the franchise to Binghamton for 1992. The Bills played one last season at Bowman Field under the leadership of Clint Hurdle, and their attendance increased. Former Penn State Nittany Lion running back D. J. Dozier played outfield during his off-season from the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Dozier made it to the majors during the 1992 season, playing for the Mets. Other future major leaguers to play for the Bills during their final season were Jeromy Burnitz and Tim Bogar. Year-by-year record References Notes Sources 1988–1992 Baseball Almanacs 1989 and 1991 Baseball Guides Defunct Eastern League (1938–present) teams Bills New York Mets minor league affiliates Seattle Mariners minor league affiliates Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates 1987 establishments in Pennsylvania Defunct baseball teams in Pennsylvania 1991 disestablishments in Pennsylvania Baseball teams established in 1987 Baseball teams disestablished in 1991