The San Jose Red Sox were a minor league affiliate for the Boston Red Sox from 1947 to 1955. The Red Sox played in the Class-C California League and won two titles in 1949 and 1953.
For th 1956 and ’57 seasons the team rebranded as the San Jose JoSox, then in 1958 the team switched its major league affiliate to the Pirates and changed the team name to the Pirates. After the 1958 season the team moved to Las Vegas and became the Wranglers, thus ending professional baseball in San Jose until 1962 when the original Bees began play.
For the first five seasons the Red Sox were managed by Marv Owen, a career .275 major league hitter who played in the 1934 World Series, his Tigers losing to the St. Louis Cardinals. Owen played at Bellarmine College Prep and then college football and baseball at Santa Clara University and was born in Agnew, CA (Santa Clara).
1947 Season
The 1947 Sox went 79-61, finishing third in the league behind manager Marv Owen. They lost in the first round of the playoffs.
1948 Season
With Marv Owen at the helm again the Red Sox went 64-76 and did not make the playoffs.
1949 Season
Apparently full of renewed vigor for the ’49 campaign Owen led the San Jose Red Sox to the league championship, defeating the Ventura Yankees 4-1. Behind future big league All Star Frank Sullivan’s 2.83 ERA and 119 strikeouts.
1950 Season
Owen led the Red Sox to a 78-62 season but they lost in the first round.
1951 Season
In Marv Owen’s final season as the skipper the team finished 80-67 and Owen’s best second place. They lost in the first round.
1952 Season
Under new manager Red Marion the team went 74-66, finishing third and losing the championship to the Fresno Cardinals.
1953 Season
The Red Sox finished first with a 93-47 and again won the California League title defeating the Stockton Ports 4 games to 2.
1954 Season
After going 78-62 and making it to their third straight league championship, they lost to the Modesto Reds 4 games to 1.
1955 Season
Under new manager Sheriff Robinson the Red Sox finished second in the league with a 98-48 record. Due to the first-half winner and second-half winner championship format the overall 2nd place Red Sox missed out.