Went Hubbard Passes Away

Longtime Tulsa Drillers owner Went Hubbard passed away Saturday afternoon at the age of 83. Hubbard had been in deteriorating health the last few years and passed away peacefully in a New Hampshire hospital. Service arrangements have yet to be announced.

Hubbard bought the Drillers franchise in December of 1986 from the Texas Rangers. Under his ownership the franchise enjoyed the most successful years ever for a Tulsa team. Attendance increased from 162,000 in 1986 to a then franchise record 351,929 in 1999.

Hubbard was responsible for most of the renovations and upgrades of Drillers Stadium on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. He helped transform the park from a 4,800 seat facility with an artificial surface into a two-tiered stadium with natural grass that seated 11,000 fans.

In 2002, the Drillers became the first Texas League team to draw more than 300,000 fans for ten consecutive years. With Hubbard as President, the Drillers were twice awarded the Bob Freitas Award as the top Double-A club in the nation.

The franchise was also given the prestigious John H. Johnson Award in 1999 by Minor League Baseball. The award was given to recognize the club's long-term stability and its contributions to the community and to the game of baseball.

Following his retirement, Hubbard was elected to the Texas League Hall of Fame in 2006.

Hubbard's sons, Dale and Jeff, currently serve as co-Chairmen of the Drillers franchise.