Portland Rockies
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A Short Season
LeagueNorthwest League
DivisionSouth
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsColorado Rockies
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1997
Division titles (2)
  • 1997
  • 1999
Team data
ColorsPurple, black, silver, white
       
MascotRocky the Raccoon
BallparkCivic Stadium

The Portland Rockies were a minor league baseball team that played in Portland, Oregon. The Rockies were members of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League for six years, from 1995 through 2000. Prior to relocating to Portland, the franchise played in Bend, Oregon as the Bend Rockies from 1992 until 1994.

History

The Rose City was without baseball as then-owner Joe Buzas relocated the Portland Beavers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to Salt Lake City following the 1993 season. Calgary Cannons owner Russ Parker threatened to move his club south to Portland, but ultimately remained in Alberta.[1] With Oregon's largest city open, the Bend Rockies opted to fill the void by relocating from Central Oregon. The Bend Rockies were the parent club's first minor league team, continued their affiliation in the move to Portland.[2]

The Rockies had success in Portland, including a league championship in 1997.[3] Although few Class A teams play in cities as large as Portland, the Rockies were able to maintain local interest in baseball. The team served an important role for the city, whose demand for a major league team was growing.

With the community's support for the Portland Rockies, Civic Stadium was renovated in 2000 to regain Triple-A baseball. Their efforts proved to be successful as the Albuquerque Dukes moved from New Mexico to Portland and became a new incarnation of the Triple-A Beavers for the 2001 PCL season. The displaced Northwest League franchise relocated up the Columbia River to Pasco, Washington located in the Tri-Cities area. The team was renamed the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Identity

Their name and logo mimicked the mountain theme of the Colorado club, even though Portland is not located in the Rocky Mountains. A rose was added to the team's cap logo to signify Portland's nickname, the "Rose City."

Ballpark

The Rockies played at Civic Stadium (now known as Providence Park) located in Portland. In 2000, PGE Park was renovated and a new incarnation of the AAA Beavers moved into the stadium in 2001. With the departure of professional baseball the stadium was converted into a soccer only venue in 2011 as part of a $31 million reinvention and is now the home of the Portland Timbers.

Season-by-season record

Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Portland Rockies
1995 COL South 2nd 41 34 .547 P. J. Carey 249,696
1996 COL South 3rd 33 43 .434 Ron Gideon 249,995
1997 COL South 1st 44 32 .579 Defeated Boise in championship series 3-2 Jim Eppard 213,242
1998 COL South 3rd 34 42 .447 Jim Eppard 184,172
1999 COL South 1st 39 37 .513 Lost to Spokane in championship series 3-0 Alan Cockrell 206,136
2000 COL South 4th 32 44 .421 Billy White 161,446
Division winner League champions

Former players

Notable former Portland Rockies include MLB players Chone Figgins, Juan Pierre, Clint Barmes, Brad Hawpe, Jake Westbrook, and Garrett Atkins.

Portland Rockies players (1995–2000)

References

  1. ↑ "Calgary still holding key to Rockies' possible move". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. August 5, 1993. p. D1. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Colorado Rockies select Bend as teams 1st minor league club". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. December 10, 1991. p. 2D. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Portland claims first NWL title after trailing series 0-2". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. September 11, 1997. p. C7. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.