Play Ball 2012

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COMPLETE STADIUM INFORMATION 2012 CACTUS LEAGUE SCHEDULE CACTUS LEAGUE STADIUM MAP

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Spring in. Play on.

Round out your Spring Training experience at 1.866.532.2496 or DiscoverAZSpringTraining.com

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phoenix /scottsdale , arizona

480-301-8000

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rochester , minnesota

507-284-2511

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jacksonville , florida

904-953-2272

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President & CEO Michael Atkinson Publisher Cheryl Green Vice President of Operations Audrey Webb AZ BIG MEDIA

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Michael Gossie Editor Peter Madrid Assistant Editor Kristine Cannon Play Ball Contributing Writers Kaitlyn Carl | Charlie Vascellaro ART Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Devine Senior Graphic Designer Mike Mertes Intern Mohammed T. Munir DIGITAL MEDIA Director Kim Milton Web & Graphic Designer Melissa Gerke MARKETING/EVENTS Manager Whitney Fletcher Intern Morgan Johnson OFFICE Special Projects Manager Sara Fregapane Executive Assistant Kathy Mutschler Database Solutions Manager Cindy Johnson AZRE: ARIZONA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Account Manager John Abbey Account Manager Kevin Small ARIZONA BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior Account Manager David Harken Account Managers Michelle McBay | Shannon Spigelman RANKING ARIZONA Vice President / Sales & Marketing Lenore Grobstein EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL Account Managers Lisa Grant | Bobbie Darzes SCOTTSDALE LIVING Account Manager David Silver AZ BIG MEDIA EXPOS WOMEN’S SUPER EXPO HOME & LIFE SUPER EXPO HOME & FAMILY SUPER EXPO Exhibit Directors Kerri Blumsack | Sheri King | Tina Robinson HOME & DESIGN IDEA CENTER

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HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL ACROSS THE VALLEY

here are no two bigger little words that warm the hearts of sports fans in Arizona once March rolls around than: Play Ball!

Perhaps it’s only fitting that AZ Big Media’s inaugural partnership with the Cactus League is this publication, which is being distributed to the various “Fan Fests” in the home cities of Cactus League teams and will be available at the Valley’s 10 spring venues.

Within these pages you will fi nd historical tidbits about the 15 teams that make Arizona their spring training home — since the Giants and Indians became the league’s founding franchises in 1947, 10 teams have returned to the Cactus League as World Series champions — plus all the pertinent stadium information you will need on game day.

We even added a bit of stadium trivia: Name the Hall of Famer who was the first player to hit a home run in a spring training game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium? (Answer on page 22) Play Ball also features the complete, 2012 daily Cactus League schedule and a Valley map showing where to fi nd the 10 venues.

Lending AZ Big Media an assist is traveling baseball writer Charlie Vascellaro, who has written about the Cactus League since his high school days in Mesa and Scottsdale.

Charlie, who now lives in Maryland, resided in the Valley for 20 years and graduated from Arizona State University.

Besides writing the historical team items, Charlie authored a touching tribute to Robert Brinton, former Cactus League president and 20-year member of its board of directors, who died unexpectedly on Oct. 21, 2011.

So … without further ado … Play Ball!

Showroom Manager Joanne Stanley Account Manager Marianne Avila Event Coordinator Sara Fregapane

Peter Madrid 3101 North Central Avenue, Suite 1070

Editor

Phoenix, Arizona 85012

(602) 277-6045

(602) 277-6045 · www.azbigmedia.com

peter.madrid@azbigmedia.com

The CaCTus League weLComes you to the 2012 season of spring training BaseBall in arizona

For decades, arizona has hosted Major league Baseball in March promising an incredible month of sunshine, desert beauty and warm hospitality paired with america’s favorite pastime.

We all know it’s the nearly 1.5 million fans that make spring training come alive and we are glad you are here once again to cheer on your favorite team! each year, the Cactus league measures the benefits of spring training in arizona and last season alone you helped bring $348 million in economic activity to the grand Canyon state!

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take a look around any ballpark and you will see many of arizona’s community leaders volunteering their time to ensure your spring training experience is enjoyable. as the league continues to grow with new offerings, let us know how we can help keep spring training in arizona a memorymaking event for all baseball fans.

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Play Ball!

Brad Curtis

president, Cactus league

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Robert Brinton 1951-2011

Hohokam Park, Brinton was present at the ticket office and the on-field, first-pitch ceremonies. He also was there at many behind-the-scenes activities, including introducing youngsters and seniors to Cubs heroes past and present. Two years ago, I witnessed him arrange a pre-game meeting with a teenage boy diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and legendary Cubs player and broadcaster Ron Santo, who had also been afflicted with the same condition. Santo imparted his own words of wisdom and encouragement to the young man, taking every last available minute to talk before entering the broadcast booth. It was the kind of thing Brinton did for people at the ballpark almost every day. The past few years found Brinton actively campaigning to keep the Cubs in Mesa. The deal he helped broker to keep the Cubs in town for 30 years was closed just four days prior to his death. Brinton was also instrumental in creating “Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience,” a museum exhibit that had its genesis at the Mesa Historical Museum and will most likely find a permanent home on the grounds of the Cubs new Wrigleyville West facility, another labor of love he continued to work on until his final days. It’s hard to imagine a Cactus League season without Robert Brinton. He will be sorely missed by all of those whose lives he touched, but everyone associated with spring training baseball in Arizona who knew him will press on in his honor. Personally, Robert Brinton played an integral role in conducting my work on writing about the Cactus League each year. As I’m sure many others would attest, he was my go-to guy on all things Cactus League. He never hesitated to take a phone call or return a message, and he made me and whomever I was with at Hohokam Park feel special.

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REMEMBERING THE CACTUS LEAGUE’S MVP — MOST VISIBLE PERSON

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By Charlie Vascellero

he Cactus League lost a great friend, its staunchest supporter and strongest ally this past fall when former league president and president and CEO of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Robert Brinton, died unexpectedly on Oct. 21, 2011. He was 60. Brinton most recently served as Cactus League president from 2009-2010 and sat on its board of directors for 20 years. He was also an active participant on former Gov. Rose Mofford’s special task force on Cactus League Baseball founded during a time of crisis for the Cactus League in 1988.

He served as director of the Mesa CVB and was also a member of the Mesa HoHoKams civic organization responsible for conducting spring training baseball at Hohokam Park. Brinton’s passion and pride for his hometown was best manifest in his fervor for the annual rite of Cactus League baseball in general and the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Park in particular. Each game day at

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Agency: Off Madison Ave · 5555 E Van Buren St #215 · Phoenix, AZ 85008 · (480) 505-4500 · Fax: (480) 505-4501 • Contact: Ruben Muñoz • Contact Email: rubenm@offmadisonave.com • Contact Phone: 480-505-4562 • Client: HG • Job #: 11-HG-0659 Cactus League Magazine • Trim Size: 3.5 in w x 4.75 in • Color: 4C

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LA DODGERS | CHICAGO WHITE SOX

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ured by the prospect of n 1958, the Brooklyn playing in a new ballpark Dodgers and New that they would share York Giants, two of with a new team, the Chicago baseball’s bedrock franchises Camelback Ranch White Sox jumped the Grapefruit with origins dating back to Teams: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers League ship for Arizona. the 1880s, rocked the estabAddress: 10710 W. Camelback Rd., Glendale Joining the Cactus League in lished order with a dramatic Phone number: (623) 302-5000 1998, the White Sox christened move to the West Coast.

Seating capacity: 13,000 Tucson Electric Park with the The Dodgers’ move to L.A. Year opened: 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks, creating and the Giants’ arrival in Did you know … Camelback Ranch has the largest the league’s second shared facility.

San Francisco brought big The arrival of the White Sox league baseball west of the fan capacity of the 10 stadiums in the Cactus League. also created a great crosstown Mississippi for the first spring training rivalry with time, altering the landscape the north side rival Cubs in Mesa. and paving the way for more Games between the two teams continfranchise moves and expansion. ue to be among the league’s biggest draw.

Almost as surprising as the move from In 2005, the White Sox became the ninth Brooklyn to L.A. was their departure Cactus League team to win the World Series. from their long-time “Dodgertown” spring Lured again by the prospect of playing in yet training home in Vero Beach, Fla. The Dodgers’ another new ballpark, the White Sox moved into 60 years at Vero Beach was more than the team their current digs at Camelback Ranch. had spent in either Brooklyn or L.A. 10 | Play Ball Magazine

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aseball’s first professional he Cactus League’s team became the Cactus prodigal son, Cleveland League’s latest addireturned to Arizona tion in 2010, joining Cleveland at in 2009 after a 16-year Goodyear Ballpark Goodyear Ballpark. hiatus in Florida. Prior to Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians Founded as an amateur squad in their departure at the end Address: 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear 1866, Cincinnati became a pro of the 1992 Cactus League Phone number: (623) 882-3120 club in 1869 and won 130 straight season, the Indians spent Seating capacity: 10,311 games during 1869 and 1870.

45 springs at historic Hi Year opened: 2009 A charter member of the Corbett Field in Tucson.

Did you know … While at the ballpark, fans can taste a bit American Association, the Reds Baseball movie buffs may joined the NL in 1890 and have recall that Hi Corbett Field of Ohio as the concession stands serve Stadium Mustard the longest professional lineage of was the setting for the from Cleveland and Skyline Chili from Cincinnati. any current major league team. spring training scenes in the The Reds made their first World Series 1989 movie, “Major League.” appearance, beating the infamous Chicago There was a display case on the “Black Sox” in 1919 and won back-to-back NL concourse containing a collection of pennants in 1939 and 1940. It would be another brass plaques listing the names of the 71 20 years before the Reds would return to the World members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who Series, falling to the Yankees in 1961. participated in spring training games at old Hi The “Big Red Machine” powerhouse teams of the 1970s Corbett Field. The Indians enjoyed a rich history won six NL Western Division titles and two World Series. during the team’s 45 years in Tucson.

12 | Play Ball Magazine

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ohokam Park in Mesa has always kind of felt like a secHohokam Stadium ond hometown for diehard Cubs, and now the designaTeam: Chicago Cubs tion will become official as the Cubs’ new Wrigleyville Address: 1235 N. Center St., Mesa West spring training facility and surrounding commercial disPhone number: (480) 964-4467 trict is scheduled to open in 2013 in Riverview Park.

Seating capacity: 12,632 Cubs’ fans who have grown accustomed to making the trek to Year opened: 1997 Mesa annually for more than 60 years let their voices be heard at Did you know … During the seventh inning stretch, a fan is the Cubs Convention in Chicago last winter, as did Mesa voters, pulled from the stands to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” who approved funding for the new state-of-the-art facility. from atop the Cubs’ dugout.

From the days of Ernie Banks and Ferguson Jenkins to Harry Caray and Ron Santo, the Cubs’ spring training history in Arizona dates back to 1952, when former owner Phillip K. Wrigley moved the team’s spring home from Catalina Island in California to Rendezvous Park, in what is now Downtown Mesa.

Only the San Francisco/New York Giants have been a member of Arizona’s Cactus League circuit longer than the Cubs, who have played in Mesa each year since 1952 with the exception of 1966 and called Hohokam Park their old and new home since 1977.

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10 Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

experienceazonline.com/play-ball

TIVE T E N TA

2012 SPRING TRAINING

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

AZ - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS CHI - CHICAGO CUBS CIN - CINCINNATI REDS CLE - CLEVELAND INDIANS COL - COLORADO ROCKIES CWS - CHICAGO WHITE SOX KC - KANSAS CITY ROYALS LAA - ANGELS BASEBALL LAD - LOS ANGELES DODGERS MIL - MILWAUKEE BREWERS OAK - OAKLAND A’S SD - SAN DIEGO PADRES SEA - SEATTLE MARINERS SF - SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS TEX - TEXAS RANGERS KC @ TEX - SURPRISE, NOON CIN @ CLE - GOODYEAR SF* @ MIL - MARYVALE OAK @ CHI - MESA SD @ SEA - PEORIA SF* @ AZ - SALT RIVER

LAD @ CWS - GLENDALE CLE @ CIN - GOODYEAR OAK* @ CHI - MESA SEA @ SD - PEORIA LAA @ OAK* - PHOENIX AZ @ COL - SALT RIVER MIL @ SF - SCOTTSDALE TEX @ KC - SURPRISE

SF @ LAD - GLENDALE KC* @ CLE - GOODYEAR OAK @ MIL - MARYVALE COL @ CHI - MESA CIN @ SEA - PEORIA TEX @ AZ - SALT RIVER SD @ KC* - SURPRISE CWS @ LAA - TEMPE

MIL @ CWS - GLENDALE SD* @ CIN - GOODYEAR TEX @ SD* - PEORIA LAD @ OAK - PHOENIX CLE @ AZ - SALT RIVER COL @ SF - SCOTTSDALE CHI @ KC - SURPRISE SEA @ LAA - TEMPE

CHI @ LAD - GLENDALE LAA* @ CIN - GOODYEAR COL* @ MIL - MARYVALE AZ @ SD - PEORIA KC @ OAK - PHOENIX CWS @ COL* - SALT RIVER SEA @ SF - SCOTTSDALE CLE* @ TEX - SURPRISE CLE* @ LAA - TEMPE

OAK @ CWS - GLENDALE AZ @ CLE - GOODYEAR CIN @ CHI - MESA TEX @ SEA - PEORIA SD @ COL - SALT RIVER SF @ KC - SURPRISE LAD @ LAA - TEMPE

COL @ LAD - GLENDALE TEX @ CLE - GOODYEAR SEA @ MIL* - MARYVALE CWS @ SD - PEORIA MIL* @ OAK - PHOENIX LAA @ AZ - SALT RIVER CIN @ KC - SURPRISE CHI @ SF - SCOTTSDALE •

LAA @ CWS - GLENDALE SD* @ CIN* - GOODYEAR MIL @ CHI - MESA SD* @ AZ* - SALT RIVER CLE @ SF - SCOTTSDALE COL* @ TEX - SURPRISE LAD @ CIN* - GOODYEAR • KC @ SEA - PEORIA • AZ* @ COL* - SALT RIVER •

LAA @ LAD - GLENDALE AZ* @ CIN - GOODYEAR TEX @ MIL - MARYVALE CWS @ CHI - MESA COL @ SEA - PEORIA OAK @ AZ* - SALT RIVER SD @ SF - SCOTTSDALE CLE @ KC - SURPRISE

CIN @ CWS - GLENDALE LAD @ CLE - GOODYEAR CHI @ SEA - PEORIA AZ @ OAK - PHOENIX LAA @ COL - SALT RIVER MIL @ TEX - SURPRISE

MIL @ LAD - GLENDALE SEA @ CIN - GOODYEAR TEX @ CHI* - MESA CHI* @ OAK - PHOENIX SF @ AZ - SALT RIVER LAA @ KC - SURPRISE COL @ SD - PEORIA •

SD @ LAD - GLENDALE SF @ CLE - GOODYEAR CWS @ SEA - PEORIA MIL @ AZ - SALT RIVER OAK @ KC - SURPRISE

SF @ CWS - GLENDALE CHI @ CLE - GOODYEAR LAD @ MIL* - MARYVALE AZ @ SD - PEORIA CIN @ COL - SALT RIVER MIL* @ KC - SURPRISE TEX @ LAA - TEMPE

CWS @ LAD - GLENDALE MIL @ CLE - GOODYEAR SD @ CHI* - MESA CHI* @ AZ - SALT RIVER KC @ SF - SCOTTSDALE COL @ LAA - TEMPE CIN @ TEX - SURPRISE •

CLE @ CWS - GLENDALE CHI @ CIN - GOODYEAR KC @ MIL - MARYVALE LAD @ SD* - PEORIA COL @ AZ - SALT RIVER LAA @ SF - SCOTTSDALE SD* @ TEX - SURPRISE

SD @ CWS* - GLENDALE LAA @ CIN - GOODYEAR AZ @ MIL - MARYVALE CLE @ CHI - MESA CWS* @ COL - SALT RIVER LAD @ SF - SCOTTSDALE TEX @ KC - SURPRISE •

AZ @ LAD - GLENDALE CWS @ CIN - GOODYEAR SF @ MIL - MARYVALE KC @ SEA - PEORIA CLE @ COL - SALT RIVER SD @ TEX - SURPRISE CHI @ LAA - TEMPE

MIL @ CWS - GLENDALE, NOON CIN @ CLE - GOODYEAR, NOON COL @ SEA - PEORIA CHI @ AZ - SALT RIVER

MIL* @ CHI - MESA, NOON SEA @ COL - SALT RIVER MIL* @ AZ - CHASE FIELD •

MIL @ AZ - CHASE FIELD 12:40 PM SEA @ COL - SALT RIVER

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BASEBALL SCHEDULE FRIDAY

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SEA @ OAK - PHOENIX

CLE @ CIN - GOODYEAR OAK @ SEA - PEORIA AZ* @ COL - SALT RIVER AZ* @ SF - SCOTTSDALE

OAK @ LAD - GLENDALE LAA @ CLE - GOODYEAR CIN @ MIL - MARYVALE SEA @ CHI - MESA SF @ SD - PEORIA KC @ COL - SALT RIVER CWS @ TEX - SURPRISE

CHI @ CWS - GLENDALE KC @ CIN* - GOODYEAR CLE @ MIL - MARYVALE AZ @ SEA - PEORIA OAK @ COL - SALT RIVER CIN* @ SF - SCOTTSDALE LAD @ TEX - SURPRISE SD @ LAA - TEMPE

TEX @ CWS* - GLENDALE CHI @ MIL* - MARYVALE LAD* @ SEA* - PEORIA CIN @ OAK - PHOENIX MIL* @ SF* - SCOTTSDALE COL @ KC - SURPRISE SF* @ LAA - TEMPE SD @ CLE - GOODYEAR, 2 PM LAD* @ CWS - GLENDALE • SEA* @ AZ - SALT RIVER •

KC @ LAD - GLENDALE CWS @ CLE - GOODYEAR SD @ MIL - MARYVALE AZ @ CHI* - MESA CHI* @ COL - SALT RIVER OAK @ TEX - SURPRISE CIN @ LAA - TEMPE SF @ SEA - PEORIA •

TEX @ LAD - GLENDALE SF @ CHI - MESA LAA* @ SD - PEORIA CWS @ AZ - SALT RIVER MIL @ KC - SURPRISE CLE @ LAA* - TEMPE COL @ CIN - GOODYEAR • SEA @ OAK - PHOENIX •

SEA @ CWS - GLENDALE CIN @ CLE - GOODYEAR CHI @ OAK* - PHOENIX LAD* @ COL - SALT RIVER OAK* @ SF* - SCOTTSDALE AZ @ TEX - SURPRISE MIL @ LAA - TEMPE SF* @ LAD* - GLENDALE • KC @ SD - PEORIA •

LAA* @ MIL - MARYVALE CHI @ COL - SALT RIVER LAD @ KC - SURPRISE AZ @ CWS - GLENDALE • LAA* @ CLE - GOODYEAR • CIN @ SD - PEORIA • TEX @ SF - SCOTTSDALE •

CLE @ LAD - GLENDALE SF* @ CIN* - GOODYEAR CWS @ MIL - MARYVALE SD* @ CHI - MESA CIN* @ SD* - PEORIA COL @ SF* - SCOTTSDALE LAA @ TEX - SURPRISE KC @ AZ - SALT RIVER •

MIL @ LAD* - GLENDALE CLE @ CIN - GOODYEAR LAD* @ CHI - MESA AZ @ LAA - TEMPE SF @ SD - PEORIA • TEX @ COL - SALT RIVER • CWS @ KC - SURPRISE •

MIL @ SD - PEORIA, NOON COL @ CWS - GLENDALE LAA @ CHI - MESA LAD @ AZ* - SALT RIVER AZ* @ KC - SURPRISE CIN @ SF - SCOTTSDALE, 3 PM SD @ SEA - PEORIA, 6 PM TEX @ CLE - GOODYEAR •

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KC @ CWS - GLENDALE CLE @ SD - PEORIA CHI @ TEX* - SURPRISE TEX* @ CIN - GOODYEAR • SF @ COL - SALT RIVER •

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CWS @ LAD - GLENDALE COL @ CLE* - GOODYEAR CIN @ MIL - MARYVALE CHI @ SD - PEORIA CLE* @ AZ - SALT RIVER KC @ LAA - TEMPE SF @ TEX - SURPRISE •

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TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH THESE TICKET AGENCIES: • TICKETS.COM 800-905-3315 • TICKETMASTER 800-745-3000, OR VISIT: FRY’S MARKETPLACE OR TICKETMASTER.COM GAMES START AT 1:05 PM ARIZONA TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. DATES, TIMES AND TEAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. * = SPLIT SQUAD • = NIGHT GAME (7:05 PM)

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Maryvale Baseball Park lthough 1970 was the Brewers’ fi rst season in Milwaukee, Team: Milwaukee Brewers the team actually descended from the American League’s Address: 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix expansion Seattle Pilots of 1969.

Phone number: (623) 245-5555 Picking up where the Pilots left off, the Brewers spent their fi rst Seating capacity: 10,000 three Cactus League seasons at Tempe Diablo Stadium before Year opened: 1998 moving to Sun City Stadium in 1973.

Did you know … Before the bottom of the sixth inning, five masIn the twilight of his illustrious career, Hank Aaron spent his cots dress up in sausage costumes and run a race around the bases. fi nal two seasons in Milwaukee. Although he broke in with the The Sausage Race is a promotion of Klement’s Sausage Company.

National League’s Milwaukee Braves, who relocated to Atlanta in 1966, it was a sentimental journey just the same and a sweet treat for Cactus League fans to be able to bid the home run king a fond farewell in the springs of 1975 and 1976.

Another future Hall of Famer, a teenager by the name of Robin Yount, was just arriving. Together with teammates Paul Molitor and Jim Gantner, the trio would compile the most hits by three teammates in major league history.

In 1985 the Brewers moved their spring training operation to a desert oasis in the citrus farms of Chandler, where fans enjoyed a memorable, 12-year tailgate party until the team packed up and moved to Maryvale Baseball Park.

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ne of four expansion even years after the teams in 1969, the Pilots jetted out of Padres set up spring town, Seattle returned training camp in Yuma. At to the Cactus League. The Peoria Sports Complex about 150 miles, the distance addition of the expansion Teams: San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners was the closest to the home city Mariners and Blue Jays Address: 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria for any of the Cactus Leagues’ brought to 26 the number of Phone number: (623) 773-8700 six teams at the time, but the pro baseball teams.

Seating capacity: 11,333 186 miles from Phoenix also The fourth expansion team Year opened: 1994 created the league’s secondto begin play in the Cactus Did you know … The Peoria Sports Complex was the first longest road trip. Other new League before playing an offispring training facility in the country to host two teams. teams in 1969 were Montreal cial major league game, the (NL), Kansas City and Seattle Mariners docked at Tempe (AL). The Seattle Pilots (later Diablo Stadium where they would Milwaukee) played their lone Cactus remain until 1993. The Mariner’s forLeague season’s home games at Tempe mative years were a struggle, failing to Diablo. Despite the distance, the Padres post a winning record until their 15th seacontinued to hold spring training in Yuma son (1991) as 21-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. began for 25 years, before entering into their curto turn the team’s fortunes. rent partnership with Seattle at the Peoria Sports The Mariners played their final spring season at Complex. The Padres returned to spring training in Diablo Stadium in 1992 and spent 1993 as a road team 1985 and 1999 as World Series runners up. before moving into the Peoria Sports Complex in 1994 .

20 | Play Ball Magazine

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Phoenix Municipal Stadium n 1969, one year after relocating from Kansas City, the Team: Oakland Athletics Athletics moved their spring training operations from Address: 5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix Bradenton, Fla., to Rendezvous Park in Mesa, which Phone number: (602) 392-0074 had been vacated by the Chicago Cubs in 1966.

Seating capacity: 7,885 With a lineage dating back to 1901, the Athletics began in Year opened: 1964 Philadelphia as a charter member of the American League and Did you know … Former New York Met and Hall of Famer Willie were managed for a major-league-record 50 years by Cornelius Mays was the first player to hit a home run in a spring training game McGillicuddy (a.k.a. Connie Mack), who was also a part-owner at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. of the team until the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1955.

The A’s enjoyed their greatest measure of success under former owner Charlie Finley in Oakland, winning three straight World Series titles from 1972-1974. Cactus League fans who attended A’s games at Rendezvous Park in the early ‘70s were treated to such future Hall of Famers as Reggie Jackson, Jim “Catfish” Hunter and Rollie Fingers.

The A’s left Rendezvous Park to move into a brand new Hohokam Park in 1977 and 1978, before moving into Scottsdale Stadium in 1979. The A’s have resided at their current facility, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, since 1984. They train and work out at nearby Papago Park.

22 | Play Ball Magazine

check into hyatt regency phoenix and check out spring training baseball.

Stay with us and you’ll be just a short drive from several Cactus League spring training baseball fields and able to cheer on your favorite team. Book our Got Tickets Package to receive a $40 Food and Beverage credit to Networks Bar & Grill. For reservations, call 602 252 1234 or visit phoenix.hyatt.com and reference offer code TIX11. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.

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Scottsdale Stadium hen New York Giants owner Horace Stoneham was introduced to the Buckhorn mineral baths in Mesa in Team: San Francisco Giants the 1940s, he may not have been aware that he was Address: 7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale planting the seeds for Arizona’s Cactus League spring training Phone number: (480) 312-2580 circuit. After experiencing the rejuvenating effects of the mineral Seating capacity: 12,000 baths and massage treatments — perhaps at the state’s original Year opened: 1992 spa therapy locale — Stoneham thought it might be a nice way for Did you know … Scottsdale Stadium has a trolley his team to ease into the baseball season. Shortly after this epiphservice that picks up fans from various locations in any he received a phone call from his friend Bill Veeck, owner of Downtown Scottsdale and drops them off at the stadium gates. the Cleveland Indians, who was considering moving his team’s spring training operations to his winter home in Tucson.

And so in 1947 the Giants and Indians moved their spring training sites from Florida to Phoenix and Tucson, unofficially creating what would come to be known as the Cactus League. When the Giants returned to Scottsdale as reigning World Series champions last spring, it marked the second time the team had come back to Arizona as champs, and just the fourth time that both series participants (the other being the Texas Rangers) were members of the Cactus League. Since the Giants and Indians became the league’s founding fathers in 1947, 10 teams have returned to the Cactus League as World Series champs.

24 | Play Ball Magazine

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art of the expansion fter a five-year respite, class of 1969, the the Cactus League Kansas City Royals expanded to 12 teams filled the void left by the deparwith the arrival of the Texas Surprise Stadium ture of the Kansas City (soon Rangers and Kansas City Teams: Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers to be Oakland) Athletics. The Royals in 2003 to Surprise Address: 1580 N. Bullard, Surprise Royals held spring training Stadium, sparking yet Phone number: (623) 222-2222 in Fort Myers, Fla., from the another surge of expansion. team’s inaugural season in Seating capacity: 10,400 Texas represented the AL in 1969 until 1987.

Year opened: 2003 the fourth All-Cactus League The Royals won their first of Did you know … The field is named Billy Parker Field, World Series vs. San Francisco three consecutive AL West after the late former California Angel player. Parker was in 2010. Texas returned to the titles in 1976 and two more 2011 World Series, losing to active with youth baseball programs in Surprise. in 1979 and 1980, when they St. Louis in seven games. advanced to the World Series, losFive Hall of Fame pitchers have ing to Philadelphia. K.C. won diviplayed for the Rangers, including Bert sions titles in 1984 and 1985, defeating Blyleven, Goose Gossage, Gaylord Perry, St. Louis in the 1985 “I-70 Series.”

Ferguson Jenkins and Nolan Ryan.

The Royals moved into a new Baseball City Since his comeback season of 2008, OF Josh spring training complex in Davenport, Fla., in Hamilton has been voted to four consecutive AL 1988 where the team would remain for 15 years All-Star teams. Four other Rangers made the 2011 AL before joining the Texas Rangers at their current All-Star squad, including 3B Adrian Beltre. home, Surprise Stadium, in 2003.

26 | Play Ball Magazine

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Tempe Diablo Stadium he Angels arrived on the Cactus League scene prior to Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim the team’s inaugural season in 1961. Playing their home Address: 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe games in the remote outpost of Palm Springs, Calif., the Phone number: (480) 350-5205 Angels were the only team in the league to hold spring camp outSeating capacity: 9,600 side of Arizona, creating the lengthiest road trip in the league.

Year opened: 1969 The quickest expansion team to post a winning record, the 1962 Did you know … For the past three years, the Angels have set Angels fi nished third in the American League with an 86-76 attendance records at Diablo Stadium. record. In his second full season, outfielder Leon “Daddy Wags” Wagner led the team with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs. In 1982 and 1983 the Angels split their spring training season between Palm Springs and the San Francisco Giants’ Francisco Grande complex in Casa Grande. In 1984 the Angels held workouts and practices at Gene Autry Park among the citrus groves of east Mesa for the fi rst two weeks of March while playing all exhibition games on the road.

In 1993 the team moved its entire spring training operations to its current home, Diablo Stadium. After the facility received a $20 million facelift in 2006, owner Arte Moreno signed an extension of the team’s lease in Tempe through 2025. The Angels opened the 2003 Cactus League season as World Series champions after beating the Giants in the 2002 Fall Classic.

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espite the fact that pro s baseball continued to baseball had a presence expand, it also fueled in Arizona for more the Cactus League’s than 50 years and a lengthy growth. The NL expansion Salt River Fields at Talking Stick minor league history, it took Colorado Rockies utilized hisTeams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies nearly a century for the state to toric Hi Corbett Field for spring Address: 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale land its own big-league team. training just in time to preserve Phone number: (480) 270-5000 The Cactus League’s only Tucson’s and Hi Corbett Field’s Seating capacity: 11,000 home team, the Arizona 45-year history as an original Year opened: 2011 Diamondbacks, opened Tucson Cactus League destination.

Did you know … Salt River Fields is the first spring trainElectric Park (TEP) with coHi Corbett’s only Cactus League ing stadium to be built on Native American land. tenant, the Chicago White Sox, tenant, the Cleveland Indians in the spring of 1998. The addileft after the 1992 spring traintion brought the Cactus League to ing season. The inaugural Rockies a high of 10 teams at eight ballparks. team was well-received by the fans in The D-Backs have won five division Denver and quickly grew into a slugging titles in the team’s 14-year history. The powerhouse upon moving into their new highlight: winning the 2001 World Series in venue, Coors Field. Capturing the NL wildcard seven games vs. the Yankees. Arizona left TEP playoff spot in their third season, the Rockies in 2010 and moved into Salt River Fields at Talking were the quickest expansion team to advance to the Stick. Last season the D-Backs won the NL West title postseason. In 2008, Colorado opened spring training as after finishing in last place the previous two years.

World Series runners-up after losing to Boston.

30 | Play Ball Magazine

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Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Westin and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. ©2011 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.