Thursday, June 15, 2017
SPECIAL
SECTION
HOW THIS JERSEY MADE IT TO COOPERSTOWN PAGE 10
MILO STEWART JR./ NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
INDIANS IN THE BIGS
SHORT, BUT SWEET
VIEWS INSIDE AVISTA
TURNING TO HAGEN
Carlos Beltran, Zack Grienke headline group of 27 currently on MLB rosters PAGE 2
Blanchette: The loss of Triple-A baseball 35 years ago looks pretty good right now PAGE 3
A look from a variety of angles inside the Spokane Indians’ ballpark PAGES 4-5
Matt Hagen makes his return to Northwest League as Spokane’s rookie manager PAGE 6
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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
SPOKANE INDIANS Where are they now? Last season’s team: The 2016 Spokane Indians employed a total of 48 players. Here’s a look at where they are now. Six players return from the Indians ’16 roster to make the 2017 opening day roster: INF Charles Leblanc, C Clay Middleton, OF Chad Smith, 1B Curtis Terry, RP Johan Juan, RP Tyler Phillips G OF Travis Bolin: Low-A Hickory Crawdads (.171/.209/.244 with 4 RBIs in 10 games) G INF Elio Castillo: AAA Round Rock (.118/.167/.118 in five games) G C/1B Carlos Garay: Low-A Hickory (.379/.400/.809 with 7 RBIs in 19 games), High-A Down East (.290/.372/.304 with 3 RBIs in 19 games) G C/DH Alex Kowalczyk: Low-A Hickory (.342/.398/.539 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 21 games)
G OF Josh Merrigan: Low-A Burlington (Los Angeles Angels) (.197/.279/.328 with 9 RBIs in 20 games) G INF Brallan Perez: Low-A Hickory (.360/.414/.360 in 8 games), High-A Down East (.238/.281/.274 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs in 24 games) G 3B Blaine Prescott: Low-A Hickory (.226/.253/.310 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in 24 games) G 1B Preston Scott: Low-A Hickory (.254/.363/.507 with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in 20 games) G INF Seth Spivey: Independent Schaumberg (.393/.490/.607 with 2 HRs and 20 RBIs in 24 games) G OF Leody Taveras (ranked No. 47 in Baseball America Top 100 MLB prospects): Low-A Hickory (.256/.303/.370 with 4 HRs, 24 RBIs and 8 SBs in 57 games) G INF Anderson Tejada: Low-A Hickory (.208/.281/.360 with 4 HR and 19 RBIs in 52 games) G SP Sal Mendez: Low-A Hickory (3-3, 5.06 ERA and 1.430 WHIP in 11 games, 4 starts)
G SP Luke Lanphere: Low-A Hickory (2-0, 9.00 ERA and 2.000 WHIP in 6 games) G SP Tyler Phillips: Low-A Hickory (1-2, 6.39 ERA and 1.461 WHIP in 7 games, 4 starts) G SP Kyle Cody: Low-A Hickory (1-6, 4.34 ERA and 1.445 WHIP in 10 starts) G SP C.D. Pelham: Low-A Hickory (3-1, 1 save, 4.80 ERA and 1.567 WHIP in 16 games) G SP Nick Green: Low-A Charleston (New York Yankees) (4-4, 2.75 ERA and 1.237 WHIP in 11 starts) G SP Demarcus Evans: Low-A Hickory (2-4, 5.82 ERA and 1.708 WHIP in 8 games, 4 starts) G SP Jacob Shortslef: High-A Down East (0-1, 1 save, 4.44 ERA and 1.603 WHIP in 13 games) G RP Kaleb Fontenot: Low-A Hickory (2-1, 1 save, 3.13 ERA and 0.991 WHIP in 17 games) G RP Steven Bruce: High-A Down East (0-1, 14.54 ERA and 2.769 WHIP in five games) G RP Tyler Ferguson: Low-A Hickory (0-0, 1 save, 4.41 ERA and 1.224 WHIP in 12 games), High-A Down East (0-2, 23.14 ERA
and 3.000 WHIP in two games) G RP Kevin Lenik: Independent Windy City (1-0, 4.32 ERA and 1.320 WHIP in 9 games) G RP Tyler Stubblefield: Independent Southern Illinois (1-1, 5.40 ERA and 1.6000 WHIP in 3 games) G RP Mark Vasquez: Independent Sioux City (0-1, 32.40 and 4.800 WHIP in 1 game) G RP Chris Dula: Independent Gateway (0-0, 18.00 ERA and 3.000 WHIP in 1 game) G RP Christian Torres: Low-A Hickory (0-1, 1 save, 4.71 ERA 1.381 WHIP in 10 games), AAA Round Rock (1-1, 4.76 ERA and 1.765 WHIP in 5 games, 1 start) G RP Reid Anderson: Low-A Hickory (1-2, 7.22 ERA and 1.674 WHIP in 13 games, 2 starts) Note: Not on current active roster: OF Darius Day, 1B/3B Stephen Lohr, OF Todd McDonald, UTL Luis Terrero, 1B/3B Xavier Turner, RP Alex Daniele, RP Garrett Brummett Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com as of June 8
Indians in the majors Through June 1, 2017 These Spokane Indians players reached the major leagues since the franchise returned to short-season Class A status in 1983. Does not include players placed to Spokane on rehab assignments. Active players in boldface; **-on 60-day disabled list with MLB team.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Spokane Indian Carlos Beltran, currently of the Houston Astros, is a nine-time all-star.
Ex-Indians remain a Major presence Beltran, Grienke, Davis among 27 former players on current MLB rosters Since the Spokane Indians franchise returned to Class A short-season status in 1983, there have been 150 former Indians to play in the Major Leagues as of June 1. Of those, 27 are on a current MLB active or 60-day disabled list. Some of these players have gone on to make a big impact in the big leagues, others barely had a cup of coffee. The complete list is attached, but we’ll hand out superlatives to some of the notable or memorable – or completely anonymous, if the case may be.
Oldest
The longest-tenured former Indian in the big leagues is – by far – Carlos Beltran, Class of 1996. Beltran, 40, is still slugging for the A.L. West-leading Houston Astros. Beltran is a nine-time all-star, was A.L Rookie of the Year for the Kansas City Royals in 1999, and has been on the MVP ballot seven times, with a high finish of fourth in 2006 when he hit .275/.388/ .594 with 41 home runs and 116 RBIs for the New York Mets.
Barely here
The next most-veteran player also has one of the shortest stints with the Indians to then go on to the bigs – Zack Greinke. The mercurial starting pitcher won the Cy Young in 2009 and is a three-time all-star. The 33-year old, 14year MLB veteran is enjoying a fine season with the Arizona Diamondbacks,
his fifth big league team. Greinke appeared in two games for the Indians in 2002, the last year the team was affiliated with the Royals. Greinke gave up four runs and nine hits in 4 2⁄3 innings with Spokane.
Wrong team
Jesse Chavez played for the Indians in 2003, the first season they were affiliated with the Texas Rangers. He has played in the bigs for 10 years but never did play for the Rangers, though he did for the Royals. Chavez made his MLB debut in 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has bounced around for six organizations.
Most prolific slugger
Chris Davis played a full season for the Indians in 2006, smacking 15 homers in 69 games. He made his big league debut with the Rangers in 2008, hitting .285/ .331/.549 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs. He really blossomed into a fearsome power hitter with the Baltimore Orioles though, leading the A.L. with 53 homers and 138 RBIs in 2013. Davis finished third in the MVP balloting that year. He has hit 254 homers in 10 big league seasons.
International sensations
Three former Indians participated in this season’s World Baseball Classic – Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers for the U.S. squad; and for Puerto Rico, outfielder Carlos Beltran of the Houston Astros and pitcher Alex Claudio of the Texas Rangers. Kinsler was a 2003 draft pick of Tex-
as and played for Spokane later that summer. He hit .277 with one homer and 11 steals. Claudio was a 27th round draft pick in 2010 and played one game for the Indians before promotion.
World (Series) heroes
Two members of the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs got their starts in Spokane. Starter Kyle Hendricks pitched in 20 games – all in relief – for the Indians in 2011. He went 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA and three saves. Reliever Carl Edwards made 10 appearances for Spokane in 2012, going 2-3 with a 2.49 ERA.
All-Stars
Of the former Indians in the big leagues, six have been named to an AllStar team. Beltran is a nine-time all-star, Kinsler has been named four times and Greinke thrice. Davis, Neftali Feliz and Odubel Herrera have all been recognized as an all-star once in their big league careers.
Getting around
It is a logical conclusion that most of the former Indians to make the big leagues have appeared for the Texas Rangers since Spokane has been affiliated with Texas since 2003. In fact, 17 of the 27 current Indians in the bigs at one point played for the Rangers. But former Indians have played across the big leagues – 24 of the 30 MLB teams at one point have employed an ex-Indian. The Cubs (Kyle Hendricks, Carl Edwards, Tommy Hunter and Neil Ramirez) and Orioles (Chris Davis, Richard Bleier, Alec Asher and Hunter), at four each, have had the next most Indians alumni. The Royals and Phillies have had three apiece.
SAN DIEGO PADRES ERA (1983-1994) Sandy Alomar James Austin Joe Bitker Ricky Bones Doug Brocail Randy Byers Jerald Clark Matt Clement Joey Cora Glenn Dishman Todd Erdos Paul Faries Bryce Florie Scott Frederickson Jay Gainer Greg Harris Kevin Higgins Dave Hollins Thomas Howard Mike Humphreys Greg Keagle Greg LaRocca James Lewis Joey Long Luis Lopez Pablo Martinez Pedro (Aquino) Martinez Gary Matthews Matt Maysey Rodney McCray Juan Melo Matt Mieske Heath Murray Warren Newson Eric Nolte Lance Painter Chris Prieto Nikco Riesgo Mel Rosario A.J. Sager Scott Sanders Darrell Sherman Candy Sierra Dave Staton Jim Tatum Jason Thompson Efrain Valdez Jose Valentin Mitch Williams KANSAS CITY ROYALS ERA (1995-02) Jonah Bayliss Carlos Beltran Brandon Berger Dermal Brown Ryan Bukvich Kiko Calero Tony Cogan Joe Dillon Mark Ellis Jeremy Giambi Jason Gilfillan Zack Greinke Ken Harvey Jeremy Hill Mike MacDougal Zach McClellan Scott Mullen Donnie Murphy Kit Pellow Paul Phillips Mark Quinn Dan Reichert Brian Sanches Jose Santiago Chad Santos
Shawn Sedlacek Brian Shackelford Jason Simontacchi Kyle Snyder Mel Stocker Corey Thurman Matt Tupman Jorge Vasquez Kris Wilson TEXAS RANGERS ERA (2003-16) **Hanser Alberto Jorge Alfaro Alec Asher Chad Bell Engel Beltre Richard Bleier Brandon Boggs Julio Borbon Wilfredo Boscan Jake Brigham Joey Butler Jesse Chavez Cody Clark Alex Claudio John Danks Chris Davis Abel De Los Santos Thomas Diamond German Duran Carl Edwards Jon Edwards Cody Ege Jarad Eickhoff Neftali Feliz Joey Gallo Craig Gentry **Chi Chi Gonzalez Kyle Hendricks Odubel Herrera Derek Holland Jared Hoying Tug Hulett Tommy Hunter Eric Hurley Keone Kela Ian Kinsler Michael Kirkman Phil Klein Wes Littleton Josh Lueke Kevin Mahar Nick Martinez Doug Mathis John Mayberry Jr. Roman Mendez Yohander Mendez Travis Metcalf Justin Miller Mitch Moreland Brett Nicholas Mike Nickeas Rougned Odor Mike Olt Joe Ortiz Martin Perez Jurickson Profar Neil Ramirez Evan Reed Kevin Richardson Drew Robinson Robbie Ross Ben Rowen Ryan Rua Ryan Strausborger Taylor Teagarden Tomas Telis Justin Thompson Matt West
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SPOKANE INDIANS
JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Avista Stadium sparkles every June. In recent years, signs telling about the Spokane Tribe of Indians are posted around the facility.
Weather, timing are perfect The numbers bear it out. Average yearly attendance in 24 Triple-A seasons: 155,674. In single-A, 156,096 – with just over half the dates. The players? Well, nobody knows these guys who just pulled spikes and valleys of the talent into town, for sure. But the JOHN scouted and assembled by the players shuttling between BLANCHETTE parent club – in this case, the Tacoma and Seattle these days Texas Rangers. Lately it’s been aren’t exactly household names – more valleys; Spokane’s three unless you count Felix Northwest League Hernandez on a rehab championships and another finals assignment. And if you were appearance as a Rangers affiliate watching the Cubs making World came in the first eight years of Series history in Game 7 last this 15-year marriage. November, that was 2013 Indians TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW alum Kyle Hendricks starting the Let’s set the WABAC machine But the ballpark looks a little Bobby Brett, Indians’ Managing Partner, says the ‘timing was for the year 1982, when Spokane nicer every June. The parking’s game and Carl Edwards from the perfect’ when he took over the Indians in 1985. was feeling butt-hurt, burned and still free. You can still get in for Class of 2012 with the ball in the betrayed when its baseball team $6 and on some nights a hot dog ninth inning. was spirited off to Las Vegas, and is just a buck. Minor league baseball is big have kept a ballpark that’s Through 2013, not a single by local guys, no less. The franchise’s value does business now. That Sacramento pushing 60 years old looking like Spokane team has failed to The old Triple-A two-step. noting but grow. franchise is the most valued one of the more than 60 newer produce at least one big leaguer. Wait, what? Nobody And fate has treated Spokane non-MLB property at nearly $50 stadiums minor league baseball “It was ugly when Triple-A left remembers? pretty well. million. The valuations aren’t that has built since 2000. – people were mad,” Brett said. Well, sure, that was a Just look back at that last year gaudy in the low minors, but But it always looks better “The first two years at this level generation and more ago, and in in Triple-A, when Spokane was in consider that Brett’s $138,000 under sunny skies. weren’t good. I came out in the another era altogether when the five-team North Division of purchase from Sunshine Baseball “In the geographics we have, summer of 1985 to look at it and these things went down harder. the Pacific Coast League. Inc., 32 years ago is probably short-season works,” Brett said. things were improving, but they The step down – OK, the free-fall “Edmonton? Gone,” noted worth $5 million now. “We’re selling baseball when the were still losing money and in the elevator shaft – from being Brett. “Portland – gone. A major reason is the grass is green and there’s pent-up motivated to sell. Maybe at the a heartbeat from Major League Vancouver – gone. Tacoma’s partnership Brett forged with demand. Every minor league end of the year they might have Baseball to whatever it was hung in there because the city Spokane County from the start. team has 20 good promotions, but thought, ‘It’s getting better – let’s Spokane was going to get as a invested in the ballpark.” That first year, Brett bought 1,000 in Triple-A you have 20 in 72 hang on to it.’ But I think my consolation prize seemed at the True enough, Edmonton is out new seats, the county bought the games and here you have 20 in 36 timing was perfect.” time like a blow to the civic of the minor league business paint. The continued upgrades games.” Spokane’s, too. dignity, even if hauty big cities altogether. Vancouver lost its club sneer at ‘Triple-A towns.’ to a shiny new stadium in But economic ebb and flow is Sacramento in 2000 and joined ever ongoing. In the interim, Spokane in the NWL. Portland (Based on Spokane performance, through 2016) Spokane has also lost horse lost one PCL team in 1994, racing, the Crescent, Cougar returned after a six-year stay in Pos. Player (year) Notes football games at Albi Stadium, the NWL, then lost a turf war the Fort Spokane Brewery, with soccer and saw Triple-A C Mike Nickeas (2004) All-Star, 2.88, 10 HR, .877 OPS, caught 54 gms Seahawks camp and, it appears, leave for good. An NWL team in 1B Steve Hendricks (1987) NWL MVP, .356, club-record 75 RBI, .985 OPS the Imax Theater. suburban Hillsboro claimed the 2B Scott Bigham (1988) All-Star, .334, .822 OPS, 105 hits Yet we’ve learned to invent, territory in 2013. grow or rebuild other things that Calgary, Honolulu and Tucson SS Mark Ellis (1999) All-Star, .327, .876 OPS, 21 SB, led NWL fielding matter: the Spokane Arena, the – also in the PCL in 1982 – find 3B Dave Staton (1989) NWL MVP, triple crown, .362, 17 HR, 72 RBI Davenport, Bloomsday and themselves without affiliated Hoopfest, the Fox, Gonzaga teams, too. OF Dee Brown (1997) NWL MVP, .326, 13 HR, 17 RBI, 17 SB basketball and the Milk Bottle And Las Vegas, which pilfered Matt Mieske (1990) NWL MVP, .340, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 26 SB and Ferguson’s. There’s a craft Spokane’s toy? brewery on every corner. We’ll The 51s, as they’re now known, Darrell Sherman (1989) All-Star, club-record 58 steals, .318 keep you posted on the Pavilion were 14th of 16 PCL teams in DH Ken Harvey (1999) All-Star, club-record .397, 1.075 OPS roof. attendance last year – and SP Ricky Davis (1989) All-Star, 9-2, 1.35 ERA, 106 Ks in 93 IP And there’s still baseball. averaged about 200 fewer fans Thursday launches Year 35 of the per game than did the 2016 Glenn Dishman (1993) All-Star, 6-3, 2.20 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, no-hitter short-season era of the Spokane Indians. The club is almost a Kerry Knox (1989) All-Star, 8-2, 2.63 ERA, 7.60 K/W ratio Indians, not including an orphan decade into agitating the city for summer back in the 1970s. another new stadium, having Wilfredo Boscan (2008) All-Star, 9-1, 3.12 ERA, 6.36 K/ratio “And every year, it gets better,” gone into overdrive two years ago RP Bruce Bensching (1990) 8-1, 10 saves, 1.54 ERA, 78 K in 58 IP, 32 games said Bobby Brett, the ownership when sewage backed up into the group’s managing partner. dugout at Cashman Field. Bubba Dixon (1994) All-Star, 2-1, 11 saves, 1.19 ERA, 81 K in 45 IP He’s not talking about the It would be karma, if the MGR Tim Hulett (2007-16) 371-387, 2008 NWL title, two 1st-half titles standings, which are subject in former Spokane owners hadn’t every minor league town to the sold out long ago.
Short-season baseball fits Spokane well, just ask Bobby Brett who saw conditions were ripe in mid-1980’s
All-time Spokane Indians short-season team
All-time Spokane Indians short-season team (Based on MLB performance, through June 1)
Ian Kinsler, Indians 2003, is a 4-time A.L. All-Star with 216 career HRs.
Zack Greinke, Indians 2002, won the 2009 A.L. Cy Young Award.
Pos. C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Player (year) Sandy Alomar (1984) Chris Davis (2006) Ian Kinsler (2003) Jose Valentin (1987) Dave Hollins (1987) Carlos Beltran (1996) Gary Matthews Jr. (1994) Thomas Howard (1986) DH Jeremy Giambi (1996) SP Zach Greinke (2002) Matt Clement (1994) Derek Holland (2007) Kyle Hendricks (2011) RP Mitch Williams (1983) Neftali Feliz (2007) MGR Bruce Bochy (1989)
Notes 20 years, 6-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year 10 years, 253 HRs, .827 OPS, 1 All-Star 12 years, 4 All-Stars, 216 HR, 1,734 hits, GG 16 years, 249 HR, 1,348 hits, .769 OPS 12 years, 870 hits, .779 OPS 20 years, 9 All-Stars, ROY, 2,660 hits, 427 HR 12 years, 1 All-Star, 1,056 hits, .737 OPS 11 years, .264 ave. 6 years, 52 HR, .807 OPS, .263 ave 14 years, 3 All-Stars, Cy Young, 162-103, 3.41 9 years, 1 All-Star, 87-86, 4.47, 236 starts 9 years, 66-54, 4.23, 168 starts 4 years, 35-20, 3.01, 3rd Cy Young vote 2016 11 years, 1 All-Star, 619 games, 3.65, 192 saves 9 years, 332 games, 3.34 ERA, 107 saves 23 years, 1812-1790, 4 NL, 3 WS champs
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Although professional baseball has been played in Spokane with only a few interruptions since 1890, the city has known only five professional playing fields. Three of them occupied sites within a mile of one another. None of the ballparks was nicer than Ferris Field. None is remembered more fondly than Natatorium Park, which endured as long as the present field, which was built as Spokane Indians Baseball Stadium and known today as Avista Stadium. Recreation Park grew as rapidly as the city
during the first decade of 1900. Twickenham Park was the city’s first pro field and its least-remembered. It took major league baseball’s westward movement to revive professional baseball in Spokane and provide the city with a new ballpark. When the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles and the New York Giants went to San Francisco after the 1957 season, the Triple-A Pacific Coast League lost three franchises. Diligent
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In 1958, the Indians were an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, the original batting cage came from Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn. And the lights came from Gilmore Field in Hollywood.
This is the away jersey of the Spokane Indians. This is the first away jersey to carry the Salish language and script.
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hotos by Jesse Tinsley
MAN-REVIEW
missionary work secured one of the vacancies for Spokane. After talk about upgrading Ferris Field, the city and county teamed up to fund a modern stadium at the new fairgrounds, just east of the city limits at Broadway and Havana. The deal was struck in early December. Contractors broke ground on Jan. 9, earth work began in February and the earth-berm stadium, dedicated as Spokane Indians Baseball Stadium and
often known as the Fairgrounds Ballpark, was built in about 45 days. The first game was played there on April 29, 1958. The new field, facing east, was designed to seat 9,000. That first year, 270,297 fans turned out. The stands underwent significant renovation in 1979. Known for several seasons as Seafirst Stadium, the park remains one of the finest in the minor leagues. Its current capacity is 6,803.
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The women's restroom near third base is much larger than the one on the first-base side of the stadium. Some signs are translated into Salish, the language of the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Outside the main entrance to Avista Stadium, interpretive signs tell the story of the partnership between the Spokane Tribe and the baseball team.
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SPOKANE INDIANS
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“We want to win every night if we can ... but even in losses we have to know the kids got experience out of (the) game ...” Matt Hagen Indians manager
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Matt Hagen, on right, joins the Indians 15 seasons after he played against them in the Northwest League. This will be his first season as a manager in pro baseball.
HAGEN STEPS INTO TEACHING ROLE
New Indians manager has left his playing days behind, welcomes opportunity to share his knowledge, experience with his players By Whitney Ogden THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
It’s been 15 years since Matt Hagen has stepped onto the field at Avista Stadium. The stands are in much better shape than they were in 2002. There are a few more seats in the crowd and maybe some better food coming out of the concessions stand in the front. Hagen remembers when he occasionally visited Avista Stadium when he was barely 22 years old. Back then, Hagen was in the visitors’ dugout wearing an Everett AquaSox jersey. He had just been selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 13th round of the 2002 amateur draft. Hagen, who was drafted as an infielder but was converted into a catcher, played with the AquaSox for one season before the Mariners moved him to Wisconsin to play for the Class A Timber Rattlers. Hagen didn’t expect to ever make a reappearance in the Northwest League, especially as a manager 15 years later. “It’s kind of full circle. It’s pretty neat. It’s also really hard to think it was 15 years ago,” he said. “Until I get out of bed in the morning and think, ‘Man,’ ” while rubbing his knees, “that was 15 years
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Matt Hagen says he would still rather step into the batter’s box than coach. ago.” This season with the Spokane Indians will be Hagen’s first stint as a manager for any professional team. Hagen came to Spokane from Hickory, North Carolina, where he spent last season as an assistant coach for the parent-club Texas Rangers’ low-A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads. Hagen succeeds Tim Hulett, who managed the Spokane Indians for 10 years and led the team to a NWL championship in 2008. Now Hagen is looking to bring that success back to Spokane. The
36-year-old said there are plenty of nerves heading into the season, but not because he’s concerned about his own future with the team. Hagen said he’s concerned with making a strong impact on his players this year so that they can improve their game and work their way up the minor-league ladder. “The real pressure is making sure these kids are getting better,” Hagen said. “We want to win every night if we can ... but even in the losses we have to know that the kids got experience out of (the) game and they improved in some facet.” The players are already familiar with Hagen, some of them coming from the 2016 Crawdads team. For the last four months at Texas Rangers extended spring training, most of the players have had the chance to work with Hagen and get to know his coaching style. “I’m really excited to play for him,” catcher Isaias Quiroz said. “He’s been around baseball for a little while, so he knows how it is to be in the grind. He understands how the game is played.” Hagen, who was a standout high school player in the “one stoplight farm town” of Eaton, Colorado, played for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, before being drafted by the
Mariners. He spent 11 years in the professional baseball world, playing in the minor leagues and for independent baseball teams. He last played professionally in 2012 for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with MLB. Hagen said he’s excited to have his own team to coach, but it certainly makes it hard to stay in the dugout. If he’s being honest, he’d rather grab a helmet and take a few cuts at the plate. “I think coaches that say they’d rather coach than play are lying,” Hagen said. “At times, I’m just like, ‘just give me a bat. I can do this.’ ” But for the guys who aren’t in their 20s anymore, who have bad knees and can’t get around the bases quite as easily as they once did, Hagen said coaching is the next best thing. Coaching still gives him that adrenaline rush he use to feel in the field or while at the plate. And on Opening Day on Thursday when the Indians face the Boise Hawks, he expects the first-day jitters won’t feel much different than how they felt 15 years ago. “The nerves will really hit ... an hour before the game,” Hagen said. “Opening Day is special, no matter if you’re playing or coaching.” CONTACT THE WRITER:
(509)459-5753 whitneyo@spokesman.com
HULETT RECIPIENT OF INDIANS ‘RIM OF HONOR’
Former manager spent 10 seasons in Spokane, 2-time manager of year By Dave Nichols THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
The Spokane Indians will honor former manager Tim Hulett as an Indians “Rim of Honor” recipient during Thursday’s pregame Opening Day ceremonies. “Being there for 10 years and seeing all the different people being honored, I feel very honored to be a part of that group to be honored in the Rim,” Hulett said by phone this week. “It’s a pretty neat honor.” The Indians have four permanent members of the Rim of Honor: Dwight Aden, Tommy Lasorda, Levi McCormack and Maury Wills. Hulett will be recognized this season, along with The Spokesman-Review, as the two
seasonal rotating honorees. Hulett managed the club from 2007-2016 and was Northwest League Manager of the Year twice, in 2008 following the team’s NWL championship, and again after the 2010 season, when the Indians were Eastern Division champions and NWL runners-up. Hulett is the longest tenured manager in the Indians’ 113-year history. Named manager in 2007, the Shreveport, Louisiana, native managed the Indians for a record 758 games. Hulett compiled a 371387 record in Spokane. Hulett was proud of the legacy he leaves in Spokane. “In baseball in general, the legacy that you usually leave is that you show up to work everyday. Showing up for work, helping young players reach
DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW
Former Spokane manager Tim Hulett fires batting practice in 2011. Hulett will be added to Indians ‘Rim of Honor’ on Thursday. for their dreams, build character, the Texas Rangers. I think those the way they conduct their busi- are the things we wanted to inness for the Spokane Indians and still.”
Hulett also serves as the head coach at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, winning the 2-A state title five times. Hulett’s tenure in the low minor leagues was a bit unusual for a profession that generally functions on year-to-year contracts. “I feel quite accomplished by that,” Hulett said. “Some of that has to do with that the Rangers would keep hiring me back, the Spokane Indians wanted me back as well each year. Some of it was the time of life for me. “I’m a little bit older and I love doing the high school in Shreveport so I didn’t really want to give up that job. The Rangers went out of their way to make it work for me really only working three and a half, four months for them.” CONTACT THE WRITER:
(509) 459-5441 daven@spokesman.com
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
JUNE 15, 2017
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2017 SPOKANE INDIANS
TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
THE TEAM
Indians players greet team mascot Otto during FanFest on Saturday, June 10, at Avista Stadium. Not pictured below: No. 36 Migual Aparacio (OF).
1 - Melvin Novoa, C
SPOKANE INDIANS TEAM HEADSHOTS / BY JANA JUDAY
33 - Sterling Wynn, LHP
2 - Yohel Pozo, C
14 - Charles LeBlanc, IF
20 - Kobie Taylor, CF
26 - Ismel Lopez, RHP
34 - Tyler Phillips, RHP
3- Jonah McReynolds, SS
15 - Johan Juan, RHP
21 - Tyree Thompson, RHP
27 - Steven Bruce, RHP
35 - Luis Lopez, RHP
4 - Christian Inoa, SS
16 - Reiver Sanmartin, LHP
22 - Ronny Carvajal, RHP
28 - Curtis Terry, 1B
37 - Argenis Rodriguez, RHP
6 - Clay Middleton, C
17 - Nick Kaye, OF
23 - Dario Beltre, RHP
30 - Jacob Rogers, RHP
40 - Joe Kuzia, RHP
10 - Kole Enright, 2B
18 - Joe Barlow, RHP
24 - Isaias Quiroz, C
31-Andretty Cordero, 1B/3B
43 - Tai Tiedemann, RHP
12 - Chad Smith, OF
19 - Cole Ragans, LHP
25 - Austin O’Banion, CF
32 - Grant Zawadzki, RHP
44 - Alex Speas, RHP
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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
SPOKANE INDIANS
Indians plan several fan-friendly promotions ing opening night on Thursday, the Fourth of July and the season finale on Sept. 3. This year, fans will have the opportunity to dress as their favorite characters from Star Wars in two consecutive home games. Star Wars Night is Saturday in the middle of the Indians’ fivegame series against the Boise Hawks. The team will host “Luke, I Am Your Father” Day on Sunday. For those who are looking for a more magical evening at the ballpark, the Indians will host a Harry Potter-themed night on June 28 against the Tri-City Dust Devils. July 15 will mark the 12th straight year that the Indians have hosted the Pitch for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk. Fans can participate in a 1-mile walk that cir-
From Star Wars to fireworks, there’s something for every fan By Whitney Ogden THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
If you’re planning on making it to Avista Stadium this season to watch the Spokane Indians up close, chances are there will be more to see than the baseball game. The Indians will host several themed nights, fireworks celebrations and a variety of sponsored promotions in more than half of the team’s home games. The Indians have reserved eight nights for postgame fireworks, includ-
Daddy-Daughter Day on July 16, Halloween Night on Sept. 1, Taco Night on June 27 and three Bark in the Park days – the first on July 5 – when fans can bring their dogs to the stadium. Avista Stadium will also host three Yoke’s $1 Family Feast nights when fans can purchase Cloverdale hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi products for $1. For the full schedule, list of promotions and to purchase tickets, go to spokaneindians.com. Single-game tickets are available for purchase online. Fans can also purchase season tickets or ticket packages of seven, 14 or 21 games.
cles the stadium. The Indians will wear pink jerseys, which will be auctioned off to support the cause. All donations will benefit Every Woman Can and will assist local survivors and those in need of care. The Indians will also be helping to benefit the Rypien Foundation during Ride the Bases on July 9. The Rypien Foundation, founded by former Washington State football player and ex-NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, supports families fighting childhood cancer. The ride will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson and will end at Avista Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Participants will ride onto the field for the national anthem ahead of Spokane’s 3:30 p.m. game against the Hillsboro Hops. Other promotions this year include
CONTACT THE WRITER:
(509)459-5753 whitneyo@spokesman.com
TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Mike Boyle has done play-by-play for the Spokane Indians since 2011. He is also the longtime voice of the Spokane Chiefs.
Worthy of a mic drop
Mike Boyle, voice of the Spokane Indians, balances broadcasting jobs, fatherhood By Whitney Ogden THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Mike Boyle doesn’t leave much room for leisure time these days. When he’s not doing his almost nightly play-by-play broadcast for the Spokane Indians, he’s calling the hockey games for the Spokane Chiefs. And when he’s not on the radio, he’s most likely trucking around a news camera, grabbing footage of state tournaments, Gonzaga basketball games or whatever else KREM-TV sends him out to do. But balancing three jobs isn’t Boyle’s toughest challenge. Between television news and radio play-by-plays, Boyle is trying to navigate himself through parenthood while raising his two young sons – 7-year-old Patrick and 2-year-old Jackson. “They’re a handful,” Boyle said. Having a couple of kids hasn’t made the grind any easier, but Boyle said his family, including his wife, Shelly, has certainly kept his life in Spokane happy and busy. Boyle started his journey in Spokane sports 17 years ago when he joined the
PROMOTIONS: JUNE 15: Opening-night fireworks & AAA Magnet Schedule Giveaway 16: Yoke’s $1 Family Feast night 17: Star Wars night 18: Luke, I Am Your Father’s Day game 19: Social Media Monday 26: Smokey Bear night 27: Taco Tuesday 28: Harry Potter night JULY 4: 4th of July Fireworks night 5: Bark in the Park night 6: Fields of Green sweepstakes 7: Yoke’s $1 Family Feast night 8: Fireworks night 9: Motorcycle rally & pregame Ride the Bases 10: Make a Difference Monday & pregame LEO’s Youth Clinic #1 15: Fireworks & Breast Cancer Awareness night 16: Daddy-daughter day game 17: Bark in the Park #2
KXLY team as a weekend sports anchor. Two years later, he was offered a job as the voice of the Western Hockey League’s Chiefs. That same year, Boyle left KXLY and went to KREM, where he has continued to work part time as the station’s utility player – he anchors, produces newscasts, reports for the sports desk and gets behind the camera when he needs to. Although he enjoys working for television news, Boyle admitted that his passion is calling games on sports radio. Boyle has roughly 25 years of play-by-play experience. He began calling games in 1991 at Boise State and for the local high schools in southern Idaho. He took gigs with nearly every sport, including basketball, track and field, and even gymnastics. In 2007, Boyle became the play-by-play announcer for the Tri-City Dust Devils baseball team, which is now the Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. For four summers as the voice of the Dust Devils, Boyle left his home in Spokane and traveled to Pasco where he lived in a trailer at an RV park.
“That was interesting,” Boyle said. “It just felt like I was on a camping trip all summer.” Once the Tri-City baseball season came to end in September, Boyle would pack up his things and head back home to Spokane. In the offseason, Boyle reported for KREM and called the Chiefs games in the winter. Boyle finally had the opportunity to work in Spokane year-round again when Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Robertson stepped down as the voice of the Indians in 2011. Boyle immediately interviewed for the vacant position and was eventually named the new voice of the team. He was already familiar with the Indians since he occasionally filled in for Robertson when needed. Boyle even called the Northwest League championship game in 2008 when Spokane won its last title with a 3-1 win over Salem-Keizer. It was the only time Boyle had ever called a championship game winner. “My teams never won until I had to back up somebody,” Boyle said. When the Indians are done playing for the summer, Boyle picks up where he left off with KREM, and prepares for the Chiefs in the winter. Boyle said he has thought about changing the game up a bit. He sometimes wonders about leaving news
2017 Indians schedule July 30 EVE
18 BOI
19 BOI
JUNE TUE WED THU 13 14 15 BOI 20 21 22 T-C T-C T-C
25 VAN
26 T-C
27 T-C
2 BOI 9 HIL 16 S-K 23 HIL
3 BOI 10 HIL
4 5 6 7 VAN VAN HIL HIL 11 12 13 14 VAN VAN VAN 18 19 20 21 S-K S-K HIL HIL 25 26 27 28 EVE EVE EVE EVE
SUN MON 11 12
28 T-C
29 BOI
FRI 16 BOI
SAT 17 BOI
23 24 VAN VAN 30 July 1 BOI BOI
AUGUST 31-Aug. 2 3 All-Star break EUG
10 EVE
and eventually just doing play-by-play for one team at a higher level. If that opportunity presented itself, Boyle said he would have a hard time turning it down. But the hardest thing would be deciding on just one sport to call. Hockey is quick, energetic and unpredictable, and calling the game is always fast-paced and exciting. “You feel like an auctioneer sometimes calling it,” Boyle said. Baseball, on the other hand, gives Boyle the chance to delve into the sport, analyze the plays and talk about the game’s history. “That’s one thing baseball has more than any other sport, is its history,” Boyle said. Calling baseball games “allows you the chance to be a storyteller and show the knowledge you have for the sport.” For now, he’ll keep up his balancing act in Spokane. Boyle said with a young family, bouncing around three jobs can get hectic at times – but he loves every moment of it. “If anyone has a more ideal job than me, I sure would like to talk to them because I really love what I do,” Boyle said.
4 EUG
11 EUG
CONTACT THE WRITER:
(509)459-5753 whitneyo@spokesman.com
5 EUG 12 EUG
6 EUG 13 EUG 20 T-C
7 EUG
8 EVE
9 EVE
14 EUG 21 T-C
15 EUG 22 T-C
27 S-K
28 S-K
29 S-K
16 17 18 19 VAN VAN VAN VAN 23 24 25 26 T-C T-C T-C S-K 30 31 Sept. 1 2 S-K EVE EVE
3 EVE
4
JULY
17 S-K 24 HIL
8 HIL 15 S-K
22 HIL 29 EVE
SEPTEMBER 5-9 NWL Playoffs
Notes: Home games in colored squares. Blue = First pitch at 6:30 p.m. Red = First pitch at 3:30 p.m. Televised games on SWX: June 15, July 7, July 15, Aug. 4, Aug. 5, Aug. 19. Legend: BOI - Boise Hawks, T-C - Tri-City Dust Devils, VAN - Vancouver (B.C.) Canadians, HIL - Hillsboro Hops, EVE - Everett AquaSox, EUG - Eugene Emeralds, S-K - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
18: First Responders Appreciation 19: Baseball Hat Giveaway 25: Christmas in July 26: Future Texas Rangers night and pregame LEO’s youth clinic #2 27: Yoke’s $1 Family Feast night AUGUST 3: Dollars In Your Dog night 4: Fireworks night 5: Fireworks night 6: Kids Day & Otto’s Birthday Bash 7: Augtoberfest 16: Outdoor Expo 17: Building Blocks & Baseball night 18: Storybook Princess night 19: Yoke’s $1 Family Feast night 23: Bark in the Park #3 24: Back-to-School night SEPTEMBER 1: Raining Money night 2: Halloween night 3: Season-finale fireworks
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
JUNE 15, 2017
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SPOKANE INDIANS A 1958 photo of the construction of the grandstand for the team’s stadium at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.
There are express lines for beer, soda or peanuts that bookend the main concession stand.
TRICKS, TRIVIA & TREATS
TYLER TJOMSLAND PHOTOS/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Noah Alves, 5, shakes the hand of pitcher Joe Kuzia after getting a ball signed as Noah’s sister Penny, 3, waits her turn during team’s FanFest last Saturday.
Everything you need to know about going to see a Spokane Indians game at Avista Stadium why they’re called express lines. But if all you need is a soda, beer or peanuts, this is the line you Going to an Indians baseball want. game is as much a part of summer life in Eastern G Are there any other places Washington as heading to the for shorter lines? Possibly. The lines at the concession stand lakes or making fun of people behind third base can be from Seattle. Still, there are a shorter, but they also only have few things you’ve always certain foods – like Chinese, wanted to ask someone. You’ve always wondered how Mexican and a new baked-potato bar. you could be a part of one of those crazy games in between G About that third-base innings. Or maybe you just concession stand – most things wondered where to find the on that menu can be turned into biggest bathrooms. Or the really a wrap. If that’s what you’re important stuff, like where are into. Again, we’re not passing the shortest lines for a beer. judgment. You’ve even heard rumors of G I’m super cheap. But also a buried safe. And its puzzled hungry. Can I bring my own you why the Canadian national food to the game? No, no you anthem is sung before some can’t, and it’s literally a league games. rule. And now that we know this Well, you’ve come to the right about you, you can’t date our place. friend, either. They’re not going The Spokesman-Review has to card you if you order the kids been going to games at this meal, and it’s pretty affordable. ballpark long before it was G Speaking of the kids meal, named after one of our utility along with the hot dog and companies. We know things. chicken strips, you get french fries and a small soda. Or you G There are all sorts of food can switch the fries with apples and beverage options at the and switch the soda for juice. main concession area right as These options are new this you enter the park. But you season. want a hot dog, some nachos, a slice of pizza and a beer. And G Here’s our final food possibly those tasty-looking secret. The lines are almost tater tots. Do you have to stand always shorter in the Diamond in each line? No. All items are Club area, if you know someone available at each line. You’re who can sneak you up there. good. Order it all. But you know You also can get a quesadilla that’s like 5,200 calories, right? and pretty tasty brisket We’re totally not passing sandwich there. Both are only judgment, especially if you got available at that concession in all of your steps today. stand. G Well, you can’t get G The women’s restroom on everything at every line. There the third-base side is bigger are express lines on each side of than the one on the first-base that main concession stand. You side. The men’s restrooms are can’t order everything on the basically the same on each side. menu from those lines. That’s G Do you want to get your
Staff report
“Wheel of Snowcone” to get a random flavor for your icy treat. G Kids can go on the field for the seventh-inning stretch, but must get a pass from an usher ahead of time. G When the Vancouver Canadians are in town to play the Indians, both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” are sung before the game. G The stadium was built in just three months in 1958. G Batting practice is free to watch before most home games. Yes, even if you don’t have a ticket to the game. That’s because it typically occurs before the stadium opens for Rachael Kettner runs the information booth where parents can ticketed attendees of that night’s sign their children up for in-game activities. game. However, you might not get to see all of batting practice. They clear out the stadium to get it ready to let in the paying customers. G The Rim of Honor was created at the stadium in 2007 to honor legendary Spokane players and coaches (plus others who have connections to the team). There are four permanent members: players Dwight Aden, Levi McCormack and Maury Wills (who also scored the first run in the stadium), and manager Tommy Lasorda. G Yes, the field looks great. It’s overseeded, and has been voted as the best field in the league, by the league’s managers, 22 times since 1997. Left-hander Sam Weaver fires a ball at the Speed Pitch attraction The Sports Turf Managers in the kids’ play area during FanFest last Saturday. Association has named Avista Stadium as its “field of the year” three times. some outfield seats in the kid’s birthday announced? It’s stadium that can’t see the main G There totally is a buried free. Go to the information safe in the team’s offices. It was booth by the team store early in scoreboard. discovered by contractors a few the game to get on the G All the outfield fence signs years ago when renovations announcement list. are hand-painted, with Avista were being made, and team Stadium being one of the very G That information booth is also where you can sign up to be last ballparks in the nation to do officials decided to leave the safe not only unopened, but also a part of the on-field games that that. in its original location. There’s a happen in between innings. G All right, we fibbed. Here’s another fun food tip if you have special floor hatch in the team’s G There’s a hand-operated, administrative offices to see the kids with you. At Otto’s Sweet old-school scoreboard on the safe. Tooth, you can ask to spin the pressbox because there are
The Rim of Honor celebrates players, coaches and others who are a part of the ballclub’s history.
A floor safe of unknown vintage remains unopened in the floor of the Spokane Indians offices at Avista Stadium.
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SPOKANE INDIANS
JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
The 2017 regular-season jerseys for the Spokane Indians. The away jersey, right, carries the Salish script which has been used more frequently on the home jersey for several years.
Indians and tribe form unique Cooperstown combo Salish jersey now part of MLB Hall of Fame and Museum ROB CURLEY
Editor A Spokane Indians jersey is now in Cooperstown. And not just temporarily there. It’s a permanent part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s storied collection of artifacts celebrating the National Pastime. You’re probably saying to yourself that this doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t. Which is part of why it’s so perfect. I tell people all of the time that Spokane doesn’t make sense. And I typically say it in front of large groups of people. From Spokane. It’s meant as a loving compliment. But when people first hear it, their eyes squint, either in confusion or even anger. Their body language shifts directly to something north of uncomfortable. Sometimes a few people laugh, typically to break the tension of a possibly very awkward moment. Then I explain that this community’s ability to do incredible things that consistently just don’t make sense is the very thing I adore most about Spokane. It’s the thing that makes us “us.” It makes no sense for the highest-rated hotel in Washington to be in Spokane. It makes no sense that our community takes such amazing care of its parks, and even invests in making them even better. It makes no sense that the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the world, which is about to become an Olympic sport, is held here. Or that the nation’s largest timed road race has runners racing through our streets. It makes no sense for a community of our size to have a world-class symphony. Or that it performs in a world-class building. It makes no sense that one of the nation’s most elite college basketball teams is at a tiny private university in our town. Or that most people outside of Eastern Washington still pronounce its name incorrectly. And no telling of our community’s history is complete without an explanation of how Spokane became the smallest city on the planet to host a world’s fair. Not making sense is core to our community’s DNA. That’s why knowing that baseball’s ultimate shrine wanted a jersey from our hometown team fits so perfectly with our unique ability to do things that make other communities collectively shake their heads in disbelief. Local baseball fans already know of the players in Cooperstown who once played for our longtime minor-league team. Anyone who has been to a game at Avista Stadium has likely seen the monuments outside the front gates telling the stories of the on-field feats of those legendary
In 2006, the Spokane Indians worked together with the Spokane Tribe of Indians to develop a logo for the team.
ballplayers with Spokane ties. But having something specifically from Spokane enshrined in baseball’s hall – something even more impressive than a player who spent a few months here early in his career wearing our team’s jersey – is beyond unique. Especially since it’s actually a jersey. And what makes the jersey so special is part of what makes the story so darn good. If you’ve been to an Indians game over the last few years, you’ve likely seen the team wearing a jersey that almost always causes doubletakes. Sp’q’n’i. The first response is typically something akin to: “Did they actually misspell Spokane?” Nope. The answer is that the team might be the first to actually spell it correctly. The Spokane Indians have been playing baseball here since the early 1900s. The team was named after the Spokane Indian tribe. But there hasn’t always been a real relationship between the tribe and the team. Over the last couple of decades, that has changed. And as the relationship grew, so did the trust. Though the team has used Native American imagery throughout its history, it wasn’t always done with much – or even any – input from the tribe. That began to change in the late 1980s. The team and the tribe began meeting more and more. By 2006, the partnership became more strategic. During one of those meetings just a few years ago, the tribe explained to the team how it was working to put its native language to paper, but that it was extremely difficult because only a dozen or so people on the reservation still spoke the language fluently. At the same time, the team was working on a new logo and uniforms. That’s where it clicked. The team would spell Spokane on its jerseys, but in Salish. It took awhile to get there, which explains why the team’s mascot is a cartoonish dinosaur and not something tied to Native American imagery. “We were very cautious early on, which is why we didn’t use any native imagery for so many years,” said Otto Klein, the team’s senior vice president. “I think we’ve grown more comfortable in our own skin as the relationship with the tribe has progressed and realized that this is who
we are and these are the people we represent.” In 2014, the Indians were allowed by Major League Baseball to wear the Salish uniforms for only a select number of home games. MLB controls uniforms and images used by its affiliated minor-league teams. To help explain this to fans watching games at Avista Stadium, the ushers carry cards that explain the Salish spelling, along with a little bit of information about the tribe. Even some of the signage in the stadium is done in Salish, such as having the Salish words for men and women at the restrooms. In 2015, the Spokane Indians were allowed to wear the Salish jerseys for every home game. When Spokane hosted the All-Star Game for the Pioneer and Northwest leagues that year, the jerseys were done in Salish. This season, the Indians will even wear the Salish jerseys on the road. In case you’re wondering, all of this pretty unusual. That’s why Klein is asked to speak throughout the region, and even to teams and organizations nationwide, about its unique relationship with the tribe.
“Our team is named in honor of a group of people, as opposed to just having a nickname,” Klein explained. “It sounds like a subtle distinction, but it really is an important difference for us. We’re not the Storm or the Tigers or even the Indians in a way that other teams might be. We are named in honor of the Spokane Tribe. “On the other hand, we never pass judgment on other teams and their names, or even comment on them. But we know what it means to us. For us, that means we work together.” Spokane Tribal Council Chairwoman Carol Evans said that has been the key to why this relationship has been successful. She said the team always asks how they can work better together, never “telling us” how the two should partner. “They always ask permission and have a good dialogue with us,” she said. “They not only listen with their ears, but with their hearts, which is a lesson taught from our elders. “They’ve really taken the time to understand who we are and to help us with educating people on who the original people of this land were and are. They understand the issues that are important to our tribe, and helping with the revitalization of our language has been important to us. “Doing this in a way that was respectful of our tribe and of our people is a big reason why we all believe the team’s jersey is now in the baseball hall of fame,” she said. The Hall of Fame has said as much. No, it doesn’t make sense that a minor-league jersey from Spokane is now enshrined at Cooperstown. But of all of the things in our community that don’t make sense that we should be proud of, this should be one of our community’s proudest accomplishments. Sports teams rarely get to lead efforts to help a community discover itself, leading to a deeper teaching moment. There’s a lot that can be learned from how a minor-league baseball team worked with a local tribe to do something that benefits all.
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