Idaho Falls Chukars
Idaho Falls Chukars Founded in 1940 Idaho Falls, Idaho | |||||
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Class-level | |||||
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Current | Rookie Advanced (1964–present) | ||||
Previous | Class – C (1940–1963) | ||||
Minor league affiliations | |||||
League | Pioneer League (1946–present; 1940–42)[1] | ||||
Division | South Division | ||||
Previous leagues | Utah–Idaho League (1926–28) | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Current | Kansas City Royals (2004–present) | ||||
Previous |
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Minor league titles | |||||
League titles (3) |
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Division titles (7) |
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Team data | |||||
Nickname | Idaho Falls Chukars (2004–present) | ||||
Previous names |
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Colors |
Burgundy, silver, black, white[2] | ||||
Mascot | Charlie the Chukar | ||||
Ballpark | Melaleuca Field (2007–present) | ||||
Previous parks | McDermott Field (1978–2006) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Elmore Sports Group | ||||
Manager | Justin Gemoll | ||||
General Manager | Kevin Greene |
The Idaho Falls Chukars are a professional baseball club based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Chukars are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play their home games at Melaleuca Field, which has a seating capacity of 3,400. The dimensions of the ballpark are 340' to left field, 400' to center field, and 350' to right field. The playing surface is natural grass (Kentucky bluegrass).[3]
The team plays in the Pioneer League, a short-season league operating from June to early September, which is designated as Rookie Advanced League. They adopted the name the Chukars following a fan vote when the major league affiliation changed after the 2003 season. A Chukar is a game bird found in the region.
Franchise history
After fielding a team in the Utah–Idaho League from 1926 to 1928, the franchise restarted in 1940 and were called the Russets, playing in the Pioneer League. Some famous baseball alumni of the Idaho Falls ball club are Billy Martin, Joe Maddon, Jose Canseco, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler.
Current roster
Idaho Falls Chukars roster | ||||
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Players | Coaches/Other | |||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Notable alumni
Numerous Idaho Falls alumni advanced to Major League baseball, some alumni of note include:[4]
- Raul Mondesi (2012)
- Danny Duffy (2010)
- Wil Myers (2009) 2013 AL Rookie of the Year
- Eric Hosmer (2008) 3 × GG
- Salvador Pérez (2008–09) 3 × GG; 3 × MLB AS; 2015 World Series MVP
- Greg Holland (2007) 2 × MLB AS
- Mike Moustakas (2007) MLB AS
- Billy Butler (2004) MLB AS
- J. P. Howell (2004)
- George Kottaras (2003)
- Carlos Lezcano (2003, MGR)
- José Lobatón (2003)
- Óliver Pérez (2000)
- Jake Peavy (1999) GG; 3 × MLB AS; 2007 NL wins Leader; 2× MLB ERA leader (2004, 2007); 2× NL strikeout leader (2005, 2007); 2007 NL Cy Young Award
- Brian Lawrence (1998)
- Shawn Camp (1997)
- Matt Clement (1995) MLB AS
- Ben Davis (1995)
- Chris Brock (1992)
- Dave Hilton (1992, MGR)
- Terrell Wade (1992)
- Tony Graffanino (1991)
- Cloyd Boyer (1989, MGR)
- Tyler Houston (1989)
- Rusty Monsees (1988)
- Kevin Brown (1986) MLB: 211 wins; 6 × MLB AS; 2 × NL ERA Leader (1996, 2000)
- Rod Gilbreath (1986–87, MGR)
- Al Martin (1986) 12 MLB seasons
- Jim Nettles (1984 MGR)
- Félix José (1984) MLB AS
- Jose Canseco (1982) 6 × MLB AS; 1st 40 HR/40 SB player; 2 × MLB home run leader (1988, 1991); 1988 MLB RBI Leader; 1986 AL Rookie of the Year; 1988 AL Most Valuable Player
- Dick Schofield (1981)
- Devon White (1981) 7 × GG; 3 × MLB AS
- Joe Maddon (1981, MGR) MLB MGR; 3 × MLB Manager of the Year (2008, 2011, 2015)
- Gary Pettis (1979) 5 × GG
- Tom Brunansky (1978) MLB AS
- Mike Witt (1978) 2 × MLB AS; Perfect Game: 9/30/1984
- Richard Dotson (1977) MLB AS
- Alan Wiggins (1977)
- Mark Brouhard (1976)
- Keith Comstock (1976)
- Bobby Clark (1975)
- Mark Clear (1975) 2 × MLB AS
- Carney Lansford (1975) MLB AS; 1981 AL Batting Title
- Floyd Rayford (1975)
- Thad Bosley (1974)
- Julio Cruz (1974) MLB: 343 SB
- Larry Himes (1974–77, MGR) MLB GM
- Rance Mulliniks (1974)
- Dave Collins (1972) 16 MLB Seasons
- Ron Jackson (1971)
- Dan Briggs (1970-70)
- Dick Lange (1970)
- Sid Monge (1970) MLB AS
- Morris Nettles (1970)
- Rudy Meoli (1969)
- Norm Sherry (1969, MGR)
- Lloyd Allen (1968)
- Steve Kealey (1966)
- Doug Griffin (1965) GG
- Tom Egan (1964)
- Marty Perez (1964–65)
- Frank Fernández (1963) MLB: Most Career HR with BA below .200
- Steve Whitaker (1962–63)
- Jim Shellenback (1962)
- Tommy McCraw (1961) MLB player; MLB: 23 seasons hitting coach
- Cisco Carlos (1961) 1968 Sports Illustrated cover
- Jerry McNertney 9 MLB Seasons; MLB coach
- Bob Locker (1960) 12 MLB seasons
- Dennis Higgins (1960)
- Jim Hicks (1960–61)
- Peanuts Lowrey (1960, MGR) MLB AS; MLB coach
- Fred Talbot (1960)
- Bob Clear (1959, MGR)
- John Pregenzer (1959) Subject of SF Giants' fans John Pregenzer Fan Club
- Tom Parsons (1959)
- Donn Clendenon (1959) 1969 World Series MVP
- Jim Campbell (1959)
- Jake Wood (1958) 1961 AL Triples Leader
- Buck Rodgers (1958) MLB Player; MLB MGR; 1987 NL Manager of the Year
- Al Lakeman (1957–58, Player/MGR)
- Howie Koplitz (1957)
- Stan Wasiak (1956, MGR) Minor League MGR Record: 2530 Wins
- Bob Johnson (1956) 11 LB Seasons; WS Champion
- Charlie Metro (1956, MGR) MLB Player; MLB MGR
- Ken Rowe (1955) MLB Player; MLB pitching coach (Baltimore Orioles)
- Pat Mullin (1955, Player/MGR) 2 × MLB AS; World War II: US Army (1942–45)
- Bubba Morton (1955) MLB Player; Head Baseball Coach University of Washington (1972-72)
- Cuno Barragan (1953) Inducted Mexican American Hall of Fame
- John Briggs (1952–53)
- Frank Gabler (1949, Player/ MGR)
- Ken Lehman (1948)
- Billy Martin (1946) MLB AS; MLB MGR 1,253 wins; MGR: 1977 World Series Champion—New York Yankees
- Bill Wight (1941) 12 MLB Seasons
- Clancy Smyres (1941) MLB autograph is more valuable than Babe Ruth[5]
- Elmer Singleton (1941)
- Doc Marshall (1941)
- Woody Main (1941)
- Ed Bahr (1940)
- Ed Coleman (1927)
- Roy Johnson (1926) 1936 WS Champion; brother of Indian Bob Johnson
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Jose Canseco 1989
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Jake Peavy, 2007
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Kansas City Royals Billy Butler, 2011
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Mike Moustakas, Game 1, 2015 World Series
References
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
- ↑ "Chukars Proudly Release New Logo". Idaho Falls Chukars. November 18, 2003. Archived from the original on January 4, 2004. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Melaleuca Field Information". Idaho Falls Chukars. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ↑ <http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
- ↑ http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/the-strange-saga-of-clancy-smyres-and-why-his-autograph-is-more-valuable-than-babe-ruth/