Bellingham Dodgers
Encyclopedia
The Bellingham Mariners were a minor league baseball
team that represented Bellingham, Washington
in the Northwest League
. The franchise was affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers
from 1973-76 (during which time they were called the Bellingham Dodgers), the Seattle Mariners
from 1977-94 (in which they took the name they held the longest, the Bellingham Mariners, or the "Baby M's" as they were popularly known), and the San Francisco Giants
from 1995-96 (they became the Bellingham Giants for those two seasons) before they moved to Keizer, Oregon
and became the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
.
In 1987, Ken Griffey, Jr.
hit his first professional home run while on the road at Everett Memorial Stadium
. A plaque was placed on the sidewalk outside the stadium where the ball landed.
The Bellingham franchise played at Joe Martin Field a stadium with a seating capacity near 2,000. The park is still in use by the Bellingham Bells
a team that plays in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team that represented Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
in the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
. The franchise was affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
from 1973-76 (during which time they were called the Bellingham Dodgers), the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
from 1977-94 (in which they took the name they held the longest, the Bellingham Mariners, or the "Baby M's" as they were popularly known), and the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
from 1995-96 (they became the Bellingham Giants for those two seasons) before they moved to Keizer, Oregon
Keizer, Oregon
Keizer is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States, along the 45th parallel. It was named for Thomas Dove and John Brooks Keizer, two pioneers who arrived in the Wagon Train of 1843, and later filed donation land claims. The population was 36,278 at the 2010 census...
and became the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a minor league baseball team in Keizer, Oregon, United States. They are a Short-Season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants since the Volcanoes' inception in 1997...
.
In 1987, Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
hit his first professional home run while on the road at Everett Memorial Stadium
Everett Memorial Stadium
Everett Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Everett, Washington, USA. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Everett AquaSox minor league baseball team. It opened in 1984 and was remodeled in 1998, and it currently holds 3,682 people. It is also home to the Puget Sound...
. A plaque was placed on the sidewalk outside the stadium where the ball landed.
The Bellingham franchise played at Joe Martin Field a stadium with a seating capacity near 2,000. The park is still in use by the Bellingham Bells
Bellingham Bells
The Bellingham Bells are a collegiate summer baseball team in the West Coast League. The Bellingham Bells strive to provide their fans, sponsors, and partners with the very best in competitive baseball and affordable entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere.The team is composed of college...
a team that plays in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League.
Year-by-year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 42-37 | 3rd | Bill Berrier Bill Berrier William F Berrier was a manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system for 10 years from 1966-1976. His career managerial record was 1,023-496, a winning percentage of .675. He won the Northwest League championship with the Rogue Valley Dodgers in 1969... |
none |
| 1974 | 52-32 | 1st | Bill Berrier Bill Berrier William F Berrier was a manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system for 10 years from 1966-1976. His career managerial record was 1,023-496, a winning percentage of .675. He won the Northwest League championship with the Rogue Valley Dodgers in 1969... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1975 | 17-61 | 6th | Bill Berrier Bill Berrier William F Berrier was a manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system for 10 years from 1966-1976. His career managerial record was 1,023-496, a winning percentage of .675. He won the Northwest League championship with the Rogue Valley Dodgers in 1969... |
|
| 1976 | 30-42 | 6th | Bill Berrier Bill Berrier William F Berrier was a manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system for 10 years from 1966-1976. His career managerial record was 1,023-496, a winning percentage of .675. He won the Northwest League championship with the Rogue Valley Dodgers in 1969... |
|
| 1977 | 42-26 | 2nd | Bobby Floyd Bobby Floyd Robert Nathan Floyd is an American former Major League Baseball player. An infielder, Floyd played for the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.... |
League Champs |
| 1978 | 41-30 | 3rd | Bob Didier Bob Didier Robert Daniel Didier is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams from 1969 through 1974. Listed at , , he was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed.... |
|
| 1979 | 41-31 | 3rd (t) | Jeff Scott | |
| 1980 | 45-25 | 1st | Jeff Scott | Co-Champs w/ Eugene Emeralds Eugene Emeralds The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001.... |
| 1981 | 39-31 | 2nd | Jeff Scott | Lost playoffs |
| 1982 | 33-37 | 3rd | Jeff Scott | |
| 1983 | 40-28 | 2nd | Jeff Scott | Lost playoffs |
| 1984 | 42-32 | 3rd | Gary Pellant | |
| 1985 | 39-35 | 3rd (t) | Gary Pellant | |
| 1986 | 45-29 | 1st (t) | Sal Rende | League Champs |
| 1987 | 30-46 | 7th | Rick Sweet Rick Sweet Ricky Joe Sweet is a former professional baseball catcher. He played three seasons in Major League Baseball between 1978 and 1983, and has since had a long career as minor and major league coach and minor league manager... |
|
| 1988 | 25-51 | 8th | P.J. Carey | |
| 1989 | 32-43 | 7th | P.J. Carey | |
| 1990 | 32-44 | 6th | P.J. Carey | |
| 1991 | 37-39 | 5th (t) | Dave Myers Dave Myers (baseball) David K. Myers is an American professional baseball coach and a former minor league shortstop and manager. From through , Myers was the third-base coach of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.... |
|
| 1992 | 43-33 | 1st (t) | Dave Myers Dave Myers (baseball) David K. Myers is an American professional baseball coach and a former minor league shortstop and manager. From through , Myers was the third-base coach of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.... |
League Champs |
| 1993 | 44-32 | 1st | Mike Goff | Lost playoffs |
| 1994 | 42-34 | 3rd | Mike Goff | |
| 1995 | 43-33 | 2nd | Glenn Tufts Glenn Tufts Glenn A. Tufts is currently a scout for the San Francisco Giants. Previously, he played professionally and managed in the minor leagues.-Playing career:... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1996 | 39-36 | 4th | Ozzie Virgil, Jr. Ozzie Virgil, Jr. Osvaldo José Virgil, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played with the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Toronto Blue Jays from 1980 to 1990. He was elected to the National League All-Star team twice in 1985 and 1987... / Shane Turner Shane Turner Shane Lee Turner is a former professional baseball player. He played in parts of three seasons in the Major League Baseball for three different teams.... |
|
Notable players
- Dave ValleDave ValleDavid Valle is an American former professional baseball player and current television and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers from to ....
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Pedro Guerrero
- Bud BlackBud BlackHarry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...
- Jim PresleyJim PresleyJames Arthur Presley is a former Major League Baseball infielder with an eight year career from 1984 to 1991. He played for the Seattle Mariners of the American League and the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres of the National League. He was primarily a third baseman but also saw some time...
- Iván Calderón
- Phil BradleyPhil BradleyPhilip Poole Bradley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder/designated hitter with an 8 year career from to . He played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox of the American League and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. He was elected to the American...
- Mark LangstonMark LangstonMark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
- Raúl IbáñezRaúl IbáñezRaúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
- Derek LoweDerek LoweDerek Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He throws and bats right-handed. He is 6'6" and 230 pounds.-Early years:...
- Edgar MartinezEdgar MartinezEdgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed...
- Joe NathanJoe NathanJoseph Michael Nathan is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball . Nathan started out his baseball career as a shortstop in high school but converted to a pitcher after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants...
- Russ OrtizRuss OrtizRussell Reid Ortiz is a retired Major League baseball pitcher. Ortiz played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers...
- Dave Stewart
- Mike SciosciaMike SciosciaMichael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
- Rick Sutcliffe
- Omar VizquelOmar VizquelOmar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...