Midland RockHounds
Encyclopedia
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball
team based in Midland, Texas
, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League
, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics
major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark
, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats 6,669 fans. The RockHounds are the current champions of the Texas League South Division.
from 1972–1984, and then with the California Angels
from 1985-1998.
Awards have followed the RockHounds throughout their history. The Midland franchise under the Angels won the Texas League Organization of the year in 1990 and 1994 and as the RockHounds in 2002. In 1995 Midland won AA's highest award, the Bob Frietas Award. General Manager Monty Hoppel has been named Executive of the Year with the franchise three times: in 1991, 1995, and 2002.
1995 marked the Midland franchises first ever playoff appearance as an affiliate for the Angels and their first playoff appearance overall in 20 years. It also became the first season the Midland franchise accumulated more than 200,000 fans in a season, a feat repeated in 1996. The feat surprised many in Minor League Baseball as the Midland-Odessa area only has over 200,000 residents total. Since moving to Citibank Ballpark, the RockHounds have averaged 250,000+ fans every season.
The RockHounds moved into what is now known as Citibank Ballpark
, part of the Scharbauer Sports Complex on the west side of Midland, in 2002. Prior to that, their home had been what is now known as Christensen Stadium
, in northeast Midland.
The Rockhounds won their first ever Texas League
Championship in 2005. They shared the title back in 1975 as the Cubs. In 2006 they won the second half championship of the South Division, but they lost to the eventual champion Corpus Christi Hooks
in the division playoffs.
In 2007, the RockHounds won the John H. Johnson President's Award, Minor League baseball highest award for a franchise, making them the third Texas League franchsise to do so after the El Paso Diablos
and the Tulsa Drillers
.
In 2009, the RockHounds won their second TL pennant, defeating the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
three games to one in the Championship Series. In 2010, the RockHounds returned to the TL title game, but this time fell to the Naturals.
had been the network to carry roughly 95% of the Rockhounds games since they debuted in 1972. Some afternoon games in 2008 didn't air on the radio due to contracts with Rush Limbaugh and others. For the 2009 season Gap Broadcasting announced the Rockhounds would have a new radio home, KFZX
, also known as 102.1 Jack FM. For the 2010 season, the Rockhounds once again moved radio homes to KMRK 96.1 FM. In both cases Bob Hards remained the voice of the Rockhounds, a position he has currently done for 19 consecutive years.
Former RockHound Mark Kiger
is the first player in modern Major League Baseball history to make his playing debut in a postseason game. His first game was October 13, 2006 in game three of the 2006 American League Championship Series
.
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 based in Midland, Texas
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark
Citibank Ballpark
Citibank Ballpark is a stadium in Midland, Texas. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Midland RockHounds minor league baseball team. The first game at Citbank Ballpark was played in 2002, the stadium seats 6,669 people...
, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats 6,669 fans. The RockHounds are the current champions of the Texas League South Division.
History
The RockHounds were previously known as both the Midland Cubs and Midland Angels during their years in existence. While Midland currently is the AA affiliate of the Oakland A's, they were affiliated with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from 1972–1984, and then with the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
from 1985-1998.
Awards have followed the RockHounds throughout their history. The Midland franchise under the Angels won the Texas League Organization of the year in 1990 and 1994 and as the RockHounds in 2002. In 1995 Midland won AA's highest award, the Bob Frietas Award. General Manager Monty Hoppel has been named Executive of the Year with the franchise three times: in 1991, 1995, and 2002.
1995 marked the Midland franchises first ever playoff appearance as an affiliate for the Angels and their first playoff appearance overall in 20 years. It also became the first season the Midland franchise accumulated more than 200,000 fans in a season, a feat repeated in 1996. The feat surprised many in Minor League Baseball as the Midland-Odessa area only has over 200,000 residents total. Since moving to Citibank Ballpark, the RockHounds have averaged 250,000+ fans every season.
The RockHounds moved into what is now known as Citibank Ballpark
Citibank Ballpark
Citibank Ballpark is a stadium in Midland, Texas. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Midland RockHounds minor league baseball team. The first game at Citbank Ballpark was played in 2002, the stadium seats 6,669 people...
, part of the Scharbauer Sports Complex on the west side of Midland, in 2002. Prior to that, their home had been what is now known as Christensen Stadium
Christensen Stadium
Christensen Stadium is a stadium in Midland, Texas. It has been used for baseball and was home of the Midland RockHounds until they moved to Citibank Ballpark in 2002. The ballpark has a capacity of 4,000 people and opened in 1952. It was previously known as Angels Stadium and Cubs Stadium when...
, in northeast Midland.
The Rockhounds won their first ever Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
Championship in 2005. They shared the title back in 1975 as the Cubs. In 2006 they won the second half championship of the South Division, but they lost to the eventual champion Corpus Christi Hooks
Corpus Christi Hooks
The Corpus Christi Hooks are a minor league baseball team of the Texas League, and are the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and are named for the city's association with fishing. The team's ownership group is headed by Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan...
in the division playoffs.
In 2007, the RockHounds won the John H. Johnson President's Award, Minor League baseball highest award for a franchise, making them the third Texas League franchsise to do so after the El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
and the Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
.
In 2009, the RockHounds won their second TL pennant, defeating the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springdale, Arkansas. The team is member of the Texas League, and serves as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. They relocated to Springdale from Wichita, Kansas in 2008. They were previously known as the...
three games to one in the Championship Series. In 2010, the RockHounds returned to the TL title game, but this time fell to the Naturals.
On the radio
The Midland Rockhounds have always had a play-by-play broadcast that has been available. KCRS (AM)KCRS (AM)
KCRS , commonly called Newstalk 550 KCRS, is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Midland, Texas, USA, the station serves the Odessa-Midland area. The station is currently owned by ICA Radio Midland-Odessa License, LLC and features programing from Fox News...
had been the network to carry roughly 95% of the Rockhounds games since they debuted in 1972. Some afternoon games in 2008 didn't air on the radio due to contracts with Rush Limbaugh and others. For the 2009 season Gap Broadcasting announced the Rockhounds would have a new radio home, KFZX
KFZX
KFZX is a radio station located in the Midland/Odessa, Texas market which plays a classic rock music format.-History:102.1 went on air in 1983 as "K-WES the HOT 102 FM". City of license was Monahans, Texas. The station went on air from a thousand foot tower near Notrees, Texas.The CP was obtained...
, also known as 102.1 Jack FM. For the 2010 season, the Rockhounds once again moved radio homes to KMRK 96.1 FM. In both cases Bob Hards remained the voice of the Rockhounds, a position he has currently done for 19 consecutive years.
Notable former Midland players
- Brett AndersonBrett Anderson (baseball)Brett Franklin Anderson is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:He attended Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he was an all-state selection in 2006, his senior year....
- Garret AndersonGarret AndersonGarret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
- Trevor CahillTrevor CahillTrevor John Cahill is a right-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
- Joe CarterJoe CarterJoseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
- Shawon DunstonShawon DunstonShawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
- Damion EasleyDamion EasleyJacinto Damion Easley is a former Major League Baseball player who is currently Executive Director of Warrior Baseball Academy. He is also an assistant coach for the Peoria Padres.-Biography:...
- Jim EdmondsJim EdmondsJames Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
- Andre EthierAndre EthierAndre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
- Darin ErstadDarin ErstadDarin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
- Troy GlausTroy GlausTroy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
- Rich HardenRich HardenJames Richard Harden is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher.-Early years:Harden attended Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
- Billy Hatcher
- Mike KrukowMike KrukowMichael Edward "Mike" Krukow is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently a television color commentator for the San Francisco Giants.-Early life:...
- Dennis LampDennis LampDennis Patrick Lamp is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1977 through 1992, Lamp played for the Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates .-Career:In a 19-season career, Lamp posted a...
- Carlos LezcanoCarlos LezcanoCarlos Manuel Lezcano , is a former professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from to for the Chicago Cubs. He is currently the manager of the Lake Elsinore Storm, a minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres.He was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.-External links:...
- Randy MartzRandy MartzRandy Carl Martz is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who attended the University of South Carolina. He played for both Chicago teams in his career, the Cubs and White Sox....
- Mark McLemoreMark McLemoreMark Tremell McLemore is a former second baseman and utility player in Major League Baseball....
- Donnie MooreDonnie MooreDonnie Ray Moore was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , St...
- Karl PagelKarl PagelKarl Douglas Pagel is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for five seasons. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1978 to 1979 and the Cleveland Indians from 1981 to 1983....
- Troy PercivalTroy PercivalTroy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
- Tim SalmonTim SalmonTimothy James Salmon is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter who played his entire career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
- Lee SmithLee Smith (baseball)Lee Arthur Smith is an American right-handed former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball for eight teams. Pitching primarily for the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons, Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career...
- Bruce SutterBruce SutterHoward Bruce Sutter is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter....
- Huston StreetHuston StreetHuston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
- Barry ZitoBarry ZitoBarry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
Awards and records
Former Midland Cub Bruce Sutter was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006.Former RockHound Mark Kiger
Mark Kiger
Mark Winston Kiger is a retired baseball third baseman.-Career:Kiger was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 27th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign. After attending the University of Florida, he signed with the Oakland Athletics as a 5th round selection in 2002...
is the first player in modern Major League Baseball history to make his playing debut in a postseason game. His first game was October 13, 2006 in game three of the 2006 American League Championship Series
2006 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland was 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Detroit turned four double plays...
.