Salem Avalanche
Encyclopedia
- "Salem Rebels" redirects here. "Salem Rebels" can also refer to an Eastern Hockey LeagueEastern Hockey League-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
team from 1967 to 1971.
The Salem Red Sox are a minor league baseball
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 in Salem, Virginia
Salem, Virginia
Salem is an independent city in Virginia, USA, bordered by the city of Roanoke to the east but otherwise adjacent to Roanoke County. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 24,802 according to 2010 U.S. Census...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
and are a farm team
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. The team, known from 1995 through 2008 as the Salem Avalanche, was previously affiliated with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
from 2003 to 2008 and the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
from 1995 to 2002; prior to 1995, the franchise played under several different names and affiliations. The Red Sox play home games at Lewis-Gale Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark
Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium
Lewis-Gale Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium is a minor league baseball park located in Salem, Virginia, and is part of the James E. Taliferro Sports and Entertainment Complex along with the Salem Civic Center and Salem Football Stadium, approximately southeast of downtown...
, a 4,968 seat facility opened in 1995 that hosted the Carolina/California League All Star Game in 2006.
The franchise was owned from 1986 until 2006 by Kelvin Bowles, a local resident and major league baseball scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
. Bowles (who, coincidentally, scouted for the Boston Red Sox from 2002–05) bought the team when it was in danger of moving from Salem. In 2006, the team was sold to a pair of businessmen from Atlanta who also owned the Fort Wayne Wizards; in December 2007, this group sold the team to Fenway Sports Group
Fenway Sports Group
Fenway Sports Management is a company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts established by Fenway Sports Group in 2004. It styles itself as a "new kind of sports marketing agency," created by FSG to expand its footprint beyond its most famous holdings, the Boston Red Sox of Major League...
, a subsidiary of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
ownership group, preparing the team for an affiliation change after its Player Development Contract with the Astros ended in 2008.
History of baseball in Salem
- 1943 – 1953: Roanoke Red Sox (Boston affiliate)
- 1955 – 1971: Salem Rebels (Pirates affiliate)
- 1972 – 1979: Salem Pirates (Pirates/San Francisco affiliate)
- 1980 – 1986: Salem Redbirds (Padres/Rangers affiliate)
- 1987 – 1994: Salem Buccaneers (Pirates affiliate)
- 1995 – 2003: Salem Avalanche (Colorado affiliate)
- 2003 – 2008: Salem Avalanche (Houston affiliate)
- 2009 – present: Salem Red Sox (Boston affiliate)
Notable former players
- Moisés AlouMoisés AlouMoisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... - Orlando CepedaOrlando CepedaOrlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
, San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
Hall of Famer - Aaron Cook, Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
- Chone FigginsChone FigginsDesmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins is an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Figgins is a utility player, playing all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
, Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe 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... - Brad HawpeBrad HawpeBradley Bonte Hawpe is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman.-High school and college:...
, Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... - Jason HirshJason HirshJason Michael Hirsh is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is a free agent.Hirsh was a dominant minor league pitcher in 2005–06, winning the Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year Award and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award in successive seasons, as he went...
, pitcher - Matt HollidayMatt HollidayMatthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
, St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to... - Art HoweArt HoweArthur Henry Howe Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder, coach, scout and manager. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming...
, 3rd base coach for Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Jason JenningsJason JenningsJason Ryan Jennings is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-High school/college years:...
, Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have... - Ryan KalishRyan KalishRyan Michael Kalish is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Boston Red Sox organization.A standout high school baseball and football player, he was drafted by the Red Sox in 2006...
, Boston Red Sox - Jason KendallJason KendallJason Daniel Kendall is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He is the son of former catcher Fred Kendall, who played in the majors from 1969–1980.-High school:...
, Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... - Ryan LavarnwayRyan LavarnwayRyan Cole Lavarnway is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
, Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... - Esteban LoaizaEsteban LoaizaEsteban Antonio Loaiza Veyna [lo-EYE-sa] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
, Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... - Hunter PenceHunter PenceHunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
, Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Dave ParkerDave ParkerDavid Gene "The Cobra" Parker is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million dollar contract...
, 7-time All Star (retired) - Craig Reynolds, 15 MLB seasons as SS (Pirates/Mariners/Astros)
- Kenny Rogers, Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
- Juan UribeJuan UribeJuan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
, Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... - Tim WakefieldTim WakefieldTimothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
, Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... - Larry WalkerLarry WalkerLarry Kenneth Robert Walker is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1989 through 2005, Walker played for the Montreal Expos , Colorado Rockies , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(retired) - Ron WotusRon WotusRonald Allan Wotus is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and second baseman and current bench coach for the San Francisco Giants....
, Bench Coach of the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... - Eric YoungEric Young (baseball player)Eric Orlando Young is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and left fielder and current first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks...
, San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(retired) (works for ESPN) - Mario MendozaMario MendozaMario Mendoza Aizpuru is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Mendoza, a lifetime 0.215 hitter, is best known as the threshold for batting aptitude, with the "Mendoza Line", meaning a batting average of .200....
, The Mendoza Line in batting - Doug BairDoug BairCharles Douglas Bair is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of fifteen seasons in the majors, from until , for seven different teams...
, Pitched 15 years in MLB - Ken MachaKen MachaKenneth Edward Macha is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During an 8-year managing career, he managed the Oakland Athletics , whom he guided to the American League's Western Division championship in both his first and final seasons with the team, and the Milwaukee Brewers...
, named Manager of Milwaukee Brewers (2009) by former Salem teammate (pitcher) ... - Doug MelvinDoug MelvinDouglas Robert Melvin is a Canadian front office executive in Major League Baseball who currently serves as the general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers of the National League...
, Brewers General Manager
Club records
- Batting: .370 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
- Hits: 208 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
- Doubles: 43 – Garrett AtkinsGarrett AtkinsGarrett Bernard Atkins is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently a Free Agent. He bats and throws right-handed....
, 2001 - Triples: 17 – David Arrington, 1968
- Home Runs: 34 – Gerald DavisGerald DavisGerald Davis was one of Ireland's leading semi-abstract artists. He was also an art gallery owner, critic, and Joycean scholar. He was a prominent member of the Jewish community in Ireland...
, 1981 - Total Bases: 280 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
- Runs Batted In: 103 – Gerald DavisGerald DavisGerald Davis was one of Ireland's leading semi-abstract artists. He was also an art gallery owner, critic, and Joycean scholar. He was a prominent member of the Jewish community in Ireland...
, 1981 - Stolen Bases: 84 – Miguel DiloneMiguel DiloneMiguel Ángel Diloné Reyes is a former Major League Baseball switch hitting outfielder. He played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.Dilone began his career as a September call-up in 1974...
, 1975 - Wins: 16 – Jim MinshallJim MinshallJames Edward "Jim" Minshall is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Minshall played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in and .-External links:*...
1972 - Losses: 15 – Frank Brosious, 1983; James McKee, 1970
- Strikeouts: 186 – Ed WhitsonEd WhitsonEddie Lee Whitson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher best remembered for his short and turbulent stint with the New York Yankees in the mid 1980s. He batted and threw right-handed.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, 1976; Doug BairDoug BairCharles Douglas Bair is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of fifteen seasons in the majors, from until , for seven different teams...
, 1972 - Walks: 127 – Benjamin Willbank, 1978
- Innings Pitched: 203 – Ed WhitsonEd WhitsonEddie Lee Whitson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher best remembered for his short and turbulent stint with the New York Yankees in the mid 1980s. He batted and threw right-handed.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, 1976 - Earned Run Average: 2.11 – Josh Kalinowski, 1999
- Saves: 27 – Travis Thompson, 1999
Home attendance: 1968–present
- 1968 – 64,532
- 1969 – 63,248
- 1970 – 50,076
- 1971 – 37,872
- 1972 – 43,910
- 1973 – 45,915
- 1974 – 41,379
- 1975 – 39,007
- 1976 – 30,387
- 1977 – 32,744
- 1978 – 51,096
- 1979 – 43,036
- 1980 – 102,456
- 1981 – 72,125
- 1982 – 47,202
- 1983 – 56,451
- 1984 – 61,623
- 1985 – 71,788
- 1986 – 87,047
- 1987 – 111,661
- 1988 – 119,966
- 1989 – 121,581
- 1990 – 126,121
- 1991 – 131,582
- 1992 – 134,598
- 1993 – 145,657
- 1994 – 153,575
- 1995 – 140,111
- 1996 – 173,703 (new stadium)
- 1997 – 188,023
- 1998 – 189,069
- 1999 – 206,012
- 2000 – 200,863
- 2001 – 203,375
- 2002 – 196,347
- 2003 – 175,155
- 2004 – 224,991
- 2005 – 255,225
- 2006 – 237,724 (5 games cancelled due to heavy rain)
- 2007 – 258,469 (5 games cancelled)
- 2008 – 235,823
- 2009 – 231,186 (4,968 was stadium capacity with 1,000 covered seats not available for use)
Total attendance – 5,047,760
Media information
Media Relations Manager: Dave Cawley- Flagship Radio Station: 960AM WFIRWFIRWFIR is a News/Talk formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia, serving the Roanoke Valley. WFIR is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc.-Programming:...
News Talk Radio
--Radio Announcers: Evan Lepler
--Number of Games Broadcast: All
- Newspapers covering the Red Sox: The Roanoke Times, The Salem Times-Register
- Official Scorer: Billy Wells
Team mascots
MugsyA St. Bernard
St. Bernard (dog)
The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
mascot who made his rookie debut in professional baseball in 1997 with the Avalanche. According to the team's website, Mugsy descended from the passing Hale-Bopp comet that raced across the Roanoke Valley sky on April 4, 1997.
Misty
Misty is a female saint bernard mascot who joined the team in 2005.
Lefty and Righty
Coming to Salem all the way from Boston. Lefty and Righty are the new mascots. They're two red sox, both wearing Boston Red Sox hats, they also have an L on one's back and an R on the other.
Big Mo
The Salem Avalanche's Kid's Club mascot, Big Mo is a giant abominable snowman.
The Baseball Nut
The Avalanche's first mascot was this distinctive character, which resembled an almond
Almond
The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...
. While the idea was original, the Baseball Nut proved to be unpopular. Lacking a cute or friendly appearance, the mascot intimidated children and was an object of derision by adult fans. Mugsy was developed as a replacement.