Chattanooga Lookouts
Encyclopedia
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball
team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee
, USA
. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain
. The team, which plays in the Southern League
, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers
major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts play in AT&T Field, located in Chattanooga. Opened in 2000, the stadium seats 6,160 fans. From 1930 through 1999, the Lookouts played at Engel Stadium
.
played an exhibition game against the Lookouts. During the game, a 17 year old girl named Jackie Mitchell
pitched for the Lookouts and struck out Major League greats Lou Gehrig
and Babe Ruth
. A few days after the game, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis
voided Mitchell's contract, claiming that baseball was "too strenuous" for women.
During previous owner Joe Engel's tenure, the Lookouts won four championships – three with the Southern Association
and a fourth with the South Atlantic League
. For a time, Engel led the charge to own the Lookouts privately, with the help of several hundred fans as shareholders from 1938 to 1942. In 1939, as a privately-owned franchise under coach Kiki Cuyler
, the Lookouts claimed a championship.
Notable former Lookouts players that have made it to the Major Leagues include Baseball Hall of Famers Burleigh Grimes
, Harmon Killebrew
, and Ferguson Jenkins
. Other notable former players include Alvin Davis
, Mark Langston
, Deion Sanders
, and Pete Rose Jr.
(son of Pete Rose
). Ben Broussard
(Cleveland Indians
), Adam Dunn
(Chicago White Sox
), Austin Kearns
(Washington Nationals), Trevor Hoffman
(Milwaukee Brewers
), Jason LaRue
(St. Louis Cardinals
), Joey Votto
(Cincinnati Reds
), Jay Bruce
(Cincinnati Reds), Homer Bailey
(Cincinnati Reds), Edwin Encarnacion
(Toronto Blue Jays
), Kenley Jansen
(Los Angeles Dodgers
), and Jerry Sands
(Los Angeles Dodgers
) play in the MLB.
The team, which plays in the Southern League
, is the Double-A affiliate of a major league ballclub. From 1987 through 2008, the Lookouts were the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
. For the 2009 through 2014 seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers
will serve as the parent club.
(1310 AM) until the 2011 season. For the 2011 season, games will be broadcast on WALV-FM
(105.1 FM, "ESPN Chattanooga
"). Larry Ward and Will Poindexter continue to host the broadcasts. Audio of the games is also streamed live on the website of the Chattanooga Lookouts and at ESPNChattanooga.com.
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 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain
thumb|right|See seven statesLookout Mountain is located at the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the southern border of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain, along with Sand Mountain to the northwest, makes up a large portion of the...
. The team, which plays in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, has been a Double-A affiliate of 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...
major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts play in AT&T Field, located in Chattanooga. Opened in 2000, the stadium seats 6,160 fans. From 1930 through 1999, the Lookouts played at Engel Stadium
Engel Stadium
Engel Stadium is a stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The stadium was built in 1930 and holds 12,000 people. It was the home of the Chattanooga Lookouts until 1999 when they moved to their current stadium, AT&T Field. Tennessee Temple University has held their home games at Engel since the Lookouts...
.
History
In 1931, the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
played an exhibition game against the Lookouts. During the game, a 17 year old girl named Jackie Mitchell
Jackie Mitchell (baseball)
Virne Beatrice "Jackie" Mitchell Gilbert was one of the first female pitchers in professional baseball history...
pitched for the Lookouts and struck out Major League greats Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. A few days after the game, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
voided Mitchell's contract, claiming that baseball was "too strenuous" for women.
During previous owner Joe Engel's tenure, the Lookouts won four championships – three with the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
and a fourth with the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. For a time, Engel led the charge to own the Lookouts privately, with the help of several hundred fans as shareholders from 1938 to 1942. In 1939, as a privately-owned franchise under coach Kiki Cuyler
Kiki Cuyler
Hazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
, the Lookouts claimed a championship.
Notable former Lookouts players that have made it to the Major Leagues include Baseball Hall of Famers Burleigh Grimes
Burleigh Grimes
Burleigh Arland Grimes was an American professional baseball player, and the last pitcher officially permitted to throw the spitball. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1954. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.-Career:Nicknamed "Ol' Stubblebeard", Grimes was...
, Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
, and Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
. Other notable former players include Alvin Davis
Alvin Davis
Alvin Glenn Davis , nicknamed "Mr. Mariner", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. Davis played his career primarily for the Seattle Mariners...
, Mark Langston
Mark Langston
Mark 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...
, Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
, and Pete Rose Jr.
Pete Rose Jr.
Peter Edward "PJ" Rose Jr. is a former professional baseball player. The son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose, Pete Jr. has played in the minor leagues most of his career except for a brief stint in for the Cincinnati Reds. He was released Sept...
(son of Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
). Ben Broussard
Ben Broussard
Benjamin Isaac Broussard is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a musician. Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
(Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
), Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
(Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The 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...
), Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
(Washington Nationals), Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
(Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
), Jason LaRue
Jason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
(St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The 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...
), Joey Votto
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
(Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
), Jay Bruce
Jay Bruce
Jay Allen Bruce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He was selected 12th overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft....
(Cincinnati Reds), Homer Bailey
Homer Bailey
David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds....
(Cincinnati Reds), Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación
Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
(Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
), Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
(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...
), and Jerry Sands
Jerry Sands
Gerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
(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...
) play in the MLB.
The team, which plays in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, is the Double-A affiliate of a major league ballclub. From 1987 through 2008, the Lookouts were the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. For the 2009 through 2014 seasons, 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...
will serve as the parent club.
Media
All Chattanooga Lookouts games were broadcast on WDODWDOD (AM)
WDOD was a radio station serving the Chattanooga area. The station was owned by Bahakel Communications out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and last offered a sports talk format. WDOD was the oldest radio station in Chattanooga, having gone on the air on April 13, 1925...
(1310 AM) until the 2011 season. For the 2011 season, games will be broadcast on WALV-FM
WALV-FM
WALV-FM is known as "105.1 ESPN Chattanooga" and is a radio station serving Chattanooga, Tennessee. The station is an affiliate of ESPN Radio.- History :...
(105.1 FM, "ESPN Chattanooga
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
"). Larry Ward and Will Poindexter continue to host the broadcasts. Audio of the games is also streamed live on the website of the Chattanooga Lookouts and at ESPNChattanooga.com.