Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
Encyclopedia
The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a minor league baseball
team in San Bernardino, California
, United States
. They are the Class A – Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
and play in the California League
. The 66ers play home games at Arrowhead Credit Union Park
.
who had just left town. The team was bought by Elmore Sports Group soon afterwards. The team originally played at Fiscalini Field
until 1996 when the team moved to San Bernardino Stadium, nicknamed "The Ranch" in concert with the team's new name, the San Bernardino Stampede. Later, the stadium was re-christened Arrowhead Credit Union Park
. The team name was later changed to the team's current name, the Inland Empire
66ers, taken from the historic U. S. Route 66 that ran through San Bernardino.
In September 2006, the 66ers announced that it was renewing its affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers
beginning in the 2007 season. That affiliation would last through the end of the 2010 season.
In September 2010, the 66ers announced they have agreed to a two year affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
to be the MLB club's minor league
"High A" ball affiliate.
The team was once unique for having a National Public Radio affiliate, KVCR-FM, as the station that broadcast its games on radio. However, in 2008 the team changed its station to commercial talk station KCAA
.
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 San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They are the Class A – Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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...
and play in the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. 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...
. The 66ers play home games at Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Arrowhead Credit Union Park is a stadium in San Bernardino, California, United States. Located adjacent to Downtown San Bernardino. Arrowhead Credit Union Park has been the home ballpark to the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino minor league baseball team since when it was originally built in 1996...
.
Franchise history
The 66ers began when the Salinas Spurs moved to San Bernardino and bought the name of the San Bernardino Spirit from the Rancho Cucamonga QuakesRancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
who had just left town. The team was bought by Elmore Sports Group soon afterwards. The team originally played at Fiscalini Field
Fiscalini Field
Fiscalini Field is a stadium in San Bernardino, California, USA. Over the years, the stadium was the spring training homes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Browns and was the home field for the San Bernardino Stars and the San Bernardino Pioneers...
until 1996 when the team moved to San Bernardino Stadium, nicknamed "The Ranch" in concert with the team's new name, the San Bernardino Stampede. Later, the stadium was re-christened Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Arrowhead Credit Union Park is a stadium in San Bernardino, California, United States. Located adjacent to Downtown San Bernardino. Arrowhead Credit Union Park has been the home ballpark to the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino minor league baseball team since when it was originally built in 1996...
. The team name was later changed to the team's current name, the Inland Empire
Inland Empire
Inland Empire may refer to:In geography:* Inland Empire , a geographic region in Southern California* Inland Empire , a geographic region encompassing Eastern Washington and North IdahoIn entertainment:...
66ers, taken from the historic U. S. Route 66 that ran through San Bernardino.
In September 2006, the 66ers announced that it was renewing its affiliation 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...
beginning in the 2007 season. That affiliation would last through the end of the 2010 season.
In September 2010, the 66ers announced they have agreed to a two year affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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...
to be the MLB club's minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
"High A" ball affiliate.
The team was once unique for having a National Public Radio affiliate, KVCR-FM, as the station that broadcast its games on radio. However, in 2008 the team changed its station to commercial talk station KCAA
KCAA
KCAA is a commercial radio station located in Loma Linda, California, broadcasting to the Riverside-San Bernardino, California, area on 1050 AM with studios located in the Carousel Mall in San Bernardino, CA. KCAA airs news, talk, music and brokered programming.KCAA's most popular program was Imus...
.
Year-by-year record
- San Bernardino Spirit (1993–1995)
- San Bernardino Stampede (1996–2002)
- Inland Empire 66ers (2003–present)
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 62–74 | 7th | Greg Mahlberg Greg Mahlberg Gregory John Mahlberg is a retired American professional baseball catcher, manager and coach. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds .... |
— |
| 1994 | 48–88 | 9th | Greg Mahlberg | — |
| 1995 | 84–54 | 1st | Ron Roenicke | League Champions |
| 1996 | 70–70 | 7th | Del Crandall Del Crandall Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves... |
— |
| 1997 | 68–72 | 7th | Del Crandall / Dino Ebel Dino Ebel Dino A. Ebel is a former minor league baseball player and manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is currently the third base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Biography:... |
Lost League Finals |
| 1998 | 55–85 | 9th | Mickey Hatcher Mickey Hatcher Michael Vaughn Hatcher is a former Major League Baseball player and a current coach. Most notably, he was Kirk Gibson's replacement for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 World Series, batting .368 with two home runs and five RBI... / Joe Vavra Joe Vavra Joseph Alan Vavra is a Major League Baseball hitting coach for the Minnesota Twins.-Playing career:... / Tim Wallach Tim Wallach Timothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger... |
— |
| 1999 | 80–61 | 2nd | Rick Burleson Rick Burleson Richard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer... |
League Champions |
| 2000 | 77–63 | 4th | Dino Ebel Dino Ebel Dino A. Ebel is a former minor league baseball player and manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is currently the third base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Biography:... |
League Champions |
| 2001 | 76–64 | 3rd | Daren Brown Daren Brown Daren D. Brown is an American baseball manager, presently employed as the manager of the minor league Tacoma Rainiers... |
Lost in 1st round |
| 2002 | 77–63 | 3rd | Daren Brown | Lost in 2nd round |
| 2003 | 78–62 | 2nd | Steve Roadcap Steve Roadcap Steven Craig Roadcap was the manager for two years of the Reading Phillies, the Double-A affiliate of the Major League Baseball team the Philadelphia Phillies and other minor league teams in the Phillies organization. He managed in the minor leagues from 1988–2010 and played in the minor leagues... |
League Champions |
| 2004 | 77–63 | 3rd | Daren Brown | Lost in 2nd round |
| 2005 | 58–82 | 9th | Daren Brown | — |
| 2006 | 72–68 | 5th | Gary Thurman Gary Thurman Gary Montez Thurman is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played during nine seasons at the major league level for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets. He was drafted by the Royals in the 1st round of the 1983 amateur draft... |
League Champions |
| 2007 | 72–67 | 3rd | Dave Collins Dave Collins David S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD... |
Lost in 1st round |
| 2008 | 68–73 | 3rd | John Valentin John Valentin John William Valentin is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played most of his major league career with the Boston Red Sox, with his final season being for the New York Mets. He batted and threw right-handed... |
Lost in 1st round |
| 2009 | 59–81 | 4th | Carlos Subero Carlos Subero Carlos Ingver Subero is a former player and current manager in Minor league baseball. He currently manages the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Los Angeles Dodgers Class "AA" affiliate in the Southern League.... |
|
| 2010 | 50–90 | 5th | Jeff Carter | |
Notable players and coaches
- Adrián BeltréAdrián BeltréAdrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers.The youngest player in the National League when he made his major league debut, he has also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Seattle Mariners , the Boston Red Sox , and the Texas Rangers . He bats and...
- 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...
(played 58 games with San Bernardino Spirit) - Mike HamptonMike HamptonMichael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in...
- Félix HernándezFélix HernándezFélix Abraham Hernández , nicknamed "King Félix", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners....
- Paul KonerkoPaul KonerkoPaul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
- Mac SuzukiMac Suzukiis a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Calgary Vipers of the Golden League. Over his career, Suzuki had played 18 seasons in professional baseball, including six in Major League Baseball and one in the Japan Pacific League...
- Steve YeagerSteve YeagerStephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
, coach