Lancaster JetHawks
Encyclopedia
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball
team of the California League
located in Lancaster, California
. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry
and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium
. The Lancaster JetHawks are the Class A - Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros
.
of Riverside, California
. Notable players to play for the JetHawks include Jose Cruz, Jr.
and Brandon Webb
. While in Riverside, the team played at UC-Riverside Sports Center
. The Pilots' previous owners chose Lancaster over Palm Springs, California
in a lucrative offer.
In November 2005, the original owners of the JetHawks during their first 10 years in Lancaster, Clutch Play Baseball, LLC, sold the team to a group led by majority investor Peter Carfagna of Cleveland, Ohio
. One of their first acts was to replace the stadium's original scoreboard with a more advanced video board. For the first time, this allowed for video replays and other views from cameras around the field. For the 2006 season, the JetHawks' manager was former major leaguer Brett Butler.
On September 29, 2006, the Boston Red Sox announced a two-year affiliation agreement with the JetHawks after losing their previous Carolina League
affiliation in Wilmington
. Since the Fenway Sports Group
purchased the Carolina League's Salem Avalanche
franchise after the 2007 season, with the stated intent of moving the Red Sox's High-A affiliation there once the 2007–2008 agreement term expired, the JetHawks were forced to find a new major league affiliate before the 2009 season—the Houston Astros
.
On August 25, 2008, the JetHawks announced its new General Manager, Antelope Valley native Larry Thornhill. Thornhill, a former JetHawks broadcaster from its inaugural season of 1996, took over day-to-day operations of the Lancaster organization from Brad Seymour who was promoted to Vice President of both the JetHawks and Lake County Captains
. Seymour joined the organization in 2004 and served as General Manager for five seasons with the JetHawks.
Wes Clemente, after serving the 2009 season as the JetHawks' manager, took over the managerial position for the Corpus Christi Hooks
, Houston's Double-A affiliate. On November 16, 2009, the JetHawks announced its new manager for the 2010 season, Tom Lawless
. He served as the manager of the Lexington Legends
, the Astros' Class A minor league team, for the 2009 season.
The JetHawks concluded the 2010 season with a 54–86 record, setting the worst season mark in franchise history.
The JetHawks have been lauded for their creative giveaways. Every season, they give away a NASA
-related bobblehead to pay tribute to the Antelope Valley
and its leading industry. The Buzz Aldrin
bobblehead was a big hit. On July 12, 2008, the JetHawks gave away skateboards to the first 500 children to arrive at the ballpark. These skateboards were widely considered the most expensive and high-end giveaway of the season in minor league baseball. Minor League Baseball (MILB.com) rated the skateboard giveaway one of the top ten promotions of 2008 in the minor leagues.
On December 9, 2010, Tom Spencer was named as the JetHawks' manager for the 2011 season. He served as the manager of the Palm Beach Cardinals
, the Advanced A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
, for the 2009 season.
On May 26, 2011, the Lancaster JetHawks announced that Larry Thornhill had resigned his position as Vice President and General Manager of the franchise for personal reasons. Derek Sharp, Lancaster's Assistant General Manager who has been with the organization since 2008, was named Interim General Manager for the remainder of the 2011 California League season. Brad Seymour, who was the JetHawks General Manager from 2004 - 2008, had also been named Senior Consultant for the JetHawks. Seymour currently also serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Lake County (OH) Captains, Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians under the direction of the Peter A. Carfagna ownership group which also controls the Lancaster JetHawks. Seymour, along with team President Peter E. Carfagna, will have direct oversight of the day-to-day activities of the JetHawks. On September 7, 2011, Derek Sharp was promoted from Interim General Manager to General Manager.
which opened in 1996 as Lancaster Municipal Stadium. Clear Channel Stadium has just over 4,600 permanent seats, but can accommodate over 7,000 fans with grass seating along each foul line. The stadium has deep fences (350 feet (106.7 m) feet down the right and left field lines and 410 feet (125 m) feet to deep center field) to combat the prevailing winds of the Antelope Valley. Nicknamed "The Hangar", the stadium has a NASA F/A-18 Hornet
mounted on display at the front entrance.
On December 19, 2010, Ballpark Digest.com reported that the Lancaster JetHawks are expected to save some green - to the tune of $48K - this coming season after the installation of solar panels on a ballpark carport will supply 98 percent of Clear Channel Stadium's electricity needs on a typical game night. The installation is part of a city-wide emphasis on solar energy from civic structures. At the ballpark, 1,500 solar panels will be installed on a 700-foot-long carport beside the ballpark, well outside of foul-ball range. The electricity generated by the 340-kilowatt panel system will supply 98 percent of the power needed to run the ballpark, including the ballpark lights, and should save the owners of the JetHawks some $48,000 per year in utility costs. “The entire Lancaster community has embraced the city’s mission to become the alternative energy capital of the world, and as the first minor league team in California to go solar, we’re happy to do our part,” said JetHawks owner Peter Carfagna.
football and basketball, and a high school football and basketball game of the week, all accessible through the JetHawks' website. The free service launched on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 6 PM with an hour-long pre-game show leading up to dual coverage of the Lancaster JetHawks game against the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
and the Antelope Valley College Marauders football opener on the road against College of the Canyons
.
As of the 2010 season, the Lancaster JetHawks have a new radio station and a new web home to broadcast every inning of JetHawks baseball. The team partnered with News Talk 1380, a High Desert Broadcasting station, which will carry every JetHawks game, including the regular season and playoffs. Launched in September 2009, CSN@JetHawks.com will stream all broadcasts live as well as offering special replays of events. Jeff Lasky, JetHawks' play-by-play broadcaster since the 2006 season, will once again be calling the action while being joined by newcomer Scott Blusiewicz.
Beginning in 2009, the JetHawks reintroduced the all new Hawks and Hawkettes, a dance team that helps pass out giveaways at the main gate, toss JetHawks and Astros merchandise into the stands, and demonstrate their dancing abilities with their own dance routines, along with KaBoom, between innings. The team previously appeared at the ballpark during the 1996 inaugural season.
- Class of 2004
- Class of 2005
- Class of 2006
- Class of 2007
- Class of 2008
- Class of 2009
- Class of 2010
- Class of 2011
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 of 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...
located in Lancaster, California
Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium
Clear Channel Stadium
Clear Channel Stadium, also known as The Hangar, is a stadium in Lancaster, California. It is built just off California State Route 14. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Lancaster JetHawks minor league baseball team of the California League. It was built in 1996 and...
. The Lancaster JetHawks are the Class A - Advanced affiliate of 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...
.
Team History
Prior to moving to Lancaster, the team was known as the Riverside PilotsRiverside Pilots
The Riverside Pilots were a minor league baseball team in Riverside, California. They were a high-A class team that played in the California League, and were a farm team of the Seattle Mariners for the franchise’s entire stay in Riverside...
of Riverside, California
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
. Notable players to play for the JetHawks include Jose Cruz, Jr.
José Cruz, Jr.
José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
and Brandon Webb
Brandon Webb
Brandon Tyler Webb is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.-High school:Webb attended Paul G...
. While in Riverside, the team played at UC-Riverside Sports Center
UC-Riverside Sports Center
UC-Riverside Sports Center is a stadium in Riverside, California. It is primarily used for baseball and was the home of Riverside Pilots before they moved to Lancaster, California to become the Lancaster JetHawks in 1996. The ballpark is currently the home of the University of California,...
. The Pilots' previous owners chose Lancaster over Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
in a lucrative offer.
In November 2005, the original owners of the JetHawks during their first 10 years in Lancaster, Clutch Play Baseball, LLC, sold the team to a group led by majority investor Peter Carfagna of Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. One of their first acts was to replace the stadium's original scoreboard with a more advanced video board. For the first time, this allowed for video replays and other views from cameras around the field. For the 2006 season, the JetHawks' manager was former major leaguer Brett Butler.
On September 29, 2006, the Boston Red Sox announced a two-year affiliation agreement with the JetHawks after losing their previous 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...
affiliation in Wilmington
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
. Since the 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...
purchased the Carolina League's Salem Avalanche
Salem Avalanche
The Salem Red Sox are a minor league baseball team in Salem, Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox...
franchise after the 2007 season, with the stated intent of moving the Red Sox's High-A affiliation there once the 2007–2008 agreement term expired, the JetHawks were forced to find a new major league affiliate before the 2009 season—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...
.
On August 25, 2008, the JetHawks announced its new General Manager, Antelope Valley native Larry Thornhill. Thornhill, a former JetHawks broadcaster from its inaugural season of 1996, took over day-to-day operations of the Lancaster organization from Brad Seymour who was promoted to Vice President of both the JetHawks and Lake County Captains
Lake County Captains
The Lake County Captains are a minor league baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The team, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, plays in the Midwest League....
. Seymour joined the organization in 2004 and served as General Manager for five seasons with the JetHawks.
Wes Clemente, after serving the 2009 season as the JetHawks' manager, took over the managerial position for the 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...
, Houston's Double-A affiliate. On November 16, 2009, the JetHawks announced its new manager for the 2010 season, Tom Lawless
Tom Lawless
Thomas James Lawless was a Major League Baseball player between and , playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays....
. He served as the manager of the Lexington Legends
Lexington Legends
The Lexington Legends are a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League , and the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Lexington, Kentucky, and play their home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, located in an industrial area on the northeast side of the city just...
, the Astros' Class A minor league team, for the 2009 season.
The JetHawks concluded the 2010 season with a 54–86 record, setting the worst season mark in franchise history.
The JetHawks have been lauded for their creative giveaways. Every season, they give away a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
-related bobblehead to pay tribute to the Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley in California, United States, is located in northern Los Angeles County and the southeastern portion of Kern County, California, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert...
and its leading industry. The Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin is an American mechanical engineer, retired United States Air Force pilot and astronaut who was the Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing in history...
bobblehead was a big hit. On July 12, 2008, the JetHawks gave away skateboards to the first 500 children to arrive at the ballpark. These skateboards were widely considered the most expensive and high-end giveaway of the season in minor league baseball. Minor League Baseball (MILB.com) rated the skateboard giveaway one of the top ten promotions of 2008 in the minor leagues.
On December 9, 2010, Tom Spencer was named as the JetHawks' manager for the 2011 season. He served as the manager of the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
, the Advanced A affiliate of the 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...
, for the 2009 season.
On May 26, 2011, the Lancaster JetHawks announced that Larry Thornhill had resigned his position as Vice President and General Manager of the franchise for personal reasons. Derek Sharp, Lancaster's Assistant General Manager who has been with the organization since 2008, was named Interim General Manager for the remainder of the 2011 California League season. Brad Seymour, who was the JetHawks General Manager from 2004 - 2008, had also been named Senior Consultant for the JetHawks. Seymour currently also serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Lake County (OH) Captains, Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians under the direction of the Peter A. Carfagna ownership group which also controls the Lancaster JetHawks. Seymour, along with team President Peter E. Carfagna, will have direct oversight of the day-to-day activities of the JetHawks. On September 7, 2011, Derek Sharp was promoted from Interim General Manager to General Manager.
Clear Channel Stadium ("The Hangar")
The JetHawks play home games at Clear Channel StadiumClear Channel Stadium
Clear Channel Stadium, also known as The Hangar, is a stadium in Lancaster, California. It is built just off California State Route 14. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Lancaster JetHawks minor league baseball team of the California League. It was built in 1996 and...
which opened in 1996 as Lancaster Municipal Stadium. Clear Channel Stadium has just over 4,600 permanent seats, but can accommodate over 7,000 fans with grass seating along each foul line. The stadium has deep fences (350 feet (106.7 m) feet down the right and left field lines and 410 feet (125 m) feet to deep center field) to combat the prevailing winds of the Antelope Valley. Nicknamed "The Hangar", the stadium has a NASA F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
mounted on display at the front entrance.
On December 19, 2010, Ballpark Digest.com reported that the Lancaster JetHawks are expected to save some green - to the tune of $48K - this coming season after the installation of solar panels on a ballpark carport will supply 98 percent of Clear Channel Stadium's electricity needs on a typical game night. The installation is part of a city-wide emphasis on solar energy from civic structures. At the ballpark, 1,500 solar panels will be installed on a 700-foot-long carport beside the ballpark, well outside of foul-ball range. The electricity generated by the 340-kilowatt panel system will supply 98 percent of the power needed to run the ballpark, including the ballpark lights, and should save the owners of the JetHawks some $48,000 per year in utility costs. “The entire Lancaster community has embraced the city’s mission to become the alternative energy capital of the world, and as the first minor league team in California to go solar, we’re happy to do our part,” said JetHawks owner Peter Carfagna.
Community Sports Network (CSN @ JetHawks.com)
On August 27, 2009, the Lancaster JetHawks created the Community Sports Network (CSN @ JetHawks.com), an internet radio station that brings almost two hundred games and thousands of hours of local sports talk coverage to the Antelope Valley each year. The creation was in response to several local radio stations in the Antelope Valley eliminating their high school and college radio coverage. The station streams live on the internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with all local sports coverage. The station also offers live play-by-play coverage of Lancaster JetHawks baseball, Antelope Valley CollegeAntelope Valley College
Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties...
football and basketball, and a high school football and basketball game of the week, all accessible through the JetHawks' website. The free service launched on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 6 PM with an hour-long pre-game show leading up to dual coverage of the Lancaster JetHawks game against the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
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...
and the Antelope Valley College Marauders football opener on the road against College of the Canyons
College of the Canyons
College of the Canyons is a public two-year community college that operates within the Santa Clarita Community College District. The college is located on of rolling, tree-dotted hills in the incorporated city of Santa Clarita in northern Los Angeles County, California. The college’s address is:...
.
As of the 2010 season, the Lancaster JetHawks have a new radio station and a new web home to broadcast every inning of JetHawks baseball. The team partnered with News Talk 1380, a High Desert Broadcasting station, which will carry every JetHawks game, including the regular season and playoffs. Launched in September 2009, CSN@JetHawks.com will stream all broadcasts live as well as offering special replays of events. Jeff Lasky, JetHawks' play-by-play broadcaster since the 2006 season, will once again be calling the action while being joined by newcomer Scott Blusiewicz.
KaBoom, Stealth, & The Hawkettes
Since the 1996 inaugural season, KaBoom (KB for short) has been the JetHawks' mascot. In the 2008 season, he introduced an all-new look as part of his team's complete image makeover. KB entertains fans at games and participates in contests between innings. He can often be seen walking around the stadium planning his next stunt. KaBoom also encourages children in Antelope Valley schools to read with his own KaBoom's Reading Challenge. Before the 2009 season on March 21, 2009, KaBoom celebrated his 13th birthday at a party held in his honor at Clear Channel Stadium, where he revealed his younger brother, Stealth, to JetHawks fans. Stealth has been added as a JetHawks' mascot as of the 2009 season.Beginning in 2009, the JetHawks reintroduced the all new Hawks and Hawkettes, a dance team that helps pass out giveaways at the main gate, toss JetHawks and Astros merchandise into the stands, and demonstrate their dancing abilities with their own dance routines, along with KaBoom, between innings. The team previously appeared at the ballpark during the 1996 inaugural season.
Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish in Southern Division | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 71–69 | 3rd | Dave Brundage Dave Brundage David Charles Brundage is an American professional baseball manager. In , Brundage served as manager of the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A farm system affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the International League.... |
- |
| 1997 | 75–66 | 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... |
- |
| 1998 | 78–62 | 3rd | Rick Burleson | - |
| 1999 | 55-85 | 5th | Darrin Garner | - |
| 2000 | 89-51 | 1st | Mark Parent Mark Parent Mark Parent is an author and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, Canada for the constituency of Kings North... |
- |
| 2001 | 61–79 | 5th | Scott Coolbaugh Scott Coolbaugh Scott Robert Coolbaugh is an American former baseball player. Coolbaugh played Major League Baseball from to for the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres and in for the St. Louis Cardinals. He also played two seasons in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers in and , and continued to play in the minor... |
- |
| 2002 | 63-77 | 3rd | Bill Plummer Bill Plummer William Francis Plummer was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Seattle Mariners. While never a regular player , he did play solid defense... & Steve Scarsone Steve Scarsone Steven Wayne Scarsone , is a retired professional baseball infielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in the major leagues between 1992 and 1999. A former manager of the Kane County Cougars, he was named manager of the Stockton Ports on Jan. 6, 2010.He attended Canyon High School in his... |
- |
| 2003 | 73-67 | 4th | Mike Aldrete Mike Aldrete Michael Peter Aldrete is a former first baseman/outfielder in Major League Baseball.Aldrete was a four-year letterman at Stanford University... |
- |
| 2004 | 86-54 | 1st | Wally Backman Wally Backman Walter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team... |
- |
| 2005 | 75-65 | 1st | Bill Plummer | - |
| 2006 | 68-72 | 4th | Brett Butler Brett Butler Brett Butler may refer to:*Brett Butler , American center fielder who, during 1981–97, played for Braves, Indians, Giants, Dodgers, Mets and, again, Dodgers... |
- |
| 2007 | 83-57 | 1st | Chad Epperson | Won 1st & 2nd Half Crowns |
| 2008 | 76-64 | 1st | Chad Epperson | Won 1st & 2nd Half Crowns |
| 2009 | 56-84 | 5th | Wes Clements | - |
| 2010 | 54-86 | 4th | Tom Lawless Tom Lawless Thomas James Lawless was a Major League Baseball player between and , playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays.... |
- |
| 2011 | 55-85 | 4th | Tom Spencer Tom Spencer Tom Spencer may refer to:*Tom Spencer , American former Chicago White Sox outfielder and minor league baseball manager*Tom Spencer , British cricketer and international umpire... |
- |
Lancaster JetHawks Baseball Hall of Fame
- Charter Inductees - Class of 2003 (August 16, 2003)- Jim SlatonJim SlatonJames Michael Slaton was a pitcher with a 16 year career from 1971-1986. He played in the American League with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1971–1977 and 1979–1983, the Detroit Tigers in 1978 and 1986, and the California Angels from 1984-1986.Slaton played high school baseball at Antelope Valley...
(Pitching Coach, 1997-1998) - Jose Cruz, Jr.José Cruz, Jr.José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
(Outfielder, 1996) - Joe MaysJoe MaysJoeseph Emerson Mays is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.Mays is a 1994 graduate of Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida. He also attended Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He and his wife, Melinda , have two children.Mays began his major league career with the...
(Pitcher, 1997) - Mike and Judy Ellis (Owners)
- Matt and Shelly Ellis (Owners)
- Larry Thornhill (Public Address Announcer)
- Jim Gilley, City Manager of the City of LancasterLancaster, CaliforniaLancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
- City of LancasterLancaster, CaliforniaLancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
- Clutch Play Baseball, LLC
- Class of 2004
- Rick BurlesonRick BurlesonRichard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer...
(Manager, 1997-1998) - Ken CloudeKen CloudeKenneth Brian Cloude is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners from -. His baseball later career ended when he threw out his pitching arm.-Personal life:...
(Pitcher, 1996) - Juan PierreJuan PierreJuan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
(Outfielder of 1999 Lancaster Stealth, California Fall League Champions) - The Flight Crew Booster Club
- Class of 2005
- Brandon WebbBrandon WebbBrandon Tyler Webb is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.-High school:Webb attended Paul G...
(Pitcher, 2001 & Baseball America's 2003 Major League Rookie of the Year) - Bud Jones (Head Baseball Coach of Antelope Valley High School & Antelope Valley College & 1971 National High School Coach of the Year)
- Class of 2006
- Jack Wilson (Infielder of the 1999 Lancaster Stealth, California Fall League Champions)
- Larry Lake (Contributor)
- Class of 2007
- Dan UgglaDan UgglaDaniel Cooley Uggla is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball....
(Infielder, 2002-2004) - Wally BackmanWally BackmanWalter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team...
(Manager, 2004) - Frank Slaton (Friends of Baseball)
- Class of 2008
- Miguel MonteroMiguel MonteroMiguel Angel Montero is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
(Catcher, 2005) - Mark ReynoldsMark Reynolds (baseball)Mark Andrew Reynolds is a third baseman/first baseman in Major League Baseball who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known both for his power-hitting abilities and for his record-breaking strike out totals...
(Infielder, 2006) - Brandon IngeBrandon IngeCharles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
(Infielder of 1999 Lancaster Stealth, California Fall League Champions) - Dave Trembley (Friends of Baseball)
- Class of 2009
- Brian Golden (Antelope Valley PressAntelope Valley PressThe Antelope Valley Press, colloquially referred to as the Valley Press or AV Press by its staff and Antelope Valley residents, is a daily newspaper with emphasis on local news located in Palmdale, California USA. It is the largest circulating newspaper in the area...
Sportswriter) - Chad Epperson (Manager, 2007-2008)
- John LaFerney (Director of Stadium Operations)
- Brian FuentesBrian FuentesBrian Christopher Fuentes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins...
(Pitcher, 1998)
- Class of 2010
- Dave Guenther (Official Scorer)
- Lloyd McClendonLloyd McClendonLloyd Glenn McClendon is a former professional baseball player and manager, currently serving as the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers under Jim Leyland...
(Manager, 1999 Lancaster Stealth, California Fall League Champions) - Willie BloomquistWillie BloomquistWilliam Paul Bloomquist is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery positions, during his MLB career....
(Infielder, 2000) - Justin MastersonJustin MastersonJustin Daniel Masterson is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians. Masterson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Masterson was rated as the 64th-best prospect going into that year's draft by...
(Pitcher, 2007)
- Class of 2011
- Damaso MarteDámaso MartéDámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
(Pitcher, 1997) - Dan Munz (Head Groundskeeper, 1996 & City of Lancaster Maintenance Coordinator)
- Kevin Younkin (Account Executive, 1996; Director of Ticketing & Group Sales, 1997; Assistant General Manager, 1998; General Manager of the 1999 Lancaster Stealth, California Fall League Champions; General Manager, 2000-2002; California League Executive of the Year, 2000)
Notable JetHawks Alumni
- 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...
- Dan UgglaDan UgglaDaniel Cooley Uggla is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball....
- Brandon WebbBrandon WebbBrandon Tyler Webb is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.-High school:Webb attended Paul G...
- Jose Cruz, Jr.José Cruz, Jr.José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
- Mark ReynoldsMark Reynolds (baseball)Mark Andrew Reynolds is a third baseman/first baseman in Major League Baseball who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known both for his power-hitting abilities and for his record-breaking strike out totals...
- Scott HairstonScott HairstonScott Alexander Hairston is an outfielder in Major League Baseball. Hairston bats and throws right-handed.-High school years:...
- Conor JacksonConor JacksonConor Sims Jackson is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. He is 6'2" and roughly 225 pounds. His father is actor John M...
- Stephen DrewStephen DrewStephen Oris Drew is a shortstop in Major League Baseball who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is the younger brother of Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew and former major leaguer Tim Drew....
- Miguel MonteroMiguel MonteroMiguel Angel Montero is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
- Carlos QuentinCarlos QuentinCarlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
- Justin MastersonJustin MastersonJustin Daniel Masterson is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians. Masterson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Masterson was rated as the 64th-best prospect going into that year's draft by...
- Carlos GonzalezCarlos González (baseball)Carlos Eduardo González is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
- Willie BloomquistWillie BloomquistWilliam Paul Bloomquist is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery positions, during his MLB career....
- Brian FuentesBrian FuentesBrian Christopher Fuentes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins...
- Joel PineiroJoel PiñeiroJoel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
- Micah OwingsMicah OwingsMicah Burton Owings is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
- Joe MaysJoe MaysJoeseph Emerson Mays is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.Mays is a 1994 graduate of Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida. He also attended Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He and his wife, Melinda , have two children.Mays began his major league career with the...
- Damaso MarteDámaso MartéDámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
- Jason BulgerJason BulgerJason Patrick Bulger is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. Bulger played collegiate baseball at Valdosta State University....
- Daniel BardDaniel BardDaniel Paul Bard is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Bard made his debut with the Red Sox in May 2009.-Collegiate career:...
- Lance CormierLance CormierLance Robert Cormier is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:Cormier went to Lafayette High School, and graduated in...