Minor league baseball team
Eugene Emeralds
Team logo
Cap insignia
Class
High-A (2021–present) Previous classes League
Northwest League (2022–present) Previous leagues
Team
San Francisco Giants (2021–present) Previous teams League titles (8) 1955 1974 1975 1980 2016 2018 2021 2022 Division titles (16) 1955 1957 1964 1969 1974 1975 1978 1980 1985 1986 1996 2000 2011 2016 2017 2018 First-half titles (1) Second-half titles (1) Name Eugene Emeralds (1955–present) Colors Black, forest green, lime green, white Mascot Sluggo
[1] Ballpark
PK Park (2010–present) Previous parks
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)
David Elmore (Elmore Sports Group) General manager Allan Benavides Manager Carlos Valderrama
[2]
The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems ) are a
Minor League Baseball team in the
northwest
United States , based in
Eugene, Oregon . The Emeralds are members of the
Northwest League and are affiliated with the
San Francisco Giants . Eugene plays their home games at
PK Park .
History
Founded 69 years ago in 1955 as a charter member of the Northwest League, the Emeralds were named in a contest, won in January by 11-year-old Bowen Blair.
[3] They won the inaugural pennant as an independent,
[4]
[5]
[6] and remained in the NWL for fourteen seasons, through 1968. The Emeralds were the first minor-league team to play in Eugene since the disbanding of the Eugene Larks, who played at Bethel Park for just two seasons, 1950 and 1951.
[7]
The Emeralds played in northwest Eugene in 4,000-seat Bethel Park, at Roosevelt Boulevard and Maple Street (
44°03′52″N 123°08′43″W / 44.0644°N 123.1454°W / 44.0644; -123.1454 ),
[8] later torn down for the construction of a highway that wasn't built.
[6]
[9]
[10] In 1950 and 1951, Bethel Park was the home of the Eugene Larks of the
Class D
Far West League ; its outfield is present-day Lark Park. Its final game in 1968 on August 29 drew 897 fans for a one-hitter and a 7-0 Emeralds win.
[11] The NWL changed to a short season league in 1966, and that season opened in Eugene against the
Lewiston Broncs . The second pick in the
1966 MLB draft , future
hall of famer
Reggie Jackson played his first professional games at Bethel Park, as a 20-year-old center fielder, following his sophomore season at
Arizona State . Hitless in the opener,
[12]
[13] the next game he got his first pro hit, a single in the first, and later a home run to right field in the ninth.
[14]
[15] He was with the Broncs for less than two weeks, then went to
Modesto in the
California League .
[16]
[17]
In the 1969 season, the Emeralds were promoted to
AAA status in the
Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the primary affiliate of the
Philadelphia Phillies . The Ems returned to the Northwest League five years later when the PCL moved the AAA team to
Sacramento for the 1974 season,
[18] while the Phillies moved their AAA farm team to the
Toledo Mud Hens of the
International League . Eugene was an independent/co-op team (
Phillies ,
San Francisco Giants ) in 1974,
[19]
[20] then became an affiliate of the
Cincinnati Reds in 1975.
[21]
Entering Triple-A in 1969, the Emeralds moved from Bethel Park to
Civic Stadium . The 6,800-seat facility was owned by the
Eugene School District and was built in 1938 as a venue for
high school football , which was played there until 1968. Civic Stadium also hosted semi-pro baseball teams, sponsored by local timber companies, until Bethel Park was built in 1950. Facing an outdated stadium and high-maintenance costs,
[22] in 2010 the Eugene Emeralds moved into
PK Park , the new baseball stadium across town that was built by the
University of Oregon . The Emeralds new home, PK Park, is adjacent to
Autzen Stadium and near the
Willamette River . They share the new facility with the
Oregon Ducks collegiate baseball team, whose regular season ends in May. This left an antiquated Civic Stadium without any active tenants. A vacant Civic Stadium was destroyed by arson in 2015.
[23]
In 2009, playing for the Emeralds,
Nate Freiman led the league for the season in RBIs (68),
extra-base hits (33) and
total bases (140).
[24]
A new logo, based upon
Sasquatch , was adopted by the Emeralds in 2012.
[25] In 2013, the Emeralds partnered with
Voodoo Doughnut to offer a bacon maple bratwurst as a specialty food item.
[26] Following the 2014 season, the Emeralds switched from being an affiliate of the San Diego Padres to the Chicago Cubs, who signed Eugene to a two-year deal through 2016.
[27] The player development contract was extended through the 2018 season on June 14, 2016.
In 2016, the Emeralds were awarded two "Golden Bobbleheads" for Minor League Baseball's Best Community Promotion and Best Overall Promotion. The awards were due to their work with
Children's Miracle Network and their honorary player that year, Hayden Kumle.
[28]
The Emeralds won the NWL title in 2018 despite finishing 31–45 (.408), last in the overall standings. They clinched a wild card playoff spot with a 17–21 (.447) record in the second half, second behind
Hillsboro , who had finished first in both halves. The Emeralds proceeded to sweep both Hillsboro and
Spokane in the postseason en route to the title. Dubbed the "Bad News Ems," the .408 regular season winning percentage was the worst ever for a NWL champion.
[29] Following that season, the Emeralds were awarded the 53rd Annual Larry MacPhail Award, this award is in recognition for the franchises top promotional effort.
[30]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minor League Baseball season was cancelled. In the winter of 2020 as part the reorganization of minor league baseball, Eugene received an invitation to play as the
High-A affiliate of
San Francisco Giants .
[31] In a further change, they were organized into the
High-A West along with five other teams previously of the Northwest League.
[32] Eugene ended the 2021 season in first place with a 69–50 record.
[33] They then defeated the
Spokane Indians , 3–1, to win the High-A West championship.
[34] In 2022, the High-A West became known as the Northwest League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.
[35]
In 2019, the Emeralds unveiled their "Monarcas de Eugene" on-field identity as part of minor league baseball's "Copa de Diversion."
[36]
The Emeralds have begun the process of looking for a new stadium to compete in. Due to the promotion to the High-A level as well as a longer season of baseball, PK Park has no longer become an option to play in. Team officials have begun discussing with Lane County officials about looking at the feasibility of constructing a new stadium located at the Lane Events Center.
[37]
Playoffs
1974: Defeated
Bellingham 2–1 to win league championship.
1975: Defeated
Portland 2–0 to win league championship.
1979: Lost to
Grays Harbor 1–0 in finals.
1980: Declared co-champion with
Bellingham .
1985: Lost to
Everett 1–0 in finals.
1986: Lost to
Bellingham 1–0 in finals.
1996: Lost to
Yakima 2–0 in finals.
2000: Lost to
Yakima 3–2 in finals.
2011: Lost to
Vancouver 2–1 in semifinals.
2016: Defeated
Hillsboro 2–1 in semifinals; defeated
Everett 2–1 to win league championship.
2017: Defeated
Hillsboro 2–0 in semifinals; Lost to
Vancouver 3–1 in finals.
2018: Defeated
Hillsboro 2–0 in semifinals; defeated
Spokane 3–0 to win league championship.
2021: Defeated
Spokane 3–1 to win league championship.
2022: Defeated
Vancouver 3-0 to win league championship.
Notable alumni
Ian Happ (2015 Eugene Emeralds Outfielder)
Hall of Fame alumni
Notable alumni
See also
Roster
Players
Coaches/Other
Pitchers
45 John Bertrand
53 Hayden Birdsong
17 Hunter Dula
26 Joe Kemlage
19 William Kempner
18 Tanner Kiest
35 Seth Lonsway
40 Ben Madison
28
Trevor McDonald
38
Matt Mikulski
46 Nick Morreale
12 Tyler Myrick
14 Mat Olsen
32 Carson Ragsdale
15 Eric Silva
23 Nick Sinacola
48 Brett Standlee
34 Ty Weber
32
Miguel Yajure #
Catchers
8 Brett Auerbach
37 Adrian Sugastey
16 Max Wright
Infielders
13
Aeverson Arteaga
9 Damon Dues
31 Edison Mora
1 Ghordy Santos
33 Luis Toribio
41 Michael Wielansky
Outfielders
Manager
Coaches
43 Alain Quijano (pitching)
2 Eliezer Zambrano (fundamentals)
7-day injured list
* On
San Francisco Giants
40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated January 28, 2024
Transactions
→ More rosters:
MiLB •
Northwest League
→
San Francisco Giants minor league players
References
^
"Meet Sluggo" .
^
"Emeralds Announce 2022 Coaching Staff" .
^
"Eugene Emeralds" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). January 24, 1955. p. 2B.
^ Strite, Dick (September 13, 1955).
"Championship club could set new pattern in minor leagues" . Eugene Register-Guard . p. 1A.
^ Strite, Dick (September 13, 1955).
"Emeralds claim Northwest crown" . Eugene Register-Guard . p. 2B.
^
a
b Rodman, Bob (June 17, 1981).
"29 years of minor league baseball" . Eugene Register-Guard . p. 1E.
^
"About Eugene Emeralds | Eugene Emeralds Club Information" . Eugene Emeralds . Retrieved 2018-07-19 .
^ Cawood, Neil (September 4, 1966).
"Stadium transformed for football games" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). (aerial photo). p. 3B.
^
"State buys Bethel baseball park" . Eugene Register-Guard . Oregon. October 24, 1969. p. 16A.
^ Clark, Bob (June 29, 2004).
"Deep and playable" . Eugene Register-Guard . Oregon. Emeralds at 50. p. E1.
^ Harvey, Paul III (August 30, 1968).
"Ballinger 1-hits Giants in 7-0 Emerald win" . Eugene Register-Guard . Oregon. p. 3B.
^
"Eugene Emeralds outlast Broncs 8-7 in 10 innings" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Idaho. June 25, 1966. p. 8.
^ Harvey, Paul III (June 25, 1966).
"Emeralds corral Broncs just in time" . Eugene Register-Guard . Oregon. p. 1B.
^
"Lewiston defeats Emeralds behind Abbot's 7-hitter" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Idaho. June 26, 1966. p. 12.
^ Harvey, Paul III (June 26, 1966).
"Emeralds handed first loss" . Eugene Register-Guard . Oregon. p. 1B.
^
"Reggie Jackson going to Modesto" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). July 8, 1966. p. 10.
^
"Broncs to open 4-game city at Tri-City" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). July 9, 1966. p. 10.
^
"PCL owners approve shift to Sacramento" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). December 3, 1973. p. 3B.
^ Withers, Bud (June 18, 1974).
"NWL is back" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). p. 1B.
^
"Northwest League opens tonight" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). Associated Press. June 18, 1974. p. 11.
^ Withers, Bud (June 19, 1975).
"Down by two, NWL opens 21st campaign" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). p. 3C.
^
"Eugene Emeralds say hello -- and prepare to say goodbye -- to Civic Stadium" . 20 June 2009. Retrieved 2016-09-06 .
^
"3 boys get probation for fire that leveled Eugene's Civic Stadium" . 8 October 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-06 .
^ Jonathan Mayo (December 4, 2009).
"Plenty of potential among Padres' Draft picks" . Sandiego.padres.mlb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013 . [
permanent dead link ]
^ Mickler, Lauren (November 27, 2012).
"Eugene Emeralds Unveil New Logo" .
KEZI . Archived from
the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014 .
^
"Eugene Emeralds + Voodoo Doughnut = Bacon Maple Brat" .
KVAL-TV . 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2014 .
^ Timmers, Josh (2014-09-19).
"Cubs Sign 2-Year Affiliation With Eugene Emeralds" . Bleed Cubbie Blue . Retrieved 2016-09-06 .
^
"Emeralds Receive Two Coveted" . OurSports Central . 2016-10-04. Retrieved 2020-11-02 .
^ Horton, Josh (2018-09-11).
"Eugene balks it off to capture NWL crown" . MiLB . Retrieved 2018-09-12 .
^
"Eugene Emeralds Win Larry MacPahil Award" . ballparkdigest.com . Ballpark Digest. 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2020-11-02 .
^ Guardado, Maria (2020-12-09).
"Giants invite 4 Minor League affiliates" . MLB.com . Retrieved 2020-12-10 .
^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021).
"MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues" . Major League Baseball . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^
"2021 High-A West" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved October 9, 2021 .
^ Terranova, Rob (September 25, 2021).
"Emeralds Claim Third Championship in Five Seasons" . Minor League Baseball . Retrieved October 9, 2021 .
^
"Historical League Names to Return in 2022" . Minor League Baseball . March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 .
^
"Ems Unveil" .
^ Banta, Megan (2022-01-29).
" 'We're going to build this': Eugene Emeralds GM says building new stadium by 2024 not impossible" . oregonlive . Retrieved 2022-01-30 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
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^
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^
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^
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^
"Adam Cimber: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Franchy Cordero: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Juan Cruz: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Mark DeRosa: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Alex Dickerson: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Dick Dietz: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Logan Forsythe: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Nate Freiman: Minor, Fall, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Oscar Gamble: Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Trent Giambrone: Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Trevor Gott: Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Khalil Greene: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Tayron Guerrero: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Jedd Gyorko: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Shane Halter: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Bob Hamelin: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Ian Happ: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Chase Headley: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Austin Hedges: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Greg Hibbard: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Larry Hisle: Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Nico Hoerner: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Jay Howell: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Nick Hundley: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Grant Jackson: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Eloy Jimenez: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Brandon Kintzler: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Corey Kluber: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Mat Latos: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Wade LeBlanc: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Charlie Leibrandt: Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
"Jeff Russell: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
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^
"Keegan Thompson: Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
"Trea Turner: Fall & Minor Leagues Statistics & History" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-11-17 .
^
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^
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External links
Franchise Ballparks
Culture Lore Rivalries Retired numbers Pre-World Series Champions (2) Temple Cup Champions (1) World Series Champions (8) National League Championships (23) Division titles (9) Wild card (3)
Minor league affiliates
Seasons (142)
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