The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems) are a

Minor League Baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team in the

northwest The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A '' compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west— ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, based in

Eugene, Oregon Eugene ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie River (Oregon), McKenzie and Willamette River, Willamette rivers, ...

. The Emeralds are members of the

Northwest League The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseba ...

and the

High-A High-A, officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing, is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A and D ...

affiliate of the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

. Eugene plays their home games at PK Park.

History

Founded 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. They won the inaugural pennant as an independent, 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. The Emeralds played in northwest Eugene in 4,000-seat Bethel Park, at Roosevelt Boulevard and Maple Street (), later torn down for the construction of a highway that wasn't built. 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. The NWL changed to a short season league in 1966, and that season opened in Eugene against the

Lewiston Broncs {{Infobox Minor League Baseball , name = Lewiston Broncs , firstseason =1921 , lastseason =1974 , allyears =1921, 1937, 1939, 1952–1974 , city =Lewiston, Idaho , logo = , caplogo = , past class level = Short-seas ...

. The second pick in the 1966 MLB draft, future hall of famer

Reggie Jackson Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cal ...

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, 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. He was with the Broncs for less than two weeks, then went to

Modesto Modesto ( ; ) is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of 218,069 according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, it is the 19th-most populous city in California. Modesto is locate ...

in the

California League The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leagu ...

. In the 1969 season, the Emeralds were promoted to AAA status in the

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

(PCL) as the primary affiliate of the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

. The Ems returned to the Northwest League five years later when the PCL moved the AAA team to

Sacramento Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...

for the 1974 season, while the Phillies moved their AAA farm team to the Toledo Mud Hens of the

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...

. Eugene was an independent/co-op team ( Phillies,

) in 1974, then became an affiliate of the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

in 1975. 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 High school football, also known as prep football, is gridiron football played by High school (North America), high school teams in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular high school sports, interscholastic sports in both c ...

, 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, in 2010 the Eugene Emeralds moved into PK Park, the new baseball stadium across town that was built by the

University of Oregon The University of Oregon (UO, U of O or Oregon) is a Public university, public research university in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1876, the university is organized into nine colleges and schools and offers 420 undergraduate and gra ...

. The Emeralds new home, PK Park, is adjacent to

Autzen Stadium Autzen Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Located north of the University of Oregon campus, it is the home field of the Oregon Ducks of the Big Ten Conference. Opened in 1967, the stadium has undergone severa ...

and near the

Willamette River The Willamette River ( ) is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States. Flowing northward ...

. They share the new facility with the

Oregon Ducks The Oregon Ducks are the College sports in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon, Eugene. The Ducks compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCA ...

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. In 2009, playing for the Emeralds, Nate Freiman led the league for the season in RBIs (68),

extra-base hit In baseball, an extra-base hit (EB, EBH or XBH), also known as a long hit, is any hit (baseball), base hit on which the batting (baseball), batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error (base ...

s (33) and

total bases In baseball statistics, total bases is the number of bases a player gains with hit (baseball), hits. It is a weighted sum with values of 1 for a single (baseball), single, 2 for a double (baseball), double, 3 for a triple (baseball), triple and 4 ...

(140). A new logo, based upon

Sasquatch Bigfoot (), also commonly referred to as Sasquatch (), is a large, hairy Mythic humanoids, mythical creature said to inhabit forests in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.Example definitions include: *"A large, hairy, manlike ...

, was adopted by the Emeralds in 2012. In 2013, the Emeralds partnered with Voodoo Doughnut to offer a bacon maple bratwurst as a specialty food item. 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. 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. The Emeralds won the NWL title in 2018 despite finishing , last in the overall standings. They clinched a wild card playoff spot with a record in the second half, second behind Hillsboro, who had finished first in both halves. The Emeralds proceeded to sweep both Hillsboro and

Spokane Spokane ( ) is the most populous city in eastern Washington and the county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It lies along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south ...

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. Following that season, the Emeralds were awarded the 53rd Annual Larry MacPhail Award, this award is in recognition for the franchises top promotional effort. 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

affiliate of

. In a further change, they were organized into the High-A West along with five other teams previously of the Northwest League. Eugene ended the 2021 season in first place with a 69–50 record. They then defeated the Spokane Indians, 3–1, to win the High-A West championship. 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. In 2019, the Emeralds unveiled their "Monarcas de Eugene" on-field identity as part of minor league baseball's "Copa de Diversion." The Emeralds began 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 began discussing with Lane County officials about the feasibility of constructing a new stadium located at the Lane Events Center. On March 13, 2024, the Eugene City Council voted to place a $15 million bond measure on the ballot for their May 21 primary election. This would partially fund the stadium project's expected cost of over $104 million; however, Lane County administrators had advised a reset in planning before committing to this project. City Councilors had previously required this commitment and financial reports of the stadium's operations. The Lane Events Center masterplan did not recommend the Emeralds' stadium because it was too large, requiring removal of the very functional multi-use Indoor Arena, and would detract from fairground operations by hindering profitable events, with an expected annual loss of $200,000.

Playoffs

*1974: Defeated Bellingham 2–1 to win league championship. *1975: Defeated Portland 2–0 to win league championship. *1979: Lost to

Grays Harbor Grays Harbor is an estuarine bay located north of the mouth of the Columbia River, on the southwest Pacific coast of Washington state, in the United States. It is a ria, which formed at the end of the last ice age, when sea levels flooded the ...

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 Yakima ( or ) is a city in and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the state's 11th most populous city. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 96,968 and a metropolitan population of 256,728. The ...

2–0 in finals. *2000: Lost to

3–2 in finals. *2011: Lost to

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

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

3–1 in finals. *2018: Defeated Hillsboro 2–0 in semifinals; defeated

3–0 to win league championship. *2021: Defeated

3–1 to win league championship. *2022: Defeated

3-0 to win league championship.

Notable alumni

Hall of Fame alumni *

Jim Bunning James Paul David Bunning (October 23, 1931 – May 26, 2017) was an American professional baseball pitcher and politician from Kentucky who served in both chambers of the United States Congress, a member of the United States House of Representati ...

(1973, MGR) Inducted, 1996 *

Mike Schmidt Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Schmidt was a 12-time Al ...

(1972) Inducted, 1995 Notable alumni *

Jesús Alou Jesús María Rojas Alou (, March 24, 1942 – March 10, 2023) was a Dominican professional baseball outfielder. During a 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played for the San Francisco Giants (1963–68), the Houston Astros (1969� ...

(1961) 2x World Series Champion * Adbert Alzolay (2015) * Rubén Amaro (1971) 1964 Gold Glove * Matt Andriese (2011) * Kevin Appier (1987) 1995 All-Star; 2002 World Series Champion; Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame *Patrick Bailey (2021-2022) * Jason Bartlett (2001) 2009 AL All-Star * Anthony Bass (2008) * Bob Boone (1972) 4 x MLB All-Star * Larry Bowa (1969) 5 x MLB All-Star; 2001 NL Manager of the Year * Tim Byrdak (1994) * José Cardenal (1961) 3x World Series Champion * Lance Carter (1994) 2003 AL All-Star * Dylan Cease (2016) All-MLB Second Team (2022) * Bruce Chen (1996) * Adam Cimber (2013) * Franchy Cordero (2014) * Juan Cruz (1999) * Eric Davis (1980–1981) 2 x MLB All-Star; 3x Gold Glove; 1992 World Series Champion; Cincinnati Red Hall of Fame * Mark DeRosa (1996) * Rob Dibble (1983) 2 x MLB All-Star, 1990 NLCS MVP, 1990 World Series Champion * Alex Dickerson (2014) * Dick Dietz (1962) * Denny Doyle (1969) * Scott Effross (2015) * Logan Forsythe (2008) * David Freese (2006) MLB All-Star; 2011 World Series Most Valuable Player * Nate Freiman (2009) *

Oscar Gamble Oscar Charles Gamble (December 20, 1949 – January 31, 2018) was an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 17 seasons from to for seven teams: the Chicago White Sox and Ne ...

(1970–72) * Trent Giambrone (2016) *

Tom Gordon Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967), nicknamed "Flash", is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current radio color commentator for the Boston Red Sox. Gordon played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kan ...

(1987) 3x All-Star; 1998 AL Saves Leader 3 x MLB All-Star * Trevor Gott (2013) * Khalil Greene (2002) * Tayron Guerrero (2013) * Jedd Gyorko (2010) * Shane Halter (1991) *

Bob Hamelin Robert James Hamelin (; born November 29, 1967) is an American former first baseman and designated hitter who played six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Kansas City Royals. He also played for the Detroit Tigers and the ...

(1988) 1994 AL Rookie of the Year * Ian Happ (2015)2022 All-Star; 2022 Gold Glove * Kyle Harrison (2022) * Chase Headley (2005) 2012 AL RBI Leader; 2012 Gold Glove; 2012 Silver Slugger * Austin Hedges (2011) * Greg Hibbard (1986) * Larry Hisle (1971) 2 x MLB All-Star * Nico Hoerner (2018) * Jay Howell (1976) 3x All Star 1988 World Series * Nick Hundley (2005) * Grant Jackson (1964) * Eloy Jimenez (2015) 2020 Silver Slugger * Brandon Kintzler (2004-2005) * Corey Kluber (2007) 2 x MLB Cy Young Award & 3 x All-Star * Mat Latos (2007-2008) *

Wade LeBlanc Wade Matthew LeBlanc (born August 7, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Yankees, Pit ...

(2006) * Charlie Leibrandt (1978) * Jon Lieber (1992) 2001 NL All-Star * Jose Lobaton (2004-2005) * Marco Luciano (2021-2022) * Greg Luzinski (1971) 4 x MLB All-Star * Vimael Machin (2015-2016) * Mike Marshall (1965) 1974 NL Cy Young Award * Brailyn Márquez (2018) * Brian McRae (1986) * Wade Meckler (2023) * Miles Mikolas (2009) 2x MLB All-Star * Dave Miley (1981) * Willie Montañez (1970) MLB All-Star * Christopher Morel (2018) * Mélido Pérez (1985) * Odális Pérez (1995) 2002 NL All-Star * Jace Peterson (2011) * Kevin Quackenbush (2011) * Joe Randa (1991) * Horacio Ramirez (1998) * Hunter Renfroe (2013) * Franmil Reyes (2013) *

Bill Robinson Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (born Luther Robinson; May 25, 1878 – November 25, 1949), was an American tap dancer, actor, and singer, the best known and the most highly paid black entertainer in the United States during the first half of the 20 ...

(1972) 1979 World Series Champion * John Rocker (1995) * Manuel Rodriguez (2017) *

Larry Rothschild Lawrence Lee Rothschild (born March 12, 1954) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, coach, and manager. Rothschild played for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1981 and 1982. He has coached for the Cincinnati ...

(1975) 2x World Series Champion * Jeff Russell (1980) 2 x MLB All-Star * Zack Short (2006) * Eric Sogard (2007) * Mario Soto (1975) 3 x MLB All-Star * Cory Spangenberg (2014) * Justin Steele (2015) 2023 NL All-Star * Mike Sweeney (1992–1993) 5 x MLB All-Star *

Andre Thornton André Thornton (born August 13, 1949), nicknamed "Thunder", is an American former professional baseball player and business Entrepreneurship, entrepreneur. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and designated hitter from to , m ...

(1968) 2 x MLB All-Star) * Keegan Thompson (2017) *

Trea Turner Trea Vance Turner (born June 30, 1993) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. At the internation ...

(2014) 2x All-Star; 2022 All-MLB First Team; 2021 NL Batting Champion, 2019 World Series Champion * Will Venable (2005) * Nick Vincent (2007)

Roster

References

External links