The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems) are a Minor League Baseball 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—each s ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

, based in

Eugene, Oregon Eugene ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast. As of the 2020 United States Census, ...

. The Emeralds are members of the Northwest League and are affiliated with the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yo ...

. 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. 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 Cali ...

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 218,464 at the 2020 census, it is the 19th largest city in the state of California and forms part of the Sacramento-Stockton ...

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 L ...

. 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 level, which is one grade below Major League Ba ...

(PCL) as the primary affiliate of the

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

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

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

for the 1974 season, while the Phillies moved their AAA farm team to the

Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A Mud Hens team has played in ...

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 level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ( ...

. 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. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

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 Eugene School District (4J) is a public school district in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is one of two school districts that serve the city of Eugene. Demographics Eugene School District 4J spans in the southern Willamette Valley, including t ...

and was built in 1938 as a venue for

high school football High school football (french: football au lycée) is gridiron football played by high school teams in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both countries, but its popularity is declining, partl ...

, 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 research university in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1876, the institution is well known for its strong ties to the sports apparel and marketing firm Nike, Inc Nike, Inc. ( or ) is a ...

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

Autzen Stadium Autzen Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in the northwest United States, in Eugene, Oregon. Located north of the University of Oregon campus, it is the home field of the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 Conference. Opened in 1967, the stadium h ...

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 b ...

. They share the new facility with the

Oregon Ducks The Oregon Ducks are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Oregon, located in Eugene. The Ducks compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. ...

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 Nathan Samuel Freiman (born December 31, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, baseball writer Tim Brown wrote, "Near as anyon ...

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 base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire anot ...

s (33) and total bases (140). A new logo, based upon Sasquatch, was adopted by the Emeralds in 2012. In 2013, the Emeralds partnered with

Voodoo Doughnut Voodoo Doughnut is an American doughnut company based in Portland, Oregon with a current total of 15 locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Washington, and Texas. History Voodoo Doughnut was founded in May 2003 by Kenneth “Ca ...

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

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

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 and Double-A, and abov ...

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 The Spokane Indians are a Minor League Baseball team located in Spokane Valley, the city immediately east of Spokane, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest. The Indians are members of the High-A Northwest League (NWL) as an affiliate of the Colo ...

, 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 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.

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 of America. It is a ria, which formed at the end of the last ice age, when sea levels floo ...

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 Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. ...

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 (1973, MGR) Inducted, 1996 *

Mike Schmidt Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire 18-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and a ...

(1972) Inducted, 1995 Notable alumni *

Jesús Alou Jesús María Rojas Alou (born March 24, 1942) is a Dominican former professional baseball outfielder. During a 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played for the San Francisco Giants (1963–68), Houston Astros (1969–73; 1978� ...

(1961) *

Adbert Alzolay Adbert Marcelo Alzolay ( ; born March 1, 1995) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019. Career Alzolay signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free ...

(2015) * Rubén Amaro (1971) 1964 Gold Glove * Matt Andriese (2011) * Kevin Appier (1987) MLB All-Star * Jason Bartlett (2001) 2009 AL All-Star *

Anthony Bass Anthony Edward Bass (born November 1, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Ch ...

(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 Timothy Christopher Byrdak (born October 31, 1973) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). ...

(1994) *

José Cardenal José Rosario Domec Cardenal (born October 7, 1943) is a Cuban American former professional baseball outfielder, who played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants (1963–64), Los Angeles/California Angels (1965–67), Clevelan ...

(1961) * Lance Carter (1994) 2003 AL All-Star * Dylan Cease (2016) * Bruce Chen (1996) * Adam Cimber (2013) * Franchy Cordero (2014) * Juan Cruz (1999) * Eric Davis (1980–1981) 2 x MLB All-Star *

Mark DeRosa Mark Thomas DeRosa (born February 26, 1975) is an American former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1998 to 2013. He played for the Atlanta Braves (1998–2004), Texas Rangers (2005–2006), Chicago Cu ...

(1996) * Rob Dibble (1983) 2 x MLB All-Star, 1990 NLCS MVP *

Alex Dickerson Alexander Ross Dickerson (born May 26, 1990), nicknamed "Grandpa", is an American professional baseball left fielder who is currently a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and ...

(2014) * Dick Dietz (1962) * Denny Doyle (1969) *

Scott Effross Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross (born December 28, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for Indiana University. He was selected in the 15th round ...

(2015) *

Logan Forsythe John Logan Forsythe (born January 14, 1987) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Miami ...

(2008) * David Freese (2006) MLB All-Star; 2011 World Series Most Valuable Player *

(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 ...

(1970–72) * Trent Giambrone (2016) * Tom Gordon (1987) 3 x MLB All-Star *

Trevor Gott Trevor Vaughan Gott (born August 26, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Washington Nationals, San Franc ...

(2013) * Khalil Greene (2002) *

Tayron Guerrero Tayron Luis Guerrero (born January 9, 1991) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and the Miami Marlins. Career San Diego Padres Th ...

(2013) *

Jedd Gyorko Jedd Lindon Gyorko ( ; born September 23, 1988) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. He is curre ...

(2010) *

Shane Halter Shane David Halter (born November 8, 1969) is a former Major League Baseball utility player. High school years Halter attended Hooks High School in Hooks, Texas and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball, track, and golf. Halter pla ...

(1991) *

Bob Hamelin Robert James Hamelin (; born November 29, 1967) is a former first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals (1993–96), Detroit Tigers (1997) and Milwaukee Brewers (1 ...

(1988) 1994 AL Rookie of the Year *

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(2015) * Chase Headley (2005) * Austin Hedges (2011) *

Greg Hibbard James Gregory Hibbard (born September 13, 1964) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from –. Career Houston Astros Hibbard was originally drafted by the Astros out of Harrison Centra ...

(1986) *

Larry Hisle Larry Eugene Hisle (; born May 5, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player and hitting coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies (1968–71), Minnesota Twins (1973–77), an ...

(1971) 2 x MLB All-Star *

Nico Hoerner Nicholas Mackie Hoerner (born May 13, 1997) is an American professional baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Stanford University, and was selected by the Cubs in ...

(2018) *

Jay Howell Jay Canfield Howell (born November 26, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds (1980), Chicago Cubs (1981), New York Yankees (1982–1984), Oakland Athletics (1985–1987), Los Angeles Dodgers (1988–1992), ...

(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 (2006) *

Charlie Leibrandt Charles Louis Leibrandt, Jr. (; born October 4, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1979 to 1993 for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers. Leibrandt was a productive pitcher throu ...

(1978) *

Jon Lieber Jonathan Ray Lieber (born April 2, 1970) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He stands tall and weighs . He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1994–1998), Chicago Cubs (1999–2002 and 2008), ...

(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) * Miles Mikolas (2009) 2018 MLB All-Star *

Dave Miley David Allen Miley (born April 3, 1962) is an American former baseball player and manager. Playing career Miley was born in Tampa, Florida, and attended George D. Chamberlain High School in Tampa, graduating in 1980. He was drafted by the Cinci ...

(1981) *

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(1970) MLB All-Star * Christopher Morel (2018) * Mélido Pérez (1985) * Odális Pérez (1995) 2002 NL All-Star * Jace Peterson (2011) *

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(2011) * Joe Randa (1991) * Horacio Ramirez (1998) *

Hunter Renfroe Dustin Hunter Renfroe (born January 28, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, an ...

(2013) *

Franmil Reyes Franmil Federico Reyes (born July 7, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardia ...

(2013) *

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(1972) 1979 World Series Champion *

John Rocker John Loy Rocker (born October 17, 1974) is a former American relief pitcher who played six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Atlanta Braves. Making his major league debut in 1998 as a member of the Braves, with whom he p ...

(1995) * Manuel Rodriguez (2017) *

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(1975) * Jeff Russell (1980) 2 x MLB All-Star * Zack Short (2006) * Eric Sogard (2007) * Mario Soto (1975) 3 x MLB All-Star *

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(2014) * Justin Steele (2015) * 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 entrepreneur. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and designated hitter from to , most prominently as ...

(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 in MLB for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Turner ...

(2014) 2021 All-Star & NL Batting Champion, 2019 World Series Champion *

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(2005) * Nick Vincent (2007)

Roster

References

External links

*
Statistics from ''Baseball-Reference''
{{Authority control Baseball teams established in 1955 Defunct Pacific Coast League teams Sports in Eugene, Oregon San Francisco Giants minor league affiliates Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates San Diego Padres minor league affiliates Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates 1955 establishments in Oregon Northwest League teams Professional baseball teams in Oregon High-A West teams

History

Playoffs

Notable alumni

See also

Roster

References

External links