Billings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948, and have been affiliated with the Reds since 1974 (after an affiliation with the Kansas City Royals).
The Mustangs play at Cobb Field, named in 1948 after Bob Cobb (not Ty Cobb, as many mistake its name for). Bob Cobb was responsible for bringing professional baseball to the city of Billings.
The Mustangs have been a dominant force in the Pioneer League as of late. Winning 3 consecutive Pioneer League titles from '92-'94, then again in '97. In 2003, Billings beat the Provo Angels in the Championship Series 2 games to 0. Provo had tied the league record for wins that year with 54. Billings, the last team to qualify for the postseason won game 1 at Provo 8-5 in 11 innings, then, in what is considered one of the greatest games in Pioneer League history, Billings won 3-0 on a no-hitter by James Paduch to win the Championship in front of a sold-out Cobb Field in Billings. In a classic pitchers duel between arguably the two best pitchers in the league (Provo's being 2003 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Abel Moreno), Billings pulled the biggest upset and arguably the most unforgettable moment in Pioneer League Championship history.
Many Major League stars have began their pro careers in Billings. These include George Brett, Reggie Sanders, Paul O'Neill, Keith Lockhart, Danny Tartabull, Ben Broussard, Scott Sullivan, Aaron Boone, Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, and B.J. Ryan. The 1998 team card set is a sought after collectible, including the first ever cards of Dunn and Kearns and with only 1,000 sets printed, it commands high dollar among collectors.
After years of award-winning work in the front office, Assistant General Manager Gary Roller was promoted to General Manager for the 2005 season. Roller took over for long time GM and Mustangs Hall-of-Famer Bob Wilson. Matt Bender, who formerly handled the duties of Official Scorer, took over the vacated Assistant General Manager position.
Some of the Mustangs' most popular and longtime employees include Clubhouse Manager George Kimmet, Official Scorer Phil Sites, and Operations Intern Jeremy "Double-Dogs" Haworth as well as members of the Mustangs Delta Force. Delta Force (usually a group of 5-7 people) are in charge of security, ushering, and are sometimes called on for stadium entertainment.
Cobb Field is renowned in the Pioneer League for the "Beer Batter." Every game the Mustangs Beer Boosters designate one player as the "Beer Batter." If that player gets a hit, attendees can buy four beers for $8. Many eager buyers stand at the stairs anticipating a hit and the oncoming rush of people.
The Billings Mustangs changed their logo for the 2006 season and plan on hosting two turn-back-the-clock jersey days at Cobb Field this year.
Management
- President - Bob Wilson
- General Manager - Gary Roller
- Assistant General Manager - Matt Bender
- Radio Broadcaster - Andy Price
- P.A. Announcer - Kyle Riley
- Head Grounds Crew Official - John Barta
- Clubhouse Operations Director - George Kimmet
- Official Scorer/Statistician - Phil Sites
- Operations Intern - Jeremy Haworth
- Delta Force - Steve Callies, Brian Bunker, Molly Bell
Coaching Staff
- Manager - Rick Burleson
- Hitting Coach - Jeff Young
- Pitching Coach - Doug Bair
- Trainer - Jim Mattocks
- Strength Coach - Trevor Dorian
- Team Physician - Dr. James Elliott
- Team Optometrist - Dr. Brian Linde