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Grand Junction Jackalopes

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Grand Junction Rockies
File:GJ Rockies.png
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassRookie (1978-1985, 1987–present)
LeaguePioneer League (1978-1985, 1987–present)
DivisionSouth Division
Major league affiliations
TeamColorado Rockies (2001–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1981
Division titles (3)
  • 1981
  • 1988
  • 1989
Team data
NameGrand Junction Rockies (2012–present)
Previous names
  • Casper Ghosts (2008-2011)
  • Casper Rockies (2001-2007)
  • Butte Copper Kings (1978-1985, 1987-2000)
BallparkSuplizio Field (2012–present)
Previous parks
General managerTim Ray
ManagerFrank Gonzales

The Grand Junction Rockies are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States, where they play at Suplizio Field. They are the Rookie affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The Grand Junction Rockies mascot is Corky Coyote.

Franchise history

The Butte Copper Kings, named for the once-powerful owners of the copper mines of Butte, Montana, began play in the Pioneer League in 1978 as a co-op team with players from the Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers organizations as well as a few free agents.[1]

Beginning in 1987, the franchise had been operated by Silverbow Baseball Corp. It was sold in 1996 to the Goldklang Group in a move necessary to stem conflict-of-interest issues when Silverbow head Jim McCurdy had taken the position of President of the Pioneer League in 1994.[2] Silverbow had attempted to sell the franchise in 1994 to investors from California, but the deal fell through when it was discovered that the would-be owners had lied about their personal financial backgrounds.[3]

Following the 2000 season, the team relocated to Casper, Wyoming as the Casper Rockies (and was renamed the Ghosts before the 2008 season[4]) and affiliated with Colorado.[5]

On January 13, 2011, Casper Professional Baseball Club, LLC announced the sale of the team to Monfort Investment Group, a group headed by Colorado Rockies General Partners. At the same time it was announced that Tim Ray would become the executive director of the Ghosts; Chris Maxwell and Phil Choler remain as General Manager and Assistant General Manager, respectively.[6]

October 17, 2011, Grand Junction city officials unanimously approved a lease agreement to the team, making Suplizio Field home to the newly renamed Grand Junction Rockies.[7]

Team record

In 2012, the Rockies had a winning season with a 43-33 record.

Roster

Template:Grand Junction Rockies roster

Notable players

Butte Copper Kings,[8] Casper Rockies and Casper Ghosts[9] players who have made appearances on Major League teams:

References

  1. ^ "Pioneer Adds Butte". The Sporting News. February 25, 1978. p. 63.
  2. ^ "Copper Kings Have New Owners, Affiliation". bozemandailychronicle.com. Bozeman Daily Chronicle. June 18, 1996. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "Jury Rules in Favor of Former Cooper Kings Team Owner". bozemandailychronicle.com. Bozeman Daily Chronicle. October 12, 1996. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  4. ^ "Casper Ghosts Launch Glow-in-the-Dark Identity". ghostsbaseball.com. Casper Ghosts. October 31, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "Affiliations: Pioneer League". The Official Site of the Pioneer League. Pioneer Baseball League. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
  6. ^ "Monfort Investment Group Purchases Casper Ghosts". Official Site of the Casper Ghosts. Casper Ghosts. January 13, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  7. ^ "Grand Junction officials OK Casper Ghosts' move to Colorado". trib.com. Casper Star Tribune. October 17, 2011.
  8. ^ "Butte Alumni". thebaseballcube.com. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  9. ^ "Casper Alumni". thebaseballcube.com. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
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