Idaho Falls Chukars

Idaho Falls Chukars
Idaho Falls Chukars
Founded in 1940 ; Idaho Falls, Idaho ;
	File:IdahoFallsChukarsCapLogo.PNG
Minor league affiliations
Class	Rookie Advanced (1964–present)
Previous classes	Class – C (1940–1963)
League	Pioneer League (1946–present; 1940–42)
Division	South Division
Previous leagues	Utah–Idaho League (1926–28)
Major league affiliations
Team	Kansas City Royals (2004–present)
Previous teams	San Diego Padres (1995–2003); Atlanta Braves (1986–1994); Independent (1985); Oakland Athletics (1982–1984); California Angels (1966–1981); New York Yankees (1962–1965); Chicago White Sox (1960–1961); Pittsburgh Pirates (1959); Detroit Tigers (1955–1958); Locally owned (1946–1954); Inactive due to World War II (1943–1945); Locally owned (1940–1942);
Minor league titles
League titles (3)	1998; 2000; 2013;
Division titles (7)	1978; 1982; 1998; 2000; 2006; 2007; 2013;
Team data
Name	Idaho Falls Chukars (2004–present)
Previous names	Idaho Falls Padres (2000–2003); Idaho Falls Braves (1986–1991, 1993–1999); Idaho Falls Gems (1992); Idaho Falls Eagles (1985); Idaho Falls A's (1982–1984); Idaho Falls Angels (1966–1981); Idaho Falls Yankees (1962–1965); Idaho Falls Russets (1940–1942, 1946–1961); Inactive due to World War II (1943–1945);
Colors	Burgundy, silver, black, white;
Mascot	Charlie the Chukar
Ballpark	Melaleuca Field (2007–present)
Previous parks	McDermott Field (1978–2006)
Owner(s)/; Operator(s)	Elmore Sports Group
General manager	Kevin Greene
Manager	Justin Gemoll

The Idaho Falls Chukars are a professional baseball club based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Chukars are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play their home games at Melaleuca Field, which has a seating capacity of 3,400. The dimensions of the ballpark are 340' to left field, 400' to center field, and 350' to right field. The playing surface is natural grass (Kentucky bluegrass).^[3]

The team plays in the Pioneer League, a short-season league operating from June to early September, which is designated as Rookie Advanced League. They adopted the name the Chukars following a fan vote when the major league affiliation changed after the 2003 season. A Chukar is a game bird found in the region.

Franchise history

After fielding a team in the Utah–Idaho League from 1926 to 1928, the franchise restarted in 1940 and were called the Russets, playing in the Pioneer League. Some famous baseball alumni of the Idaho Falls ball club are Billy Martin, Joe Maddon, Jose Canseco, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler.

Current roster

Template:Idaho Falls Chukars roster

Notable alumni

Numerous Idaho Falls alumni advanced to Major League baseball, some alumni of note include:^[4]

Raul Mondesi (2012)
Danny Duffy (2010)
Wil Myers (2009) 2013 AL Rookie of the Year
Eric Hosmer (2008) 3 × GG
Salvador Pérez (2008–09) 3 × GG; 3 × MLB AS; 2015 World Series MVP
Greg Holland (2007) 2 × MLB AS
Mike Moustakas (2007) MLB AS
Billy Butler (2004) MLB AS
J. P. Howell (2004)
George Kottaras (2003)
Carlos Lezcano (2003, MGR)
José Lobatón (2003)
Óliver Pérez (2000)
Jake Peavy (1999) GG; 3 × MLB AS; 2007 NL wins Leader; 2× MLB ERA leader (2004, 2007); 2× NL strikeout leader (2005, 2007); 2007 NL Cy Young Award
Brian Lawrence (1998)
Shawn Camp (1997)
Matt Clement (1995) MLB AS
Ben Davis (1995)
Chris Brock (1992)
Dave Hilton (1992, MGR)
Terrell Wade (1992)
Tony Graffanino (1991)
Cloyd Boyer (1989, MGR)
Tyler Houston (1989)
Rusty Monsees (1988)
Kevin Brown (1986) MLB: 211 wins; 6 × MLB AS; 2 × NL ERA Leader (1996, 2000)
Rod Gilbreath (1986–87, MGR)
Al Martin (1986) 12 MLB seasons
Jim Nettles (1984 MGR)
Félix José (1984) MLB AS
Jose Canseco (1982) 6 × MLB AS; 1st 40 HR/40 SB player; 2 × MLB home run leader (1988, 1991); 1988 MLB RBI Leader; 1986 AL Rookie of the Year; 1988 AL Most Valuable Player
Dick Schofield (1981)
Devon White (1981) 7 × GG; 3 × MLB AS
Joe Maddon (1981, MGR) MLB MGR; 3 × MLB Manager of the Year (2008, 2011, 2015)
Gary Pettis (1979) 5 × GG
Tom Brunansky (1978) MLB AS
Mike Witt (1978) 2 × MLB AS; Perfect Game: 9/30/1984
Richard Dotson (1977) MLB AS
Alan Wiggins (1977)
Mark Brouhard (1976)
Keith Comstock (1976)
Bobby Clark (1975)
Mark Clear (1975) 2 × MLB AS
Carney Lansford (1975) MLB AS; 1981 AL Batting Title
Floyd Rayford (1975)
Thad Bosley (1974)
Julio Cruz (1974) MLB: 343 SB
Larry Himes (1974–77, MGR) MLB GM
Rance Mulliniks (1974)
Dave Collins (1972) 16 MLB Seasons
Ron Jackson (1971)
Dan Briggs (1970-70)
Dick Lange (1970)
Sid Monge (1970) MLB AS
Morris Nettles (1970)
Rudy Meoli (1969)
Norm Sherry (1969, MGR)
Lloyd Allen (1968)
Steve Kealey (1966)
Doug Griffin (1965) GG
Tom Egan (1964)
Marty Perez (1964–65)
Frank Fernández (1963) MLB: Most Career HR with BA below .200
Steve Whitaker (1962–63)
Jim Shellenback (1962)
Tommy McCraw (1961) MLB player; MLB: 23 seasons hitting coach
Cisco Carlos (1961) 1968 Sports Illustrated cover
Jerry McNertney 9 MLB Seasons; MLB coach
Bob Locker (1960) 12 MLB seasons
Dennis Higgins (1960)
Jim Hicks (1960–61)
Peanuts Lowrey (1960, MGR) MLB AS; MLB coach
Fred Talbot (1960)
Bob Clear (1959, MGR)
John Pregenzer (1959) Subject of SF Giants' fans John Pregenzer Fan Club
Tom Parsons (1959)
Donn Clendenon (1959) 1969 World Series MVP
Jim Campbell (1959)
Jake Wood (1958) 1961 AL Triples Leader
Buck Rodgers (1958) MLB Player; MLB MGR; 1987 NL Manager of the Year
Al Lakeman (1957–58, Player/MGR)
Howie Koplitz (1957)
Stan Wasiak (1956, MGR) Minor League MGR Record: 2530 Wins
Bob Johnson (1956) 11 LB Seasons; WS Champion
Charlie Metro (1956, MGR) MLB Player; MLB MGR
Ken Rowe (1955) MLB Player; MLB pitching coach (Baltimore Orioles)
Pat Mullin (1955, Player/MGR) 2 × MLB AS; World War II: US Army (1942–45)
Bubba Morton (1955) MLB Player; Head Baseball Coach University of Washington (1972-72)
Cuno Barragan (1953) Inducted Mexican American Hall of Fame
John Briggs (1952–53)
Frank Gabler (1949, Player/ MGR)
Ken Lehman (1948)
Billy Martin (1946) MLB AS; MLB MGR 1,253 wins; MGR: 1977 World Series Champion—New York Yankees
Bill Wight (1941) 12 MLB Seasons
Clancy Smyres (1941) MLB autograph is more valuable than Babe Ruth^[5]
Elmer Singleton (1941)
Doc Marshall (1941)
Woody Main (1941)
Ed Bahr (1940)
Ed Coleman (1927)
Roy Johnson (1926) 1936 WS Champion; brother of Indian Bob Johnson

Jose Canseco 1989
Jake Peavy, 2007
Kansas City Royals Billy Butler, 2011
Mike Moustakas, Game 1, 2015 World Series

References

^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
^ "Chukars Proudly Release New Logo". Idaho Falls Chukars. November 18, 2003. Archived from the original on January 4, 2004. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
^ "Melaleuca Field Information". Idaho Falls Chukars. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
^ <http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
^ http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/the-strange-saga-of-clancy-smyres-and-why-his-autograph-is-more-valuable-than-babe-ruth/

External links

[1] ttp://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0

[2] "Chukars Proudly Release New Logo". Idaho Falls Chukars. November 18, 2003. Archived from the original on January 4, 2004. Retrieved September 14, 2016.

[3] "Melaleuca Field Information". Idaho Falls Chukars. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.

[4] <http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0

[5] ttp://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/the-strange-saga-of-clancy-smyres-and-why-his-autograph-is-more-valuable-than-babe-ruth/

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]