Lethbridge Black Diamonds
The Lethbridge Black Diamonds were a minor league baseball team located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.[2] The team was previously known as the Lethbridge Mounties from 1992–1995[3] before becoming the Lethbridge Black Diamonds from 1996–1998. They were one of the first two farm clubs of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Only 16 months after Arizona was granted a major league baseball franchise, the first farm club — the Lethbridge Black Diamonds — took the field.[4] The team started playing two years before their parent club even played a game.[5] The team played their first game in June 1996, whereas the Arizona Diamondbacks started playing in April 1998.[4] The team played in the Pioneer League,[6] which is a rookie league, with a shortented season, in Minor League Baseball.[7] Their home stadium was Henderson Stadium.[2] In 1999, the team was moved and became the Missoula Osprey.[8]
| Lethbridge Black Diamonds 1992–1998 Lethbridge, Alberta | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
|---|---|
| Previous classes | Rookie Advanced |
| League | Pioneer League (baseball) |
| Division | North Division |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | none |
| Team data | |
Previous names |
|
Previous parks | Henderson Stadium |
Team history
Within their first year, in 1996, the Lethbridge Black Diamonds had the best record going 50-22 before falling in the opening round of the playoffs.[5] With manager Chris Speier, they led the league in defence/pitching, with 339 runs allowed which was 102 less than the number two place,[9] and in offense, with 637 runs, which was 94 more than the next team in the league.[5] The team drew in 49,124 fans that year. There were many All-Star players on the team the first year.
The second season manager Tommy Jones[10] led the team to a 39-33 record, which tied them for third in the league with the Idaho Falls Braves,[11] but the Black Diamonds fell within the first round of the playoffs. During 1997, no player on the team made the All-Star team or lead the Pioneer League in any key stat.[5]
The last season the Black Diamonds were in Lethbridge they went 43-32 with manage Joe Almaraz. The team defeated Great Falls Dodgers 2 games to 1, then lost in the finals to Idaho Falls Braves.[1]
Notable Alumni
- Rod Barajas (1996)
- Alex Cintron (1997-1998)
- Jack Cust (1998)
- Chris Speier (1996) 3 x MLB All-Star
- Junior Spivey (1996) MLB All-Star
1996
- Kevin Sweeney[12] – league MVP – who also led the Pioneer League in average, slugging, OBP, runs and walks which was 94 more than the next team in the league.[5]
- Vladimir Núñez – led the circuit in ERA by a full point[13] and was voted top prospect in the league
- Nick Bierbrodt – rated #3 prospect in the league
- Larry Rodriguez[14] – voted #4 prospect within the league
Team roster 1996
| Age | B | T | Ht | Wt | DoB | Birthplace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Allison | 22 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 220 | Nov 24 1973 | Lexington KY US |
| Dallas Anderson | 22 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 210 | Feb 27 1974 | Kindersley SK CA |
| Beau Baltzell | 22 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 215 | Aug 2 1973 | Omaha NE US |
| Rod Barajas | 20 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 250 | Sep 5 1975 | Ontario CA US |
| Justin Bice | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 210 | Apr 17 1975 | Renton WA US |
| Nick Bierbrodt | 18 | L | L | 6 5.0 | 215 | May 16, 1978 | Tarzana CA US |
| Mike Boughton | 21 | S | R | 6 3.0 | 180 | Nov 8 1974 | Syracuse NY US |
| Mark Chavez | 23 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 185 | May 1, 1973 | |
| Jason Conti | 21 | L | R | 5 11.0 | 180 | Jan 27 1975 | Pittsburgh PA US |
| Jason Crews | 22 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 205 | Aug 28 1973 | Fort Lauderdale FL US |
| Clay Crossan | 22 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 175 | Aug 30 1973 | Portland OR US |
| Reggie Davis | 21 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 215 | Nov 12 1974 | Austell GA US |
| Johnny Done | 20 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 165 | Nov 25 1975 | |
| Ryan Duffy | 23 | R | L | 6 3.0 | 185 | Jun 1 1973 | Wallaceburg ON CA |
| Jamie Gann | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 191 | May 1, 1975 | Fort Leonard Wood MO US |
| Scott Glasser | 20 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 170 | Dec 9 1975 | Anaheim CA US |
| Javier Gomez | 22 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 195 | Dec 10 1973 | |
| Brett Hardy | 22 | L | L | 6 0.0 | 180 | Dec 22 1973 | Costa Mesa CA US |
| Ron Hartman | 21 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 200 | Dec 12 1974 | Baltimore MD US |
| David Hayman | 21 | R | R | 5 10.0 | 197 | Jul 9 1974 | |
| Kirk Kinard | 22 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 175 | Mar 7 1974 | |
| Josh Kliner | 23 | S | R | 5 11.0 | 180 | Dec 27 1972 | |
| Jason Moore | 20 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 240 | Jul 16 1975 | Charleston WV US |
| Ben Norris | 18 | L | L | 6 3.0 | 185 | Dec 6 1977 | Austin TX US |
| Jose Nunez | 20 | R | R | 5 8.0 | 180 | Mar 4 1976 | Brooklyn NY US |
| Vladimir Núñez | 21 | R | R | 6 5.0 | 235 | Mar 15 1975 | La Habana La Habana CU |
| George Oleksik | 22 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 210 | Apr 19 1974 | Cleveland OH US |
| Chip Rhea | 22 | S | R | 6 1.0 | 190 | Jul 24 1973 | |
| Larry Rodriguez | 21 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 195 | Sep 9 1974 | Guanajay CU |
| Rob Ryan | 23 | L | L | 5 11.0 | 190 | Jun 24 1973 | Havre MT US |
| Erik Sabel | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 193 | Oct 14 1974 | Lafayette IN US |
| Javier Samboy | 21 | L | L | 6 2.0 | 160 | Feb 13 1975 | |
| Junior Spivey | 21 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 185 | Jan 28 1975 | Oklahoma City OK US |
| Mike Stoner | 23 | R | R | 5 10.0 | 210 | May 23, 1973 | Shelbyville KY US |
| Kevin Sweeney | 22 | L | L | 5 11.0 | 195 | Mar 30 1974 | Buffalo NY US |
| Joe Verplancke | 21 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 200 | May 11, 1975 | Long Beach CA US |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 11/11/2011.
Team roster 1997
| Age | B | T | Ht | Wt | DoB | Birthplace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Anderson | 23 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 210 | Feb 27 1974 | Kindersley SK CA |
| Jeff Andrews | 22 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 190 | Sep 1 1974 | Newton MA US |
| Juan Bautista | 18 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 165 | Jul 20 1978 | San Francisco de Macoris Duarte DO |
| Matt Bell | 19 | R | R | 6 5.0 | 208 | Jan 8 1978 | Okmulgee OK US |
| Chris Bloomer | 22 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 215 | May 6, 1975 | St. Paul MN US |
| Ron Calloway | 20 | L | L | 6 1.0 | 210 | Sep 4 1976 | San Jose CA US |
| Alex Cintrón | 18 | S | R | 6 2.0 | 210 | Dec 17 1978 | Humacao PR |
| Steven Doherty | 22 | L | R | 6 0.0 | 175 | Sep 30 1974 | Vancouver BC CA |
| John Fleming | 19 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 190 | Jan 20 1978 | Riverside CA US |
| Reuben Fontanes | 23 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 190 | May 6, 1974 | East Chicago IN US |
| Brian Fox | 20 | L | R | 6 2.0 | 200 | Mar 5 1977 | Plano TX US |
| Miguel Frias | 19 | L | L | 5 11.0 | 180 | Dec 27 1977 | Santo Domingo Distrito Nacional DO |
| Julio Guzman | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 205 | Apr 28 1976 | Jersey City NJ US |
| David Harper | 22 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 185 | Sep 14 1974 | Grand Prairie TX US |
| David Haverstick | 21 | R | R | 6 8.0 | 220 | Jun 3 1976 | St. Louis MO US |
| Bert Hudson | 19 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 185 | Oct 6 1977 | Milton FL US |
| Jason Jensen | 21 | L | L | 6 2.0 | 190 | Nov 4 1975 | Portland ME US |
| Charlie Jones | 21 | L | R | 5 11.0 | 188 | Feb 6 1976 | Edina MN US |
| Keith Jones | 21 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 190 | Jan 30 1976 | Whittier CA US |
| Eric Knott | 22 | L | L | 6 0.0 | 188 | Sep 23 1974 | Harvey IL US |
| Wil Madera | 20 | L | L | 6 1.0 | 170 | Apr 13 1977 | Ponce PR |
| Jared Martin | 22 | S | R | 5 10.0 | 180 | Mar 3 1975 | Tallahassee FL US |
| Jason Martines | 21 | L | R | 6 2.0 | 190 | Jan 21 1976 | Jackson MI US |
| Belvani Martinez | 18 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 172 | Dec 14 1978 | Palenque DO |
| Josh McAffee | 19 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 209 | Nov 4 1977 | Rock Springs WY US |
| Ben Norris | 19 | L | L | 6 3.0 | 185 | Dec 6 1977 | Austin TX US |
| Abraham Nunez | 20 | S | R | 6 3.0 | 210 | Feb 5 1977 | Bajos de Haina San Cristobal DO |
| Jamie Puorto | 22 | L | L | 6 3.0 | 190 | Jun 21 1975 | Schenectady NY US |
| Jeremy Quire | 22 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 205 | Apr 8 1975 | Anderson IN US |
| Jackie Rexrode | 18 | L | R | 5 11.0 | 175 | Sep 16 1978 | Washington, D.C. US |
| Mike Rooney | 21 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 175 | Oct 6 1975 | Suffern NY US |
| Jhensy Sandoval | 18 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 200 | Sep 11 1978 | San Cristobal San Cristobal DO |
| Jeff Santa | 22 | R | L | 6 0.0 | 175 | Nov 16 1974 | Newark OH US |
| Wyley Steelmon | 21 | L | R | 6 3.0 | 225 | Aug 29 1975 | Enid OK US |
| Jamie Sykes | 22 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 198 | Jan 14 1975 | Kankakee IL US |
| Jose Taveras | 18 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 203 | Apr 3 1979 | San Francisco de Macoris Duarte DO |
| Jeff Wilson | 21 | R | L | 6 2.0 | 206 | May 30, 1976 | Columbia SC US |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 11/11/2011.
Team roster 1998
| Age | B | T | Ht | Wt | DoB | Birthplace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Abeyta | 21 | L | L | 6 0.0 | 190 | Mar 14 1977 | Vallejo CA US |
| Jeff Barndollar | 21 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 195 | Apr 29 1977 | Long Beach CA US |
| Justin Beasley | 22 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 215 | Oct 13 1975 | Wichita KS US |
| Jose Bido | 19 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 188 | Dec 20 1978 | San Francisco de Macoris Duarte DO |
| Jeff Brooks | 18 | R | R | 6 5.0 | 235 | Sep 4 1979 | Mountain City TN US |
| Alex Cintrón | 19 | S | R | 6 2.0 | 210 | Dec 17 1978 | Humacao PR |
| Darryl Conyer | 18 | L | L | 5 10.0 | 200 | Dec 10 1979 | San Diego CA US |
| Jack Cust | 19 | L | R | 6 1.0 | 245 | Jan 16 1979 | Flemington NJ US |
| Phil Davis | 22 | R | R | 6 2.0 | 200 | Sep 22 1975 | Hanford CA US |
| Lance Downing | 19 | L | R | 5 10.0 | 185 | Mar 9 1979 | Warren AR US |
| Brian Fox | 21 | L | R | 6 2.0 | 200 | Mar 5 1977 | Plano TX US |
| Jody Fuller | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 225 | Sep 12 1976 | Huntingdon TN US |
| Paul Giambalvo | 23 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 170 | Mar 17 1975 | Smithtown NY US |
| Antonio Guzman | 20 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 165 | Jan 11 1978 | Santo Domingo Distrito Nacional DO |
| Julio Guzman | 22 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 205 | Apr 28 1976 | Jersey City NJ US |
| Robby Hammock | 21 | R | R | 5 10.0 | 185 | May 13, 1977 | Macon GA US |
| Adolfo Joseph | 17 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 175 | Oct 6 1980 | HT |
| Justin Kees | 20 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 190 | Aug 5 1977 | Danville IL US |
| Doug Kohl | 18 | R | R | 6 4.0 | 210 | Jul 9 1979 | Newport Beach CA US |
| Mike Koplove | 21 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 165 | Aug 30 1976 | Philadelphia PA US |
| Belvani Martinez | 19 | R | R | 5 11.0 | 172 | Dec 14 1978 | Palenque DO |
| Josh McAffee | 20 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 209 | Nov 4 1977 | Rock Springs WY US |
| Travis McCall | 20 | S | L | 5 11.0 | 185 | Dec 20 1977 | West Covina CA US |
| Mike McCutcheon | 20 | L | L | 5 11.0 | 170 | Jul 5 1977 | Honolulu HI US |
| Francisco Mendez | 20 | L | R | 6 0.0 | 163 | Jan 6 1978 | Caborca Sonora MX |
| Hatuey Mendoza | 18 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 170 | Mar 16 1980 | Santo Domingo Distrito Nacional DO |
| Steve Neal | 21 | L | L | 6 2.0 | 255 | Feb 14 1977 | Pine Bluff AR US |
| Troy Niehaus | 21 | L | L | 6 6.0 | 200 | May 16, 1977 | Ann Arbor MI US |
| Bret Prinz | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 185 | Jun 15 1977 | Chicago Heights IL US |
| Jim Rinne | 21 | R | R | 6 3.0 | 215 | Jul 29 1976 | Lincoln NE US |
| Miguel Rodriguez | 20 | R | R | 5 10.0 | 170 | May 27, 1978 | El Sombrero VE |
| Simon Sanchez | 20 | R | R | 6 1.0 | 195 | Mar 24 1978 | San Francisco de Macoris Duarte DO |
| Justin Santonocito | 21 | L | R | 5 11.0 | 192 | Dec 15 1976 | Buffalo NY US |
| Dan Singletary | 22 | L | L | 6 0.0 | 180 | Aug 23 1975 | Wayne NJ US |
| Seth Tate | 21 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 185 | Jan 7 1977 | Tacoma WA US |
| Steve Verigood | 22 | R | L | 6 6.0 | 195 | Apr 13 1976 | Columbia SC US |
| Paul Weichard | 18 | S | L | 5 10.0 | 200 | Nov 7 1979 | Ringwood Victoria AU |
| Keith Wilson | 24 | R | R | 6 0.0 | 200 | Dec 31 1973 | Phoenix AZ US |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 11/11/2011.
Players who played in the Major Leagues
- Jason Conti – Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers
- Rob Ryan (baseball) – Arizona Diamondback, Oakland Athletics
- Rod Barajas – Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers
- José Antonio Núñez – Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
- Junior Spivey – Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers
- Vladimir Núñez – Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves
- Erik Sabel – Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers
- Nick Bierbrodt – Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers
- Ron Calloway – Montreal Expos
- Alex Cintrón – Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals
- Eric Knott – Arizona Diamondbacks, Montreal Expos
- Abraham Núñez (outfielder) – Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals
- Jack Cust – Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners
- Robby Hammock – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Mike Koplove – Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians
- Bret Prinz – Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox
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References
- Yearly Minor League Baseball Standing 1998 Playoffs at minorleaguebaseball.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011.
- Henderson Stadium at digitalballparks.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 07-01-10
- Lethbridge Team History at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 07-01-10
- D-Backs' minor league affiliate begins play tonight at google.com/newspaper, URL accessed November 11, 2011.
- Lethbridge Black Diamonds at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011.
- Pioneer League (Rookie) Encyclopedia and History at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 07-01-10
- Minor League Baseball Rookie at wikipedia.org, URL accessed November 10, 2011.
- Raising the Boys of Summer by Chad Dundas at missoulanews.bigskypress.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 07-01-10
- 1996 Pioneer League Standings at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 9, 2011.
- Tommy Jones Managerial Record at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011
- 1997 Pioneer League Standings at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011
- Kevin John Sweeney Stats Profile at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011
- Vladimir Nunez Stats Profile at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011
- Larry Rodriguez Stats Profile at thebaseballcube.com, URL accessed November 11, 2011
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