Salem Angels

Defunct MiLB infobox
name = Salem Angels
firstseason = 1982
lastseason = 1987
allyears =
city = Salem, Oregon

cap
lastclasslevel = Class-A
pastclasslevel =
lastleague = Northwest League
conference =
division = Western
pastleague =
lastmajorleague = California Angels
pastmajorleague =
lastnickname =
pastnames =
lastballpark = Chemeketa Community College baseball field
pastparks =
classchamps =
leaguechamps = 1982
conferencechamps=
divisionchamps = 1982The Salem Angels were a minor league baseball team in the class-A Northwest League from 1982-1987. The team represented the city of Salem, Oregon, and was an affiliate of the California Angels. The team played their home games as the Chemeketa Community College baseball field.cite web| title = Memories of a Minor League Season: TWO: Minor league baseball IS a game of adjustments! (June 25-July 6) | work = baseballwise.com | url=http://www.baseballwise.com/club/caseytwo.html | accessdate = 2008-05-30 ]

1982 season

The Salem Angels' first season was both a disappointment and a success. They finished with a mediocre record of 34 wins and 36 losses, but was good enough to lead the Northwest League's Northern Division. The playoffs provided the team's success, as the Angels won the league championship.cite web| title = 1982 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1982/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

Team manager, Joe Maddon, who is currently the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League, won the Northwest League's Manager of the year award.cite web| title = The Official Site of the Tampa Bay Rays | work = tampabay.rays.mlb.com | url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=tb&coachorstaffid=115103125017 | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ] The team's future Major league Baseball players include second baseman Mark McLemore, and four of their starting pitchers. These pitchers are Kirk McCaskill, who easily had the most extensive career of the four, Bob Kipper, Urbano Lugo, and Tony Mack.

1983 season

Returning manager Maddon and his Angels team's regular season record did not improve, their 31-39 win/loss record was only good enough for fourth in the league's Oregon division, and they did not qualify for the playoffs. Future Major Leaguers on this club were 3B/2B Jack Howell, and starter Ray Chadwick.cite web| title = 1983 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1983/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

1984 season

Maddon moved onto Peoria for the 1984 season, and the managing duties were given to Larry Patterson, and the team finished with its third consecutive losing season, with a 35-39 record, and finished third in the Oregon division. Future Major Leaguers from this team include OF/1B Dante Bichette, who went on to a long and successful career with the Angels and the Colorado Rockies, OF Doug Jennings, Catcher Erik Pappas, 2B Pete Coachman, OF Brian Brady, and pitcher Sherman Corbett.cite web| title = 1984 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1984/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

1985 season

For the 1985 season, manager Patterson was replaced with Bruce Hines, and the Angels finished with its first winning season, with a 39-35 record, but still was only enough for third in the Oregon division, and did not qualify for the playoffs. Future Major leaguers include relief pitcher Chuck Finley, who went on to a long and successful career as a starting pitcher, SS Bobby Rose, and RP Frank Dimichele.cite web| title = 1985 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1985/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

1986 season

Manager Hines returned for a second season, and again, he led his team to winning record (38-36), but also finished third in the Oregon division, and did not qualify for the playoffs. Future Major Leaguers include OF Lee Stevens, pitchers Alan Mills, Mike Fetters, Roberto Hernández, and Colby Ward.cite web| title = 1986 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1986/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

1987 season

Manager Hines departed, and his duties were given to Chris Smith, and the team finished third in the Western division with a 34-41 record. It was to be the team's last season in the Northwest League, and future Major Leaguers include, OF/3B Rubén Amaro, Jr., C John Orton, and P Gary Buckels.cite web| title = 1987 Salem Angels | work = thebaseballcube.com | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/statistics/1987/10373.shtml | accessdate = 2008-05-26 ]

References