Salem Avalanche

MiLB infobox
name = Salem Avalanche
founded = 1968
city = Salem, Virginia
misc =

uniform
class level = Advanced-A (1968-present)
past class level=
current league = Carolina League (1968-present)
conference =
division = Southern Division
past league =
majorleague = Boston Red Sox (2009-present)
pastmajorleague = Houston Astros (2003-2008)
*Colorado Rockies (1995-2002)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (1987-1994)
*Texas Rangers (1984-1986)
*San Diego Padres (1981-1983)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (1957-1980)
nickname = Salem Avalanche (1995-present)
pastnames = Salem Buccaneers (1987-1994)
*Salem Redbirds (1981-1986)
*Salem Pirates (1972-1980)
*Salem Rebels (1955-1971)
ballpark = Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium
pastparks = Kiwanis Field
leaguechamps = 1972, 1974, 1987, 2001
divisionchamps = 1968, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1987, 1988, 2006
misc6 =
owner = Fenway Sports Group
manager = Jim Pankovits
gm = John KatzThe Salem Avalanche are a minor league baseball team in Salem, Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox. The Avalanche were previously affiliated with the Houston Astros from 2003 to 2008 and the Colorado Rockies from 1995 to 2002; prior to 1995, the franchise played under several different names and affiliations. The Avalanche play home games at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. Opened in 1995, Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium seats 6,300 fans. Prior to this, games were played at Kiwanis Field.

In 2006 Salem played its 12th season in Salem Memorial Stadium and hosted the Carolina/California League All Star Game, the fourth time an All-Star Game came to Salem. [http://www.salemavalanche.com/history.html]

The Avalanche and its predecessor teams were owned from 1986 until 2006 by Kelvin Bowles, a local resident and major league baseball scout. Bowles bought the team when it was in danger of moving from Salem. In 2006, the team was sold to a pair of businessmen from Atlanta who also own the Fort Wayne Wizards, who then sold the team to Fenway Sports Group, a subsidiary of the Boston Red Sox ownership group, in December 2007, preparing the team for an affiliation change after its Player Development Contract with the Astros ended in 2008.

History of baseball in Salem

*1943 - 1953: Roanoke Red Sox (Boston affiliate)
*1955 - 1971: Salem Rebels (Pirates affiliate)
*1972 - 1979: Salem Pirates (Pirates/San Francisco affiliate)
*1980 - 1986: Salem Redbirds (Padres/Rangers affiliate)
*1987 - 1994: Salem Buccaneers (Pirates affiliate)
*1995 - 2003: Salem Avalanche (Colorado affiliate)
*2003 - 2008: Salem Avalanche (Houston affiliate)
*2009 - present: Salem Avalanche (Boston affiliate)

Current roster

The 2008 Carolina League season is now over. Minor league teams do not maintain rosters during the off-season. A new roster will be assigned by the parent club during spring training.

Notable former players

*Moisés Alou, New York Mets
*Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer
*Aaron Cook, Colorado Rockies
*Chone Figgins, Anaheim Angels
*Brad Hawpe, Colorado Rockies
*Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies
*Art Howe, 3rd base coach for Philadelphia Phillies
*Jason Jennings, Houston Astros
*Jason Kendall, Milwaukee Brewers
*Esteban Loaiza, Chicago White Sox
*Hunter Pence, Houston Astros
*Dave Parker, 7-time All Star (retired)
*Kenny Rogers, Detroit Tigers
*Juan Uribe, Chicago White Sox
*Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox
*Larry Walker, St. Louis Cardinals (retired)
*Ron Wotus, Bench Coach of the San Francisco Giants
*Eric Young, San Diego Padres (retired) (works for ESPN)

Club records

*Batting: .370 - Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
*Hits: 208 - Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
*Doubles: 43 - Garrett Atkins, 2001
*Triples: 17 - David Arrington, 1968
*Home Runs: 34 - Gerald Davis, 1981
*Total Bases: 280 - Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
*Runs Batted In: 103 - Gerald Davis, 1981
*Stolen Bases: 84 - Miguel Dilone, 1975
*Wins: 16 - James Marshall, 1972
*Losses: 15 - Frank Brosious, 1983; James McKee, 1970
*Strikeouts: 186 - Ed Whitson, 1976; Doug Blair, 1972
*Walks: 127 - Benjamin Willbank, 1978
*Innings Pitched: 203 - Ed Whitson, 1976
*Earned Run Average: 2.11 - Josh Kalinowski, 1999
*Saves: 27 - Travis Thompson, 1999

Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium

Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium is a stadium in Salem, Virginia and is part of the James E. Taliferro Sports and Entertainment Complex along with the Salem Civic Center and Salem Football Stadium. On April 5, 2006, it sold its naming rights to Lewis-Gale Hospital. Some local residents were critical that Salem did not receive enough money for the naming-rights. The stadium is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Salem Avalanche, a minor league baseball team in the high class A Carolina League. It was built in 1995 at a cost of $10.1 Million to replace the over sixty year old Salem Municipal Stadium. It holds 6,300 people, and offers an impressive view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The stadium features 6 concession stands, a grill, numerous other carts, and 8 large restrooms. Lines are usually not a problem even with large crowds. There is ample free parking on site which is easily accessed from U.S. 11, U.S. 460, Virginia 419, and Interstate 81. In part because of the promotions, the Avalanche have been more successful in building and maintaing attendance than the Roanoke Valley's other minor league sports teams.

Salem Memorial Stadium features 20ft outfield walls. Its dimensions are left field - 325ft, center field - 401ft, and right field - 325ft.

Home attendance: 1968-present

*1968 - 64,532
*1969 - 63,248
*1970 - 50,076
*1971 - 37,872
*1972 - 43,910
*1973 - 45,915
*1974 - 41,379
*1975 - 39,007
*1976 - 30,387
*1977 - 32,744
*1978 - 51,096
*1979 - 43,036
*1980 - 102,456
*1981 - 72,125
*1982 - 47,202
*1983 - 56,451
*1984 - 61,623
*1985 - 71,788
*1986 - 87,047
*1987 - 111,661
*1988 - 119,966
*1989 - 121,581
*1990 - 126,121
*1991 - 131,582
*1992 - 134,598
*1993 - 145,657
*1994 - 153,575
*1995 - 140,111
*1996 - 173,703 (New Stadium Opened)
*1997 - 188,023
*1998 - 189,069
*1999 - 206,012
*2000 - 200,863
*2001 - 203,375
*2002 - 196,347
*2003 - 175,155
*2004 - 224,991
*2005 - 255,225
*2006 - 237,724 (5 games cancelled due to heavy amounts of rain)
*2007 - 258,469 (5 games cancelled)

Total Attendace - 4,580,751

Media information

*Flagship Radio Station: 960AM WFIR News Talk Radio--Radio Announcers: Jason Benetti

--Number of Games Broadcast: All
*Newspapers covering the Avalanche: The Roanoke Times, The Salem Times-Register
*Official Scorer: Billy Wells

Team mascots

MugsyA St. Bernard mascot who made his rookie debut in professional baseball in 1997 with the Avalanche. According to the team's website, Mugsy descended from the passing Hale-Bopp comet that raced across the Roanoke Valley sky on April 4, 1997.

MistyMisty is a female saint bernard mascot who joined the team in 2005.

Big MoThe Salem Avalanche's Kid's Club mascot, Big Mo is a giant inflatable abominable snowman.

The Baseball NutThe Avalanche's first mascot was this distinctive character, which resembled an almond. While the idea was original, the Baseball Nut proved to be unpopular. Lacking a cute or friendly appearance, the mascot intimidated children and was an object of derision by adult fans. Mugsy was developed as a replacement.

References

External links

* [http://www.salemavalanche.com/ Salem Avalanche Official Site]
* [http://www.avalancheboosters.org/ Salem Avalanche Booster Club]