Bend Rockies

The Bend Rockies were a minor league baseball team that played in Bend, Oregon. The Rockies were members of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League for three years, from 1992 through 1994 and were affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. Prior to 1995 season the franchise relocated to Portland, Oregon, where they continued play as the Portland Rockies.

Bend Rockies
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A Short Season
LeagueNorthwest League
DivisionSouth
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsColorado Rockies
Minor league titles
Division titles (1)1992
Team data
ColorsPurple, black, silver, white
       
MascotBucky Buck
BallparkVince Genna Stadium

History

Following two seasons operating as a co-op club, the bend franchise signed player development contract with the expansion Colorado Rockies. Bend was the first affiliate for the Colorado, who would not begin play until the following season in 1993.[1] Bend, who had been named the Bucks for the past five years changed their moniker to mirror their parent club. The Bend Rockies began play in 1992.

The Rockies posted a record of 43–33 on the year to win the south division title. Bend faced the Bellingham Mariners for league championship, but were swept by the Baby M's in the three game championship series.

After reaching the peak of the Northwest League in their inaugural season, Bend would be unable to match the same level of success. The Rockies posted consecutive last place division finishes in 1993 and 1994. The 1994 season would the club's last in Bend. Portland, Oregon had been vacant since 1993 when then-owner Joe Buzas moved the Portland Beavers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to Salt Lake City. With Oregon's largest city open, the franchise opted to fill the void by relocating.[2] Since the departure of the Bend Rockies, affiliated professional baseball has yet to return to Central Oregon. The only professional team to play in Bend since was the Bend Bandits of the Western Baseball League; the Bandits folded in 1998.

Ballpark

The Rockies played at Vince Genna Stadium located in Bend, Oregon.

Identity

Initially, owner Jack Cain wanted to maintain the Bend Bucks . At the insistence of the Colorado Rockies general manager Bob Gebhard, Bend adopted the nickname of their parent club.[3] The team's colors were purple, black, silver, and white and their uniforms were nearly identical to what the big club Rockies would wear with the exception of pinstripes.[4] The new identity for Bend was an instant success as the club sold more merchandise on opening night than the Bucks had sold in the entire previous season.

Season-by-season record
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Bend Rockies
1992 COL South 1st 43 33 .566 Lost to Bellingham in championship series 2-0 Gene Glenn 58,777
1993 COL South 4th 35 41 .461 Howie Bedell 60,612
1994 COL South 4th 29 47 .381 Rudy Jaramillo 69,225
Division winner League champions

Former players
  • Bend Rockies players   (1992–1994)

References
  1. "Colorado Rockies select Bend as teams 1st minor league club". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. December 10, 1991. p. 2D.
  2. "Bend Rockies baseball moves over to Portland". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Idaho-Washington. Associated Press. September 14, 1994. p. 3B.
  3. "The day the Rockies came to Bend".
  4. Wilson, Mike (June 16, 1992). "New Bend Rox are ready to roll". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. p. D1.

46.077°N 118.336°W / 46.077; -118.336

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