Medford Dodgers

The Medford Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon, that played in the Class A-Short Season Northwest League from 1969-1971. Prior to 1970, the club played as the Rouge Valley Dodgers.

Medford Dodgers
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A-Short Season
LeagueNorthwest League
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsLos Angeles Dodgers
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1969
Team data
Previous names
Rogue Valley Dodgers (1969)
ColorsDodger blue, white
   
BallparkMiles Field

History

Rogue Vally Baseball, Inc. was awarded a Northwest League franchise to play in Medford. The club affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Utilizing their parent club's namesake, the Medford Giants played for two season from 1967-1968. The club changed affiliations to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969 and became the Rogue Valley Dodgers for a season. In late July 1969 the franchise was sold to Ashland businessman Cleatis Mitchell.[1] The Dodgers finished the season with a record of 50-29 to claim the Northwest League championship. Following the season the Rouge Valley name was dropped in favor of Medford. Half way into the 1971 season the club was in financial trouble. Owner Cleatis Mitchell sought financial assistance for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the amount of $6000. Without additional funding the club would cease operations.[2] The Dodgers received the necessary funding played in Medford through the 1971 season.

The Dodgers moved their Northwest League affiliate to Spokane in 1972, which had been their AAA team in the Pacific Coast League since 1958, when they moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.[3] [4]

Spokane returned to the Pacific Coast League in 1973 as the Texas Rangers affiliate and the Dodgers moved their Northwest League affiliation west to Bellingham.

The Northwest League returned to Medford and Miles Field in 1979 when the Bend Timber Hawks moved south after one season in central Oregon and became the Medford A's.[5]


Season-by-season record
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Rogue Valley Dodgers
1969 LAD 1st 50 29 .633 Northwest League champion by virtue of record Bill Berrier 23,696
Medford Dodgers
1970 LAD South 3rd 36 44 .450 Bill Berrier 19,687
1971 LAD South 3rd 34 46 .425 Bill Berrier 12,930
Division winner League champions


References
  1. "Medford Dodgers Said Purchased". Newspapers.com. 1969-07-28. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  2. "Medford Recovers". Newspapers.com. 1971-07-18. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  3. Missildine, Harry (December 13, 1971). "Baseball set for Spokane". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 1.
  4. Lynch, Mike (February 3, 1972). "Ken Merkel heads club". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 15.
  5. "Emmans clears final hurdle in Medford". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. February 15, 1979. p. 14.
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