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| CATEGORIES ABOUT NORTHWEST LEAGUE | |
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The Northwest League is a class A minor league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 (with time out for WWII) and class A from 1952-1954. The league changed its named and dropped back down to class B for the 1955 season. The Northwest League (or the ''Northwestern League'') has existed in various forms since 1901 , and has been in its current incarnation since 1955 . The original seven charter teams were the Salem Senators, Eugene Emeralds, Yakima Bears, Spokane Indians, Tri-City Braves, Wenatchee Chiefs, and the Lewiston (Idaho) Broncs. At the time of its 50th anniversary season in 2004 , five of the seven original cities were still in the league. The league is classified as a short-season Class A league, which means that its season does not start until June, after Major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in September. It has eight teams, each of which is associated with an MLB team: CURRENT TEAMS FORMER NORTHWEST LEAGUE TEAMS (1955-)
NOTABLE ALUMNI Three alumn of the Northwest League are enshrined in the ( Lewiston Broncos , 1966), Ozzie Smith ( Walla Walla Padres , 1977), and Tony Gwynn ( Walla Walla Padres , 1981). Other notable alumni include: - Sandy Alomar, Jr. ( Spokane Indians , 1984) - Kevin Appier ( Eugene Emeralds , 1987) - Pedro Astacio ( Yakima Bears , 1990) - Garrett Atkins ( Portland Rockies , 2000) - Jim Bounton ( Portland Mavericks , 1973 & 1977) - Jason Bartlett ( Eugene Emeralds , 2001) - José Canseco ( Medford A's , 1983) - Eric Davis ( Eugene Emeralds , 1980-81) - Todd Field ( Portland Mavericks batboy, 1976 & 1977) - Chone Figgins ( Portland Rockies , 1998) - George Foster ( Medford Giants , 1968) - Julio Franco ( Central Oregon Phillies , 1979) - Tom Gordon ( Eugene Emeralds , 1987) - Khalil Greene ( Eugene Emeralds , 2002) - Ken Griffey, Jr. ( Bellingham Mariners , 1987) - Pedro Guerrero ( Bellingham Dodgers , 1974) - Rickey Henderson ( Boise A's , 1976) - Rick Monday ( Lewiston Broncos , 1965) - Joe Nathan ( Bellingham Giants , 1995; Salem-Keizer Volcanoes , 1997) - Mike Piazza ( Salem Dodgers , 1989) - Kurt Russell ( Portland Mavericks , 1977) - Tim Salmon ( Bend Bucks , 1989) - Mike Scioscia ( Bellingham Dodgers , 1976) - Reggie Thomas ( Portland Mavericks , 1975 & 1976) SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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