| Northwest League | |
|---|---|
| Northwest League logo | |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1955 |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country |  United States Canada
|
| Current champions | Vancouver Canadians |
| Official website | northwestleague.com |
Northwest League[]
- The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league operated as the High-A West in 2021, then resumed its original moniker in 2022.
History[edit][]
The Northwest League (or the Northwestern League) has existed in various forms since 1890, and has been in its current incarnation since 1955. The current NWL is the descendant of the Western International League (WIL), a Class B league from 1937 to 1951 (with a stoppage during World War II) and Class A from 1952 to 1954. The league reformed as the Northwest League and dropped to Class B for the 1955 season. The WIL had ten teams in its final season, with four in Canada.
In 1955, the Northwest League was formed, with seven charter teams: Salem Senators, Eugene Emeralds, Yakima Bears, Spokane Indians, Tri-City Braves, Wenatchee Chiefs, and Lewiston Broncs. The Northwest League switched to the short season schedule in 1966. Between 1966 and 1982 the league fluctuated between four, six, and eight clubs. In 1983, the league returned to an eight team circuit, which it maintained through the 2019 season.
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30. As part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the Northwest League was promoted to High-A, reduced to six teams, and renamed the "High-A West" for the 2021 season. The two dropped teams were the Boise Hawks and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the High-A West was renamed the Northwest League effective with the 2022 seaso
Current teams[edit][]
|
Champions[edit][]
Main article: List of Northwest League champions
League champions have been determined by different means since the Northwest League's formation in 1955. Except for 1956, 1960, and from 1966 to 1973, all seasons have ended with playoffs to determine a league champion.
The Eugene Emeralds, Spokane Indians, Yakima Bears have each won 8 championships, the most among all teams in the league, followed by the Boise Hawks (6).
Northwest League teams (1955–present)[edit][]
|
|
Cities that have hosted NWL teams[edit][]
Eugene is the most-tenured city in the NWL, having fielded a team in all but five of the NWL's seasons (from 1969–73, they had a PCL franchise).
Hall of Fame alumni[edit][]
Eight alumni of the Northwest League are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame:
- Bobby Cox - Salem Dodgers, 1961–62; inducted in 2014
- Ken Griffey Jr. – Bellingham Mariners, 1987; inducted in 2016
- Tony Gwynn – Walla Walla Padres, 1981; inducted in 2007
- Rickey Henderson – Boise A's, 1976; inducted in 2009
- Reggie Jackson – Lewiston Broncs, 1966; inducted in 1993
- Edgar Martínez – Bellingham Mariners, 1983; inducted in 2019
- Mike Piazza – Salem Dodgers, 1989; inducted in 2016
- Ozzie Smith – Walla Walla Padres, 1977; inducted in 2002
Notable alumni[edit][]
- Sandy Alomar Jr. – Spokane Indians, 1984
- Garret Anderson – Boise Hawks, 1990
- Kevin Appier – Eugene Emeralds, 1987
- Pedro Astacio – Yakima Bears, 1990
- Garrett Atkins – Portland Rockies, 2000
- Jim Bouton – Portland Mavericks, 1973 & 1977
- Jason Bartlett – Eugene Emeralds, 2001
- Glenn Beckert - Wenatchee Chiefs, 1963
- Dante Bichette – Salem Angels, 1984
- Carlos Beltrán – Spokane Indians, 1996
- Dallas Braden – Vancouver Canadians, 2004
- Kris Bryant - Boise Hawks, 2013
- Bert Campaneris - Lewiston Broncs, 1963
- Tom Candiotti - Victoria Mussels, 1979
- José Canseco – Medford A's, 1983
- Rico Carty - Yakima Valley Braves, 1962
- Ron Cey - Tri-City Atoms, 1968
- Aaron Cook – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Ron Coomer - Medford A's, 1987
- Chris Davis - Spokane Indians, 2006
- Eric Davis – Eugene Emeralds, 1980–81
- Mark DeRosa – Eugene Emeralds, 1996
- Dick Dietz – Eugene Emeralds, 1962
- Josh Donaldson - Boise Hawks, 2007
- Dave Duncan - Lewiston Broncs, 1965
- Andre Ethier – Vancouver Canadians, 2003
- Todd Field – Portland Mavericks batboy, 1976–77
- Chone Figgins – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Chuck Finley – Salem Angels, 1985
- George Foster – Medford Giants, 1968
- Matt Franco – Portland Mavericks batboy, 1977
- Julio Franco – Central Oregon Phillies, 1979
- Tom Gordon – Eugene Emeralds, 1987
- Jason Giambi – Southern Oregon A's, 1992
- Carlos González – Yakima Bears, 2004
- Khalil Greene – Eugene Emeralds, 2002
- Pedro Guerrero – Bellingham Dodgers, 1974
- Bob Hamelin – Eugene Emeralds, 1988
- Dave Henderson - Bellingham Mariners, 1977
- Félix Hernández – Everett AquaSox, 2003
- Ken Hubbs- Wenatchee Chiefs, 1961
- Ender Inciarte - Yakima Bears, 2010
- Ian Kinsler -- Spokane Indians, 2003
- John Kruk – Walla Walla Padres, 1981
- Paul Konerko – Yakima Bears, 1994
- Adam Jones – Everett AquaSox, 2003
- John Lackey – Boise Hawks, 1999
- Mark Langston - Bellingham Mariners, 1981
- Ted Lilly - Yakima Bears, 1996
- Tim Lincecum – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2006
- Kirk McCaskill – Salem Angels, 1982
- Denis Menke - Yakima Valley Braves, 1960
- Wade Miley - Yakima Bears, 2008
- Rick Monday – Lewiston Broncos, 1965
- Bill Murray – Grays Harbor Loggers, 1978
- Joe Nathan – Bellingham Giants, 1995; Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 1997
- Claude Osteen - Wenatchee Chiefs, 1958
- Troy Percival – Boise Hawks, 1991
- Eduardo Pérez – Boise Hawks, 1991
- Juan Pierre – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Kevin Pillar - Vancouver Canadians, 2011
- Buster Posey – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2008
- Mark Reynolds - Yakima Bears, 2004
- Francisco Rodríguez – Boise Hawks, 1999
- Kurt Russell – Bend Rainbows, Walla Walla Islanders, Portland Mavericks, 1971–73, 1977
- Tim Salmon – Bend Bucks, 1989
- Jeff Samardzija – Boise Hawks, 2006
- Casey Sander – Seattle Rainiers, 1975
- Pablo Sandoval – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2005
- Kyle Schwarber - Boise Hawks, 2014
- Mike Scioscia – Bellingham Dodgers, 1976
- Braden Shipley - Hillsboro Hops, 2014
- Ted Sizemore - Tri-City Atoms, 1966
- Marcus Stroman - Vancouver Canadians, 2012
- Kurt Suzuki – Vancouver Canadians, 2004
- Noah Syndergaard - Vancouver Canadians, 2011
- Dansby Swanson - Hillsboro Hops, 2015
- Mike Sweeney – Eugene Emeralds, 1992–93
- Nick Swisher – Vancouver Canadians, 2002
- Kevin Tapani - Medford A's, 1986
- Miguel Tejada – Southern Oregon A's, 1995
- Tom Treblehorn - Bend Rainbows, 1970
- Trea Turner - Eugene Emeralds, 2014
- Dan Uggla – Yakima Bears, 2001
- Max Venable - Bellingham Dodgers, 1976
- Shane Victorino – Yakima Bears, 2000
- Omar Vizquel - Bellingham Mariners, 1985
- Matt Williams - Everett Giants, 1986
- Mitch Williams - Walla Walla Padres, 1982
- Russell Wilson – Tri-City Dust Devils, 2010
- Mike Zunino – Everett AquaSox, 2012
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Minor League Baseball league that began operations in 1955. For the earlier league, see Pacific Northwest League.
Not to be confused with Northwestern League.
| Formerly | Western International League (1937–1954)
High-A West (2021) |
|---|---|
| Classification | High-A (2021–present)
Class A Short Season (1966–2020) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1955 (68 years ago) |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Countries | United States and Canada |
| Most recent
champion(s) |
Eugene Emeralds (2022) |
| Most titles | Eugene Emeralds (8)
Spokane Indians (8) Yakima Bears (8) |
| Official website | www.milb.com |
The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league operated as the High-A West in 2021, then resumed its original moniker in 2022.
History[edit][]
The Northwest League (or the Northwestern League) has existed in various forms since 1890, and has been in its current incarnation since 1955. The current NWL is the descendant of the Western International League (WIL), a Class B league from 1937 to 1951 (with a stoppage during World War II) and Class A from 1952 to 1954. The league reformed as the Northwest League and dropped to Class B for the 1955 season. The WIL had ten teams in its final season, with four in Canada.
In 1955, the Northwest League was formed, with seven charter teams: Salem Senators, Eugene Emeralds, Yakima Bears, Spokane Indians, Tri-City Braves, Wenatchee Chiefs, and Lewiston Broncs. The Northwest League switched to the short season schedule in 1966. Between 1966 and 1982 the league fluctuated between four, six, and eight clubs. In 1983, the league returned to an eight team circuit, which it maintained through the 2019 season.
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30. As part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the Northwest League was promoted to High-A, reduced to six teams, and renamed the "High-A West" for the 2021 season. The two dropped teams were the Boise Hawks and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the High-A West was renamed the Northwest League effective with the 2022 season.
Current teams[edit][]
|
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
[Interactive fullscreen map] This is a stopgap mapping solution, while attempts are made to resolve technical difficulties with {{OSM Location map}} Current team locations |
Champions[edit][]
Main article: List of Northwest League champions
League champions have been determined by different means since the Northwest League's formation in 1955. Except for 1956, 1960, and from 1966 to 1973, all seasons have ended with playoffs to determine a league champion.
The Eugene Emeralds, Spokane Indians, Yakima Bears have each won 8 championships, the most among all teams in the league, followed by the Boise Hawks (6).
Northwest League teams (1955–present)[edit][]
|
|
Cities that have hosted NWL teams[edit][]
Eugene is the most-tenured city in the NWL, having fielded a team in all but five of the NWL's seasons (from 1969–73, they had a PCL franchise).
Hall of Fame alumni[edit][]
Eight alumni of the Northwest League are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame:
- Bobby Cox - Salem Dodgers, 1961–62; inducted in 2014
- Ken Griffey Jr. – Bellingham Mariners, 1987; inducted in 2016
- Tony Gwynn – Walla Walla Padres, 1981; inducted in 2007
- Rickey Henderson – Boise A's, 1976; inducted in 2009
- Reggie Jackson – Lewiston Broncs, 1966; inducted in 1993
- Edgar Martínez – Bellingham Mariners, 1983; inducted in 2019
- Mike Piazza – Salem Dodgers, 1989; inducted in 2016
- Ozzie Smith – Walla Walla Padres, 1977; inducted in 2002
Notable alumni[edit][]
- Sandy Alomar Jr. – Spokane Indians, 1984
- Garret Anderson – Boise Hawks, 1990
- Kevin Appier – Eugene Emeralds, 1987
- Pedro Astacio – Yakima Bears, 1990
- Garrett Atkins – Portland Rockies, 2000
- Jim Bouton – Portland Mavericks, 1973 & 1977
- Jason Bartlett – Eugene Emeralds, 2001
- Glenn Beckert - Wenatchee Chiefs, 1963
- Dante Bichette – Salem Angels, 1984
- Carlos Beltrán – Spokane Indians, 1996
- Dallas Braden – Vancouver Canadians, 2004
- Kris Bryant - Boise Hawks, 2013
- Bert Campaneris - Lewiston Broncs, 1963
- Tom Candiotti - Victoria Mussels, 1979
- José Canseco – Medford A's, 1983
- Rico Carty - Yakima Valley Braves, 1962
- Ron Cey - Tri-City Atoms, 1968
- Aaron Cook – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Ron Coomer - Medford A's, 1987
- Chris Davis - Spokane Indians, 2006
- Eric Davis – Eugene Emeralds, 1980–81
- Mark DeRosa – Eugene Emeralds, 1996
- Dick Dietz – Eugene Emeralds, 1962
- Josh Donaldson - Boise Hawks, 2007
- Dave Duncan - Lewiston Broncs, 1965
- Andre Ethier – Vancouver Canadians, 2003
- Todd Field – Portland Mavericks batboy, 1976–77
- Chone Figgins – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Chuck Finley – Salem Angels, 1985
- George Foster – Medford Giants, 1968
- Matt Franco – Portland Mavericks batboy, 1977
- Julio Franco – Central Oregon Phillies, 1979
- Tom Gordon – Eugene Emeralds, 1987
- Jason Giambi – Southern Oregon A's, 1992
- Carlos González – Yakima Bears, 2004
- Khalil Greene – Eugene Emeralds, 2002
- Pedro Guerrero – Bellingham Dodgers, 1974
- Bob Hamelin – Eugene Emeralds, 1988
- Dave Henderson - Bellingham Mariners, 1977
- Félix Hernández – Everett AquaSox, 2003
- Ken Hubbs- Wenatchee Chiefs, 1961
- Ender Inciarte - Yakima Bears, 2010
- Ian Kinsler -- Spokane Indians, 2003
- John Kruk – Walla Walla Padres, 1981
- Paul Konerko – Yakima Bears, 1994
- Adam Jones – Everett AquaSox, 2003
- John Lackey – Boise Hawks, 1999
- Mark Langston - Bellingham Mariners, 1981
- Ted Lilly - Yakima Bears, 1996
- Tim Lincecum – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2006
- Kirk McCaskill – Salem Angels, 1982
- Denis Menke - Yakima Valley Braves, 1960
- Wade Miley - Yakima Bears, 2008
- Rick Monday – Lewiston Broncos, 1965
- Bill Murray – Grays Harbor Loggers, 1978
- Joe Nathan – Bellingham Giants, 1995; Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 1997
- Claude Osteen - Wenatchee Chiefs, 1958
- Troy Percival – Boise Hawks, 1991
- Eduardo Pérez – Boise Hawks, 1991
- Juan Pierre – Portland Rockies, 1998
- Kevin Pillar - Vancouver Canadians, 2011
- Buster Posey – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2008
- Mark Reynolds - Yakima Bears, 2004
- Francisco Rodríguez – Boise Hawks, 1999
- Kurt Russell – Bend Rainbows, Walla Walla Islanders, Portland Mavericks, 1971–73, 1977
- Tim Salmon – Bend Bucks, 1989
- Jeff Samardzija – Boise Hawks, 2006
- Casey Sander – Seattle Rainiers, 1975
- Pablo Sandoval – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 2005
- Kyle Schwarber - Boise Hawks, 2014
- Mike Scioscia – Bellingham Dodgers, 1976
- Braden Shipley - Hillsboro Hops, 2014
- Ted Sizemore - Tri-City Atoms, 1966
- Marcus Stroman - Vancouver Canadians, 2012
- Kurt Suzuki – Vancouver Canadians, 2004
- Noah Syndergaard - Vancouver Canadians, 2011
- Dansby Swanson - Hillsboro Hops, 2015
- Mike Sweeney – Eugene Emeralds, 1992–93
- Nick Swisher – Vancouver Canadians, 2002
- Kevin Tapani - Medford A's, 1986
- Miguel Tejada – Southern Oregon A's, 1995
- Tom Treblehorn - Bend Rainbows, 1970
- Trea Turner - Eugene Emeralds, 2014
- Dan Uggla – Yakima Bears, 2001
- Max Venable - Bellingham Dodgers, 1976
- Shane Victorino – Yakima Bears, 2000
- Omar Vizquel - Bellingham Mariners, 1985
- Matt Williams - Everett Giants, 1986
- Mitch Williams - Walla Walla Padres, 1982
- Russell Wilson – Tri-City Dust Devils, 2010
- Mike Zunino – Everett AquaSox, 2012
See also[]
- Sports league attendances
External links[]
Template:Northwest League
| Professional Baseball | |
| Americas | |
| Major League Baseball | American League • National League |
| Minor League Baseball | *Triple A : International League • Mexican League • Pacific Coast League
|
| Mexican League Affilates | *Double A : Nothern Mexico League
|
| Winter | *Affilliated: Arizona Fall League • Dominican Winter Baseball League • Mexican Pacific League • Parallel Leaguee • Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
|
| Defunct | *Major :National Association • American Association • Union Association • Player's League •
Federal League • Negro League baseball • All-American Girls Professional Baseball League • Continental League • Cuban League • National Association of Base Ball Players
|
| Asia | |
| Japan | Nippon Professional Baseball : Central League • Pacific League
|
| South Korea | Korea Professional Baseball
|
| Taiwan | Chinese Professional Baseball League |
| China | China Baseball League |
| Defunct | Japanese Baseball League • Taiwan Major League • Israel Baseball League |
| Europe | |
| Italy | Italian Baseball League |
| Netherlands | Honkbal Hoofdklasse |
| Oceania | |
| Australia | Australian Baseball |
| Defunct | Australian Baseball (1989-1999) • International Baseball League of Australia • Hawaii Winter Baseball |