Category: Dailies
Opening Week 2011
Opening Night and Opening Weekend are now behind us as we move forward into the meat of the season. The 66ers took the first two games of 2011 before dropping the next two, to split the four game series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Nearly 8,000 excited men, women and children packed Arrowhead Credit Union Park for the opening series of the season, which included a sleeved blanket giveaway and one of the most successful kid’s clinics the 66ers have ever seen.
Tonight, the 66ers move on from the Quakes to begin a three-game set with the High Desert Mavericks, the Class A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Head over to 66ers.com for a complete photo gallery of the first series of 2011.
Top Ten Reasons to Make ACUP Your Home this Summer
6. Group Opportunities
One of the best things about going to a baseball game is enjoying it with someone else. Being with a group of people enhances the experience and makes the time you spend with everyone that much more memorable.
Bringing twenty or more people to a 66ers game at one time qualifies for the group rate, and gives preferred seating to the group to sit together. To let everyone else know what a great time the group is having, the 66ers will also recognize the party on the big screen.
When it comes to bringing a group to Arrowhead Credit Union Park, the 66ers can accommodate an outing of any size. The Patios are the largest areas, and great places to add the all-you-can-eat option to satisfy everyone’s hunger.
Another great place to watch the game with a group is either the first base or third base terrace. Shaded private seating balcony is available on the suite level as well as a spot for the all-you-can-eat-option. Terrace seating is also a prime location to catch customary foul balls down either line as well.
Want to watch the game but avoid the summer heat? Air conditioned luxury and hospitality suites are just the place to catch the game. All private suites are furnished and equipped with DirecTV and include their own kitchenette, personal suite server, and access to the La Paz Bar on the suite level. What better way to entertain clients or show employee appreciation than a suite?
Children can benefit from group rates as well. Birthday parties are always a favorite among kids, especially when Bernie comes to visit. Another way to create life long memories is for a son or daughter to take the field with the 66ers through the Baseball Buddies program. Children will receive a 66ers logo baseball and a food voucher for a hot dog, chips, soda, and ice cream.
Booking any of these great options is as easy as one, two, three with the 66ers. All we need to know is the date and how many people to expect. Then step back, let us handle the planning and YOU take all the credit and praise for what a great time was had by all. Since it’s that easy, what are you waiting for to let the 66ers host your next party or group event?
Give us a call at (909) 888-9922 or visit 66ers.com to learn more about all our group options.
A View from the Press Box – 3/18
Last post we asked for your nominations for the Inland Empire all-time top 10 list, and you came through with eight players in, seven nominees out, and a final five trying to pick up the last pair of spots. I’ll leave you in suspense on who’s made it so far (probably not a lot of suspense for most of them), and ask you for one last vote to finish off our top 10 list.
Only a few more weeks left of voting, and now we’re asking for fans to choose TWO of the following players for selection to our franchise’s all-time top-10 list!
Remember, we’ll choose one lucky voter to receive a bobblehead or tickets to Opening Night just for voting. E-mail media@ie66ers.com with your selections.
Dave Burba (1988)- Certainly a recognizable big league name, he was a big star for the then Spirit, filing away a top-10 season in team history for ERA as a 21-year-old. Burba went on to pitch for six major league teams in his 15-year career, during which he accumulated 115 career wins.
Jeff Nelson (1988)- Nelson was one of the top clutch relief pitchers in baseball history, winning four World Series titles between 1996 and 2000 while a member of the New York Yankees. The 2001 AL All Star pitched in five World Series in total, and in 16 innings allowed just three earned runs (a 1.69 ERA in the Fall Classic).
Hong-Chih Kuo (2000)- Kuo has made several cameos in the Inland Empire, and has never given up a run while pitching for the 66ers franchise. Last year was his best yet in the big leagues as Kuo was named an All-Star for the first time in his career thanks to his 1.20 ERA in 56 appearances.
Shin-Soo Choo (2002)- Choo’s prodigious power has yielded back-to-back 20 or more home run seasons for the Indians, but while with the 66ers he was known more for his speed. Choo has the third most triples in 66ers history for triples and in 2003 recorded 13 three-baggers, the second most in a season in team history.
Kenley Jansen (2010)- Kenley Jansen the catcher had his share of struggles in the minors, but Kenley Jansen the pitcher blew through the minors like one of his fastballs. Jansen needed just 11 appearances in the California League in 2010 to demonstrate he was ready for a tougher challenge, and when he didn’t find one in AA either he was sent all the way to the majors (one of the fastest ascents since Ken Griffey Jr.) In 25 appearances for the Dodgers in 2010 Jansen was 1-0 with four saves and a 0.67 ERA.
To pick your selections, e-mail media@ie66ers.com. You may pick no more than two. The top 10 66ers in franchise history will have banners on the concourse.
A View from the Press Box – 3/7
We are one month away from Opening Night, April 7th at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, and while we here at the 66ers are looking forward to the team’s 25 season of baseball, we are also looking back at the past 24 seasons and some of the great players who started their careers here. It’s not just us in the front office, we’d like you to look back with us as well and help us pick the top-10 players in franchise history.
E-Mail media@ie66ers.com with your top-10 and be automatically entered to win either a pair of ticket vouchers for Opening Night or a bobblehead!
Now some questions may quickly come to mind in terms of what we’re looking for. Do we want players who excelled while playing in the Inland Empire, or players who went on to great careers in the big leagues? The answer is yes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and your choices for the ten best can be based on any criteria you choose.
Here are our 20 nominees listed in the order they played in San Bernardino:
Ken Griffey Jr. (1988)- Not a lot of time spent in a Spirit uniform but he certainly had an impact. In just 58 games he slugged 11 home runs and hit .338. Once he hit the bigs he put up even more impressive numbers. All told the 1997 MVP was sent to the All-Star game 13 times, won 10 Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and is considered one of the best players of his generation.
Dave Burba (1988)- Certainly a recognizable big league name, he was a big star for the then Spirit, filing away a top-10 season in team history for ERA as a 21-year-old. Burba went on to pitch for six major league teams in his 15-year career, during which he accumulated 115 career wins.
Rich DeLucia (1988)- Obviously you can make a serious case for the class of 1988 being the best in franchise history. DeLucia posted a top-10 ERA in team history before going on to a 10-year MLB career, including a 12 win 1991 season where he was in the top five for Rookie of the Year.
Jeff Nelson (1988)- Nelson was one of the top clutch relief pitchers in baseball history, winning four World Series titles between 1996 and 2000 while a member of the New York Yankees. The 2001 AL All Star pitched in five World Series in total, and in 16 innings allowed just three earned runs (a 1.69 ERA in the Fall Classic).
Mike Hampton (91-92)- Mike Hampton dominated both the California League and the Major Leagues in his time. He is in the top 10 in 66ers history for career Wins, Innings Pitched and Starts, and in 1992 he led the Spirit Staff in Wins, ERA and Strikeouts. After graduation Hampton was selected twice for the MLB All-Star Game and in 1999 led the bigs in wins with 22.
Keith Johnson (1995)- Johnson has the distinction of being the only player in franchise history to make his Major League debut with the Angels. Since retiring as a player, he’s gone on to become a successful minor league manager. This coming season, Johnson will lead the Salt Lake Bees (Angels-AAA).
Paul Konerko (1995)- Paul Konerko is still clobbering baseballs in his mid-30’s. As a 19-year-old he showed signs of what was to come, smashing 19 home runs as a member of the Spirit, validating his standing at the time as one of the games top 50 prospects. He broke into the Majors in 1997 and has hit 365 home runs in 14 major league seasons. 2010 might have been his best. He hit 39 home Runs, drove in 111 RBI, and hit .313, while finishing fifth in the American League MVP ballot.
Matt Herges (1995)- So the class of ’95 was loaded as well (makes sense since that was the first team to bring home a title). Herges has been called from the bullpen to pitch for eight different major league organizations over 11 seasons, and is still pitching at age 40.
Adrian Beltre (1996)- Beltre was just 17 when he broke in to the lineup in San Bernardino and has become one of the top third-baseman of his time. He led the majors in Home Runs in 2004 with 48, and last year was selected to his second All-Star Team.
Ted Lilly (1997)- The 1997 California League Pitcher of the Year is still in the 66ers single season Top 10 for strikeouts and ERA, and is also in the 66ers career top-10 for Earned Run Average as well. Lilly is a two time major league All-Star as well, and has hit double figures in wins each of his last eight seasons.
Hong-Chih Kuo (2000)- Kuo has made several cameos in the Inland Empire, and has never given up a run while pitching for the 66ers franchise. Last year was his best yet in the big leagues as Kuo was named an All-Star for the first time in his career thanks to his 1.20 ERA in 56 appearances.
Rafael Soriano (2001)- In 2010 Soriano led the Majors in Saves (45) and was named an All-Star for his efforts. Back in 2001 he was a 21-year-old pitcher for San Bernardino who went 6-3 with a 2.53 ERA as a starter before quickly being promoted up the line.
Shin-Soo Choo (2002)- Choo’s prodigious power has yielded back-to-back 20 or more home run seasons for the Indians, but while with the 66ers he was known more for his speed. Choo has the third most triples in 66ers history for triples and in 2003 recorded 13 three-baggers, the second most in a season in team history.
Felix Hernandez (2004)- He’s a no-brainer for his work as an Inland Empire alumni (2010 Cy Young Award Winner), but Hernandez had already established himself as one of the franchise greats when he won California League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2004. King Felix struck out 114 batters in just 92 innings that season, on his way to a 9-3 record.
Adam Jones (2005)- The former Mariner’s first rounder blew through the Inland Empire in 2005 when the then 19-year-old hit .295 and established himself as one of the game’s best prospects. The following year Jones made his MLB debut. In 2009, one year after being traded to the Orioles in 2008 in the Erik Bedard deal, Jones may have had the M’s regretting the deal as he was sent to the All-Star game and won a Gold Glove. Just 25-years-old, the best may be yet to come for Jones.
Brandon Morrow (2006)- Morrow made a very brief pit stop in the Inland Empire after being drafted fifth overall by Seattle in 2006 (five spots ahead of Tim Lincecum). Morrow was mostly a reliever in the bigs until last year when he broke through in his first season north of the border pitching for the Blue Jays. In 2010 he recorded his first 10 win season and he threw a one hit, complete game shutout versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
Carlos Santana (2008)- The 2008 California League MVP ranks in the 66ers career top 10 in Batting Average, and the single season 10 best for Batting Average and RBI. Two seasons after being the top catcher (or any other position) in the California League, he was a backstop in the bigs, making his MLB debut for the Indians.
Travis Denker (2007, 2010)- The leader of Denker’s disciples, Travis is in the 66ers career top 10 or Hits and doubles and the single season top 10 for batting average. In his eight minor league seasons he has amassed over 400 RBI, and nearly 800 hits as well as almost 80 Home Runs to go with legions of fans.
Scott Van Slyke (2008, 2010)- Van Slyke may be the most successful in hitter in 66ers franchise history. He is the Inland Empire record holder for RBI and Doubles, top five for Home Runs and Runs, and top 10 for career hits, games, at bats and walks. His 2009 campaign was one of the best single seasons in team history (.293, 23 HR, 100 RBI).
Kenley Jansen (2010)- Kenley Jansen the catcher had his share of struggles in the minors, but Kenley Jansen the pitcher blew through the minors like one of his fastballs. Jansen needed just 11 appearances in the California League in 2010 to demonstrate he was ready for a tougher challenge, and when he didn’t find one in AA either he was sent all the way to the majors (one of the fastest ascents since Ken Griffey Jr.) In 25 appearances for the Dodgers in 2010 Jansen was 1-0 with four saves and a 0.67 ERA.
To pick your top-10 E-mail media@ie66ers.com. You must pick at least five players but no more than 10. The top 10 66ers in franchise history will have banners on the concourse.
Single game tickets go on sale tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 1) at 10am. Don’t miss out like Bernie…
Top Ten Reasons to Make ACUP Your Home this Summer
There are hundreds of reasons to visit us this season at Arrowhead Credit Union Park. But as the season quickly approaches (only a handful of weeks until Opening Night), we’ll highlight the top ten reasons to cheer on the 66ers beginning April 7!
7. The 66ers Dance Team
The 66ers Dance Team not only works game nights at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, but they also spend countless hours each week representing the team at community events throughout the Inland Empire.
Perhaps the most recognizable ambassidor for the 66ers (outside of Bernie, of course) is this group of about a dozen young, energetic ladies who have become one of the major faces of the organization over the past several seasons.
Whether it’s a Little League function in Riverside or a concourse booth at an Ontario Reign game (or even hanging out with Angels Manager Mike Scioscia), these girls can be seen around the area promoting fan interaction for the Sixers.
Most importantly, however, is that the Dance Team is one of the Top Ten Reasons to Make Arrowhead Credit Union Park Your Home this Season!
If you’ve attended our games in the past, you know the Dance Team performs several times thoughout a home game at our ballpark. The third inning YMCA dance has become an iconic staple around San Bernardino. And as much as Bernie would love to take credit for it, the Dancers receive most of the credit for creating an “I just have to dance” environment throughout the seating bowl. It’s OK…normally you’ll even find members of the 66ers Front Office failing to restrain from shakin’ a booty.
And it’s all because of the Dance Team. The atmosphere they have helped to create at Arrowhead Credit Union Park is one of the best — not only in the Cal League, but the Minors as a whole. And for that, we’re very grateful. Come see them this summer at the ballpark!
Let YOUR voice be heard
Fans at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky sing the National Anthem in unison prior to a basketball game between the University of Kentucky and the University of Florida
On March 5 at the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino, we’re going to bring in some of the best talent in the area for a chance to sing the Star Spangled Banner before one of our 70 home games at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
The iconic song has been played before sporting events (and baseball in particular) for a long time. The Baseball Hall of Fame says that it was played before a game during the Civil War. Any way you look at it, it’s been around a LONG time!
The 66ers won’t be the only team to carry on this tradition. In fact, if there’s a single professional baseball game all year that fails to start the game with the Star Spangled Banner, we’d all be shocked. But the lyrics, the tune, the sense of pride it brings…it’s all rarely changed.
And we’re looking for YOU to be the next person to continue the tradition!
In previous years we’ve had some phenomenal talent sing the National Anthem, and we expect to have great performers this year as well. Check out 66ers.com for all the details!
Top Ten Reasons to Make ACUP Your Home this Summer
There are hundreds of reasons to visit us this season at Arrowhead Credit Union Park. But as the season quickly approaches (only a handful of weeks until Opening Night), we’ll highlight the top ten reasons to cheer on the 66ers beginning April 7!
8. Stadium Amenities
It’s been awhile since #9, so to refresh your memory, the Top Ten Reason to Make ACUP Your Home this Summer has included Promotions & Giveaways and Friendly Staff. Today we’ll focus on the ballpark itself.
Born in 1996 through the blood, sweat and tears of the great people of San Bernardino, Arrowhead Credit Union Park has been a staple in the Inland Empire community for more than a decade. Besides having some of the best sightlines to watch a professional baseball game, what makes it great are the little perks that you don’t find everywhere.
Own a company and need to show your clients how much you appreciate their business? Take advantage of one of the Group Hospitality Areas reserved for parties ranging from 12 people all the way up to several hundred. Want a luxurious experience without the high cost of a Major League stadium? Try a nightly suite with all-you-can-eat food and beverage items, completely hidden from the summer heat.
Or maybe it’s the Kids Zone you love. With more than just a couple inflatables for the little ones to enjoy, you’ll know your children are safe as they wear themselves out in our state-of-the-art bounce houses. And with the area close to the seating bowl, you won’t miss any of the action on the field as you watch the kids and the game at the same time.
The biggest and most popular addition to the ballpark has been our unbeatable new videoboard, installed before last season to strengthen the fan experience. It’s one of the biggest boards in the Minors and we know how to use it.
Whether you’re a fan who’s able to get a better look at a replay after a close call at the plate, or if you’re a business owner who wants a unique way to get your message out to the public, the videoboard has been a great addition to the park. It sits conveniently above the right-center field fence, viewable from every seat at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
Finally, if you’ve ever been to a stadium with limited parking, you’re probably familiar with how nice it is to have the space we have here in downtown San Bernardino. Some stadiums may not even have a parking lot, and if they do, might charge nearly as much as the most expensive ticket to let you leave your car. Not us. We have hundreds of open spaces. They’re not expensive. And your walk to the closest gate will take less than five minutes.
The stadium has everything you’d enjoy in a big league park on a smaller scale, right down to the players-only clubhouse area. Come on out to a game beginning early April and experience it for yourself!
Life of an Intern: Jordan Smith, Ticket Office Assistant
Favo
rite Food:
Chipotle
Favorite TV Show/Movie:
Anything on the Military Channel and ESPN SportsCenter
Celebrity Look Alike:
Brian Bader (UFC Fighter)
Hello Inland Empire! Let me introduce myself. I am a home-grown San Bernardino native. I attended North Park Elementary School, Golden Valley Middle School and San Gorgonio High School. I have worked for several local businesses during high school, and shortly thereafter, until I made the decision to join the Navy where I served as a military police officer in some very interesting regions of the world. An interesting fact about my Naval career is that I never once stepped foot on a boat. Military Police are referred to as a Sand Sailors and serve on land rather than on sea.
After leaving the military, I got my feet wet in my first sales position at Spreen Honda where I worked as a car salesman. I later went on to work for Loma Linda University Medical Center as well as other local businesses. I have always enjoyed working in the same area in which I was raised and also having the opportunity to give back to my community. I remember as a boy attending Stampede games here at Arrowhead Credit Union park with my dad, which makes it even more exciting to be working here.
I am a very family-oriented person, so working for this franchise will give me the opportunity to promote 66er events that families can attend together. I hope to see all you at a game! If you see me, feel free to come up to me and introduce yourself. I look forward to serving you, your family, and friends!
Life of an Intern: Brianna Rivas, Group Sales Assistant
Favorite Food:
Pepporoni Pizza (or anything spicy)
Favorite TV Show/Movie:
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, 17 Again and Sugar
Celebrity Look Alike:
Some say Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt or Kim Kardashian. I don’t agree with any of them.
I’m Brianna Rivas from Yucaipa, CA. I recently graduated in May 2010 from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis in Entertainment Studies. I loved going to California State University, Fullerton because it is a really big baseball school that has one of the nations best baseball teams.
I spent the 2010 season interning with our rival team the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. I helped out with their Promotional team and enjoyed the whole experience. It was very exciting to be a part of a team that did very well and made it to the championship. What brought me to the 66ers is the stadium is close to home, I enjoy all aspects of baseball, and I am a fan of the Angels. Growing up my brother was an athletic trainer for the Angels organization for eight years. Two out of those eight years my brother was in the CAL league as the Quakes athletic trainer. During that time I attended numerous CAL league games and that is when it occured to me that I wanted to work in baseball particularly a minor league team because they seem to be really community oriented and provide a great amount of entertainment for these communities.
Besides my enjoyment for baseball, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, friends, and dog. I find traveling fun and adventerous. My brother is someone who I look up to the most. He has been so successful in the sports industry that I hope one day to be just as successful as he is.
The Inland Empire Insider 