Missoula PaddleHeads explained
| Missoula PaddleHeads |
| Founded: | 1999 |
| City: | Missoula, Montana |
| Uniformlogo: | Missoula PaddleHeads cap logo.png |
| Class Level: | Independent (from 2021) |
| Past Class Level: | Rookie Advanced (1999–2020) |
| Current League: | Pioneer League (1999–present) |
| Majorleague: | Independent (from 2021) |
| Pastmajorleague: | Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2020) |
| Nickname: | Missoula PaddleHeads (2020–present) |
| Pastnames: | Missoula Osprey (1999–2019) |
| Ballpark: | Ogren Park at Allegiance Field (2004–present) |
| Pastparks: | Lindborg-Cregg Field (1999–2003) |
| Leaguenum: | 5 |
| Divnum: | 5 |
| Owner: | Big Sky Professional Baseball |
| Manager: | Michael Schlact |
| President: | Matt Ellis[1] |
The Missoula PaddleHeads are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Missoula, Montana, and play their home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field.
In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League, of which the PaddleHeads have been members since 1999, was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Missoula continuing as members.[2] Prior to this, the PaddleHeads had been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks (1996–2020).
The team has won the Pioneer League championship five times; in 1999, 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2021.
The club was known as the Missoula Osprey from 1999 through the 2019 season. Previously, the franchise played in Lethbridge, Alberta, as the Lethbridge Black Diamonds. Missoula has had baseball since the early 1900s, with previous team names being the Highlanders and the Timberjacks.[3]
In 2019, the team rebranded as the Missoula PaddleHeads, a term referencing moose antlers being known as "paddles", making the male moose a "paddlehead".[4] The brand also showcases the diversity of kayaking, canoeing and other river-based activities found in Missoula, while the logo features a baseball bat paddle and a partially submerged moose.[5]
Missoula alumni with MLB experience
Eighty-six Missoula players have also played in Major League Baseball.[6] They are:
- 1999: JD Closser, Jorge de la Rosa, Doug DeVore, Lyle Overbay, Duaner Sánchez, Luis Terrero (1999–2000)
2000: Casey Daigle, Jerry Gil, Andy Green, Phil Stockman, José Valverde
2001: Scott Hairston
2002: Dustin Nippert, Tony Peña, Sergio Santos, Miguel Montero (2002–2003)
2003: Emilio Bonifacio, Carlos González,
2004: Wilkin Castillo, Steven Jackson, Esmerling Vásquez
2005: Pedro Ciriaco, Rusty Ryal, Greg Smith
2006: Héctor Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Gerardo Parra, John Hester, Jordan Norberto, Daniel Stange, Clay Zavada
2007: Bryan Augenstein, Tommy Layne, Evan Scribner, Rey Navarro (2007–2008)
2008: Jake Elmore, Daniel Schlereth, Bryan Shaw
2009: Chase Anderson, Mike Belfiore, Charles Brewer, Keon Broxton, Eury De La Rosa, Paul Goldschmidt, Bradin Hagens, Ender Inciarte, Chris Owings, Patrick Schuster (2009–2010), Enrique Burgos (2009, 2011)
2010: Adam Eaton, David Holmberg, Stephen Cardullo (2010–2011)
2011: Archie Bradley, Ryan Court, Keith Hessler, DJ Johnson
2012: Socrates Brito, Jake Lamb, Michael Perez, Andrew Velazquez
2013: Silvino Bracho, Steve Hathaway, Daniel Palka, Brad Keller (2013–2014), Justin Williams (2013–2014)
2014: Sergio Alcántara, Kevin Cron, Touki Toussaint, Gabriel Moya (2014–2015), Yefry Ramirez (2014–2015), José Herrera (2014, 2016)
2015: Isan Díaz, Marcus Wilson
2016: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jhoan Durán, Luís Madero (2016–2017), Luis Castillo (2016, 2018)
2017: José Caballero, Elvis Luciano
2018: Buddy Kennedy, Cristofer Ogando, Geraldo Perdomo, Alek Thomas
2019: Dominic Canzone, Justin Martínez, Liover Peguero
External links
Notes and References
- News: Reichard . Kevin . Personnel News: Nashville, Missoula, Stockton, Danville . Ballpark Digest . October 1, 2021 . October 1, 2021.
- Web site: Pioneer League named MLB Partner League. Baseball America. November 30, 2020. November 30, 2020.
- News: Missoula Osprey rebranded as Missoula PaddleHeads . 14 December 2020 . KPAX.com . 4 November 2019.
- Web site: Shore thing: PaddleHeads row into Missoula . 2022-06-12 . MiLB.com . en.
- News: Hill . Benjamin . Shore thing: PaddleHeads row into Missoula . 15 December 2020 . milb.com . 4 November 2019.
- Web site: Osprey alumni in MLB. November 4, 2016. milb.com. January 18, 2017.
