Idaho Falls Chukars

Idaho Falls Chukars Founded in 1940 Idaho Falls, Idaho
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Rookie Advanced (1964–present)
Previous	Class – C (1940–1963)
Minor league affiliations
League	Pioneer League (1946-Present; 1940-42)[1]
Division	South Division
Previous leagues	Utah–Idaho League (1926–28)
Major league affiliations
Current	Kansas City Royals (2004–present)
Previous	San Diego Padres (1995–2003) Atlanta Braves (1986–1994) Oakland Athletics (1982–1984) California Angels (1966–1981) New York Yankees (1962–1965), (1940–1941) Chicago White Sox (1960–1961) Pittsburgh Pirates (1959) Detroit Tigers (1954–1958) New York Giants (1949–1951) Brooklyn Dodgers (1948)
Minor league titles
League titles (3)	1998 2000 2013
Division titles (7)	1978 1982 1998 2000 2006 2007 2013
Team data
Nickname	Idaho Falls Chukars (2004–present)
Previous names	Idaho Falls Padres (2000–2003) Idaho Falls Braves (1986–1991, 1993–1999) Idaho Falls Gems (1992) Idaho Falls Eagles (1985) Idaho Falls A's (1982–1984) Idaho Falls Angels (1964–1981) Idaho Falls Yankees (1962–1963) Idaho Falls Russets (1940–1961)
Colors	Black, burgundy, silver, white
Mascot	Charlie the Chukar
Ballpark	Melaleuca Field (2007–present)
Previous parks	McDermott Field (1978–2006)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Elmore Sports Group
Manager	Justin Gemoll
General Manager	Kevin Greene

Mike Moustakas, Game 1, 2015 World Series

The Idaho Falls Chukars are a professional baseball club based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Chukars are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play their home games at Melaleuca Field, which has a seating capacity of 3,400. The dimensions of the ballpark are 340' to left field, 400' to center field, and 350' to right field. The playing surface is natural grass (Kentucky bluegrass).^[2]

The team plays in the Pioneer League, a short-season league operating from June to early September, which is designated as Rookie Advanced League. They adopted the name the Chukars following a fan vote when the major league affiliation changed after the 2003 season. A Chukar is a game bird found in the region.

Franchise history

After fielding a team in the Utah–Idaho League from 1926–28, the franchise restarted in 1940 and were called the Russets, playing in the Pioneer League. Some famous baseball alumni of the Idaho Falls ball club are Billy Martin, Joe Maddon, Jose Canseco, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler.

Kansas City Royals Billy Butler, 2011

Current roster

Idaho Falls Chukars roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 29 Nicholas Andros 24 Brian Bayliss 34 Bryan Brickhouse 43 Daniel Concepcion 39 Matt Ditman 46 Todd Eaton -- Arnaldo Hernandez 26 Carter Hope -- Sam Lewis 44 Stephen Milligan 23 Matt Portland		Catchers  6 Nick Dini Infielders 22 Ryan Dale 15 Carlos Eduardo Diaz 30 Logan Nottebrok Outfielders 29 Rudy Martin		Manager 17 Justin Gemoll Coaches 19 Andre David (hitting) 37 Jeff Suppan (pitching) 7-day disabled list * On Kansas City Royals 40-man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated April 24, 2016 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Kansas City Royals minor league players

Notable Alumni

Jose Canseco 1989

Jake Peavy, 2007

Numerous Idaho Falls Alumni advanced to Major League baseball, some alumni of note include:^[3]

• Raul Mondesi (2012)
• Danny Duffy (2010)
• Wil Myers (2009) 2013 AL Rookie of the Year
• Eric Hosmer (2008) 3 x GG
• Salvador Pérez (2008–09) 3 x GG; 3 x MLB AS; 2015 World Series MVP
• Greg Holland (2007) 2 x MLB AS
• Mike Moustakas (2007) MLB AS
• Billy Butler (2004) MLB AS
• J. P. Howell (2004)
• George Kottaras (2003)
• Carlos Lezcano (2003, MGR)
• José Lobatón (2003)
• Óliver Pérez (2000)
• Jake Peavy (1999) GG; 3 x MLB AS; 2007 NL wins Leader; 2× MLB ERA leader (2004, 2007); 2× NL strikeout leader (2005, 2007); 2007 NL Cy Young Award
• Brian Lawrence (1998)
• Shawn Camp (1997)
• Matt Clement (1995) MLB AS
• Ben Davis (1995)
• Chris Brock (1992)
• Dave Hilton (1992, MGR )
• Terrell Wade (1992)
• Tony Graffanino (1991)
• Cloyd Boyer (1989, MGR)
• Tyler Houston (1989)
• Tony Tarasco (1988)
• Kevin Brown (1986) MLB: 211 wins; 6 x MLB AS; 2 × NL ERA Leader (1996, 2000)
• Rod Gilbreath (1986–87, MGR)
• Al Martin (1986) 12 MLB Seasons
• Jim Nettles (1984 MGR)
• Félix José (1984) MLB AS
• Jose Canseco (1982) 6 x MLB AS; 1st 40 HR/40 SB Player; 2 × MLB home run leader (1988, 1991);1988 MLB RBI Leader; 1986 AL Rookie of the Year; 1988 AL Most Valuable Player
• Dick Schofield (1981)
• Devon White (1981) 7 x GG; 3 x MLB AS
• Joe Maddon (1981, MGR) MLB MGR; 3 x MLB Manager of the Year (2008, 2011, 2015)
• Gary Pettis (1979) 5 x GG
• Tom Brunansky (1978) MLB AS
• Mike Witt (1978) 2 x MLB AS; Perfect Game: 9/30/1984
• Richard Dotson (1977) MLB AS
• Brian Harper (1977)
• Alan Wiggins (1977)
• Mark Brouhard (1976)
• Keith Comstock (1976)
• Bobby Clark (1975)
• Mark Clear (1975) 2 x MLB AS
• Carney Lansford (1975) MLB AS; 1981 AL Batting Title
• Floyd Rayford (1975)
• Thad Bosley (1974)
• Julio Cruz (1974) MLB: 343 SB
• Larry Himes (1974–77, MGR) MLB GM
• Rance Mulliniks (1974)
• Dave Collins (1972) 16 MLB Seasons
• Ron Jackson (1971)
• Dan Briggs (1970-70)
• Dick Lange (1970)
• Sid Monge (1970) MLB AS
• Morris Nettles (1970)
• Rudy Meoli (1969)
• Norm Sherry (1969, MGR)
• Lloyd Allen (1968)
• Steve Kealey (1966)
• Doug Griffin (1965) GG
• Tom Egan (1964)
• Marty Perez (1964–65)
• Frank Fernández (1963) MLB: Most Career HR with BA below .200
• Steve Whitaker (1962–63)
• Jim Shellenback (1962)
• Tommy McCraw (1961) MLB Player; MLB: 23 seasons Hitting Coach
• Cisco Carlos (1961) 1968 Sports Illustrated Cover
• Jerry McNertney 9 MLB Seasons; MLB Coach
• Bob Locker (1960) 12 MLB Seasons
• Dennis Higgins (1960)
• Jim Hicks (1960–61)
• Peanuts Lowrey (1960, MGR) MLB AS; MLB Coach
• Fred Talbot (1960)
• Bob Clear (1959, MGR)
• John Pregenzer (1959) Subject of SF Giants' Fans John Pregenzer Fan Club
• Tom Parsons (1959)
• Donn Clendenon (1959) 1969 World Series MVP
• Jim Campbell (1959)
• Jake Wood (1958) 1961 AL Triples Leader
• Buck Rodgers (1958) MLB Player; MLB MGR; 1987 NL Manager of the Year
• Al Lakeman (1957–58, Player/MGR)
• Howie Koplitz (1957)
• Stan Wasiak (1956, MGR) Minor League MGR Record: 2530 Wins
• Bob Johnson (1956) 11 LB Seasons; WS Champion
• Charlie Metro (1956, MGR) MLB Player; MLB MGR
• Ken Rowe (1955) MLB Player; MLB Pitching coach - Baltimore Orioles
• Pat Mullin (1955, Player/MGR) 2 x MLB AS; WW II: US Army (1942–45)
• Bubba Morton (1955) MLB Player; Head Baseball Coach University of Washington (1972-72)
• Cuno Barragan (1953) Inducted Mexcan American Hall of Fame
• John Briggs (1952–53)
• Frank Gabler (1949, Player/ MGR)
• Ken Lehman (1948)
• Billy Martin (1946) MLB AS; MLB MGR 1,253 wins;MGR: 1977 World Series Champion - New York Yankees
• Bill Wight (1941) 12 MLB Seasons
• Clancy Smyres (1941) MLB autograph is more valuable than Babe Ruth^[4]
• Elmer Singleton (1941)
• Doc Marshall (1941)
• Woody Main (1941)
• Ed Bahr (1940)
• Ed Coleman (1927)
• Roy Johnson (1926) 1936 WS Champion; brother of Indian Bob Johnson

References

1. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
2. "Melaleuca Field Information". Idaho Falls Chukars. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
3. <http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Idaho%20Falls&state=ID&country=US&empty=0
4. http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/the-strange-saga-of-clancy-smyres-and-why-his-autograph-is-more-valuable-than-babe-ruth/

External links

• Official Idaho Falls Chukars website
• Official Site of Melaleuca Field; Home of the Chukars