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Boise Hawks
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent (from 2021)
Previous classesClass A Short Season (1987–2020)
LeaguePioneer League (from 2021)
Previous leagues
Northwest League (1987–2020)
Major league affiliations
TeamIndependent (from 2021)
Previous teamsColorado Rockies (2015–2020)
Chicago Cubs (2001–2014)
California/Anaheim Angels (1990–2000)
Independent (1987–1989)
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1991
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 2002
  • 2004
Division titles (10)
  • 1991
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 1997
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2004
  • 2006
  • 2012
  • 2021
Team data
NameBoise Hawks (1987–present)
ColorsCity of trees green, deep brick red, sunshine orange, muted-yellow corn silk, white[1]
         
MascotHumphrey the Hawk[2]
BallparkMemorial Stadium (1989–present)
Previous parks
Bill Wigle Field (1987–1988)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Boise Baseball, LLC
General managerMike Van Hise[3]
ManagerGary Van Tol

The Boise Hawks are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. Home games are played at Memorial Stadium in unincorporated Ada County, Idaho, near Boise.[a]

From their establishment in 1987 through 2020, the Hawks were members of the Class A Short Season Northwest League. In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the team shifted to the Pioneer League, which was converted from an MLB-affiliated rookie league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League.

History

[edit]

Prior to moving to the Boise area, the team was the Tri-Cities Triplets, who played in Richland, Washington, for four seasons after moving over from Walla Walla in 1983.[5] An affiliate of the Texas Rangers for the first two seasons in Richland, they operated as an independent in 1985 and 1986. The Triplets were sold in the fall of 1986 to Diamond Sports and moved to Idaho for the 1987 season.[6][7] Diamond Sports was headed by the Triplets' general manager Mal Fichman.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

Their debut game was on the road and drew over 7,100 at Spokane, aided by the appearance of Hank Aaron.[7][14] Continuing as an independent for their first three seasons in Boise, they joined the California Angels organization in 1990; the Angels were previously affiliated with the Bend Bucks for two seasons.[15] The Hawks made the playoffs that first season under the Angels and then won the league title four times in the next five years.

After eleven seasons with the Angels, the Hawks moved their affiliation in 2001 to the Chicago Cubs, who were with the Eugene Emeralds for the two previous seasons.[16][17] Under the Cubs, the Hawks won two league titles and were runners-up three times. After fourteen years with Chicago, the Hawks switched in 2015 to the Rockies, who were previously affiliated with the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco for fourteen seasons.[18] The Boise Hawks had the “Dream Team” in 2012. This team had future big leaguers: Dan Vogelbach, Willson Contreras, Albert Almora Jr., Feliz Pena, Stephen Bruno, Marco Hernández, Trey Martin, Yasiel Balancourt, and Pierce Johnson. They also had the MILB Nickname Champ: Rock Shoulders

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire 2020 season for the minor leagues was cancelled. The following winter, as part the reorganization of minor league baseball, the Northwest League was elevated to the classification of High Single-A and renamed High-A West. The league was contracted to six teams and the Hawks were not extended an invitation to continue as a franchise affiliated with a major league organization. The franchise announced they will continue as members of the independent Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League.[19]

Prior to the cancelation of the 2020 season and subsequent minor league reorganization, the team was slated to appear as the "Boise Papas Fritas" in six 2020 home games as part of the "Copa de Diversion" program.[20]

Ballparks

[edit]

The Hawks play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Garden City, north of the Western Idaho Fairgrounds.[21] The facility on the banks of the Boise River has a seating capacity of 3,500; it opened in 1989 for the Hawks' third season, its last without an affiliation. The stadium was privately built by an investor group led by Bill Pereira and son Cord Pereira. For their first two seasons, the Hawks played their home games at Bill Wigle Field on the campus of Borah High School.[10][21]

A proposal to build Boise Sports Park, a new ballpark that could also be used by a minor-league soccer team, was announced by the Hawks ownership group in 2017. The original proposed site for the the stadium drew opposition from local residents and was replaced by a new location in the West End neighborhood. In 2018, Boise voters approved an ordinance that would require a citywide election on any sports stadium with public funding, which included the Sports Park proposal. The ordinance and other financial issues led to the project being shelved in December 2019.[22][23]

Previous Boise teams

[edit]

Prior to the Hawks, Boise hosted two Northwest League franchises in the 1970s. The Boise A's played two seasons (1975, 1976), then relocated to Canada at Medicine Hat, Alberta. In 1978, the Boise Buckskins played just one season, went bankrupt, and ceased operations. Both clubs played at Borah Field (now Bill Wigle Field).

Boise had been a longtime member of the Pioneer League, then in Class C. The teams were originally known as the Pilots, then as the Yankees (1952, 1953). The club reverted to the Pilots moniker in 1954. Upon signing a player development contract with the Milwaukee Braves, Boise became the Braves and continued the relationship until 1963. Renowned broadcaster Bob Uecker played catcher for the league champion Boise Braves in 1956 and 1958.[24] The Pioneer League teams played at Airway Park, later known as Braves Field, about a half mile (0.8 km) east of Bronco Stadium, in Municipal Park in east Boise, now the site of the headquarters of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Ownership and media

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The Boise Hawks are owned by Agon Sports & Entertainment LLC, and the company president is Jeff Eisemann.

Season-by-season record

[edit]
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Boise Hawks
1987 — North 4th 26 50 .342 Mal Fichman 71,344
1988 — North 3rd 30 46 .395 Mal Fichman 67,524
1989 — North 2nd 35 40 .467 Mal Fichman 127,594
1990 CAL South 1st 53 23 .697 Lost to Spokane in championship series 1-2 Tom Kotchman 124,270
1991 CAL South 1st 50 26 .658 Defeated Yakima in championship series 2-0 Tom Kotchman 132,611
1992 CAL South 2nd 40 36 .526 Tom Kotchman 145,138
1993 CAL South 1st 41 35 .539 Defeated Bellingham in championship series 2-0 Tom Kotchman 151,080
1994 CAL South 1st 44 32 .579 Defeated Yakima in championship series 2-1 Tom Kotchman 156,950
1995 CAL South 1st 48 27 .640 Defeated Bellingham in championship series 2-1 Tom Kotchman 165,255
1996 CAL South 2nd 43 33 .566 Tom Kotchman 148,282
1997 ANA North 1st 51 25 .671 Lost to Portland in championship series 2-3 Tom Kotchman 154,819
1998 ANA North 1st 47 29 .618 Defeated Spokane in division play-off 1-0
Lost to Salem-Keizer in championship series 0-2 		Tom Kotchman 152,496
1999 ANA North 2nd 43 33 .566 Tom Kotchman 132,885
2000 ANA East 2nd 41 35 .539 Tom Kotchman 133,715
Boise Hawks
2001 CHC East 1st 52 23 .693 Lost to Salem-Keizer in championship series 0-3 Steve McFarland 99,840
2002 CHC East 1st 49 27 .645 Defeated Everett in championship series 3-0 Steve McFarland 109,646
2003 CHC East 4th 27 49 .355 Steve McFarland 104,156
2004 CHC East 1st 42 34 .553 Defeated Vancouver in championship series 3-0 Tom Beyers 107,936
2005 CHC East 3rd 34 42 .447 Trey Forkerway 109,746
2006 CHC East 1st 44 32 .579 Lost to Salem-Keizer in championship series 1-3 Steve McFarland 108,876
Boise Hawks
2007 CHC East 2nd 37 39 .487 Tom Beyers 102,878
2008 CHC East 2nd 43 33 .566 Tom Beyers 109,802
2009 CHC East 3rd 34 42 .447 Casey Kopitzke 103,783
2010 CHC East 3rd 34 42 .453 Jody Davis 105,671
2011 CHC East 2nd 36 40 .474 Lost to Tri-City division series 0-2 Mark Johnson 98,860
2012 CHC East 1st 37 39 .487 Defeated Yakima in division series 2-1
Lost to Vancouver in championship series 1-2 		Mark Johnson 91,167
2013 CHC South 2nd 41 35 .539 Defeated Salem-Keizer in division series 2-0
Lost Vancouver in championship series 1-2 		Gary Van Tol 91,324
2014 CHC South 2nd 41 35 .539 Lost to Hillsboro in division series 0-2 Gary Van Tol 87,519
2015 COL South 4th 30 46 .395 Frank Gonzalez 109,945
2016 COL South 3rd 33 44 .434 Andy González 114,476
2017 COL South 3rd 37 39 .487 Scott Little 121,455
2018 COL South 3rd 35 41 .461 Scott Little 126,192
2019 COL South 4th 27 49 .355 Steve Soliz 129,805
Division winner League champions

Roster

[edit]
Boise Hawks roster
Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 16 Matt Dallas
  • 38 Conner Dand
  • 21 Luke Dawson
  • 15 Matt Gabbert
  • 22 Mitch Lines
  • 31 Kenny Ogg
  • 20 Zach Penrod
  • 12 Jared Price
  •  9 Byron Smith
  •  1 AJ Snow
  • 39 Liam Steigerwald
  • 27 Matt Terrones
  • 43 Tyler Tomaka
  • 40 Jayce Vancena



  

Catchers

  •  7 Hidekel Gonzalez
  •  6 Sean Skelley

Infielders

  •  5 Jason Dicochea
  • 10 Nate Fisbeck
  • 49 Wladimir Galindo
  • 24 Tyler Jorgensen
  • 33 Alejandro Rivero

Outfielders

  • 23 Pat Adams
  • 17 Roby Enriquez
  •  8 Myles Harris
  • 44 Myles Miller
  • 26 Greg White
  

Manager

  • 14 Gary Van Tol

Coaches

  • 25 Jerry Hollow (bench)
  • -- Shane Nelson (trainor)
  • 13 Michiel van Kampen (pitching)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated June 16, 2024
 Transactions

Notable alumni

[edit]

World Series champions

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Memorial Stadium has a Boise postal address.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Boise Hawks unveil new logo, new era". NorthwestLeague.com. MLB Advanced Media. November 15, 2006. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  2. ^ "Humphrey the Hawk". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "Personnel News: Corpus Christi, Boise". Ballpark Digest. September 24, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  4. ^ "Memorial Stadium A-Z". boisehawks.com. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "Tri-City Americans can learn lesson or two from Fichman". Tri-City Herald. July 24, 1988. p. D1.
  6. ^ Stalwick, Howie (June 15, 1987). "Tribe geared for fan assault; Aaron due". Spokane Chronicle. Washington. p. C1. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Stalwick, Howie (June 17, 1987). "Valentin plays heart out in Indians debut". Spokane Chronicle. Washington. p. D1. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  8. ^ "Trips sale final to Diamond Sports". Tri-City Herald. November 10, 1986. p. C3.
  9. ^ "It's official: Triplets now Boise Hawks". Tri-City Herald. November 21, 1986. p. D2.
  10. ^ a b "Boise's manager hoping to tear down baseball's racial barrier". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. July 11, 1987. p. 20. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  11. ^ "Slow start leads to Thomas' firing". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. July 27, 1987. p. 8.
  12. ^ Stalick, Howie (July 28, 1987). "Firing by Boise angers Thomas". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). p. B3.
  13. ^ "Fired skipper says he wasn't prepared". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. July 28, 1987. p. D1.
  14. ^ Stalwick, Howie (June 2, 1987). "Aaron will help Tribe open year". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. B4. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  15. ^ Pritchett, John (October 5, 1989). "Bucks will be back in Bend next year, likely as a co-op". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. p. D1. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  16. ^ "Ems put into new division". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. October 6, 2000. p. 4B. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  17. ^ Clark, Bob (June 22, 2001). "Cubs keep a presence in league". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 5B. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  18. ^ Moore, Timothy (June 18, 2015). "Boise Hawks set to kick off first season as Colorado Rockies affiliate". Purple Row. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  19. ^ Kloppenburg, Katie (December 9, 2020). "Boise Hawks plan to join Pioneer Baseball League in 2021". Idaho News 6. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "The Boise Hawks Will Transform into the".
  21. ^ a b "Miscellany". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. (staff and wire reports). October 28, 1988. p. D2. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  22. ^ Staats, David (July 12, 2020). "There's still no actual plan for Boise sports stadium — and may never be. Here's why". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  23. ^ Staats, David (December 28, 2019). "Voters handed bad news to developer of Boise's proposed stadium. Now he's doing this". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Lassanske, Bob (August 4, 1956). "Uecker stars as catcher with Boise". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 6, part 2.
[edit]
Preceded by Baseball franchise
1987–present
With: Northwest League (1987–2020)
Pioneer League (from 2021) 		Succeeded by
Current
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