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The cover of a program for the Lethbridge Dodgers baseball club of the Pioneer League. Source: https://albertadugoutstories.com/2022/04/25/lethbridge-dodgers-all-time-team/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It was one of those cool moments you remember as a kid.
I was always hoping to catch a foul ball when I went to a Lethbridge Dodgers game at Henderson Stadium. The problem was, if we sat behind home plate, we were protected by a screen. If we sat down the third base line, we were way too far away. The only way was to hang out behind the Dodgers’ dugout along the first base line. If we were lucky, a batter would foul a ball off and it would land on the really thin line of grass down the first base line. That only happened once, when a friend of my cousin Carl’s beat a herd of other teens to that ball. Otherwise, it was hopeless.
Then one day, we were by the dugout and one of the players said to me and Carl “Do you want a ball?” We both nodded. So, he kicked a couple under the fence to us.
It was so cool.
My beloved Toronto Blue Jays just finished a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon. Ever since I was about nine years old, I have had a soft spot in my heart for the Dodgers.
It’s all because of the memories their minor league affiliate in Lethbridge left me in the ‘80s.
Pioneer League baseball
No professional sport has a more developed, well-structured developmental system than Major League Baseball. Leagues or levels are classified by the letter “A” from Single-A to Triple-A, with Triple-A being the level just below the major leagues. The majority of teams are affiliated with a major league team, although there are some unaffiliated teams.
No professional sport has a more developed, well-structured developmental system than Major League Baseball. Leagues or levels are classified by the letter “A” from Single-A to Triple-A, with Triple-A being the level just below the major leagues. The majority of teams are affiliated with a major league team, although there are some unaffiliated teams.
Below A ball, is the entry level, often called rookie ball.
Back in the 1980s, rookie league baseball was pretty big in Southern Alberta, with three teams in the Pioneer League.
There were the Calgary Expos, Medicine Hat Blue Jays, and Lethbridge Dodgers. The rest of the franchises were all located in the United States, primarily in Montana. There were the Great Falls Giants; Butte Copper Kings; Idaho Falls Angels; Helena Phillies; and the Billings Mustangs.
These teams were all affiliated with major league teams, who would stock these teams with their young prospects.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were renowned for their scouting system which found baseball players in the most unlikely places from the four corners of the world.
Some would get their start with the Lethbridge Dodgers.
Sustained success
It showed in the performance of the Lethbridge Dodgers on the field. They would win three Pioneer League championships in four years. Interestingly, those championship teams were all coached by the same manager, Gail Henley, who did not manage the team in the intervening year when they did not win.
It showed in the performance of the Lethbridge Dodgers on the field. They would win three Pioneer League championships in four years. Interestingly, those championship teams were all coached by the same manager, Gail Henley, who did not manage the team in the intervening year when they did not win.
The Lethbridge club was initially called the Lethbridge Expos and affiliated with the Montreal Expos of the National League for 1975 and 1976. Their biggest claim to fame was future hall of famer Andre Dawson who played in Lethbridge in 1975. It was cool because on the back of Dawson’s baseball card, it listed Lethbridge as one of his former teams. That was a thrill to read for a bunch of kids from Coaldale, which really wasn’t that far from Lehbridge. Also, I think my brother, who is 10 years older than me, may have seen the Lethbridge Expos play, but I could be mistaken.
The team affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977, and were an immediate success, winning the league championship in 1977, 1979, and 1980.
The players the thing
Even with all that success, I don’t recall any of the scores of any Lethbridge Dodger games I watched. What I remember is the players. There were some that stand out, and others that came to mind when I read the rosters of the team last night.
Even with all that success, I don’t recall any of the scores of any Lethbridge Dodger games I watched. What I remember is the players. There were some that stand out, and others that came to mind when I read the rosters of the team last night.
Super cool
The player I remember best was Rafael Montalvo. He played two years with the Dodgers, and he was the one who kicked us those balls under the fence. He also talked to us and he gave us several autographs.
The player I remember best was Rafael Montalvo. He played two years with the Dodgers, and he was the one who kicked us those balls under the fence. He also talked to us and he gave us several autographs.
Behind the plate
Montalvo’s catcher was named Gilberto Reyes, and he was there standing beside Rafael when he talked to us. He was the first player I saw live, playing for the Lethbridge Dodgers, then a few years later on TV playing with the Montreal Expos.
Montalvo’s catcher was named Gilberto Reyes, and he was there standing beside Rafael when he talked to us. He was the first player I saw live, playing for the Lethbridge Dodgers, then a few years later on TV playing with the Montreal Expos.
Pitching ace
The player I had heard about most, because he was the ace of the Dodgers pitching staff, was Rich Rodas. Wikipedia revealed he would win the triple crown in 1979, with 12 wins, a 1.12 earned run average, and 148 strikeouts, leading them to the Pioneer League championship. I was lucky enough to see Rich Rodas play in the very first game I ever saw at Henderson Stadium. I also started collecting baseball cards around that time and got one for Rick Rhoden, and thought it may be Rich Rodas.
The player I had heard about most, because he was the ace of the Dodgers pitching staff, was Rich Rodas. Wikipedia revealed he would win the triple crown in 1979, with 12 wins, a 1.12 earned run average, and 148 strikeouts, leading them to the Pioneer League championship. I was lucky enough to see Rich Rodas play in the very first game I ever saw at Henderson Stadium. I also started collecting baseball cards around that time and got one for Rick Rhoden, and thought it may be Rich Rodas.
Running the Gauntlett
Another player I had read a story about in the Lethbridge Herald, who was touted as a good prospect, was catcher Todd Gauntlett. I just loved the name even then. My cousin Carl and I saw him play, and both thought he wouldn’t be in Lethbridge long, likely called up to the next level or the next. He also painted the part of his glove around the pocket in orange neon so pitchers could pick it up easier.
Another player I had read a story about in the Lethbridge Herald, who was touted as a good prospect, was catcher Todd Gauntlett. I just loved the name even then. My cousin Carl and I saw him play, and both thought he wouldn’t be in Lethbridge long, likely called up to the next level or the next. He also painted the part of his glove around the pocket in orange neon so pitchers could pick it up easier.
Name game
Greg Brock played first base one year. When I heard his name announced, it reminded me of Greg Boras, a guy who was a couple years ahead of me in junior high and was a great baseball player. His team, Lakeside, had made it to the Canadian Little League Championship and the final was broadcast on CFCN Channel 13, so I actually got to see him play on TV. It was wild, seeing someone I actually knew on TV.
Greg Brock played first base one year. When I heard his name announced, it reminded me of Greg Boras, a guy who was a couple years ahead of me in junior high and was a great baseball player. His team, Lakeside, had made it to the Canadian Little League Championship and the final was broadcast on CFCN Channel 13, so I actually got to see him play on TV. It was wild, seeing someone I actually knew on TV.
Maple leaf forever
Something I noticed was the Dodgers didn’t have one Canadian on their roster. I scoured the program every time we went to a game, to see if there were any Canadians. Finally, I found one. His name was Bill Max – but he played third base for the Butte Copper Kings, not the Dodgers
Something I noticed was the Dodgers didn’t have one Canadian on their roster. I scoured the program every time we went to a game, to see if there were any Canadians. Finally, I found one. His name was Bill Max – but he played third base for the Butte Copper Kings, not the Dodgers
Programs
The Dodgers did what the Lethbridge Broncos hockey team did with their programs. They would have a glossy program they gave out all year, with a typewritten sheet with the rosters and game details for that particular game inserted.
The Dodgers did what the Lethbridge Broncos hockey team did with their programs. They would have a glossy program they gave out all year, with a typewritten sheet with the rosters and game details for that particular game inserted.
The 1982 program featured on its cover the four members of the 1981 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers who played in Lethbridge – Greg Brock; Steve Sax; Mike Marshall; and Candy Maldonado. I had seen Brock and Sax play, missed Marshall by a year, and never heard of Maldonado until he got to the Major Leagues.
The sad part about being a minor league team is that players could get called up any time, and they would just be gone. Sometimes, the program insert was printed before players were called up. The player I remember that happened to was a pitcher named Robert Kenyon. He was already out of town when the program hit our hands.
Promotion nights
The Dodgers, like every baseball team, ran a lot of promotions. One day, I came home from school and my Mom showed me this coupon. She had three actually. I could not believe my eyes. When she was shopping at Safeway, she saw a whole bin of them. They were coupons for free entry to a Dodgers game. That was so cool. I called my friend and neighbour Mike and invited him. His mom said, maybe some other time. I scoffed. There was no other time we would get free tickets. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun.
The Dodgers, like every baseball team, ran a lot of promotions. One day, I came home from school and my Mom showed me this coupon. She had three actually. I could not believe my eyes. When she was shopping at Safeway, she saw a whole bin of them. They were coupons for free entry to a Dodgers game. That was so cool. I called my friend and neighbour Mike and invited him. His mom said, maybe some other time. I scoffed. There was no other time we would get free tickets. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun.
The best promotion was Autograph Night. The Dodgers gave away free, miniature bats that we could get signed. I also brought my glove. I got Rafael Montalvo to sign my glove, and circled among the players the Dodgers made available to sign the bat. One autograph was from Jose “Joe” Ventura, who spoke very little English, and printed his name. Another was Brian Williams. He talked with a deep voice and a bit of an accent I could not understand. Another autograph seeker asked him where he was from. “Beggersville,” is what I thought I heard. I checked the program, and it was actually Bakersfield.
The coolest experience I had with a promotion was when we got the number in our program drawn for a prize. We went to the office and got a dinner for two to A&W. A few weeks later, my Mom and I went and cashed in that prize at the A&W which was then not far from Woodward’s in downtown Lethbridge.
1980 Dodgers
The players that roster I recently saw reminded me of were John Houston; Greg Smith; Mike Strawberry; Orlando DeLeon; and Robert Kenyon. This team also had Montalvo; Gauntlett; and Reyes.
The players that roster I recently saw reminded me of were John Houston; Greg Smith; Mike Strawberry; Orlando DeLeon; and Robert Kenyon. This team also had Montalvo; Gauntlett; and Reyes.
When I saw Darryl Strawberry make his debut for the New York Mets, I mistakenly thought it was Mike who I had seen with the Lethbridge Dodgers.
1981 Dodgers
The players the roster reminded me of were Jerry Bendorf; Ralph Bryant; Chris Chavez; Harold Perkins; Sid Fernandez; Jeff Moscaret; and Dean Rennicke. Montalvo; Reyes; Jose Ventura; and Brian Williams also played for this team.
The players the roster reminded me of were Jerry Bendorf; Ralph Bryant; Chris Chavez; Harold Perkins; Sid Fernandez; Jeff Moscaret; and Dean Rennicke. Montalvo; Reyes; Jose Ventura; and Brian Williams also played for this team.
I am pretty sure Moscaret and Bryant also signed my bat, and I do recall Ralph Bryant talking to us too, along with Montalvo and Reyes.
Fernandez would go on to a long major league career and play in the World Series with the New York Mets. I do remember seeing him pitch and he, like Rich Rodas, was dominant.
Perkins was the lead-off batter and I remember hearing if a base runner is running and gets hit by the ball when it’s hit, he’s out. Perkins was hit by a ground ball, and called out shortly after I had learned about that rule.
End of the line
The Lethbridge Dodgers played right through to the end of the 1983 season, after which two things happened. The Dodgers moved their affiliation to Great Falls and became the Great Falls Dodgers, and the team was bought by new owners. They were unsuccessful in convincing Lethbridge City Council to allow the sale of beer at the ball park, so they moved the team to Idaho to become the Pocatello Gems.
The Lethbridge Dodgers played right through to the end of the 1983 season, after which two things happened. The Dodgers moved their affiliation to Great Falls and became the Great Falls Dodgers, and the team was bought by new owners. They were unsuccessful in convincing Lethbridge City Council to allow the sale of beer at the ball park, so they moved the team to Idaho to become the Pocatello Gems.
Parting thoughts
It is amazing how many memories came back as I started thinking and writing about the Lethbridge Dodgers. Going to their games was more than just a sporting event, like when we went to Lethbridge Bronco hockey games.
It is amazing how many memories came back as I started thinking and writing about the Lethbridge Dodgers. Going to their games was more than just a sporting event, like when we went to Lethbridge Bronco hockey games.
Dodger games were an experience, creating all sorts of memories.
It is neat to think that some players I saw get their start in Lethbridge, such as Greg Brock, Steve Sax, and Sid Fernandez, I ended up seeing a few short years later on TV playing in the World Series.
That’s pretty magical for a baseball fan.
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