Portland Mavericks

The Portland Mavericks were a minor league baseball team in Portland, Oregon, USA. They were a Class A team in the Northwest League from 1973 to 1977. The Mavericks were established after the Portland Beavers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League moved to Spokane, Washington, USA.

Related Topics:
Minor league baseball - Portland, Oregon - USA - Northwest League - 1973 - 1977 - Portland Beavers - Pacific Coast League - Spokane, Washington

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The five-season history of the Mavericks was memorable in many aspects. They were the first minor league team in many years to operate without being affililated with a major league team. Instead, the Mavericks signed players who had been dropped or passed over by the farm systems of the major league clubs. The Mavericks were owned by actor Bing Russell who imprinted his colorful style and personality on the team. Russell had little regard for the conventions of organized baseball. He employed the first female general manager in the history of the game. Kurt Russell, Bing's son who is best known for his own acting career, had two brief stints as a player with the Mavericks. Another notable figure in the history of the Mavericks was player-manager Frank Peters, known as "The Flake." Peters once got into an argument with an umpire in a game at Seattle and stole first base--literally. He took the bag back to his hotel room.

Related Topics:
Bing Russell - Kurt Russell - Frank Peters

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In 1975, former major league pitcher Jim Bouton made a comeback with the Mavericks, after having been out of baseball since retiring in 1970. Bouton pitched for the Mavericks again in 1977, eventually making it back to the majors with the Atlanta Braves the following year. Bouton collaborated with another Mavericks pitcher, Rob Nelson, to develop Big League Chew, a shredded chewing gum product.

Related Topics:
1975 - Jim Bouton - 1970 - 1977 - Atlanta Braves - Rob Nelson - Big League Chew

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The Mavericks played home games at what was then known as Civic Stadium. The Mavericks departed when Portland returned to the Pacific Coast League in 1978, but their legacy endured, and helped inspire the establishment of several independent minor leagues beginning in the 1990s, including the Northern League.

Related Topics:
Civic Stadium - Northern League

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