Inland Empire 66ers
The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a minor league baseball team in San Bernardino, California. They are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play in the California League. The 66ers play home games at San Manuel Stadium.
Franchise history
The 66ers began when the Salinas Spurs moved to San Bernardino and bought the name of the San Bernardino Spirit from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes who had just left town. The team was bought by Elmore Sports Group soon afterwards. The team originally played at Fiscalini Field until 1996 when the team moved to San Bernardino Stadium, nicknamed "The Ranch" in concert with the team's new name, the San Bernardino Stampede.Later, the stadium was re-christened San Manuel Stadium sponsored by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians with their casino.
The team name was later changed to the team's current name, the Inland Empire 66ers, taken from the historic U. S. Route 66 that ran through San Bernardino.
In September 2006, the 66ers announced they were renewing its affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning in the 2007 season. That affiliation would last through the end of the 2010 season.
In September 2010, the 66ers agreed to a two-year affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels to be the MLB club's minor league "High A" ball affiliate.
The team was once unique for having a National Public Radio affiliate, KVCR-FM, as the station that broadcast its games on radio. However, in 2008 the team changed its station to commercial talk station KCAA.
Year-by-year record
- San Bernardino Spirit
- San Bernardino Stampede
- Inland Empire 66ers
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
1993 | 62–74 | 7th | Greg Mahlberg | — |
1994 | 48–88 | 9th | Greg Mahlberg | — |
1995 | 84–54 | 1st | Ron Roenicke | League Champions |
1996 | 70–70 | 7th | Del Crandall | — |
1997 | 68–72 | 7th | Del Crandall / Dino Ebel | Lost League Finals |
1998 | 55–85 | 9th | Mickey Hatcher / Joe Vavra / Tim Wallach | — |
1999 | 80–61 | 2nd | Rick Burleson | League Champions |
2000 | 77–63 | 4th | Dino Ebel | League Champions |
2001 | 76–64 | 3rd | Daren Brown | Lost in 1st round |
2002 | 77–63 | 3rd | Daren Brown | Lost in 2nd round |
2003 | 78–62 | 2nd | Steve Roadcap | League Champions |
2004 | 77–63 | 3rd | Daren Brown | Lost in 2nd round |
2005 | 58–82 | 9th | Daren Brown | — |
2006 | 72–68 | 5th | Gary Thurman | League Champions |
2007 | 72–67 | 3rd | Dave Collins | Lost in 1st round |
2008 | 68–73 | 3rd | John Valentin | Lost in 1st round |
2009 | 59–81 | 4th | Carlos Subero | |
2010 | 50–90 | 5th | Jeff Carter | |
2011 | 69-71 | 5th | Tom Gamboa | |
2012 | 66-74 | 5th | Bill Haselman | |
2013 | 69-71 | 5th | Bill Haselman | League Champions |
2014 | 62-78 | 5th | Denny Hocking | Lost in 2nd round |
2015 | 61-79 | 4th | Denny Hocking | |
2016 | 48-92 | 5th | Chad Tracy |
Roster
Notable alumni
Hall of Fame alumni- Ken Griffey, Jr. Inducted, 2016
- Adrián Beltré 4 x MLB All-Star
- Zach Borenstein
- Dave Burba
- Asdrúbal Cabrera 2 x MLB All-Star
- Tom Candiotti
- Shin-Soo Choo
- Jeff Cirillo 2 x MLB All-Star
- Del Crandall 11 x MLB All-Star
- Rich Dauer MLB All-Star
- Ivan DeJesus
- Rafael Furcal 3 x MLB All-Star; 2000 NL Rookie of the Year
- Mark Grudzielanek MLB All-Star
- Kenley Jansen 2 x MLB All-Star
- Mike Hampton 2 x MLB All-Star
- Mark Harmon
- Matt Herges
- Félix Hernández
- Orel Hershiser 1988 World Series Most Valuable Player; 1988 NL Cy Young Award
- Todd Hollandsworth 1996 NL Rookie of the Year
- Eric Karros N1992 L Rookie of the Year
- Paul Konerko 6 x MLB All-Star
- Ted Lilly 2 x MLB All-Star
- Brandon Morrow
- Gregg Olson MLB All Star; 1989 NL Rookie of the Year
- Scott Radinsky
- Rene Rivera
- David Ross
- Carlos Santana
- Bill Swift 1992 NL ERA Leader
- Luis Valbuena
- Ismael Valdez
- Omar Vizquel 11 x Gold Glove; 3 x MLB All-Star
- Tim Wallach 5 x MLB All-Star
- Devon White 7 x Gold Glove; 3 x MLB All-Star
- Terry Whitfield
- C.J. Wilson 2 x MLB All-Star
- Steve Yeager, coach