Inland Empire 66ers

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Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2022–present)
Previous classes
LeagueCalifornia League (2022–present)
ConferenceSouth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamLos Angeles Angels (2011–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1995
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2003
  • 2006
  • 2013
Second-half titles (2)
  • 2022
  • 2023
Team data
NameInland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino (2003–present)
Previous names
  • San Bernardino Stampede (1996–2002)
  • San Bernardino Spirit (1987–1995)
MascotBernie
BallparkSan Manuel Stadium
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Diamond Baseball Holdings
General managerJoe Hudson
ManagerDave Stapleton

The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium.

Franchise history[edit]

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.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the 66ers were organized into the Low-A West.[1] They retained their affiliation with the Angels.[2] In 2022, the Low-A West became known as the California League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[3]

On March 27, 2024, the club announced that Diamond Baseball Holdings had acquired ownership of the club.[4]

Season-by-season records[edit]

  • San Bernardino Spirit (1993–1995)
  • San Bernardino Stampede (1996–2002)
  • Inland Empire 66ers (2003–present)
Season 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[edit]

Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 26 Mason Albright
  • 37 Alan Carter
  • 23 Michael Darrell-Hicks
  • 12 Sadrac Franco
  • 32 Leonard Garcia
  • 31 Max Gieg
  • 36 Jenrry Gonzalez
  • 20 Fernando Guanare
  • 33 Mo Hanley
  • 31 Nick Horvath ~
  • 44 Joel Hurtado
  • 25 Ryan Langford
  • 10 Jake Madden
  • 38 Jorge Marcheco
  • 18 Quinton Martinez
  • 60 Andrew Peters
  • 40 Dylan Phillips
  •  9 Jared Southard
  • 39 Walbert Urena

Catchers

  • 28 Ronaldo Flores
  • 19 Yeremi Villahermosa
  • 17 Kevin Watson Jr.

Infielders

  •  2 Jeremy Arocho
  • 95 Jose Bonilla ~
  • 21 Matt Coutney
  •  1 Starlin Gill
  • 15 Ben Gobbel
  •  6 Denzer Guzman
  •  4 Johan Macias
  •  3 Christian Sepulveda
  • 15 Cam Williams

Outfielders

  • 13 Mason Holt
  • 27 Mike Peabody
  •  5 Nelson Rada
  • -- Jose Reyes ~
  • 16 Jorge Ruiz
  •  8 Jadiel Sanchez
  • -- Natanael Santana


Manager

Coaches

60-day injured list

  • -- Erik Rivera

7-day injured list
* On Los Angeles Angels 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated February 19, 2024
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • California League
Los Angeles Angels minor league players

Notable alumni[edit]

Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

  • Rafael Furcal (2007, 2010) 3 x MLB All-Star; 2000 NL Rookie of the Year
  • Orel Hershiser (2000) 1988 World Series Most Valuable Player; 1988 NL Cy Young Award

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Angels extend affiliation invites for 2021". Minor League Baseball. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Inland Empire 66ers Welcome New Owners Diamond Baseball Holdings". 66ers.com. March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.

External links[edit]