Las Vegas 51's Baseball Team

Las Vegas Triple-A baseball, of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), has provided exciting family entertainment to the city for three decades (1983-2009). Initiating professional baseball in Cashman Field, a crowd of 13,878 fans jammed the stadium on April 1, 1983, for a Major League exhibition game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. PCL baseball was born in Las Vegas on April 10, 1983, before a crowd of 10,622. The then-Stars, in their brown, gold and burnt orange uniforms,…

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Las Vegas Triple-A baseball, of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), has provided exciting family entertainment to the city for three decades (1983-2009). Initiating professional baseball in Cashman Field, a crowd of 13,878 fans jammed the stadium on April 1, 1983, for a Major League exhibition game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. PCL baseball was born in Las Vegas on April 10, 1983, before a crowd of 10,622. The then-Stars, in their brown, gold and burnt orange uniforms, defeated Salt Lake City, 11-8. Las Vegas, under manager Harry Dunlop, posted a regular season 83-60 record, the team's best mark which stood for 19 seasons until the 2002 51s broke the all-time record of 85-59 (.590). Outfielder Kevin McReynolds, the 1983 PCL MVP, set the tone for the caliber of players, which would appear yearly in the talent laden PCL. Manager Larry Bowa guided the Stars to their first PCL crown in 1986 with an 80-62 record and Steve Smith led Las Vegas to its second PCL title in 1988. The 1983 Stars team were inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame on June 8, 2007.

The Las Vegas franchise established a player development agreement with the San Diego Padres for the first 18 years of the team's existence (1983-2000). In 2001, Las Vegas announced a new player development agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise rich in tradition. The Dodgers spent eight seasons in Las Vegas (2001-08) and many of their top prospects played with the 51s. Las Vegas, on Sept. 22, 2008, announced a new two-year Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 2010 season will mark the 51s' second season as the top farm club of the Blue Jays.

In addition to Triple-A baseball, Cashman Field is home to at least one Major League Baseball Spring Training game annually. The Los Angeles Dodgers made three straight Cashman Field appearances from 2001-03 and returned in 2006. In 2005, the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners played two games to celebrate the Las Vegas Centennial (1905-2005). In 1996, the Oakland A's called Cashman Field home for the first six games of the regular season due to construction delays in their home stadium. The games marked the first time ever that a Major League Baseball season opener was held at a minor league park. Cashman Field was also home to the Triple-A World Series from 1998-2000, and has hosted numerous concerts and other non-sporting events. Categories:   Leagues and Clubs | Team Sports | Event Planning

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