10 REASONS

 
to LOVE

the RIVERCATS
 

(Story reprinted from the
Sacramento Bee, April 9, 2009) 

by Mark McDermott

1. THE FANS

After 24 years without professional baseball in the Sacramento region, the River Cats made their home debut (after 37 road games) on May 15, 2000, when 14,111 fans poured into Raley Field in West Sacramento. The park quickly became a summertime destination for fans and families. The River Cats drew a Pacific Coast League-record 861,808 fans in the inaugural season, an average of 12,517, and led all minor league teams in merchandise sales. One year later, they broke their PCL attendance mark with a season total of 901,214 fans, who witnessed the first of eight South Division titles. In the first nine seasons, the River Cats have led all minor league teams in average attendance. More than seven million fans have watched the River Cats win two Bricktown Showdowns (PCL vs. International League) and four PCL championships.

2. ART SAVAGE, OWNER

Savage, a former Sharks executive, returned baseball to a region starving for pro baseball. Savage bought the Triple-A Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadians, moved them south and created the River Cats. Raley Field required him to navigate the political system and secure $40 million in private financing. For his efforts in 2000, Savage was named the Sporting News Minor League Executive of the Year and Sacramento Businessman of the Year. The following season, he was named the PCL Executive of the Year. Sadly, he passed away in November of 2009.

3. ALAN LEDFORD, TEAM EXECUTIVE

Ledford's front-office leadership has helped pave the way for the River Cats to become one of minor league baseball's most successful franchises on and off the field. He officially joined the front office as president and chief operating officer in 2003 after working behind the scenes as a consultant to Savage from the start. One year after adding general manager to his responsibilities, Ledford was honored by Baseball America as the Minor League Executive of the Year in 2006.

4. TONY ASARO, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Asaro took the River Cats beyond the confines of Raley Field and into the community. Reaching out to the elementary, middle and high schools, he speaks to more than 100,000 students each year. Under his guidance, the River Cats have set up a curriculum in which baseball helps schools meet educational goals. Asaro also speaks at youth sporting events or the Lions, Rotary or Soroptimist clubs, to name a few.

5. TONY DEFRANCESCO, MANAGER 2003-2007 and 2009-

DeFrancesco won five Southern Division titles, three PCL championships and one Bricktown Showdown. Promoted to the A's following the 2007 season, DeFrancesco was back with the River Cats for the 2009 season. He has compiled a 499-364 record with the River Cats.

6. AWARD WINNERS

While winning the 2003 PCL Championship, the River Cats swept the regular-season individual awards: MVP - First baseman Graham Koonce (.277, 34 HR, 115 RBIs). Pitcher of the Year - Justin Duchscherer (14-2, 3.25 ERA). Rookie of the Year - Shortstop Bobby Crosby (.308, 22 HR, 90 RBIs).  Manager of the Year - DeFrancesco (92-52).

7. DINGER, TEAM MASCOT                                                                  

This non-speaking, furry creature is the most recognizable face at Raley Field. While players come and go, Dinger is the one constant every season. Whether Dinger is interacting with the fans during a game or visiting children in hospitals during the day, fans young and old love that cat. He often can be seen at Opening Day of youth softball and baseball leagues and local charity events.

8. WARREN SMITH AND BOB HEMOND, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS

This dynamic duo had a huge impact on baseball returning to the Sacramento area. Smith was responsible for acquiring the land for Raley Field, and Hemond persuaded PCL President Branch Rickey to seriously consider West Sacramento as a home for a Triple-A baseball team. Smith and Hemond have overseen the strategic planning and overall direction of the organization and have been critical factors in the philanthropic endeavors of the franchise. Smith left the organization at the end of the 2008 season.

9. JOHNNY DOSKOW, RADIO BROADCASTER

Doskow has been the radio voice of the River Cats since 2001. He approaches his job with intensity and self-evaluation, and takes a simple, straightforward approach to each broadcast. His special knack of creating a picture for fans makes the game easy to follow. On April 5, 2008, he aired his 1,000th River Cats game.

There have been many, such as Eric Byrnes, Mario Encarnacion and Mike Lockwood. Byrnes
(2000-02) was raw and reckless. His Pete Rose-type hustle was contagious and entertaining, although his outfield play sometimes was adventurous. Encarnacion (2000-01) was a top-10 prospect and literally one of the more colorful River Cats. He dyed his hair regularly—red one week, green the next—and loved to show off his arm from right field. Before being traded to the Colorado Rockies, he hit .275 with 25 home runs in 487 at-bats as a River Cat. Unfortunately, Encarnacion died in 2005 of a heart attack in his Danshuei, Taiwan, home. Lockwood (2000, 2003-04) came up short on big-league talent but not on fan appeal. The outfielder never denied a fan an autograph, staying long into the night.