Spokane, WA - 12/29/08 - The Spokane Indians and their major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, announced that manager Tim Hulett, Sr., who led the Indians to the Northwest League Championship last season, will return to Spokane for the 2009 season. Jeff Andrews, who was the major league pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, will serve as the club's pitching coach. Former Texas Rangers player Jason Hart will assume coach duties in Spokane after assisting the Rangers former Midwest League affiliate, the Clinton LumberKings, last season.
With Hulett at the helm the last two seasons, the Indians have compiled an 87-68 record along with a NWL Championship in 2008. Hulett was also named Northwest League Manager of the year last season. A former first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox, Hulett has plenty of major league experience, playing in parts of 12 seasons with the White Sox, Orioles and Cardinals. Hulett appeared in 720 major league games, hitting .249 with 48 home runs and 220 RBI.
Andrews brings 23 years of experience as a pitching coach and coordinator in both the minor leagues and the majors. He began his coaching career as a minor league instructor with the Rangers in 1986 after pitching two years in the Chicago Cubs farm system.
Hart, a former Northwest League All-Star, began his minor league career in the Northwest League with the former Southern Oregon Timberjacks in 1998 after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round. After being traded to the Rangers in 2002, he made his major league debut the same year, appearing in 10 games. Hart remained in the Texas organization until 2006, except for a brief stint with Minnesota in 2005.
The Indians open the 2009 season June 20 against the Yakima Bears at Avista Stadium.
Ticket packages for the 2009 season are now on sale. Please contact the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or order online at www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com.
Spokane, WA - 11/04/08 - The Spokane Indians will begin quest of their Northwest League Championship on June 20, 2009, when they open the regular season at Avista Stadium with a three-game home stand against the Yakima Bears. The Indians will conclude the 2009 regular season on September 6, 2009, also at home against the Bears.
The Indians season will once again be highlighted with six Fireworks shows, four Yoke's $1 Family Feast Nights and a full line-up of family friendly promotions. A full promotional calendar for the 2009 season will be released in the spring.
Spokane will play 76 regular season games; 38 games at Avista Stadium and 38 on the road.
The complete schedule can be viewed here.
The Spokane Indians finished the 2008 season with a league leading 51 wins and capped off the wonderful season with a Northwest League Championship. It was the third championship for the Indians in the past six years, all of which have been with the Texas Rangers as Spokane's major league affiliate. The Indians 51 wins marked the second best record in the 26 years the Indians have played a short season schedule. The Indians also averaged 4,973 fans per game at Avista Stadium in 2008, the second highest attendance in the 105-year history of the franchise.
On top of that, numerous former Spokane Indians made their Major League debut with the Texas Rangers in 2008, including 2007 Spokane Indian Tommy Hunter.
Ticket packages for the 2009 season are now on sale. Please contact the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or order online at www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com. 2008 Mini-Season Ticket Holders that have yet to renew for the 2009 season, can do so now and receive bonus Upper Box Seats to Opening Night 2009! This offer ends on November 14th, so contact the Spokane Indians Ticket Office today.