Don’t Forget About The Tacoma Rainers

Just off of I-5, a little southwest of Tacoma is a hidden gem. No I’m not talking about the Taj Mahal or another Indian casino monstrosity, all neon and packed with cars.

I’m talking about Cheney Stadium. Hey, this is a sports column, what did you think I would be talking about? Cheney Stadium (officially called Who Knows What) holds dear, fond memories for me. Like most people I was guilty of not going to see the Mariners AAA team the Tacoma Rainiers. I never even gave them a second thought until 2001, when a star Mariner (sorry can’t remember who, I think it was Jay Buhner) was rehabbing there. I went to my first game at Cheney Stadium when I was 41 years old, and nothing was ever the same again.

A little background: Tacoma has been a member of the Pacific Coast League continuously since 1960. In fact, Tacoma is the only team in the PCL that has been in the league every year since 1960. Tacoma was also in the league for the 1904-1905 seasons.

Tacoma has been affiliated with seven major league teams since 1960. Only their affiliation with Oakland (14 seasons) has lasted longer than the current affiliation with the Mariners (the 2012 season is the 18^th season of said affiliation.

Here is a list of their other affiliations:

1960-1965 Tacoma Giants

1966-1971 Tacoma Cubs

1972-1977 Tacoma Twins

1978 Tacoma Yankees (this one still makes me sick)

1979 Tacoma Tugs & 1980 Tacoma Tigers

1981-1994 Tacoma Tigers

1995 to current Tacoma Rainiers

One of the best parts of going to see the Rainiers is getting to watch upcoming stars get their introduction to MLB. Felix Hernandez was but one of the players I saw pitch from a mere 60’ away. Just before the Mariners called him up, he was dominating over AAA hitters and would make them look bad.

Rehab assignments are fun also. The afore mentioned Jay Buhner and Kazahiro Suzaki are just two of the players I saw.

Two years ago. the Rainiers were sold and Cheney Stadium underwent a complete remodeling. While it is my opinion that the jury is still out on the new ballpark and new ownership, that hasn’t dampened baseball in Tacoma as the R’s kick off the 2012 season.

The Rainiers kick off their 2012 campaign with the club’s home opener on Thursday, April 5, as they take on the Salt Lake Bees at 7:05 p.m., with special opening day fireworks immediately following the conclusion of the game. The contest opens an eight-game home stand featuring series against the division-rival Bees, April 5-8, and Colorado Springs Sky Sox, April 9-12.

A total of 30 weekend dates highlight a home slate that includes 10 Friday Night Fireworks and 11 Tasty Thursdays, devoted to offering fans deals on beer, soda and other concessions throughout the ballpark.

At 72 home games, this is the biggest year in Rainier’s history.

So if you find yourself in Tacoma this summer, catch an R’s game. A good time is had by all. More food and variety than you can shake a stick at. Dirt cheap prices, awesome seats, great Northwest microbeers, contests, kids games etc, there is something for everyone. And if you’re like me, you’ll have a huge smile on your face the whole time.

Play Ball.