Billings Mustangs

The Billings Mustangs are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Billings, Montana, and have played their home games at Dehler Park since 2008. The previously played at Cobb Field.

Billings Mustangs
Founded in 1948
Billings, Montana
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent (from 2021)
Previous classesRookie Advanced (1948–1963, 1969–2020)
LeaguePioneer League (1948–1963, 1969–present)
DivisionNorthern Division
Major league affiliations
TeamIndependent (from 2021)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (15)
  • 1950
  • 1957
  • 1959
  • 1962
  • 1972
  • 1973
  • 1978
  • 1983
  • 1992
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1997
  • 2001
  • 2003
  • 2014
Division titles (10)
  • 1980
  • 1983
  • 1984
  • 1992
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1997
  • 1999
  • 2001
  • 2003
Team data
NameBillings Mustangs (1948–1963, 1969–present)
MascotHomer
BallparkDehler Park (2008–present)
Previous parks
Cobb Field (1948-1963, 1969-2007)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Main Street Baseball[1]
General ManagerGary Roller
ManagerTBD

The Mustangs joined the Pioneer League in 1948 and, with the exception of a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, have been members ever since. The league was affiliated with MLB teams until 2020, when it was reorganized as an independent league. Prior to this, the Mustangs had affiliations with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1949–1951), Pittsburgh Pirates (1952–1956), St. Louis Cardinals (1957–1963), Seattle Pilots (1969), Kansas City Royals (1970–1973), and Cincinnati Reds (1974–2020).

The Mustangs won three consecutive Pioneer League championships from 1992 to 1994, then won another in 1997. In 2003, Billings swept the Provo Angels in the championship series, winning two games to none. Billings, the last team to qualify for the postseason, won game one at Provo 8–5 in 11 innings, then, Billings won 3–0 on a no-hitter by James Paduch to win the championship in front of a sold-out Cobb Field in Billings. The game was a pitchers' duel between two of the top pitchers in the league (Provo's being 2003 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Abel Moreno). In 2006, Chris Valaika set a Pioneer League record with a 32-game hitting streak during the Mustangs 51-win campaign.

Many major league stars have begun their pro careers in Billings. These include George Brett, Reggie Sanders, Paul O'Neill, Trevor Hoffman, Keith Lockhart, Danny Tartabull, Ben Broussard, Scott Sullivan, Aaron Boone, Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, and B. J. Ryan.

After years of award-winning work in the front office, Assistant General Manager Gary Roller was promoted to General Manager for the 2005 season. Roller took over for long time GM and Mustangs Hall-of-Famer Bob Wilson. Matt Bender, who formerly handled the duties of Official Scorer, took over the vacated Assistant General Manager position.

Dehler Park (and before at Cobb Field) is renowned in the Pioneer League for the "Beer Batter" tradition. Every game the Mustangs Beer Boosters designate one player as the "Beer Batter." If that player gets a hit, attendees can buy four beers for $10. Many eager buyers stand at the stairs anticipating a hit and the oncoming rush of people.

The Billings Mustangs changed their logo for the 2006 season. The 2007 season was their last at Cobb Field and the Mustangs begin the 2008 season at Dehler Park. On September 11, 2014, the Mustangs defeated the Orem Owlz for their first Pioneer League Championship since the 2003 season. After the 2014 season The team introduced its new ownership group at a December 5 in a press conference at Dehler Park.[2]

In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League was converted to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Billings continuing as members.[3]

Playoffs

  • 1978: Defeated Idaho Falls 2–0 to win league championship
  • 1980: Lost to Lethbridge 2–1 in finals.
  • 1983: Defeated Calgary 3–1 to win league championship.
  • 1984: Lost to Helena 3–1 in finals.
  • 1992: Defeated Salt Lake 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 1993: Defeated Helena 3–2 to win league championship.
  • 1994: Defeated Helena 2–1 to win league championship.
  • 1997: Defeated Great Falls 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 1999: Lost to Missoula 2–0 in finals.
  • 2001: Defeated Provo 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 2003: Defeated Provo 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 2014: Defeated Great Falls 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Orem 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 2015: Lost to Missoula 2–1 in semifinals.
  • 2016: Defeated Great Falls 2–0 in semifinals; lost to Orem 2–0 in finals.
  • 2018: Lost to Great Falls 2–1 in semifinals.

Roster

Billings Mustangs roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 15 Frainger Aranguren
  • 47 Alec Byrd
  • 21 Manuel Cachutt
  • 34 Carlos Carreno
  • 24 Omar Conoropo
  • 64 Noah Davis
  • 37 Ryan Dunne
  • 36 Alberto Gonzalez
  • 30 Ricky Karcher
  • 51 Ian Koch
  • 14 Justin McGregor
  • 18 Miguel Medrano
  • 45 Jeffry Nino
  • 43 Francis Peguero
  • 59 Patrick Raby
  • 61 Orlando Rodriguez
  • 32 Jose Salvador
  • 16 Johnnie Schneider
  • 54 Jake Stevenson

Catchers

  • 63 James Free
  • 46 Valentin Martinez
  • 25 Eric Yang

Infielders

  • 13 Ranser Amador
  •  8 Tyler Callihan
  •  9 Cash Case
  • 19 Quincy McAfee
  • 17 Reyny Reyes
  • 26 Victor Ruiz
  • 11 Leonardo Seminati
  •  4 Caleb Van Blake
  •  5 Jonathan Willems
  • 38 Garrett Wolforth

Outfielders

  •  6 Quin Cotton
  • 40 TJ Hopkins
  • 23 Reniel Ozuna
  • -- Nate Scantlin
  • 52 Edwin Yon

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Foster Herrmann (pitching)
  • -- Julio Morillo (bench)
  • -- Jordan Stouffer (hitting)


7-day injured list
* On Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated February 16, 2020
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB  Pioneer League
Cincinnati Reds minor league players

Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

1951
Larry Shepard (Player-Manager)
1955
Bennie Daniels, Dick Stuart
1957
Chris Cannizzaro
1958
Jim Hickman
1969
Gorman Thomas
1970
Al Cowens, Jim Wohlford
1971
Mark Littell
1972
Jamie Quirk
1973
Ruppert Jones, Bob McClure, Rodney Scott
1974
Ron Oester, Harry Spilman
1975
Larry Rothschild
1976
Eddie Milner
1977
Tom Foley
1978
Skeeter Barnes, Nick Esasky, Gary Redus
1980
Dave Miley, Danny Tartabull
1982
Tom Browning, Kal Daniels
1983
Gary Denbo, Rob Dibble, Lenny Harris, Joe Oliver, Kurt Stillwell
1986
Keith Lockhart
1987
Jack Armstrong, Butch Henry, Reggie Jefferson, Ed Taubensee
1988
Reggie Sanders, Jerry Spradlin
1989
Trevor Hoffman
1992
Chad Mottola, Eric Owens
1993
Paul Bako, Chris Sexton, Scott Sullivan
1994
Aaron Boone
1995
Ray King, Jason LaRue, John Riedling
1996
Lance Davis
1997
Gookie Dawkins, Donnie Scott (Manager), Scott Williamson, DeWayne Wise
1998
Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, B. J. Ryan
1999
Ben Broussard, Scott Dunn, John Koronka, Brad Salmon
2000
Russ Nixon (Manager), Randy Ruiz
2001
Todd Coffey, Edwin Encarnación, Ted Power (Pitching Coach)
2002
William Bergolla
2003
Rick Burleson (Manager), Chris Dickerson, Miguel Perez, Joey Votto
2004
Paul Janish, Chris Sabo (Hitting Coach), Craig Tatum
2005
Jay Bruce, Carlos Fisher, Sam LeCure, Adam Rosales, Jeff Stevens, Travis Wood
2006
Danny Dorn, Juan Francisco, Chris Heisey, Marcos Mateo, Logan Ondrusek, Denis Phipps, Josh Roenicke, Jordan Smith, Drew Stubbs, Justin Turner, Chris Valaika
2007
Scott Carroll, Enerio Del Rosario, Todd Frazier, Jeremy Horst, Curtis Partch
2008
Justin Freeman, Josh Ravin, Miguel Rojas, Dave Sappelt, Neftali Soto
2009
Daniel Corcino, Didi Gregorius, Donnie Joseph
2010
Tucker Barnhart, Billy Hamilton, Yorman Rodriguez
2011
Tony Cingrani, Carlos Contreras, Steve Selsky, Kyle Waldrop
2012
Amir Garrett, Jon Moscot, Sal Romano, Robert Stephenson, Jesse Winker
2013
Layne Somsen, Zack Weiss, Daniel Wright

References

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