After Seven Mac-Fails, Ems Finally Win Larry MacPhail Award
October 25, 2018 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Eugene Emeralds News Release
EUGENE, OR - Today, the Bad News Ems bring good news as they add another first to their history, receiving the Larry MacPhail Award, symbolizing the team with the top promotional effort in all of Minor League Baseball.
The award has been presented since 1966 and is named after Hall of Famer Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr., who introduced innovations such as night baseball, airplane travel, pension plans and batting helmets. Only one team in all of Minor League Baseball receives this award each year, spanning over 160 teams in total, in recognition of the most tremendous and unique promotional and community efforts. This includes all levels of MiLB, from Triple-A to Rookie ball, from Pawtucket to San Jose. The Ems are just the 6th short-season club to receive the MacPhail Award since its inception over 50 years ago, as over 60% of previous winners have been from the Double-A level and above. The Emeralds will receive their award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"The Larry MacPhail Award is the most sought after achievement in Minor League Baseball. We are so proud of the Ems and the great staff led by Allan Benavides," said D.G. Elmore of the Elmore Sports Group. "Winning this award is not just an award for the Emeralds and the Elmore Sports Group, but also for what is possible in a smaller market and short season baseball through creative thinking and hard work."
The Ems are the first Northwest League team to ever win the Larry MacPhail Award, earning the prestigious honor after 8 straight nominations from the Northwest League. Over the last eight years, the Emeralds have won Golden Bobbleheads for Best Charity Promotion or Event (2011), Best In-Game Promotion or Event (2014) and Best Community Promotion or Event (2016 - also won the Best Overall Promotion Award).
"We are so honored to be the first Northwest League team to win this award, as this league has some of the best operators and owners in all of Minor League Baseball, and after being nominated for several years, to finally win the award is just tremendous," said Benavides. "Our staff works tirelessly year-round to keep our brand top of mind and our fun, and sometimes experimental, promotions would not be possible without all the fun and creative colleagues we have in this industry whom we continue to learn from each and every year."
The Ems pride themselves on providing an unmatched entertainment experience at PK Park, filled with unique theme nights, sought-after giveaways, and plenty of efforts to better the local Eugene-Springfield community. With plenty of classic nights such as Star Wars and Princess Night, new escapades like a Superhero Cape Beach Towel giveaway and Arm Wrestling Night, each game at PK Park promises an incredibly unique adventure.
The Eugene Emeralds are the short-season Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For the third consecutive season, the Ems reached the NWL Championship Series, defeating the Spokane Indians 3 games to 1 for their 2nd championship in 3 years. The Eugene Emeralds are dedicated to providing the best in family entertainment and received the Northwest League's nomination for the Larry MacPhail Award for an eighth consecutive year in 2018. For more information, please visit our website at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or call the Emeralds front office at 541-342-5367.
• Discuss this story on the Northwest League message board...
Northwest League Stories from October 25, 2018
- Everett AquaSox Announce 2019 Schedule - Everett AquaSox
- Minor League Baseball Announces Winner of Larry MacPhail Promotional Award - NWL1
- After Seven Mac-Fails, Ems Finally Win Larry MacPhail Award - Eugene Emeralds
- Canadians Announce 2019 Early Bird Schedule - Vancouver Canadians
- Spokane Indians Announce 2019 Season Schedule - Spokane Indians
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
