NWL1 Eugene Emeralds

Eugene Emeralds Stripped of 2018 NWL Championship

Published on April 1, 2019 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Eugene Emeralds News Release


EUGENE, OR - In a shocking and saddening announcement to the Eugene community, Minor League Baseball and the Northwest League declared that the Emeralds' 2018 Northwest League Championship has been rescinded, effective immediately. The Spokane Indians and Hillsboro Hops have been declared as Co-Champions, given that neither team could muster a victory against the Emeralds in the 2018 postseason.

President Mike Ellis revealed the news to Eugene General Manager Allan Benavides on Monday, citing the Fair Play Clause in the bylines of the Minor League Baseball Handbook.

"After careful examination, it has been determined that our sport would be viewed as a farce if we continued to recognize the Ems as 2018 NWL Champions," said Mike Ellis, defiantly. "After all, they did own the league's worst overall record, and then subsequently clinched the championship on a walk-off balk. Absurd."

While there is nothing specifically in the MiLB Handbook that states a team with the league's worst overall record cannot win a championship, individual leagues do have the right to create their own playoff structure to help 'best determine a deserving league champion.' Under this terminology, the Northwest League and Minor League Baseball passionately felt that Eugene was not 'deserving' as owners of the worst overall record, and struck down their announcement.

"Really?" 2018 Emeralds' Manager Steve Lerud inquisitively asked when he was informed of the matter, shrugging his shoulders and trying to brush off the ruling. "What else am I supposed to do, I mean, really?"

Fans in Hillsboro flooded social media channels once news of the announcement broke, many filming themselves celebrating by busting open a piñata in Sluggo's likeness, the Emeralds' mascot, as they had done towards the end of 2018 regular season. The Hops' front office also erected their inflatable Barley statue beyond the right field fence at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro, in remembrance of the lost Battle of Inflatable Mascots in Game 2 of the 2018 Northwest League Semi-Finals.

The Eugene Emeralds are already looking ahead to the 2019 season, as they were already gifted their championship rings for 2018 and are generally unconcerned with the news. And by the way, they look spectacular.

The Eugene Emeralds are the short-season Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Ems won their 2nd NWL Championship in the past three seasons in 2018, defeating the Spokane Indians 3 games to none. The Eugene Emeralds are dedicated to providing the best in family entertainment and won the Larry MacPhail Award in 2018, awarded to the club with the top promotional efforts in all of Minor League Baseball. For more information, please visit our website at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or call the Emeralds front office at 541-342-5367.

Check out the Eugene Emeralds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Northwest League Stories from April 1, 2019


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.

OurSports Central