Portland, Oregon. 1973. Welcome to the Mavericks.
Freedom, poetry, beer, and “love of the game”…
1972, at a time when independent teams had disappeared, when minor leagues (A-AA-AAA) were all franchised, the Portland Beavers (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League left the city to become the Spokane Indians. Attendance was poor and baseball in the 1970s was in crisis. It was enough for Bing Russel (1926-2003), a former minor league player, to turn his back on his other career, that of a television actor (Bonanza…). He was a brilliant and driven spirit who shared with his son Kurt a love for baseball. He felt the need at that time to revive something buried within him: baseball. But how? The forty-year-old spent part of his childhood traveling with the Yankees, notably alongside the famous « Lefty Gomez, » who frequented the same aviation club as his father. And he knew that the « national pastime » could still allow him to animate his entrepreneurial spirit. As an owner, Russell, a bit of a provocateur and a fervent innovator, hired the first female general manager in professional baseball for his organization. Russell’s motto in life was a three-letter word: « fun. » And there would be plenty of it! The Portland Mavericks (Class A – short season) were affiliated with the Northwest League in complete independence. The pyramidal system of « pro » leagues functions like a company, an octopus with infinite connections and a single decision-making power at the top. In America, a company like this has almost no one to answer to. These Mavericks were about to open Pandora’s box. The return of independent baseball.
Beloved independence… No-hitter and dog… and brooms… and left-handed catcher… beer and brawls.
In 1973, players were paid $300 or $400 per month. This was the lowest level of professional baseball. But they wouldn’t be forced to shave their beards… To make ends meet, they could work a few nights at one of the bars owned by the manager. The open tryouts for the team at the beginning of June 1973 attracted 150 players looking for a second chance. From the very serious to the most original, they came from everywhere! Marginalized by the recruitment system, old-timers still good enough for the minors (most of them over thirty), youngsters not quite good enough for the majors… Including one who had hitchhiked across the country from Tennessee: Hank Robinson. A longtime star of the minor leagues, he led the Mavericks to a 45-35 record and a South Division title in their first season in 1973. But… Suspended for a year after hitting an umpire. Original! Among the team’s quirks, their first match was a no-hitter! An uninhibited black dog roamed the field if the warm-up was too long, one of the catchers was left-handed, a bouncer in his spare time, and he also owned a bar « downtown »… A bit of bad taste when Joe Garza put on a show with a broom in his hand on the dugout to signify that the opponents were lagging behind and could try to win a victory elsewhere… The fans ended up imitating him and came in droves with their brooms in case of a big win… In 1973, the Mavericks spirit was born. Professional baseball off the beaten path, a team made up of the best of the forgotten.
To be continued in the next article! Greetings to all from every point on the diamond!
Vincent Picard
