Black History Month: Top Players During OKC’s Indians/89ers Era (Part 2)

In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are honoring some of the best Black players in their respective histories.

This is the final installment of a three-part series tracing through Oklahoma City’s baseball history. Previous installments covered the Bricktown era and the Indians/89ers era between the 1950s through the mid-1960s. The final chapter covers the 89ers from the late-1960s through 1990s.

Players were selected based on a combination of individual season and career achievements while playing for Oklahoma City, as well as their Major League careers. They are presented below in chronological order.

Bob Watson (Provided provided by the Oklahoma City Dodgers archives)

Bob Watson (Outfielder/First Baseman; 1967-69)

Although Watson made his Major League debut with Houston in 1966 with a one-game, one-plate appearance cameo, he spent parts of the next three seasons in Oklahoma City. In his 122 total games with the 89ers, Watson batted .358 to go along with a .414 on-base percentage, 17 home runs and 79 RBI. In 1969, he put up an incredible .408/.462/.601 batting line over 61 games.

Watson played in parts of 19 seasons in the Majors with the Astros, Red Sox, Yankees and Braves. He was a two-time All-Star, making the National League roster in 1973 and 1976. Watson etched his name into the history books when he became the first player ever to hit for the cycle in both the National League (1977) and American League (1979). He was a career .295 hitter and finished just shy of 200 home runs (184) and 1,000 RBI (989).

Once his playing days ended, Watson transition to coaching and then moved on to the front office. He was hired by the Astros as their General Manager in 1993, becoming the second Black GM in MLB history. After joining the Yankees in the same role about two years later, he became the first Black GM to win a World Series in 1996. Watson also spent 10 years (2000-10) as a Vice President for on-field operations with Major League Baseball.

John Mayberry (Photo courtesy of The Oklahoman via “Glory Days of Summer: The History of Baseball in Oklahoma”)

John Mayberry (First Baseman; 1968-71)

Mayberry was barely a year removed from high school when he first played for the 89ers in 1968. During his first full season with the team in 1969 at only 20 years old, Mayberry batted .304/.393/.522 with 21 homers, 29 doubles and 78 RBI. He also played about half of the season with the 89ers in both the 1970 and 1971 campaigns as he went back and forth between OKC and Houston. Over 281 career games with the 89ers, Mayberry hit an impressive .297./405/.507 with 47 home runs and 161 RBI.

The slugging first baseman spent part of 15 seasons in the Majors (1968-82) with the Astros, Royals, Blue Jays and Yankees. The best seasons of his big league career came in Kansas City, making the All-Star Team in 1973 and 1974, and finishing second in American League MVP voting in 1975 when he batted .291 with 34 homers, 38 doubles, 106 RBI and a league-leading 119 walks. He was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1996.

Mayberry collected 255 home runs and 679 RBI throughout his ML career. He also walked 71 more times than he struck out.

Additionally, Mayberry has the distinction of being part of a rare two-generation tandem to play for Oklahoma City. His son, John Jr., spent nearly the entire 2008 season plying for the RedHawks.

(Photo courtesy of Topps via Vintage Card Prices)

Scipio Spinks (Pitcher; 1969-71)

Spinks started at least 19 games in each of his three seasons with the 89ers, totaling 70 starts – including 22 complete games – and 434.0 innings. After a rocky first season, Spinks posted a 3.28 ERA over his final two seasons with OKC.

He totaled 444 strikeouts, which is the unofficial 89ers career record. His 173 strikeouts in 1971 were the fifth-most in a single season during the 89ers era. In 1969, he threw a no-hitter during a seven-inning game against Omaha, albeit in a 2-1 loss.

Spinks spent parts of five seasons in the Majors with the Astros and Cardinals. His finest season was in 1972 with St. Louis, when he notched a 2.67 ERA over 16 starts. However, that promising season was derailed when he sustained a knee injury during a collision at home plate. It also began an unfortunate series of injuries that curtailed his playing career, and he retired following the 1975 season. Following his playing days, Spinks has served as a pitching coach in the Minors as well as a pro scout in the Astros and Diamondbacks organizations.

J.R. Richard (Photo courtesy of The Oklahoman via “Glory Days of Summer: The History of Baseball in Oklahoma”)

J.R. Richard (Pitcher; 1971-72)

American Association hitters did not prove to be too much of a match for Richard during his two seasons with Oklahoma City. Richard made a total of 43 starts, totaling 301.0 innings and a cumulative 2.69 ERA. He struck out 371 batters while only allowing 210 hits during that time.

He led the American Association with both a 2.45 ERA and 202 strikeouts during the 1971 season. It’s also the second-best single-season ERA by any pitcher during the 89ers era and the third-highest single-season strikeout total.

Richard debuted with the Astros in 1971, spending all 10 years of his Major League career with Houston. He led the National League with a 2.71 ERA in 1979 and paced the circuit in strikeouts in both 1978 and 1979, finishing in the top four of Cy Young Voting each year. Richard made his only All-Star team in 1980 and was the National League’s starting pitcher after going 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA through his first 17 starts.

Sadly, Richard suffered a stroke later that season, effectively ending his playing career just months after turning 30 years old. Richard finished with a career 3.15 ERA, 107 wins and 1,493 strikeouts. He remains third among Astros career record leaders in both strikeouts and ERA, and he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2019.

Lonnie Smith (Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City Dodgers archives)

Lonnie Smith (Outfielder; 1976-79)

Smith spent nearly four full seasons with the 89ers during the club’s affiliation with the Phillies and was nicknamed “Lightnin’ Lonnie.” The speedy outfielder played in 494 career games for OKC, amassing 581 hits, a .307 batting average, 393 runs and 171 stolen bases – the unofficial 89ers career record.

Smith owns three of the top 10 highest single-season steals totals from the 89ers era, including a league-leading 66 in 1978, which also ranks second all-time in team history. In his final season with OKC, Smith batted .330 and led the American Association with 106 runs scored.

He went on to play 17 seasons in the Majors, and during his first full season in 1980, he not only won a World Series with the Phillies, but finished second for NL Rookie of the Year. Smith also captured championships with St. Louis in 1982 and Kansas City in 1985. He made his only All-Star team and finished second in NL MVP voting in 1982. After retiring following the strike of 1994, Smith finished his career with a .288 batting average, 1,488 hits, 909 runs and 370 stolen bases.

Tommy Dunbar (Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City Dodgers archives)

Tommy Dunbar (Outfielder; 1983-86)

Similar to Smith, Dunbar spent parts of four seasons patrolling the outfield at All Sports Stadium. He played in 424 games, batting .291 with 443 hits, 82 doubles, and 233 RBI. He also drew 217 career walks and finished his 89ers tenure with more walks than strikeouts.

Dunbar won the league batting title in 1984 when he hit .337 – tied for fourth-best in club history. He also led the league with a .417 on-base percentage that season. During his final season with the 89ers in 1986, he set a career high with 91 RBI and ranked second in the league.

Dunbar’s Major League career spanned only parts of three seasons with the Rangers (1983-85), totaling 91 games and 249 plate appearances. He journeyed around Triple-A for most of his career and played through 1991, finishing his pro career with over 1,300 hits and 700 RBI.

Thank you for reading our series honoring Oklahoma City’s best Black baseball players throughout Black History Month. To learn more about Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine,” <a href=”https://www.milb.com/fans/the-nine” target=”blank”> click here._

OKC Dodgers Hosting Annual Job Fair This Week

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host the team’s annual job fair for 2022 gameday staff on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 26 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers are seeking multi-talented, highly motivated team players. Available positions include ushers, gate attendants, ticket window attendants, field crew, cashiers, cooks, quick service managers, in-seat servers, team store staff and much more.

A full list of open positions can be found here.

“Our gameday staff has always been, and will always be, a vital piece of the fan experience at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “We typically have around 250 gameday employees working during our home games, and the people we hire during our job fair are the ones on the front lines assisting fans and providing the level of unsurpassed customer service we pride ourselves on.”

The job fair will be held in the Legends Lounge at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on both days. Interested job seekers should enter the ballpark through the glass doors adjacent to the team store located on South Mickey Mantle Drive.

The 2022 baseball season begins April 5, with gameday employee training sessions throughout March. Those applying for any position must be available for all 75 Dodgers home games as well as other events held throughout the year. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Applicants should be prepared to interview with Oklahoma City Dodgers’ full-time staff during the job fair. Bringing résumés are encouraged but not required.

For more information on the 2022 OKC Dodgers job fair, visit click here or call (405) 218-1000.

Black History Month: Top Players During OKC’s Indians/89ers Era (Part 1)

In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are honoring some of the best Black players in their respective histories.

The retrospective for Oklahoma City originally was supposed to be a two-part series, but it soon became apparent there were several players worth recognizing and has been expanded to three parts. After covering the top players of the team’s Bricktown era, it’s time to explore the notable Black players of the Oklahoma City Indians and 89ers eras over the course of two installments.

Players were selected based on a combination of individual season and career achievements while playing for Oklahoma City, as well as their Major League careers. They are presented below in chronological order.

Bill Greason (Pitcher; 1952–53)

Greason is the most significant player on this list, as he was the first Black athlete to ever play for an Oklahoma City team. He previously played in the Negro Leagues, and in 1948, played for the Birmingham Black Barons alongside Willie Mays.

Greason was signed by the Indians when the franchise was part of the Texas League and he played for Oklahoma City across two seasons in 1952 and 1953. He made a total of 48 appearances, including 44 starts, going 25–14 with a 3.26 ERA.

Greason’s success with the Indians led him to being signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, and in 1954, he became the Cardinals’ second-ever Black player and first-ever Black pitcher. He did not return to the Major Leagues after a three-game stint in that 1954 season, but he continued to play professionally through 1959.

In 2017, Greason was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Dave Roberts (Outfielder/First Baseman; 1962–65)

Not to be mistaken for the current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Roberts played in parts of each of the first four seasons for the 89ers between 1962–65, winning Pacific Coast League titles in 1963 and 1965. During the team’s inaugural 1962 campaign, Roberts led the team in nearly every offensive category, batting .322 with 15 home runs, 96 RBI, 86 runs scored and a league-leading 38 doubles.

His 1965 season is arguably the greatest ever by an Oklahoma City player. Roberts was named the PCL’s MVP that season, compiling a batting line of .319/.428/.615 while belting a league-best and team-record 38 home runs, with 114 RBI, 102 runs, 64 extra-base hits and 94 walks.

During his Oklahoma City career, Roberts played in 466 games and batted .309 with 74 homers, 99 doubles and 326 RBI.

He only appeared in a total of 91 games in the Majors with Houston and Pittsburgh, unfortunately unable to replicate his Triple-A success. Roberts spent the final seven seasons of his playing career in Japan, totaling 183 home runs and 492 RBI. The entirety of his professional career spanned 22 seasons between 1952–73, and he retired with 433 home runs and over 1,500 RBI.

Jimmy Wynn (Outfielder; 1964)

Affectionately known as “The Toy Cannon” due to his small stature but big power and strong throwing arm, Wynn played one season for Oklahoma City in 1964, batting .273 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 13 steals across 82 games. It would be the last time he ever played in the Minor Leagues.

Wynn played 15 seasons in the Majors, including 11 seasons with Houston. Wynn is a member of the Astros Hall of Fame, and his No. 24 was retired by the club in 2005. Wynn was named a National All-Star three times, including twice as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974–75. During his first season in Dodger Blue in 1974, Wynn set the team single-season home run record with 32.

Throughout this MLB career, Wynn racked up 1,665 hits, 1,105 runs scored, 291 home runs and 964 RBI.

Sonny Jackson (Infielder; 1965)

Jackson spent 1965 with the 89ers and was the regular starting shortstop for a team that went 91–54 in the regular season — still the best record in OKC’s Triple-A history — and eventually won the PCL Championship.

His 193 hits led the league and remains one of the highest single-season outputs in team history. Jackson also ranked second in the league with 104 runs while batting .331 with a .382 on-base percentage. He also stole 52 bases, placing second in the PCL.

Jackson played parts of 12 seasons in the Majors between 1963–74 with Houston and Atlanta. In 1966, he led the Astros with a .292 batting average and 174 hits while setting a then-National League rookie record with 49 stolen bases.

Nate Colbert (Outfielder/First Baseman; 1967–68)

Colbert briefly played two games for the 89ers in 1967 before returning for 92 games in 1968. He batted .264 with 14 home runs and 44 RBI while also appearing in 20 games for Houston throughout the season. He provided a memorable home opener at All Sports Stadium that year, knocking a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning against Phoenix.

Prior to the 1969 season, Colbert was selected by San Diego in the expansion draft. He rose to become one of the faces of the Padres’ nascent franchise, hitting 163 home runs over his six seasons with the club, including two campaigns with 38 homers. Through 2021, he still holds San Diego’s career home run record. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999.

Colbert made the NL All-Star Team in three straight seasons from 1971–73 and played in a total of 10 seasons in the Majors, also seeing time with Houston, Montreal, Detroit and Oakland.

_____

Remember, this series is not complete yet, with six more players yet to be recognized. The final installment will be published the week of Feb. 21.

(_All photos used in this article are courtesy of the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ archives._)

Attend the 2022 Tulsa Drillers Job Fair

 

Do you know someone who is looking for a fun, part-time summer job? Would you like to earn some extra money by working evenings and weekends at one of the coolest places in Tulsa?

If so, come out and bring a friend to ONEOK Field on Tuesday, February 15 or Thursday, February 17 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for the 2022 Tulsa Drillers Job Fair.

We are looking to hire over 100 candidates for a variety of Game Day positions. On-site interviews will be conducted to fill all openings. Attendees are encouraged to bring a completed Gameday Application to the Job Fair to save time.

Interviews will be conducted for a number of part-time positions including:

· Ushers

· Merchandise

· Suites Attendants & Servers

· Promo Team Members

· Bat Boys

· Porters

· Ticket Takers

· Parking

· Cleanup

· Cooks

· Food/Beverage Hawkers

· Servers

· Concession Stand Leads

· Concession Stand Attendants

· Concession Support/Maintenance Warehouse

Applicants need to be eligible to work most Drillers home games and other special events at ONEOK Field, beginning in March.

Again, please bring a completed Gameday Application for this event and we look forward to seeing you at our Job Fairs!

Black History Month: Top 5 Black Players During OKC’s Bricktown Era

In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are honoring some of the best Black players in their respective histories.

The retrospective for Oklahoma City will be a two-part series, first looking at the top five Black players during the team’s Bricktown era (since 1998) as well as the top five Black players during the team’s post-war Indians and 89ers era (1946-97).

Players were selected based on a combination of individual season and career achievements while playing for Oklahoma City, as well as their Major League careers. They are presented below in alphabetical order.

Part 1: Bricktown Era (1998-Present)

**Willie Calhoun (Infielder)**

Calhoun first appeared for the Oklahoma City Dodgers during the 2016 playoffs and returned in 2017. In 99 games that season, Calhoun slashed .298/.357/.574 with 23 home runs, 52 extra-base hits and 67 RBI en route to being named a Pacific Coast League Mid-Season All-Star.

He was traded July 31, 2017 to the Texas Rangers as part of a package in exchange for Yu Darvish. Following the trade, Calhoun continued to rake with Round Rock and finished in the top five of the Pacific Coast League with 31 homers and 93 RBI, earning a spot on the league’s Post-Season All-Star Team.

Calhoun made his Major League debut later in 2017 with Texas and has appeared in 235 games with the Rangers since then.

**O’Koyea Dickson (Outfielder/Infielder)**

Dickson spent three seasons with OKC between 2015-17 and was a significant contributor each year, helping the team to division titles in 2015 and 2016. Among players during the team’s Bricktown era, Dickson ranks third in both career home runs (55) and career doubles (77). He is also in the top eight in hits (308) and RBI (190).

His finest of the three seasons was in 2016, when he slashed .328/.398/.596 over 101 games. During that season’s playoffs, he hit a dramatic, go-ahead three-run homer in eighth inning of a winner-take-all Game 5 of the American Conference Finals in Nashville.

Dickson’s Major League career was brief, with only seven career at-bats with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. He also played in Mexico and Japan during his pro career.

Craig Monroe (Outfielder)

Monroe had a brief taste of Triple-A in 1999 and returned to play for the RedHawks in earnest in 2001. Over 114 games that season, Monroe batted .281 with 20 homers and 75 RBI while putting up a then career-best .512 slugging percentage and was selected to the Triple-A All-Star Game.

He made his Major League debut with the Texas Rangers that season and even homered in his first game July 29. Over his nine-year Major League career, he also suited up for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2006, he led the Tigers with 28 home runs and 92 RBI as Detroit won the American League. The outfielder finished his big league career with 115 home runs, including three seasons with at least 20 homers.

Chuck Smith (Pitcher)

Smith filled a variety of roles over his two seasons with RedHawks (1999-2000). He made a total of 43 appearances, which included 15 starts, three complete games, 13 games finished and four saves. During his OKC career, he posted a 3.32 ERA with 149 strikeouts in 151.2 innings.

In 1999, Smith was named to the Triple-A All-Star Game. On June 23 of that season against Memphis, Smith set the team’s single-game strikeout record with 14. The record stood until 2017, but Smith remains as just one two players with 14 or more strikeouts in a game during the team’s Bricktown era.

Smith’s pro career spanned 16 seasons (1991-2006), including two seasons with the Florida Marlins (2000-01).

**George Springer (Outfielder)**

Springer first joined OKC in the middle of the 2013 season. Combined with his numbers from Double-A Corpus Christi, Springer put together a 30/30 season and nearly a 40/40 season, as he finished with 37 home runs and 45 stolen bases across the two levels. In his 62 contests with the RedHawks that year, Springer put up an incredible .311/.425/.626 line with 18 homers, 53 RBI and 22 steals.

He returned to Bricktown to begin 2014, and after mashing for the first 13 games of the season, he was called up to Houston and has stayed in the Majors ever since. The dynamic outfielder is a three-time All-Star (2017-19) and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2017, 2019). He helped the Astros win the American League in both 2017 and 2019, and he was named MVP of the 2017 World Series.

This past season with the Blue Jays, Springer eclipsed the 500 RBI barrier for his career and he now sits just four home runs shy of 200 for his career.

Tulsa Drillers Search for On-Field Emcee for Upcoming Season

 

The Tulsa Drillers are searching for an outgoing personality to serve as their on-field host for the 2022 season. The game-day “voice” and face of the Drillers will engage fans at ONEOK Field before, during, and after each game, including between-inning sponsorships and contests. Candidates must be available for a majority of the Drillers’ home games and any playoff games throughout the 2022 season. The auditions are invitation-only and will be held on Thursday, February 24. Those interested in auditioning must submit a resume by Friday, February 18. Qualified candidates will be asked to interview with team officials prior to the February 24 audition date.

Application Process

Submissions will be accepted via email ONLY

E-mail: Alex Kossakoski, Director of Promotions: [email protected]

All submissions must include full contact information including e-mail address and cell phone number.

Required Qualifications

To be given consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

– Must be available for a majority of home games:

– ALL Thursday – Saturday games, holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th weekend & Labor Day) & the Bedlam Game

– Have an enthusiastic demeanor and the ability to naturally entertain large crowds
– A team player with a flexible, can-do attitude
– Possess improvisational skills and the ability to quickly adapt to situations

– The ability to take and follow given directions

– Represent the Drillers in a first-class and professional manner

Additional qualifications preferred: In-depth knowledge of baseball; understanding of promotions, marketing, and sponsorship initiatives.

Bike Donation Helps Area Families During Holiday Season

 

Dozens of children’s bicycles sat lined up all shiny and new outside of the Academy Sports + Outdoors location on South Walker Avenue in Oklahoma City on a recent chilly December morning.

Inside the store, a dozen more bikes surrounded a festive holiday display with balloons and a sign reading “Merry Christmas.”

In the middle of the display, Oklahoma City Dodgers mascot Brooklyn joined members of the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Latino Community Development Agency for a donation presentation.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, in partnership with the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, donated 100 children’s bikes and helmets to the LCDA earlier this month in preparation for the holiday season. The bikes were then gifted to families in need identified through the LCDA.

Click here to read the rest of this article on the digital publication “Beyond the Bricks.“

OKC Dodgers Give Back

 

From sorting holiday gift donations to playing with puppies waiting for a home, and from preparing meals for those in need to organizing donated sports equipment, members of the Oklahoma City Dodgers front office staff dispersed throughout the metro area earlier this month to assist several non-profit organizations during a day of service.

The OKC Dodgers Foundation set up a variety of volunteer opportunities that allowed Dodgers staff to give back to the community that generously supports the Triple-A baseball team. The Dodgers and OKC Dodgers Foundation provide support to 150 Oklahoma non-profit organizations throughout the year and each December, four are selected to benefit from a staff day a service.

About 30 front office staff members from the Dodgers and Professional Sports Catering recently split into small groups to assist OK City Center, City Rescue Mission, Oklahoma Humane Society and Cleats For Kids.

Click here to read the rest of this article on the digital publication _Beyond the Bricks_.

TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PRESENT “WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS: A DECADE IN CONCERT”

 

Concert will Feature Iconic Musical Moments Performed Live by a Symphony

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra presents Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “A Decade in Concert” on May 20, 2022 at ONEOK Field. Celebrating iconic musical moments from favorite films released over the last decade, this melodic journey explores Disney Animation’s latest stories through unforgettable film clips and scores performed live by a symphony orchestra. Tickets are now available at TulsaSymphony.org.

This thrilling performance includes music from “Moana” (2016), Academy Award®-winning “Zootopia” (2016), Academy Award-winning “Big Hero 6” (2014), Academy Award-winning “Frozen” (2013), “Wreck-It Ralph “(2012), “Winnie the Pooh” (2011), “Tangled” (2010), “Princess and the Frog” (2009), and “Bolt” (2008).

Once again filling Tulsa’s ONEOK Field with the magic of live music, this performance will feature the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra playing the music from Disney’s past decade while film clips play on the ballpark’s large video board. Children of all ages can experience entertaining family-oriented activities before the concert and enjoy special seating on the field. The evening will close with a brilliant fireworks display against the Tulsa skyline. Luxury boxes will also be available for purchase for an even more magical experience.

Keith C. Elder, Executive Director of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, said, “We are thrilled to bring live music back to the ballpark with this spectacular performance. We are honored to serve this wonderful community, and to bring this city together through the power of live music.”

ABOUT DISNEY CONCERTS

Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live to picture” film concerts and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts and range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choir. Numerous new concert packages and touring productions from Disney’s portfolio of studios, including Disney’s feature animation and live action studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm and Marvel, are currently in development. Current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series (Episodes IV-VIII), Toy Story, Aladdin, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Disney Princess – The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up and The Nightmare Before Christmas, which in 2019 accounted for over 900 performances in many of the world’s top concert venues.

About the Tulsa Symphony_
The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is proud to celebrate 15 years as a vital community service organization that entertains, advocates, heals and inspires through musical excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Serving as the cornerstone of the arts in Tulsa, the TSO partners and collaborates with Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Chorale, Philbrook Museum, Gilcrease Museum and Oklahoma Aquarium. A leader in classical music and music education, TSO presents over 30 major performances per season, which touch over 55,000 people in the Northeast Oklahoma region. At the forefront of the Orchestra is artistic integrity, collaborating with renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Amy Grant, Eric Whitacre, Yefim Bronfman, and Hanson. For additional information about TSO, please visit our website at_ www.TulsaSymphony.org.

Dodgers, USA Softball to Host PLAY BALL Event Oct. 24

 

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Dodgers, USA Softball and OKC Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, will host a free PLAY BALL event for all children 18 and under at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City Sunday, October 24 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Participants will take part in a series of basic drills in order to further development of the game and promote awareness for the upcoming OKC Dodgers Rookie League in Spring 2022. All participants will receive a free Franklin bat and ball set, T-shirt and bracelet.

Registration for participants is highly encouraged. Click here to register.

In addition to USA Softball, instruction will also be provided by Turiya Coleman of the University of Oklahoma softball team, as well as members of the Oklahoma Christian University softball team.

In partnership with Major League Baseball and USA Baseball, USA Softball launched the “PLAY BALL” initiative in 2015. Together, PLAY BALL events are conducted across the United States, offering opportunity for youth athletes to get involved in the game. PLAY BALL encourages widespread participation in all forms of softball and baseball among all age groups – especially youth – whether at the championship or recreational level. The initiative also provides players, parents and coaches with information and resources to help with proper play and instruction.

For more information, please contact USA Softball at (405) 424-5266.

Each OKC Dodgers Homer Hit During Final Stretch to Benefit Cleats For Kids

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Each home run hit by the Oklahoma City Dodgers during Triple-A’s Final Stretch will benefit Cleats For Kids in Oklahoma City thanks to a Minor League Baseball™ initiative called “Homers That Help.”

All 30 Triple-A clubs close their 2021 seasons with a 10-game Final Stretch, including the OKC Dodgers who play five road games against the Las Vegas Aviators starting tonight, and five home games against the El Paso Chihuahuas Wednesday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 3 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (both at home and on the road) during the Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local 501(c)3 charity selected by the team. The team with the most home runs hit during the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for its charity of choice.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork said. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

The OKC Dodgers chose to benefit Cleats for Kids (C4K), which provides new and used sports equipment free of charge to youth in need, gathering equipment through community drives and drop-off donation sites. The organization began in 2011 in Oklahoma City and has impacted more than 150,000 kids, partnering with 55 youth organizations and 220 Oklahoma school districts, according to the C4K website.

“Cleats for Kids provides opportunity for our Oklahoma youth to benefit from the transformational power of sport,” Oklahoma City Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Purchasing sports gear can be a prohibitive factor that keeps children from participating in youth sports, and Cleats for Kids helps remove that obstacle. We’re hoping for numerous OKC Dodgers home runs over the next 10 games to help further Cleats for Kids’ charitable cause.”

The OKC Dodgers open the 10-game Final Stretch tonight with a five-game road series starting at 9:05 p.m. CT against the Las Vegas Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark. The Dodgers then close out their 2021 schedule with a five-game home series against the El Paso Chihuahuas starting at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Dodgers play at 7:05 p.m. next Wednesday-Saturday, wrapping up the Final Stretch as well as the 2021 season at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 in OKC.

Tickets for OKC Dodgers’ home games are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. For additional information about the OKC Dodgers, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182. For more information about Cleats For Kids, please visit cleatsforkids.org.

Timothy Stone to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” with INTEGRIS and OKC Dodgers Friday

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health conclude the 2021 “Home Run For Life” series Friday by honoring Timothy Stone of Jenks, Okla., during the Dodgers’ 7:05 p.m. ¡Celebración Cielo Azul! game against Round Rock at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Stone had a physically demanding job working on cars and was in excellent shape traveling the country as a competitive bare-knuckle fighter for 20 years. He rarely slowed down, even for several years after being diagnosed at the age of 40 with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart that makes pumping blood throughout the body difficult. Then at the age of 49, Stone collapsed while mowing his backyard in Jenks, Okla., and his health quickly spiraled downward starting in March 2015.

Stone would endure multiple surgeries, including five open heart surgeries and a heart transplant at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center. He would spend about four months in the hospital in Oklahoma City.

Now almost six years later at the age of 55, Stone is back living life with vigor and new perspective with the goal of helping others facing similar difficult journeys thanks to the care he received at INTEGRIS Health.

“I owe them everything,” Stone said of the staff at INTEGRIS Health.

“Life is precious. We have all heard that a million times, but I think we look at it a little differently now.”

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a prerecorded home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“’Home Run For Life’ allows us to uniquely recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have endured significant health challenges,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Each month during the baseball season, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health to honor the perseverance and courage displayed by these individuals and to help inspire others with their incredible stories.”

After collapsing in his yard in the spring of 2015, Stone’s wife Leslie took him to the hospital in Tulsa. A series of serious health setbacks followed throughout the next five months. Eventually with the right side of his heart shutting down, he was brought to INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City in August 2015.

When he arrived, he faced seemingly insurmountable odds with a prognosis of a five to 10 percent chance of survival without a heart transplant.

He had 12 surgeries, including five open heart surgeries.

He typically weighed around 175 pounds, but in October 2015 was down to about 118 pounds and then came the devastating news that he had about eight days to live.

With three days left and his organs shutting down, he said his goodbyes to his wife and children telling then how much he loved them.

Everything changed on Oct. 29, 2015 when they found a heart that was a perfect match.

The sixth anniversary of his heart transplant is soon approaching and Stone now mentors others going through transplants.

He was fortunate to have the unending support of the INTEGRIS Health staff, his wife Leslie, daughter, son and family throughout his journey back to health, but knows not everyone is so lucky.

“We were blessed to have a lot of great people and a lot of loving people help us along the way,” he said.

To read Stone’s full story, visit the OKC Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks.

The Oklahoma City Dodgers will take the field as Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City for their upcoming home series against Los Chupacabras de Round Rock starting Thursday. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday night’s games have a scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and on Friday, a mystery bobblehead, presented by Lime, will be given out to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Fireworks are also scheduled to follow Friday’s game. During the game, the Clubhouse Collectibles silent auction for game-used OKC Dodgers memorabilia will also take place.

Following Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. game, kids can run the bases. Tuesday’s 12:05 p.m. series finale falls on a $2 Tuesday, featuring $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3.

Tickets are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. For additional information about Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City and the OKC Dodgers’ 2021 season, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182.

Join the OKC Dodgers for Military Celebration Night Friday

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will honor the service and dedication of local military members and their families Friday during Military Celebration Night when the Dodgers play the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Dodgers players and coaches will take the field wearing special commemorative green, camouflage and gold jerseys as well as camouflage hats. Their game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off via the DASH Auction app, which is available for free via the App Store and Google Play Store. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation.

Special festivities throughout the game will culminate with postgame fireworks presented by SpringHill Suites.

“We are proud to honor the sacrifices and commitments made by our local service members and their families and show how appreciative the Oklahoma City community is for their service,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “We look forward to celebrating them with this special evening Friday.”

Area service members are scheduled to participate in several pregame events, including the presentation of colors with a large flag in the outfield, the singing of the national anthem and a ceremonial first pitch. The VFW, American Legion, Army and Marines will have information about their organizations available throughout the concourse.

The OKC Dodgers continue their homestand and open a six-game series tonight against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. before Friday’s Military Celebration Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game is the third and final OKC 89ers Night of the season, presented by Courtyard Marriott. The Dodgers will take the field as the Oklahoma City 89ers in a nod to the franchise’s history.

Kids can run the bases following Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. game and Monday’s game will have a special 12:05 p.m. first pitch on Labor Day. The series then wraps up with a 7:05 p.m. game on a $2 Tuesday, featuring $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3.

Tickets are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. For additional information, please call the Dodgers front office at (405) 218-2182.

Adrianne Ayers to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” with OKC Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health Saturday

 

Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health continue the “Home Run For Life” series Saturday by honoring Adrianne Ayers of Midwest City, Okla., during the Dodgers’ 7:05 p.m. game against the Las Vegas Aviators at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Ayers, a registered nurse, fell ill with the flu in February 2018. Several days later her health spiraled to the point where one of her children had to call 911 and Ayers was taken to the hospital.

“They told us had he not called 911, I might not have made it through the night,” Ayers recalled.

In addition to flu, Ayers had developed pneumonia and strep throat so severe that her body went septic. She developed necrotizing pneumonia, a severe complication from a bacterial lung infection that can cause lung tissue damage. Her lungs, heart and kidneys were all shutting down.

It was determined that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, known as ECMO, was necessary for Ayers’ survival and she was transferred to INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, which specializes in ECMO, to receive the last-resort, lifesaving treatment. ECMO provides both cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and/or lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they can no longer serve their function. The goal is to allow the heart or lungs to rest and recover while the machine does all the work.

“What it does is takes the blood out of the body on one side and puts oxygen into it and then flows back into your body through different tubes,” Ayers said. “It’s almost like dialysis — in one side and out the other.”

Ayers ended up on ECMO for an INTEGRIS Health record 119 days — just one piece of the extensive multi-disciplinary care she received during her five months in the hospital.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a prerecorded home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“’Home Run For Life’ allows us to uniquely recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have endured significant health challenges,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Each month during the baseball season, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health to honor the perseverance and courage displayed by these individuals and to help inspire others with their incredible stories.”

Throughout her five months at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Ayers was also on a ventilator, had a tracheostomy and was on dialysis in addition to ECMO. There was talk of potential double kidney and lung transplants for her.

Ayers was enrolled in the ATHOS 3 Expanded Access Protocol for Giapreza clinical trial for a medication that regulates blood pressure, becoming one of 10 patients in the world to have received the therapy while on ECMO at the time. She also became the first patient in the OKC area to benefit from an off-label use of Olympus Spiration endobronchial valves, which were inserted into her lungs, opening breathing passageways like they would an artery during a cardiac procedure.

One special moment especially stands out in Ayers’ mind to describe the depth and range of care she received at INTEGRIS Health.

“The doctors and nurses at INTEGRIS are amazing. They are saints,” she said. “There was one point where I was tired and I was tired of fighting and I was tired of everything going on and (one of the doctors) took me outside just to get some vitamin D. Anytime they took me anywhere in the hospital it was a huge ordeal because I had the ECMO machine and dialysis and the vent and the chair, so it was like a small parade going down the hallway.

“Just for a doctor to do that, I can’t say enough good things about them…They are just amazing people.”

Ayers was released from the hospital in July 2018 and still undergoes frequent checkups. There is a possibility in the future she will need a lung transplant, but says she is doing well now. Ayers, 44, returned to work as a RN at St. Anthony in April 2021 and said she brings a new perspective with her to work after all she has been through.

“I have always been a patient person with patients and am even more so now,” she said. “I can’t even explain it. It’s like you walk into a room and see both points of view at the same time. You can empathize even small things, like tape coming off an IV. After it’s done 100 times, that hurts.

“It’s weird, but I am thankful for everything I have been through because I think it makes me relate to patients better.”

To read Ayers’ full story, visit the OKC Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks.

Tonight, the OKC Dodgers return home to open a 12-game homestand as well as a six-game home series against the Las Vegas Aviators at 7:05 p.m. The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Friday when Dodgers players and coaches will wear special pink jerseys and hats that will be auctioned off to benefit Susan G. Komen Oklahoma as the Dodgers and MidFirst Bank team up to “Pack the Park Pink.” A pink fireworks show will follow the game.

Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game falls on Marvel Super Hero Night, presented by Courtyard by Marriott, and Star-Lord and Black Widow will make special appearances throughout the night. Ayers’ “Home Run For Life” will also be recognized during Saturday’s game. Kids can run the bases following Sunday’s 6:05 p.m. game. The series against Las Vegas then wraps up at 7:05 p.m. Monday and at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Tuesday, featuring $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3. The OKC Dodgers then remain home for a six-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes Thursday, Sept. 2 – Tuesday, Sept. 7 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Tickets can be purchased through okcdodgers.com/tickets. For general information or inquiries, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

OKC Dodgers to “Pack the Park Pink” with MidFirst Bank Friday

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Dodgers players and coaches will wear special pink jerseys and hats that will be auctioned off to benefit Susan G. Komen Oklahoma as the Dodgers and MidFirst Bank team up to “Pack the Park Pink” Friday night.

The Dodgers will take the field at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Friday against the Las Vegas Aviators and fans can bid on their game-worn pink jerseys and hats via the DASH Auction app, which is available for free via the App Store and Google Play Store.

Unique events to promote breast cancer awareness will be held throughout the evening at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and “Pack the Park Pink” will culminate with a pink fireworks show following the game, presented by MidFirst Bank.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause and representatives from Susan G. Komen Oklahoma will be on the concourse throughout the night to provide information about the organization. The mission of Susan G. Komen Oklahoma is “to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.”

Oklahoma City-area breast cancer survivors will take the field pregame during the announcement of the starting lineup, sing the national anthem and deliver a ceremonial first pitch. A unique and fun photo opportunity featuring a balloon arch, backdrop and light-up “OKC” marquee letters will be on display on the concourse for fans to use throughout the game. A breast cancer awareness quiz in Friday night’s digital PlayBall! game program can be completed and redeemed for an exclusive OKC Dodgers color-changing cup.

The OKC Dodgers return home to open a 12-game homestand as well as a six-game home series against the Las Vegas Aviators at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. The series then continues with Friday night’s “Pack the Park Pink” game.

Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game between the team falls on Marvel Super Hero Night, and Star-Lord and Black Widow will make special appearances throughout the game. Kids can run the bases following Sunday’s 6:05 p.m. game. The series against Las Vegas wraps up with 7:05 p.m. games Monday and on a $2 Tuesday, featuring $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3 Tuesday. The OKC Dodgers then remain home for a six-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes Thursday, Sept. 2 – Tuesday, Sept. 7 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Tickets are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription. For additional information, please call the Dodgers front office at (405) 218-2182.