Indians Extend Deal With Royals

Wed., Sept. 20, 2000

The Northwest League’s upheaval left the Spokane Indians untouched.

Three NWL teams will have new major-league affiliates when the baseball season begins in June.

Spokane, however, will retain its player development contract with the Kansas City Royals.

The Indians announced Monday the signing of a two-year agreement with the Royals. Spokane has been affiliated with the Royals for six years.

“It is with great enthusiasm that the Royals extend their relationship with the Indians,” said Bob Hegman, the Royals’ senior director of minor-league operations. “The franchise in Spokane has proven to be the best affiliate in the Northwest League.”

Carlos Beltran, Dan Reichert, Mark Quinn, Jose Santiago and Dermal Brown have all played in Spokane on their way to the big leagues with the Royals.

NWL members Boise, Eugene and Yakima have switched their affiliations. Boise, formerly with the Anaheim Angels, signed a partnership with the Chicago Cubs. Eugene, an ex-Cubs affiliate, reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres, Spokane’s parent club from 1983-94. The Arizona Diamondbacks have replaced the Los Angeles Dodgers in Yakima.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Indians Extend Deal With Royals

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Top-seeded Gonzaga looks to finish WCC tenure with flourish at conference tournament

Cheney leaves no doubt, rolls to 3A championship | State golf

Mt. Spokane's senior class looking to cap prep careers with deep run at state tournament | Fastpitch softball