In 2010, the Portland Beavers minor league baseball club left Portland, leaving the city without a team.[1] On March 11, 2015, it was announced that baseball would return to Portland with the establishment of a new collegiate wood-bat team. The as-yet-unnamed team would be owned and operated by Rose City Baseball LLC, in partnership with the city of Portland, and would play its games at Charles B. Walker Stadium in Lents Park.[2]
On April 21, 2015, team officials announced the team's name at Woodstock Elementary School in Southeast Portland. The name was selected by online voting from six candidates. In order of vote, Pickles was followed by Mud Hounds, Red Dogs, Posse, Pliers, and Pixels.[3] In August, J.J. Altobelli was named as the team's first manager.[4] The team introduced its mascot, Dillon the pickle, in October.[5]
Great West League (2015–2017)
The Pickles were charter members of the Great West League, having been founded by GWL commissioner Ken Wilson.[6] The Pickles (claimed to have) played before 16 sell-outs and to 99% of capacity in their inaugural 2016 season (announced figures).
On April 5, 2017, it was announced that Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan and marketing entrepreneur Alan Miller would become part of the Pickles ownership group, along with members from Rose City Baseball LLC.[7] Former Major League Baseball pitcher and Oregon-native Jeff Lahti took over the managerial role for the 2017 season, [8] leading the Pickles to their first playoff berth.[9] They were eliminated from the Great West League playoffs by the Medford Rogues in the semifinals.[10]
West Coast League (2018–2019)
On October 24, 2017, the Pickles announced that they were leaving the GWL and joining the West Coast League.[11][12] Prior to the 2018 season, Gresham GreyWolves head coach Justin Barchus replaced Lahti as manager.[13]
The Pickles won the South Division in the first half of the season with a 17–9 record, securing them a playoff spot in their first year.[14] Portland went on to claim the best record in the WCL by going 37–17 overall, but could not get past the Corvallis Knights in the first round of playoffs.[15] Justin Barchus went on to win WCL Coach of the Year along with Kelowna Falcons manager Bryan Donohue.[16]
In February 2019, Miller and Ryan took over full ownership of the team.[17] On May 15, the Pickles announced a two-year partnership with CBD company Lazarus Naturals, the first of its kind in baseball history. Lazarus Naturals sponsored a concert series at the stadium and provided luxury box seating for selected veterans.[18]
In December, it was announced that Rose City Baseball would operate a farm team called the Portland Gherkins for the 2020 season. The Gherkins would play games against the Pickles, WCL opponents, and other independent teams.[19]
Though fans were not allowed to attend, games were broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.[22] Games ran from July to August.[23] The West Linn Knights beat the Pickles in the championship series.[21]
West Coast League (2021-present)
After 2020, the Pickles returned to the West Coast League for the 2021 season. The Wild Wild West League continued and added the Portland Rosebuds and Willamette Wild Bills, two new teams that were also owned by Rose City Baseball.[24]
On June 8, 2021, the Pickles promoted manager Justin Barchus to Director of Player Personnel/Operations and made Mark Magdalena the new manager.[25][26] In November 2021, the Pickles opened The Pickle Jar, a retail store and community space in Downtown Portland.[27]
On July 18, 2022, intern Emily Paulson became the first woman to play for the Pickles.[28] That year, the Pickles were crowned the Southern Division champions, ending a four-year playoff drought.[29] The team was ultimately swept in the first round by the Ridgefield Raptors.[30]
In 2023, the Pickles swept the Ridgefield Raptors in the first round of the playoffs to face the Corvallis Knights in the Divisional Championship game.[31] The Pickles lost the game 4–1 and were eliminated from the playoffs.[32]
In March 2024, Rose City Baseball opened the Portland Pickles Public House, a Portland Pickles-themed sports bar on Mississippi Avenue.[33][34]
Relationship with Mazatlan
The Portland Pickles have a special relationship with Venados de Mazatlan of the Mexican Pacific League. In June 2019, the Pickles held Venados Night, where the team wore Mazatlan jerseys.[35][36] In October, the Pickles traveled to Mexico and played against Venados de Mazatlan in a friendly exhibition game in front of 16,000 people. In the lead up to the game, the Pickles held tryouts amongst fans in Portland for the chance to travel with the team to Mexico and play in the game.[37][38]
In September 2021, the Pickles returned to Mexico for another series against Venados de Mazatlan.[39][40] USA Baseball's Kelcie Whitmore joined the Pickles and threw five scoreless innings in game two.[41][42]
Mascot-related incidents
In January 2022, Pickles mascot Dillon T. Pickle posted an inappropriate photo on Twitter during a social media takeover. The image appeared to show the mascot exposing his genitalia.[43][44]
In February 2022, the mascot costume for Dillon T. Pickle was stolen after delivery in a case of package theft. The team had been playing in the Dominican Republic and the luggage containing the mascot costume was separated from the team.[45] After being found by the airline, it was shipped to the wrong address in Portland and subsequently stolen off the front porch. It was eventually dropped off at Voodoo Doughnut by a person wishing to remain anonymous.[46][47] The incident attracted the attention of some national media, who covered the saga in a bemused fashion.[48]
