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their minor league team for a second season. As a result, the
Islanders refused to commit to Bend unless they could get enough players loaned from other minor league teams to allow the Rainbows to turn a profit. On May 1, 1971, just over a month before the 1971 Northwest League season was set to begin, Quinn called Rainbows General Manager Ward Goodrich to let him know that the Rainbows would be returning to Bend. Because of Charlie Silvera's departure to coach in the
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262:. The Rainbows roster was filled out by both players owned by the Islanders and by players loaned from other minor league teams. The Islanders sought to get as many players loaned to the Rainbows as possible because loaned players were paid by their parent club as opposed to being paid by the Islanders, keeping the costs of operating the Rainbows to a minimum. The 1970 roster was highlighted by Bend native and relief pitcher Ed Cecil, who was purchased from the
227:. Islander's President Jack Quinn believed that legitimizing the Islanders as a potential Major League team began with establishing a farm system. Quinn secured an agreement with the Northwest League to operate the Bend franchise as an affiliate of the Hawaii Islanders. Over 90 different names were submitted for consideration for the team's mascot. The name "Rainbows" was submitted by Mrs. Dennis Huntley of
293:. The 20 year old Russell had previously played in highly competitive semi-pro leagues in Los Angeles and was looking to test his skills in the minor leagues. Russell chose the Rainbows over other offers from teams with major league affiliations because the Rainbows would allow him to continue his acting career while other teams wanted him to focus on baseball immediately. Additionally, Russell's dad
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Despite their high attendance in comparison to other
Northwest League teams, the Rainbows lost over $ 10,000 in their first season in Bend. After the 1970 season it was unclear if the Rainbows would return to Bend for another season. The Islanders were not interested in losing money while operating
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Despite finishing first in their half of the division and the presence of
Russell, the Rainbows experienced a drop in attendance in 1971, worsening the financial strain that the team was already under. Equipment and travel costs proved to be too much for the team to cover even though they did not
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400:. Vince Genna was the director of Bend's Parks & Recreation Department and as such was instrumental in bringing the Rainbows to Bend. The stadium was renamed in 1972, just one year after the Rainbows departure.
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357:, play at the same stadium as the Rainbows did and carry on the tradition of baseball in Bend. Russell played for Walla Walla during the 1972 season and was moved up to the
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decided to expand from four teams to six teams. Coos Bay-North Bend and Bend were the two locations to receive franchises. The Hawaii
Islanders, a loose affiliate of the
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have to pay for the salaries of the majority of their players, many of whom were loaned. Citing financial concerns, the
Islanders shifted their affiliation to
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in 1973. Russell tore his rotator cuff in a collision while playing for El Paso and was forced to retire from baseball. He also made a brief appearance at
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305:. After joining the team in time for their home opener, Russell played the rest of the season for the Rainbows, batting .285 with one
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and
Goodrich were old friends. When asked about his goals in both acting and baseball, Russell replied that he wanted to be the first
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playing at the Triple A level, sought to leverage their extensive fan base and success in recent years to make the move to the
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winner to make the Major
Leagues. Russell missed the first road trip of the 1971 season as he finished filming the movie
231:. The name was chosen due to its connection to the teams's Hawaiian parent club and as an homage to the abundant
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before the season. Cecil was credited with the first win for the
Rainbows, a 10-9 extra innings win against the
203:. Despite their brief tenure in minor league baseball, the team is often remembered as the team for which actor
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for the team. Because of his solid play, Russell was named a
Northwest League All-Star Future
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for one season, then continued through 1994, with the
Phillies (1979–86), Bucks (1987–91), and
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In an attempt to drum up more interest in the team for the 1971 season, Goodrich signed actor
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their manager for the 1970 season. During his career in the Major League Silvera won 6
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minor league system, Cecil was named player/manager for the 1971 season.
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709:"Islanders raid 'World or Disney,' get infielder for Bend farm club"
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Vince Genna Stadium, formerly Municipal Stadium, during a 1992
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642:"Yesteryear: Band of citizens nails suspects 25 years ago"
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also played for the team in both years of its existence.
727:"Switch hitting Kurt Russell wants acting and baseball"
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Baseball Reference: Minor league teams in Bend, Oregon
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796:Bend Elks baseball: 1971 Bend Rainbows team photo
246:The Rainbows named former Major League catcher
690:"Kurt Russell: Rainbow determined not to fade"
285:Kurt Russell batting for the Rainbows in 1971.
591:. Bend, Oregon. February 18, 1972. p. 8.
353:, a collegiate wood bat baseball team in the
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337:,. The Bend franchise was sold and moved to
656:"The Bulletin - Google News Archive Search"
895:Los Angeles Angels minor league affiliates
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333:after the 1971 season and were named the
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392:The Rainbows played their home games at
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207:began his professional baseball career.
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733:. July 8, 1971. p. 4, green sheet.
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199:, who were in turn affiliated with the
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915:Baseball teams disestablished in 1971
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910:Baseball teams established in 1970
516:NWL runner-up by virtue of record
396:in the south end of Bend, today's
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784:Baseball Reference pages for the
762:Anstine, Dennis (June 24, 1971).
625:"The Billboard: Down on the Farm"
605:Anstine, Dennis (June 23, 1972).
905:1971 disestablishments in Oregon
885:Defunct baseball teams in Oregon
764:"Rainbow power rubs out Dodgers"
688:Anstine, Dennis (May 12, 1971).
669:Anstine, Dennis (May 6, 1971).
562:Anstine, Dennis (May 1, 1971).
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215:Following the 1969 season, the
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631:, December 19, 1969, page C-3.
303:Now You See Him, Now You Don't
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900:1970 establishments in Oregon
707:Cawood, Neil (May 13, 1971).
242:Bend Rainbows 1971 Team Photo
188:and were an affiliate of the
671:"Actor to play for Rainbows"
564:"Rainbows returning to Bend"
816:Northwest League franchise
696:. Bend, Oregon. p. 14.
613:. Bend, Oregon. p. 14.
607:"Rainbows over Walla Walla"
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770:. Bend, Oregon. p. 6.
677:. Bend, Oregon. p. 6.
570:. Bend, Oregon. p. 1.
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349:(1992–94). Today, the
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335:Walla Walla Islanders
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183:Class A-Short Season
66:Class A-Short Season
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398:Vince Genna Stadium
394:Municipal Ball Park
159:Municipal Ball Park
112:Minor league titles
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440:Post-season
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386:Bend Rockies
343:Timber Hawks
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319:Chicago Cubs
295:Bing Russell
291:Kurt Russell
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179:Bend, Oregon
172:minor league
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854: /
842:121°17′56″W
446:Attendance
331:Walla Walla
311:second base
869:Categories
839:44°02′35″N
819:1970-1971
549:References
260:Yogi Berra
519:Ed Cecil
351:Bend Elks
130:Team data
443:Manager
418:Division
376:Ballpark
368:for the
359:Double-A
321:manager
307:home run
190:Triple-A
177:team in
175:baseball
82:Division
792:seasons
522:21,677
488:22,049
422:Finish
411:Season
347:Rockies
339:Seattle
211:History
195:of the
170:were a
36:–
745:"Home"
501:South
466:South
431:Losses
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135:Colors
72:League
513:.538
493:1971
478:.488
458:1970
388:game.
106:(PCL)
85:South
62:Class
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788:and
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504:1st
469:2nd
436:Win%
426:Wins
414:PDC
317:and
166:The
125:1971
40:1971
32:1970
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462:HAW
225:MLB
120:(1)
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