(Josh’s Note: The Volcanoes are the first team I really covered when I started 9 Inning Know It All. Photographed tons of games and got to meet some really amazing people in the game of baseball.)
By the Volcanoes Media Staff
When Jerry and Lisa Walker brought the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to town in 1997, it began the golden age of baseball championships in the Mid-Valley, Oregon region. What local baseball fans can both embrace and be proud of is that the Volcanoes championships and players who went on to directly staff three Giants world championships, also tie together a longer history of amazing local area professional teams, coaches and players dating back many generations.
In the entire history of Oregon professional sports teams, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are part of the most elite franchise discussion. Behind it all is the Walker family have given fans in the Mid-Valley countless reasons to celebrate.
With all the trophies, great memories at the ballpark, the extremely talented players, dedicated coaches and hard-working front office staff, is where our story begins: How the Walker family believed in Salem, Keizer and surrounding communities. The Walkers have opened so many doors to hundreds of people from all walks of life.
Together, look what Volcanoes Nation has achieved:
Salem and Keizer Professional Championship & MLB-Affiliate Championship Series Teams
Northwest League Champions in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009
World Champions: San Francisco Giants (parent club of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes) 2010, 2012, 2014
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes alumni who have World Series rings playing for the San Francisco Giants Champions of 2010, 2012, 2014:
- Brandon Crawford
- Matt Duffy
- Tim Lincecum
- Joe Panik
- Buster Posey
- Sergio Romo
- Jonathan Sanchez
- Pablo Sandoval
- Nate Schierholtz
- Travis Ishikawa
- Ryan Vogelsong
“People look at the Volcanoes franchise and see the five league titles. They see how many of our former players directly helped the Giants win World Championships in 2010, 2012, 2014 and often ask that with all that hardware what keeps us so focused?” Jerry Walker said from his Volcanoes Stadium office. “But honestly, the moment this 2019 Volcanoes team clinched a playoff spot by winning the first-half division I turned to Lisa and Mickey and I said, ‘these moments are so special. We always need to savor making the playoffs with the entire community’.”
The Community is really what it is all about and the Volcanoes shine in that area as well. For, nearly twenty years the team has hosted a special weekend for Cancer Survivors providing over 20,000 free admissions to the survivors and their families.
The team is also on the forefront of Thanking, Honoring and Saluting Veterans with their annual Patriotic Tribute – a tribute that has attained National acclaim including receiving the 2019 National Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award. The Patriotic Tributes have provided well over 10,000 free admissions to Veterans and their families.
The Volcanoes’ Hometown Heroes program recognizes local first responders and provides a special award for the Hometown Hero of the Year. Volcanoes Care hosts an annual Healthy Kids Healthy Community Day at the Stadium. A day for kids – including hundreds of foster children who are provided free admission each year and have the opportunity to meet the Volcanoes players prior to the game. Volcanoes Care highlights Local Need and has partnered with numerous local charities to provide exposure and funding for their individual causes.
Speaking of funding the Volcanoes again rise to the front with large cash donations to support various local projects including Keizer’s Big Toy and the Keizer Heritage Center.
The Volcanoes also partnered with the Bair Foundation; a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing children helping locate 4 missing children. In addition, the team has participated in the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation Domestic Violence Initiative, the MiLB CommUNITY Initiative, Sun Safety Initiative with the American Cancer Society, Ed Randall’s Bat for a Cure Prostate Awareness Program. The club has also held Annual Red Cross Blood Drives and have promoted many Veteran organizations including: AMVETS Post 1776, Disabled American Veterans, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Northwest Indians Veterans Association, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, Oregon National Guard, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America, Salem Vets Center, Serving Our Veterans at Home, Team Red, White and Blue, and Women Marines Association.
In addition, the Volcanoes have generously donated to hundreds of local charity auctions:
Perhaps the most FUN though would be the team’s annual hosting of Santa Claus as he flies in from the North Pole via Helicopter and lands at Volcanoes Stadium for a day of fun and excitement for all the good little boys and girls. Volcanoes Baseball – Family Fun Well Done.
(If you are a part of a front office for a Minor League or College Woodbat team and would like your team to be a part of this series please contact us. Our goal is to promote teams across the nation who are doing more than just baseball.)