The Grand Junction Jackalopes are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in

Grand Junction, Colorado Grand Junction is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 65,560 at the 2020 United States Census, making Grand Junction the 17th mo ...

, and play their home games at

Suplizio Field Sam Suplizio Field is a stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States.Facilities ...

. They were formerly named the Rockies, after the Colorado Rockies, who were their major league affiliate from 2001 to 2020 prior to the league becoming independent.

Franchise history

The Butte Copper Kings, named for the once-powerful owners of the copper mines of Butte, Montana, began play in the Pioneer League in as a co-op team with players from the Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics,

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...

and Texas Rangers organizations as well as a few free agents. Beginning in , the franchise had been operated by Silverbow Baseball. It was sold in to the

Goldklang Group The Goldklang Group is a sports ownership and management group. Led by Marvin Goldklang, the group includes Jeff Goldklang, Bill Murray, Mike Veeck, and Tom Whaley. The Goldklang Group has interests in the Charleston RiverDogs of Low-A East, the ...

in a move necessary to stem conflict-of-interest issues when Silverbow head

Jim McCurdy Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim ...

had taken the position of President of the Pioneer League in . Silverbow had attempted to sell the franchise in 1994 to investors from

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

, but the deal fell through when it was determined that Silverbow owned a lesser percentage of the franchise than it had purported to own. Following the season, the team relocated to Casper, Wyoming as the Casper Rockies (and was renamed the Ghosts before the season) and affiliated with

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...

. On January 13, 2011, Casper Professional Baseball Club, LLC announced the sale of the team to Monfort Investment Group, a group headed by Colorado Rockies General Partners. October 17, 2011, Grand Junction city officials unanimously approved a lease agreement to the team, making Suplizio Field home to the newly renamed Grand Junction Rockies. In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Grand Junction continuing as a member. On November 4, 2022, the team officially announced their new name of the Grand Junction Jackalopes.

Roster

Notable players

Butte Copper Kings, Casper Rockies and Casper Ghosts players who have made appearances on Major League teams: *

Cecil Fielder Cecil Grant Fielder (; born September 21, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Fielder was a power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV ...

Omar Vizquel Omar Enrique Vizquel González (; born April 24, 1967), nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball shortstop. During his 24-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Vizquel played for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indi ...

Rich Aurilia Richard Santo Aurilia (; born September 2, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for several teams between 1995 and 2009. Amateur career Aurilia was born in Brooklyn, New York. Before being drafted by Texas, Aurilia was a ...

Jake Bird Jake Bird (December 14, 1901 – July 15, 1949) was an American serial killer who was tried and executed for the axe murders of Bertha Kludt and her daughter Beverly June Kludt in Tacoma, Washington in 1947, and has since been linked to 11 other ...

Julio Franco Julio César Franco Robles (born August 23, 1958)Franco's birth date is in question. Many of his early bios and cards have his birthday listed in 1954, and on the roster of the Quintana Roo Tigres, his birthday is listed in 1961. is a Dominica ...

Bobby Jenks Robert Scott Jenks (born March 14, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox from 2005 through 2011. According to the ''Baseball Almanac'', his ...

Robb Nen Robb Allen Nen (born November 28, 1969) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front ...

* Roger Pavlik * Francisco Rodríguez *

Kevin Seitzer Kevin Lee Seitzer (; born March 26, 1962) is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Cleveland Indians. He is currently the hitting coach for the Atl ...

Mike Napoli Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and document ...

* Alfredo Amézaga *

Andy Barkett Andrew Jon Barkett (born September 5, 1974) is an American professional baseball coach, former Minor League Baseball manager, and former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who appeared in 17 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first baseman ...

Andy Beene Ramon Andrew Beene (born October 13, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Beene played College baseball with Baylor University. Beene was initially drafted by the New York Yankees in 1978, but they did not ...

* Mark Brandenburg *

Mickey Callaway Michael Christopher Callaway (born May 13, 1975) is an American professional baseball coach and former pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Anaheim Angels, and Texas Rangers and in the KBO Leagu ...

* Juan Castillo *

Bryan Clutterbuck Bryan Richard Clutterbuck (December 17, 1959 – August 23, 2016) was an American professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, he appeared in 34 games in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers during the and seasons. The nat ...

* Cris Colón * John Davis * Tom Edens *

Joey Eischen Joseph Raymond Eischen (born May 25, 1970) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. High school Joey Eischen attended West Covina High School in West Covina, California and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis ...

Trevor Enders Trevor Hale Enders (born December 22, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball player. Born to William Enders and Barbara (nee Frost). Born in Milwaukee, WI. He and his family moved to Northbrook, Illinois and then to Houston, TX when he was youn ...

Scott Eyre Scott Alan Eyre (born May 30, 1972), is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Ph ...

Monty Fariss Monty Ted Fariss (born October 13, 1967) is an American former professional baseball player who spent time in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from 1991 to 1993. Career Fariss attended Oklahoma State, and in 1987 he played colleg ...

* Jeff Frye *

Benji Gil Romar Benjamin Gil Aguilar (born October 6, 1972) is a Mexican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels. He is infield coach for the Los Angeles Angels of MLB, and ...

* Donald Harris *

Todd Helton Todd Lynn Helton (born August 20, 1973) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played his entire 17-year career for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). A five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and ...

* Matt Hensley * Dion James *

Kerry Lacy Kerry Ardeen Lacy (born August 7, 1972) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at , 195 lb., he batted and threw right-handed. In a two-season career, Lacy posted a 3–1 ...

Terrell Lowery Quenton Terrell Lowery (born October 25, 1970) is an American former baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and San Francisco Giants. High school Lowery attended Oakland Technical High School, graduating with a 25-points pe ...

Bill Lyons William Allen Lyons (born April 26, 1958 in Alton, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played in parts of two seasons in the majors, and , for the St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professio ...

David Manning Sir David Geoffrey Manning, (born 5 December 1949) is a former British diplomat, who was the British Ambassador to the United States from 2003 to 2007. He authored the so-called " Manning Memo", that summarized the details of a meeting between ...

Rob Maurer Robert John Maurer (born January 7, 1967) is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, Maurer attended Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana and the University of Evansville, where he played for the Evansville Purple Aces Th ...

* Brian Meadows * Ángel Miranda * Alberto Árias *

Darren Clarke Darren Christopher Clarke, (born 14 August 1968) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions and has previously played on the European Tour and PGA Tour. He has won 21 tournaments worldwide on a ...

Manuel Corpas Manuel Corpas (born December 3, 1982) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Martinez Sturgeon of the Pecos League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs. Career Colorado R ...

Dexter Fowler William Dexter Fowler (born March 22, 1986) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinal ...

* Jonathan Herrera *

Ubaldo Jiménez Ubaldo Jiménez García (born January 22, 1984) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. Jiménez was an MLB All-Sta ...

Franklin Morales Franklin Miguel Morales (born January 24, 1986) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays. Professional career Colorado Rockies A ...

* Josh Newman *

Jayson Nix Jayson Truitt Edward Nix (born August 26, 1982) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Ya ...

Jordan Pacheco Jordan Patrick Pacheco (born January 30, 1986) is an American former professional baseball infielder and catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. Early career Prior to p ...

* Alex Serrano * Ryan Shealy *

Seth Smith Garry Seth Smith (born September 30, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles. He ...

* Ian Stewart *

Ryan Speier Ryan Andrew Speier (born July 24, 1979) is an American former right-handed professional baseball pitcher. He played with the Colorado Rockies for his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career, from when he was called up to July 24, when he was ...

* Jermaine Van Buren *

Eduardo Villacis Eduardo Enrique Villacis (born August 29, 1979) is a retired starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals in their 2004 Kansas City Royals season, 2004 season. Listed at 6' 2" (1.89 m), 170 lb. (77 k), Villacis ...

Everth Cabrera Everth Cabrera (born November 17, 1986) is a Nicaraguan professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. He led the National League (NL) in stolen bases in 2012, and was a ...

Jhoulys Chacín Jhoulys Jose Chacín Molina ( ; born January 7, 1988) is an American-Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padre ...

Matt Daley Matthew Thomas Daley (born June 23, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees. He retired after the 2014 season and is now a professiona ...

* Juan Morillo * David Patton *

Esmil Rogers Esmil Antonio Rogers (born August 14, 1985) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. He previously played in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles and Nexen Heroes, and in the Chinese P ...

Pedro Strop Pedro Ángel Strop (born June 13, 1985) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs. Career ...

Mike Timlin Michael August Timlin (; born March 10, 1966) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Timlin played on four World Series championship teams in an 18-year career; the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays, 1993 Toronto Blue Jays, 2004 Bost ...

Eric Young, Jr. Eric Orlando Young Jr. (born May 25, 1985) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder and current first base coach for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Colorado Ro ...

Wilin Rosario Wilin Arismendy Rosario Hernández (born February 23, 1989) is a Dominican professional baseball catcher and first baseman for the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rock ...

Ryan Mattheus Ryan Arthur Mattheus (born November 10, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Cincinnati Reds. He is a sinkerballer. ...

Juan Nicasio Juan Ramón Nicasio (born August 31, 1986) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, P ...

Jon Gray Jonathan Charles Gray (born November 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Colorado Rockies. Gray played college baseball for Eastern Oklahoma S ...

Trevor Story Trevor John Story (born November 15, 1992) is an American professional baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut ...

* Nolan Arenado

References

External links

*
Statistics from ''Baseball-Reference''
{{Colorado Sports Professional baseball teams in Colorado Colorado Rockies minor league affiliates Anaheim Angels minor league affiliates Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league affiliates Texas Rangers minor league affiliates Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliates Pioneer League (baseball) teams Baseball teams established in 2012 2012 establishments in Colorado Grand Junction, Colorado