Lake was fish in Spokane's summer pond
On Sept. 5, 2020, Jimmy Lake will step onto the field at Husky Stadium as the head coach of the Washington Huskies, preparing his team to face Big Ten power Michigan.That position will be a far cry from where he was 20 years ago: making his way out of the
On Sept. 5, 2020, Jimmy Lake will step onto the field at Husky Stadium as the head coach of the Washington Huskies, preparing his team to face Big Ten power Michigan.
That position will be a far cry from where he was 20 years ago: making his way out of the Spokane dugout prior to a Class A Short Season Indians game ... dressed as Ricardo Tubbs from "Miami Vice."
It seems Minor League Baseball was as wacky then as it is now. That summer, Lake and Otto Klein [now Spokane's senior vice president] went along for the ride.
"We were all young at that time and we were having a 'Miami Vice' night at the ballpark," Klein said. "It was a big deal here and he and I dressed up as Crockett and Tubbs and went on the field, so we kind of got these outfits and we went out onto the field. We had the public address announcer introduce us at the beginning of the game and we came out of the dugout."
At this point, you might ask, "Why was a man destined to be the head coach of a nationally known collegiate football program appearing at a Minor League game dressed as a character from a 1980s television show?" Well, Lake, who graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1999 after playing four years there at strong safety, was trying out the business side of sports as a ticket salesman.
As with his coaching career to come, he excelled at getting fans into the stands.
"He started with us in January and then went to about August," Klein recalled. "He was a pretty good salesman. In fact, we pulled some numbers. He went on 60 or 70 sales calls and sold 57 season tickets and a couple hundred mini-season tickets. It was his first introduction into professional sports and into the sales side in a front office, and that's what made it fun."
That fun included being part of in-game festivities such as the Crockett and Tubbs stunt. In fact, they were the only ones in on the joke.
"No one knew," Klein said. "It was just a spoof and fun. I don't remember if we threw the first pitch or what we did, but we were trying to just have one of those classic Minor League spoofs. He was game for anything and is a genuinely nice guy."
Of course, it didn't last. When his alma mater came calling in August of that summer with a spot as a defensive backs coach, Lake jumped at the opportunity. Yet he didn't leave the knowledge he had gained in sales behind, taking it onto the recruiting trail.
"I think there is a lot of correlation as far as presentation and the way you speak and the way you hold yourself and breaking down barriers, whether it's with a client or with a family," Klein said. "It certainly didn't hurt."
Although they haven't stayed close, Klein has followed the rise of Lake's coaching career. The trek has taken him to Washington and Montana State, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions in the NFL, Boise State and back to the Huskies in 2014. With the sudden retirement of Chris Petersen in December, it didn't take long for the University of Washington to find its man.
"Really happy for him," Klein said. "To see him in the top spot doesn't surprise me at all. Just hearing the mentorship that Petersen has given him and everything else."
The pressure will be on. The Huskies have become regular contenders for the Pac-12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff over the last five years, but 2019 brought a disappointing 8-5 season. Klein has nothing but faith that his old colleague will do well.
"Now the light is at its brightest, but I think he will be just fine," he said.
While Lake is leading a football program, Klein is heading what he calls "one of the best shows and presentations in sports" with the Indians. It's not without challenges, however.
"We don't have the technology video boards and some of the fancy stuff that a lot of newer ballparks have, since we have a facility that was built in 1958," he said. "We've been able to manufacture this culture of just fun and customer service and over-the-top and our gameday experience. We're hoping to keep it going."
That might not include another appearance of Klein and Lake as Crockett and Tubbs, but you never know. After all, it is Minor League Baseball.
Brian Stultz is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianjstultz.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two