Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

All in the Family: Spokane’s Baseball Juniors

April 28, 2022

Sandy Alomar Jr. (brother of Roberto, son of Sandy Sr.): Sandy Alomar Jr. began his professional career with the Spokane Indians in 1984, hitting .215 in 219 ABs as an 18-year-old. He would reach the majors with the Padres in 1988 and spent a total of 20 years in MLB,

Sandy Alomar Jr. (brother of Roberto, son of Sandy Sr.): Sandy Alomar Jr. began his professional career with the Spokane Indians in 1984, hitting .215 in 219 ABs as an 18-year-old. He would reach the majors with the Padres in 1988 and spent a total of 20 years in MLB, highlighted by six All-Star appearances and the Rookie of the Year Award in 1990. He outperformed his father, who appeared in one All-Star Game during his 15-year big league career, but couldn’t match up to his younger brother Roberto, who earned a spot in Cooperstown after winning 10 Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger awards.

Felipe Alou Jr. (brother of Moises, son of Felipe): Felipe Alou Jr. has the extreme fortune (or misfortune) of being born into one of baseball’s greatest families. His father was the second Dominican player to reach the majors and appeared in three All-Star games before winning over 1,000 games as a big-league manager, while his older brother Moises was a six-time All-Star and won the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins. His uncles, Jesus and Matty, combined for nearly 3,000 hits in their MLB careers and his younger brother, Luis Rojas, served as manager of the New York Mets in 2020-21. Felipe Jr. never advanced past AAA after being selected in the 42nd round of the 1998 draft, appearing in 17 games for the Spokane Indians in 1999.

Wally Backman II (son of Wally Jr.): A 30th-round pick of the Texas Rangers, Backman II spent a pair of seasons in Spokane (2005-06), winning a NWL title with the Indians in 2005. He played one more season in the Rangers organization before playing the next seven years in independent leagues. The elder Backman spent 14 years in the majors, primarily with the Mets, and won a title with New York in 1986.

Charlie Beamon Jr. (son of Charlie): Charlie Jr. had his finest season of professional baseball with the Spokane Indians in 1979, hitting .353 with 11 stolen bases and 20 extra-base hits in 52 games. Despite posting consistently solid minor league numbers, Beamon only received 51 big league at-bats over parts of three seasons with the Mariners and Blue Jays. The elder Beamon appeared in 27 games over three seasons with the Baltimore Orioles including a complete-game shutout in his big league debut.

Bobby Bonds Jr. (brother of Barry, son of Bobby, cousin of Reggie Jackson): The son of a three-time All-Star, brother to a seven-time MVP, and distant cousin of Mr. October, Bobby Bonds Jr. spent 11 years in professional baseball but failed to reach the same lofty heights as his famous family members. An 18th-round pick by the San Diego Padres out of Canada College in California, Bobby Jr. appeared in 25 games for the Indians in 1992 (.179, 13 SB) and would peak at Triple-A in 1997-98 before spending five years in independent baseball to wrap up his playing career.

Joe Coleman Jr. (son of Joe, father of Casey): The third-overall pick in the 1965 draft, Joe Coleman Jr. won 142 games over 15 seasons in the majors including an All-Star appearance in 1972. He spent his last three season in professional baseball with the Spokane Indians, appearing in a total of 40 games and serving as a player/coach in 1980-81. His father, Joe Sr, was an All-Star in 1948 while his son Casey spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the Cubs and Royals between 2010-14.

Gary Matthews Jr. (son of Gary): A 13th-round pick of the San Diego Padres in 1993, Matthews Jr. appeared in 52 games for the Indians in 1994 (.209 in 191 AB). He reached the majors with San Diego in 1999 and would go on to play in parts of 12 big league seasons, including an All-Star appearance with the Texas Rangers in 2006. His dad was a first-round pick of the Giants in 1968 and collected over 2,000 hits and an All-Star appearance in 1979 during a 16-year MLB career.

John Mayberry Jr. (son of John): Both Mayberrys were first round picks - Sr. was selected 6th overall by the Astros in 1967 while Jr. was picked 19th overall by the Rangers in 2005. The younger Mayberry won a NWL title with the Indians that summer (along with fellow second-generation Spokane player Wally Backman) and would go on to spend parts of seven season in the majors, primarily with the Phillies. Mayberry Sr was a two-time All-Star, finished second in MVP voting in 1975, and collected 255 home runs across 15 big league seasons.

Dick Schofield Jr (son of Dick, uncle of Jayson Werth): The third overall pick in the 1981 draft, Dick Schofield Jr. appeared in seven games with the Spokane Indians at the end of the 1982 season, hitting an even .300 in 30 ABs. He reached the majors with the Angels the following season went on to collect nearly 1,000 hits in his 14-year big league career. Schofield returned to Avista Stadium in 2015 where he served as manager of the Pioneer League in the 2015 NWL vs. PBL All-Star Game. Dick Sr. was a strong defensive infielder for 19 years in the majors, winning the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. HOF pitcher and Spokane Indians alum Don Sutton was one of four players to appear in MLB games with both Dick Sr and Dick Jr. Schofield Jr’s nephew Jayson Werth went on to have the best MLB career in the family, winning the 2008 World Series with the Phillies and

Ruben Sierra Jr. (son of Ruben): Ruben Sierra Jr. never advanced past A-ball but did provide one of the most memorable moments in Spokane Indians history on July 29, 2011, when his walk-off grand slam won Indians fan Leslie Vancil a new truck from Gus Johnson Ford. He finished the season with a .702 OPS and was out of professional baseball just two years later. His father enjoyed far greater success, earning four All-Star appearances and clobbering 306 home runs over 20 big league seasons.

ABOUT THE SPOKANE INDIANS

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington, and were named 2021 MiLB Organization of the Year. Avista Stadium is home to the MultiCare Kids Bench Seat. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians office and team store hours are 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Monday through Thursday and 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Fridays.