Spokane Set to Play in April for First Time Since 1982

March 23, 2022

Spokane, WASH. - It's been four decades since the Spokane Indians took the field in the month of April, with the game of baseball and the world around having changed in innumerable ways in that period of time. The Indians made the most of their single season as an affiliate

Spokane, WASH. - It's been four decades since the Spokane Indians took the field in the month of April, with the game of baseball and the world around having changed in innumerable ways in that period of time. The Indians made the most of their single season as an affiliate of the California Angels in 1982, reaching the Pacific Coast League finals - where they lost to the Albuquerque Dukes in six games - and producing a five-time Gold Glove winner (Gary Pettis), big league manager (Jerry Narron), and AL All-Star (Tom Brunansky). Here's what else was happening in baseball and the world 40 years ago:

Baseball in 1982

St. Louis defeats Milwaukee in seven games to capture the World Series

MVPs: Robin Yount (AL) and Dale Murphy (NL)

Cy Young Winners: Pete Vuckovich (AL) and Steve Carlton (NL)

ROYs: Cal Ripken Jr (AL) and Steve Sax (NL)

Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson elected to Hall of Fame

Cost of Living 1982

Average cost of new home: $82,200

Gas: $1.22/gallon

Average price of new car: $7,983

US postage stamp: $.20

Average monthly rent: $320

Sony 19" color TV: $499

Entertainment in 1982

Popular Films: E.T., On Golden Pond, Porky's, Chariots of Fire, Poltergeist

Popular Artists: Michael Jackson, Human League, Survivor, Chicago, Lionel Richie

Popular TV Shows: Magnum PI, Dynasty, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider

Popular Toys: Star Wars figures, Atari games, Pound Puppies, Transformers

Fashion Trends: Member's Only Jackets, Leg Warmers,

World Events in 1982

Argentina invades the Falkland Islands, leading to an undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom

World leaders include Ronald Reagan (US), Pierre Trudeau (Canada), Margaret Thatcher (UK), Francois Mitterrand (France), and Leonid Brezhnev (USSR)

Canada gains full political independence from the United Kingdom

Doctors perform the first implant of a permanent artificial heart

Italy defeats West Germany to capture the 1982 World Cup in Spain

"The Computer" is named person of the year by TIME Magazine

The first CDs are manufactured in Germany

China becomes the first nation with a population over one billion

The Spokane Indians open their season against the Vancouver Canadians on Friday, April 8th at Avista Stadium. Great seats are still available in our Opening Night Mini-Season Ticket Plan. Please call (509) 343-6886 or visit SpokaneIndians.com for more information.

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 (9 AM to 5 PM) and team store (10 AM to 4 PM) are open Monday through Friday.