1999
- What a Beginning. What a Magical Year.
2000
Bells Look to Defend Their Title.
On
June 4th, 1999, the Bellingham Bells made their return,
beating the Richmond Budgies 12-8. Local baseball fans witnessed
an offensive performance reminiscent to the dozen or so
former Bells players in the crowd that night who dazzled
their fans nearly 50 years before. Could history repeat
itself? The bells were "BACK IN TOWN".
That night was just the beginning. The latest version
of the historic Bells name just kept on winning in 1999.
They broke out ten straight league wins, they won four more.
Another
victory would tie the all time Pacific International League
record. In front of a big crowd hungry for apiece of history,
the Bells fell behind 10-1 early on. But it was a magic
season, and the Bells kept chipping away. The fans were
about to see that history after all.
Catcher
Kevin Richardson, "Special K", in
the bottom of the ninth with bases full, with the game all
tied up 10 to 10, blasted a shot over the right field wall.
An unbelievable "Grand Slam"
in an unbelievable game. The ball was gone! The game
was over! Bells win 14-10! History survived!
A
win in their next game gave the Bells the record. Sixteen
consecutive wins to start the season. The Bells went on
to win the league title in 1999, going 25-4 in the PIL.
They set attendance records and went to the World Series
in Witchita, finally ending their amazing inaugural season,
11th in the nation.
They
know an encore performance will be tough. But with PIL batting
champion Ben DeMond and League MVP Kevin Richardson
back in 2000, as well as added pitching depth, PIL Coach
of the Year, Rob Crawford and the Bells invite you
to come out to Joe Martin Stadium and witness history one
more time. After all, in Bellingham, this witnessing history
stuff can be fun!
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