Great in '08: The World Spins Madly On

Sixteen years. Five thousand eight hundred forty days. One hundred forty thousand one hundred and sixty minutes. That's how long the Spokane Indians had to wait between Northwest League titles. Prior to this year's triumph over the Vancouver Canadians, Spokane's last championship came all the way back in 2008. A lifetime ago, really. At that time, the short-season Northwest League still included the Boise Hawks, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, and Yakima Bears, Spokane's only mascots were OTTO and Recycleman, and 2024 Northwest League MVP Kyle Karros was just going into first grade. Feel old yet?

Here's a bit more of what was happening around the country in 2008:

- Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected as U.S. President

- The release of Iron Man marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

- Flo-Rida and T-Pain's "Low" topped the charts

- Apple launched the the App Store with a total of 500 apps available (the number is north of two million today)

- "Mansplain" and "Photobomb" were added to the dictionary

- The "Dark Knight" was released in theaters on July 18th

- Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics

- The first season of "Breaking Bad" debuted on AMC

- America struggled through greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression

- Taylor Swift released "Fearless" featuring "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me"

The 2008 Indians steamrolled through the regular season—finishing 51-25 (.671) after leading the league in runs and ERA—before defeating a Salem-Keizer squad that featured Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey in four games for the NWL title. A total of eight players from that Spokane team would reach the majors including future All-Star Martín Pérez—the only member of the 2008 team still currently playing in MLB.

Just 17 years old at the time, Pérez was part of a strong rotation that also included big leaguers Wilfredo Boscan (9-1, 3.12 ERA) and Neil Ramirez (2.66 ERA in 13 GS). Offensively, the team was led by Mike Bianucci (.316, 4 HR, 21 RBI) and Joey Butler (.301/.417/.434) while bullpen standouts included Ryan Schlecht (4-2, 1.48 ERA, 5 SV) and Corey Young (1-1, 2.79 ERA 7 SV). Guided by veteran skipper Tim Hulett, the 2008 title was Spokane's third in its first six years as an affiliate of Rangers, though would ultimately prove to be the team's last with Texas.

What's the lesson? Championships are hard to win and the world changes quickly. Savor this title, Indians fans. Let's just hope it won't be another 16 years before the next.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane Valley, Wash., and play at Avista Stadium home of the MultiCare Kids Bench Seat and Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Military & Veteran Ticket. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Office and Team Store hours are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. On game days, the Office and Team Store are open from 10:00 a.m. through the end of the game.