Lethbridge Mounties: All-Time Team

The desire for high-level baseball in Lethbridge was mounting.

After city council in the southern Alberta municipality put an end to beer sales at Henderson Stadium in 1984, thus essentially ending the tenure of the Lethbridge Dodgers of the Pioneer League, sports fans no longer had professional baseball to enjoy.

For the better part of a decade, baseball boosters waited for the return of pro ball to the Windy City.

The drought ended when the Lethbridge Mounties joined the Pioneer League circuit in 1992. The police-inspired club was not a direct affiliate of any one Major League Baseball (MLB) team, but they were loaned prospects by a number of big league franchises.

The Mounties took the field for four seasons in Lethbridge, with somewhat mixed results. They didn’t win many games and the rookie-level squad didn’t send many players onto MLB careers. The Mounties finished seventh in the overall standings during every year of their existence in the eight-team league.

Despite the poor play, however, the independent franchise gained a following in the community. The Mounties went from an average attendance of 535 fans in year one to a per-game crowd of 877 in 1993. Those figures continued to climb in their final two seasons, with a typical attendance of 1,228 in 1994 and an average audience of 1,360 in 1995.

And who was it that the fans had to cheer for? What players got them out of their seats and hollering?

The following are some of the best players to suit up at each position for the team during their four-year run. Our all-time roster consists of the following: manager, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, three outfielders, designated hitter, utility/bench players, middle relief pitchers, a closer, and starting pitchers for the rotation. A lineup card and a rotation will be revealed after we go through the selections.

MANAGER

Skipper Larry Milbourne guided the Mounties to a 24-50 record in their inaugural season, which wasn’t great, but it was a bit better than the last place Medicine Hat Blue Jays, who went 23-52 in 1992.

Manager Dan Simonds was slightly better during the team’s final season, going 25-47 with Lethbridge in 1995.

It was Phillip Wellman who coached the team to its best results during the franchise’s middle years. In 1993, the Texan pushed the squad to a 29-44 record and he followed that up with a 29-43 showing in 1994. Wellman, our choice for manager of the all-time team, played as an outfielder and infielder in the minor leagues at the Single-A and Double-A levels in the mid-1980s.

The Atlanta Braves hired him as a hitting coach for their minor-league affiliates when Wellman’s playing days came to an end and he embarked on a lengthy baseball career from there. After his time as the manager of the Mounties, Wellman took a number of managerial jobs and hitting coach gigs in the minors. He won a Southern League championship as the skipper of the Double-A Mississippi Braves in 2008 and followed that up with a Texas League title as the hitting coach with the Springfield Cardinals in 2012. Wellman collected a third championship – his second in the Texas League – when he was the manager of the Amarillo Sod Poodles in 2019. He picked up views on YouTube and on sports highlight shows in 2007 when he had a theatrical meltdown that saw him crawl around the pitcher’s mound before throwing a rosin bag like a grenade towards the home-plate umpire. Wellman served as the bench coach of the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League in 2025.

CATCHER

The Mounties never had any star catchers, but they did employ some reliable backstops over the years.

Corey Woinarowicz played just one season of pro ball. The Idaho product suited up in 43 games for Lethbridge in 1994. In that time, he had a .250 batting average and a .372 on-base percentage, to go along with 19 runs, 11 runs batted in (RBI), three stolen bases and one home run.

Our pick for the starting job goes to Kortney Paul, a Texan who was drafted in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Paul appeared in 58 games for the Mounties in 1995 and batted .239 with 28 runs, 24 RBI, 11 doubles, three round trippers and three swipes.

FIRST BASEMAN

It’s a two-man race for first base duties, as well.

Mitch House, a fourth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, joined the Mounties in 1992 and played in 73 games. The pride of Abington, Virginia led the Pioneer League in being hit by pitches after getting plunked 17 times. He led the team in total bases (100), RBI (35), home runs (7) and doubles (13), while finishing second in hits (64). Unfortunately, House was also tops on the squad in striking out, after being sat down 74 times in 264 at bats. The corner infielder finished the year with a .242 batting average, a .352 on-base percentage and 11 stolen bases.

Kevin Holt took over at first base in 1994 and appeared in 68 games. The Oklahoma native, who attended Southeastern Louisiana University, led the Mounties in doubles that year, with 17, while putting up solid numbers across the board. Holt manufactured 36 runs, 43 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 33 walks, 103 total bases, a .304 batting average and a .385 on-base percentage in 250 at bats.

We’re going to give the edge to the lefty bat of Holt here, mainly due to the high number of strikeouts from House.

SECOND BASEMAN

There were countless opportunities for Robert Stefanik to show what he could do in professional baseball when he signed on with the Mounties in 1992. The lefty batter led the club in at bats (291) and plate appearances (332) and converted his opportunities into a team-best 79 hits, 49 runs and 21 stolen bases. The second sacker also posted 10 doubles, 32 walks, 25 RBI and a .271 batting average.

Robert Ryan appeared in 66 games for Lethbridge in 1994 and was a reliable middle infielder. The Michigander had a .254 batting average, 35 runs, 10 doubles, 35 RBI, 12 steals and five long balls.

During the Mounties final season in Lethbridge, it was Tom Hutchison who impressed the home faithful with his work at second base and on the base paths. In 62 contests, the New Yorker scored 43 runs, smacked 60 hits, walked 32 times and stole 33 bases, making him the premier bag thief in the Pioneer League. The Yale University alum batted .276 and posted a .379 on-base percentage in his final pro season and was comfortable at second base, shortstop and third base.

Stefanik comes out on top in this three-way race, narrowly beating out Hutchison.

THIRD BASEMAN

A trio of players are in the running for the starting job at the hot corner.

Chris Edmondson had the assignment in 1992. Through 64 games, the Mississippi product – a 13th-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates – registered 25 runs, 12 doubles, 30 RBI, 23 walks and a .239 batting average.

In 1993, it was Gavin Baugh at third base for the Mounties. The Californian appeared in 70 games, scored 40 runs, collected 29 RBI, stole 11 bases, walked 24 times and batted .245.

Greg Bergeron and Ron Shankle split third-base duties in 1994, with Bergeron turning in more quality at bats. Originally from California, Bergeron had 29 runs, 21 RBI, nine steals, 29 walks and a .396 on-base percentage in his 51 games with Lethbridge. After he left Alberta, Bergeron played indy ball with the Surrey Glaciers and Regina Cyclones in the mid-1990s.

Bergeron gets the call here.

SHORTSTOP

Juan Segura had a solid season with Lethbridge in 1993, batting .306 with 74 hits, 33 runs, 25 RBI, 13 doubles, and 87 total bases in 242 at bats and 66 games. Just 19 years old when he came to Alberta from the Dominican Republic, Segura spoke very little English, requiring the assistance of an interpreter to do media interviews. He described himself as “just an average hitter” in the Lethbridge Herald, adding he was thankful for the opportunity to play baseball professionally. He spent time at shortstop, third base and second base.

As good as Segura was, Mark Duncan was even better in 1994. In 70 games and 270 at bats, he led the Mounties in hits (89), batting average (.330), on-base percentage (.402) and hit by pitch (17). Duncan also stole 16 bases, hit 11 doubles and picked up five triples. The righty batter from New York was a Pioneer League All-Star and his hit total made him the all-time leader for the franchise in that statistical category.

Duncan slots in as the everyday starting shortstop.

OUTFIELDERS

There are a number of qualified outfield options to sift through.

Adrian Brown was the most successful graduate of the Mounties. The McComb, Mississippi outfielder – who also suited up for the Calgary Cannons in 1997 – played 447 in the majors over nine seasons. Most of his big-league time was with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the switch hitter also worked briefly for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. The outfielder’s MLB totals include: 166 runs, 11 home runs, 86 RBI, 45 stolen bases and a career .258 batting average. During his 1993 campaign in Lethbridge, Brown led the Mounties in stolen bases (22), runs (47), hits (75), extra-base hits (24), total bases (114) and at bats (282). The 48th-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates also led the Pioneer League in triples, with nine.

Joining him in that outfield was Willie Brown, who had a beast of a season in 1993. The fourth-round selection of the Florida Marlins clubbed a league-high 16 round trippers and his 44 RBI, 40 walks and .516 slugging percentage were tops on the squad. The former Florida A&M University student – a native of Edison, Georgia – struck out 86 times, more than any other Pioneer League batter that year, but he also scored 43 runs, stole 11 bases and collected 110 total bases in 65 games. Brown was recognized as a Pioneer League All-Star at the end of the season.

Luis Cordova (left), Willie Brown (centre) and Adrian Brown (right) made for a menacing outfield with the Mounties in 1993. The three are pictured here in Fleer ProCards baseball cards.

Luis Cordova played with Brown and Brown in the outfield and put up decent, if not eye-popping, numbers. The lefty batter from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico registered 70 hits, 28 runs, 38 RBI, nine stolen bases, 29 walks and 92 stolen bases through 68 contests.

The 1994 roster also produced some noticeable outfield talent.

Chris Priest led the Pioneer League in home runs (14), total bases (153) and games played (72) that summer. The Illinois native also held the team lead in RBI (55), extra-base hits (34), slugging percentage (.546), and OPS (.930). In addition, Priest batted .307 with 55 runs, 19 stolen bases, 15 doubles and five triples.

Priest’s teammate, Thurston Rockmore, led the circuit in stolen bases, with 31 thefts, while collecting 56 runs, 30 RBI, 14 doubles, 37 walks, 108 total bases and a .392 on-base percentage in 70 games.

Our three starters for outfield roles are Adrian Brown, Chris Priest and Thurston Rockmore.

DESIGNATED HITTER

With the wealth of hard-hitting outfielders at our disposal here, we’re going to move Willie Brown and his heavy bat into the DH role. Perhaps with less time focusing on defence, Brown can cut down on his strikeout totals.

UTILITY/BENCH PLAYERS

A number of our starting lineup cuts – including House, Hutchison, Segura and Cordova – warrant consideration for bench roles.

There are also a few other versatile players to consider.

Pat Lussier, a righty batter from Montreal, was a capable outfielder and first baseman who played 51 games for the Mounties in 1993. He batted .293 with 26 RBI, 16 runs, 10 doubles and five homers. After leaving Lethbridge, Lussier took the field with the Regina Cyclones and Saskatoon Riot in the Prairie League.

The 1995 squad included two other possible roster adds. A.J. Leday took turns playing first base and in the outfield. In 61 games with the Mounties, the New Jersey native produced 41 RBI and 30 runs while batting. 297. Leday played parts of his final seasons with the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Leday’s teammate, Roger Cropper, is an outfielder who has spent some time at third base. The 57th-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Virgin Islands made it into 65 games for Lethbridge and batted .284 with 38 runs, 24 RBI, 11 doubles, seven triples and 16 stolen bases. The switch hitter led the 1995 team with 97 total bases.

Some great options here to come off the bench. Our four picks to join the Mounties dugout are Roger Cropper, Juan Segura, Mitch House and Tom Hutchison.

STARTING PITCHERS

Onto the pitching staff, and the Mounties were blessed with a number of excellent arms over the years.

For the starting rotation, there are several hurlers to consider for regular mound work.

Dale Ballance – a lefty from Nanaimo, B.C. – is a lock for a starting pitcher job. The workhorse suited up in three seasons for the Mounties from 1992 through 1994. He is the franchise’s career leader in wins (9), appearances (50), games started (23), innings pitched (190.1) and strikeouts (121). Ballance went on to play for the Surrey Glaciers and Winnipeg Goldeyes after he moved on from Lethbridge.

Rodney Myers is also a safe bet for a starter gig. The righthander from Rockford, Illinois was a 12th-round pick of the Kansas City Royals who ended up making it to the majors and pitching for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. Used as a reliever in the big leagues, he made 167 appearances and registered 161 Ks in 239-plus innings while posting a 7-5 record with a 5.07 earned run average (ERA). In Lethbridge, Myers worked as a starting pitcher. With the Mounties, he made 15 starts and went 5-8 with a 4.01 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 103.1 innings in 1992. Myers led the Pioneer league in innings pitched and complete games after going the distance five times that year.

Cam Aronetz, a lefthander from the inaugural team, was a dependable hill topper, as well. The Coquitlam, B.C. product, a 52nd-round selection of the Dodgers, went 6-7 with a 4.54 ERA and 57 strikeouts over his 14 starts and 83.1 innings in 1992.

Worthy candidates from the 1993 roster include Miguel Bonilla (4-8, 2.87 ERA, 15 starts, five complete games, 106.2 innings, 59 Ks); John Dillinger (3-10, 3.92 ERA, 15 starts, three complete games, 94 strikeouts, 80.1 innings); Chad Terminie (4-1, 3.67 ERA, nine games, one complete game shutout, 30 Ks in 49 innings); and Shawn Ohman, a lefty who went 3-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 16 games and 78.2 innings.

The 1994 Lethbridge squad had a pair of righty starters of note. Jason Carruth went 5-6 with a 4.66 ERA and 55 Ks in his 75-plus innings spread over 13 starts, while John Henrickson was 4-5 with a 6.10 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 59 innings. The Californian appeared in 13 games and made 10 starts, including a complete game shutout.

Casey Kirkman, a 33rd-round pick of the California Angels, was the ace of the Mounties in their final season. The righthander led the Pioneer League with 91 strikeouts in his 95 innings on the bump. Kirkman went 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA and a complete game over 15 starts.

After assessing the options, these players made the final cut for the rotation: Ballance, Myers, Kirkman, Bonilla and Dillinger.

MIDDLE RELIEVERS

If the starters falter, the bullpen will offer some solutions.

From the 1993 team, southpaw Ray Soloman went 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA and three saves in 23 games. The Windsor, Ontario native, a 36th-round pick of the Royals, struck out 23 batters in 30 innings. Soloman’s teammate, Elcilio De Leon, posted a 4.07 ERA, a 2-4 record, 49 Ks and a save in his 42 innings.

Another Canadian – Curtis Falls of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – played in Lethbridge for two summers. In 1994 and 1995, Falls pitched in 43 games, including five starts, and went 2-4 with a 3.65 ERA and 81 Ks in 88-plus innings.

Lefty Jason Burge impressed in 1995 by striking out 49 batters in 34 innings. The Texan went 2-4 with five saves and a 3.44 ERA in 23 games of relief work.

We’ll add Burge and Falls to our bullpen, although Soloman is also an enticing option.

CLOSER

Ninth inning work could fall to one of three arm-barn hurlers.

Lavell Cudjo was the team’s first closer. In 1992, the 20th-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds appeared in 20 games for the Mounties and picked up 11 saves. The righthander posted a 2.63 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 27.1 frames.

Louisiana product Sam Musso inherited the job in 1993 and converted 10 saves in his 15 outings. Musso had a 5.40 ERA and 12 Ks in 16.2 innings.

Texan Craig Farmer became the club’s career saves leader in 1994 by registering 13 saves. The righty went 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 28 games and 34.1 innings.

We’re going with Farmer in the ninth.