The Inland Empire 66ers are calling themselves “the Pickers” and sporting special uniforms this weekend as an homage to Redlands’ citrus heritage.
The team gave a nod to Redlands as it faced the Modesto Nuts on Friday night, July 12, and would do so Saturday, July 13, at the city’s San Manuel Stadium, General Manager Joe Hudson said.
Inland Empire 66ers outfielder Jorge Ruiz wears his special “the Pickers” uniform Friday night, July 12, 2024, as the team celebrates Redlands’ citrus heritage at San Manuel Stadium. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The 66ers Jenrry Gonzalez, center, and the rest of the team celebrate the city of Redlands citrus heritage Friday night, July 12, 2024, by wearing custom uniforms branded as “the Pickers” during their home games this weekend at San Manuel Stadium. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Redlands Pickers ball caps, T-shirts and jerseys are for sale in the gift shop Friday night, July 12, 2024, as the 66ers celebrate the city of Redlands and its citrus heritage this weekend against the Modesto Nuts in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Inland Empire 66ers Carson Jones, pinch runner, replaces an injured Jorge Ruiz on a play on Friday, July 12, 2024, against the Modesto Nuts in San Bernardino. The team is wearing special uniforms through the weekend branded as “the Pickers” to celebrate Redlands’ citrus heritage. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Inland Empire 66ers players and coaches watch as starting pitcher Francis Texido warms up on Friday, July 12, 2024, as the team celebrates the city of Redlands’ citrus heritage with custom uniforms branded as “the Pickers” at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Left fielder Alexander Ramirez takes the field on Friday, July 12, 2024, during player introductions in his special “Pickers” uniform as the 66ers celebrate the city of Redlands’ citrus heritage at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Redlands Pickers ball caps and other gear are available to buy at the 66ers team shop on Friday, July 12, 2024, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Inland Empire 66ers, from left, Randy De Jesus and Alexander Ramirez sit in the dugout with mascots Slick and Bernie before the game on Friday, July 12, 2024, against the Modesto Nuts at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Starting pitcher for the 66ers Francis Texido wears his special uniform Friday night, July 12, 2024. The team has been rebranded as “the Pickers” through the weekend to honor Redlands’ citrus heritage during their home stand against the Modesto Nuts at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Inland Empire 66ers outfielder Jorge Ruiz wears his special “the Pickers” uniform Friday night, July 12, 2024, as the team celebrates Redlands’ citrus heritage at San Manuel Stadium. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
“The red-and-orange uniforms, along with the logo and the name ‘Pickers,’ represent the city of Redlands’ history of citrus groves,” Hudson said.
Redlands was home to one of the world’s largest citrus groves in the 19th and 20th centuries, according to the city’s website. Today, it still boasts 2,500 acres of citrus fields.
San Manuel tribe uses goats to clear brush in San Bernardino Mountains
The 66ers is also inducting Steve Hernandez, its bench coach who also served as a mentor to young athletes at Redlands East Valley High School, into the team’s hall of fame. Fans on Saturday will get to take home a bobblehead of the coach.
The minor league team occasionally changes its uniforms — and sometimes its name — to honor the region’s cities.
On Aug. 9 and 10, the 66ers will don uniforms with Riverside’s raincross logo as it plays the San Jose Giants at San Manuel Stadium.
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