Start is the best in franchise history

Brian Hilderbrand

Saturday, April 15, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

Last year, the Las Vegas 51s struggled to a 57-86 record - the second-worst in franchise history - but manager Jerry Royster couldn't have enjoyed himself more.

Despite the team's on-field woes, Royster had the privilege of sending 13 players to the major leagues.

"That's the most players I've ever sent to the major leagues," said Royster, who is back at the helm of the 51s this season, "so that's really not that rough of a year when you look at it in that sense."

But developing players and winning baseball games don't have to be mutually exclusive in Triple-A baseball, Royster said.

"My goal is to get them to do, individually, what they need to do to become major leaguers and then manage that to a point where you win your games, also," Royster said.

"It can't not be about both (winning and development) - it has to be about both."

If the 51s' start this season is any indication, Royster said, he should be able to do both because of the depth of talent on his roster.

"Honestly speaking, it's possible for every one of our players to play in the major leagues," Royster said. "Whether they do or not depends on a lot of things, but we don't have any 'no-prospect' players on our team.

"I've never been able to say that before at this level."

Nice start

The 51s' 6-0 start this season was the best in franchise history, but it fell short of Royster's personal best.

Royster was a utility infielder with Atlanta in 1982 when the Braves opened the season with 13 consecutive victories. That mark stood as the major-league record until the Milwaukee Brewers matched it in 1987.

The Pacific Coast League record for most victories from Opening Day is 15, set in 1903 by the Los Angeles Angels.

Around the horn

1975

The year 51s manager Jerry Royster won the Pacific Coast League batting title with a .333 average

The number of fireworks spectaculars and/or extravaganzas on the 51s' promotions calendar this season