Bing Russell

Biography

Bing Russell is perhaps best remembered for his role as Deputy Sheriff Clem Foster on the iconic series Bonanza (1959) and as Robert in The Magnificent Seven (1960). However, he gained national acclaim as the owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club, a pioneering independent team in the Class A Northwest League. Russell was a visionary in the world of baseball long before the film Bull Durham (1988) popularized the concept of independent teams. He maintained a 30-man roster because he believed that some players deserved the chance for a final season, emphasizing his mantra of FUN over traditional notions of winning, despite the Mavericks' success on the field.

Under Russell's leadership, the Mavericks operated without any corporate sponsorship at their ballpark and made history by hiring the first female general manager in professional baseball. The following year, he appointed the first Asian American GM/Manager. During their remarkable season, the Mavericks achieved a record for the highest attendance in minor league history and clinched the pennant. Players from all walks of life, including ex-major leaguers and hopefuls from as far away as Cape Town and France, eagerly attended Russell's open tryouts in June. His commitment to both the game and the players transformed the Mavericks into a beloved institution in the world of baseball.