Pippins Carry On Family Tradition, Name Jeff Garretson as GM

The Yakima Valley Pippins introduced Yakima native Jeff Garretson as the organization’s new general manager Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m excited to introduce Jeff to the baseball community,” said Zachary Fraser, the team’s president and acting general manager. “His love of the valley and knowledge of the relationships that make this community tick is important, and I wanted to get him introduced before the end of the season so he can be active right away in selling this great product to the valley, building on our foundation to create the best fan experience in the West Coast League at The Orchard.”

Garretson, who has been the Pippins’ official scorekeeper for the team's first two years at Yakima County Stadium, officially starts his duties Aug. 1.

“It’s an honor and an amazing opportunity to join the organization and help continue to grow the ties the Pippins already have created in the Yakima Valley,” said Garretson, who spent 25 years working for the Yakima Herald-Republic newspaper.

The Garretson name has deep ties to baseball history in the Yakima Valley. His father, Bob Garretson Jr., now retired, won two World Series as head coach of the Yakima Beetles and also was a longtime head baseball coach and assistant coach at Yakima Valley Community College. Garretson’s grandfather, Bob Sr., played first base for the Pippins – then a professional franchise – in the team’s inaugural season in 1937 before continuing his playing and coaching career. Bob Sr. is the namesake for the annual Legion tournament that is hosted in Yakima each summer.

With the Pippins, Garretson will lead all local market activity, including immediate focus on ticket and sponsorship sales and service, business operations, ballpark operations and fan experience.

“Yakima has a great history of successful baseball programs at many levels – high school, Legion, college, professional,” Garretson said. “In just over a year and a half, the Pippins’ front office and coaching staff have created an exciting experience at The Orchard.

“I’m anxious to expand our reach throughout the valley and connect with new fans and sponsors, while striving to always make the experience of our existing fans better every day.”

Garretson started as a sports reporter at the Herald-Republic in 1990 and moved to the news side in 1993. He has served as news editor for the past 10 years.

“We have a great a loyal fan base that deserves a local, committed and detail-oriented leader,” said Fraser. “I look forward to working alongside Jeff, Marcus, and the rest of the team to continue the efforts of the past two seasons to bring a championship club to the Yakima Valley.”