Team to honor Cashman Field over last season

The 51s, working with the Las Vegas Visitors and Conventions Authority, soon will launch “Cashman Field: A Season to Remember,” a campaign to honor the last year of baseball at the downtown ballpark.

The season, which began Thursday, marks the 36th and final campaign at the park as the 51s will move next year to Las Vegas Ballpark, which is being built in Summerlin.

“We can’t throw it together in a week,” team president Don Logan said of the campaign. “We’re going to do it thoughtfully and get it going probably after the next homestand.”

The 51s will unveil a commemorative logo, likely later this month. Once the campaign gets going, the franchise will honor the longest-standing season ticket-holders and sponsors, recognize long-tenured employees from both the 51s and the LVCVA and honor those who helped bring the team to Las Vegas.

Logan also said the team would create baseball cards that pay homage to the park’s history that would likely be a giveaway for fans.

“We’re going to finalize a list of milestone moments, guys that threw no-hitters,” Logan said. “I know John Kruk hit for the cycle in his first game. That will be one of them. Stuff like that. We’re going to do a baseball card set to reflect each one of the milestone moments.”

Smith gets day off

Dominic Smith, the New York Mets first baseman who is with the 51s on rehab after straining his right quad in spring training, got a day off Sunday after playing his first full game the night before.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run in Saturday’s game.

“My legs are definitely fatigued but they’ll get there,” Smith said. “… It’s going to take a little bit of time for me to get used to playing every day. I’m pretty excited. I’m just happy to back on the field.”

Wheeler going up

Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters that Zack Wheeler will start Wednesday’s game against Miami.

Wheeler made his first start in Triple-a on Friday, giving up one run on three hits in five innings pitched while striking out six. Las Vegas manager Tony Defrancesco said he didn’t know yet who would start in Wheeler’s place.

More fun with Finn

Fan favorite Finn the Bat Dog was on hand during the first four games.

Finn, a black labrador retriever, elicited big cheers from the crowd every time he sprinted to home plate and grabbed a bat with his teeth.

Finn appeared at Cashman less than 10 times last season, but fans can expect to see him more this year.

Upcoming at the park

Monday will mark the first Smith’s Value Menu Monday of the season. Fans can buy hot dogs, peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, Cracker Jack and churros for $1.

Then the 51s will hit the road for the rest of the week, playing three games in Albuquerque and four in El Paso before returning to Cashman Field on April 17.

Contact Betsy Helfand at bhelfand@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @Betsyhelfand on Twitter.