Cartwright friends is the supporting cast of Bonanza. They include Hop Sing, Sheriff Roy Coffee, Will Cartwright, Doc Martin, Jamie, Griff, Clem, Sam the bartender, Betty Endicott, Bob Miles, Dusty Rhoades & of course, the horses (Buck, Sport, Chubb & Cochise).
The suddenness of the cancellation of Bonanza in 1972 was a shock to the cast, and Bing Russell was no exception.
Playing guest roles and then Clem Foster in 57 episodes had kept the 46 year old actor happy and busy.
During the year that followed, Kurt Russell (Bing's son) is quoted as saying his father was "lost". Kurt wanted to help, and after much thought, suggested something that many thought couldn't be done.
One year after hanging up his Clem Foster hat, Bing Russell started the Portland Mavericks - the only independent A team baseball team in the country.
Following Bing's "mad chemist" nickname, he added a female general manager and a female bat girl to his team!
player Kurt Russell, owner Bing Russell, and manager Frank Peters
