Bridgeport Bluefish
Encyclopedia
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American
professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut
. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. The Bluefish play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
.
ended. Other teams that called the city home were the Victors, Mechanics, Bolts, Americans, and the Bears. Bridgeport was the home of Major Leaguer, James "Orator" O'Rourke, who signed the first African-American to play for a professional baseball team in 1895. Visiting Major League
and Negro League teams often played exhibition games in Bridgeport in the shadow of the city's smokestacks. Professional baseball would not be played in Bridgeport for about another half-century, until the arrival of the Bluefish in 1998.
. They lost to Atlantic City
, in 2002, to Newark
, and to in 2006 Lancaster
.
The Bluefish, and the Atlantic League itself, tend to attract veteran minor leaguers as well as the occasional Major Leaguer at the end of their careers. Some of the former major-leaguers who have sported Bluefish jerseys include José Offerman
, Edgardo Alfonzo
, Deivi Cruz
, Junior Spivey
, Quinton McCracken
, Antontio Alfonseca, Willy Mo Pena, and Mariano Duncan
.
The Bluefish won their first league championship in 1999, and have won the most games in Atlantic League history. The land under The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was purchased by the city of Bridgeport from Donald Trump
for $1 and with the forgiveness of back taxes owed on the property. The Jenkins Valve plant was demolished to make way for the stadium. The success of the Bluefish led to major redevelopment of the South End, including construction of the Arena at Harbor Yard
and a multi-use parking garage. In many ways, the renaissance of Bridgeport was started by the Bluefish.
The original founders of the Bluefish were Mickey Herbert, Jack McGregor
, Mary-Jane Foster, and the Bridgeport Waterfront Investors. Herbert anchored the team through a mayoral scandal and difficult financial circumstances. Prior to the 2006 season, the franchise was purchased by Get Hooked, LLC, a group of investors from Fairfield County
that included McGregor and Foster. However, Get Hooked dropped the Bluefish prior to the 2008 season in favor of seeking a new ballpark for the city of Yonkers, New York
. The Bluefish were purchased by Frank Boulton, who is also the owner of the Long Island Ducks and the founder of the Atlantic League.
Before the 2009 season, the Bluefish hired Willie Upshaw
, a Major League Baseball alumnus and Fairfield County native, as their bench coach. He was Bridgeport's first manager from 1998 to 2000, as well as the first base coach for the Cleveland Indians
from 2000–2005, and the San Francisco Giants
for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Upshaw spent nine of his ten playing seasons in the Majors with the Toronto Blue Jays
. He led the team twice in home run
s and RBI
. First in 1982 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI and also in 1983 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI. During the 1983 season, Upshaw became the first Toronto player to top 100 RBI in a season. On July 8, 2009 manager Tommy John
announced he was stepping down and Willie Upshaw was picked to take his place.
The Bluefish wear caps produced by The Game Headwear
and uniforms by Wilson Sporting Goods
. The home cap is navy blue with aqua trim on the ventilation holes and an aqua button, with the cap logo depicting a bluefish interwoven with a capital "B" centered on the front. The away cap is navy blue with an aqua brim and button, with the same cap logo. The home jersey is white with traditional navy blue piping below the collar and around the sleeves. The "Bluefish" wordmark is centered across the front in navy blue with silver outline and aqua drop shadow
. The number on the back is in solid navy blue, and the interlocking "BB" logo centered on the left sleeve. The away jersey is grey with navy blue piping, and the "Bridgeport" wordmark centered across the front in navy blue with white outline. The Bluefish also have navy blue alternate jerseys, with aqua piping. The interlocking "BB" logo is centered on the left-side chest, with the number on the back in aqua outlined in white.
over the Ferry Cup, which is sponsored by the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. The two teams border on the Long Island Sound
, and many fans of both teams regularly cross it to support them. As of May 12, 2009 the Bluefish-Ducks rivalry record is 85-83, in favor of Bridgeport.
s is an anthropomorphic
bluefish named B.B. He wears the team's alternate jersey (number 98) with white sneakers. B.B. was born on May 29, 1997 in Cape Hatteras
. He later migrated to the Long Island Sound, and joined the Bluefish soon after. The mascot's name alludes to the initials of the team and its nickname.
Cap'n L.I. Sounder was another source of entertainment at Harbor Yard. He donned the uniform of a sailor, and has a short beard. Cap'n L.I. Sounder's name referred to the nautical rank of captain
and the name of a Long Island Sound resident. Cap'n L.I. Sounder no longer appears at Bluefish home games.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Bluefish play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a 5,300-seat baseball park in Bridgeport, Connecticut that hosted its first regular season baseball game on May 21, 1998, as the tenants of the facility, the Bridgeport Bluefish, lost to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The stadium is located next to the Arena at Harbor Yard...
.
History of Bridgeport baseball
The game of baseball was first played in Bridgeport, Connecticut soon after the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
ended. Other teams that called the city home were the Victors, Mechanics, Bolts, Americans, and the Bears. Bridgeport was the home of Major Leaguer, James "Orator" O'Rourke, who signed the first African-American to play for a professional baseball team in 1895. Visiting Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and Negro League teams often played exhibition games in Bridgeport in the shadow of the city's smokestacks. Professional baseball would not be played in Bridgeport for about another half-century, until the arrival of the Bluefish in 1998.
Bridgeport Bluefish
The first game of the Bridgeport Bluefish was May 21, 1998, and the team has had many winning seasons. The team has been to four Atlantic League Championship Series, and won in 1999 versus the Somerset PatriotsSomerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. They lost to Atlantic City
Atlantic City Surf
The Atlantic City Surf were a professional baseball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, in 2002, to Newark
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
, and to in 2006 Lancaster
Lancaster Barnstormers
The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
.
The Bluefish, and the Atlantic League itself, tend to attract veteran minor leaguers as well as the occasional Major Leaguer at the end of their careers. Some of the former major-leaguers who have sported Bluefish jerseys include José Offerman
José Offerman
José Antonio Offerman Dono is a former professional baseball player who played professional baseball for nearly 20 years...
, Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Antonio Alfonzo a.k.a. "Fonzie" is a former Major League Baseball infielder who most recently played for the Yomiuri Giants. He bats and throws right-handed, and is tall and weighs...
, Deivi Cruz
Deivi Cruz
Deivi Cruz Garcia , is a former baseball shortstop who last played for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League.He was released by the St...
, Junior Spivey
Junior Spivey
Ernest Lee "Junior" Spivey, Jr. was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. In his five-year major league career, Spivey batted .270 with 48 home runs and 201 runs batted in in 457 games. He made the National League All-Star team in . He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:Spivey attended...
, Quinton McCracken
Quinton McCracken
Quinton Antoine McCracken is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball, and was the Tampa Bay Devil Rays franchise's first center fielder and batter on March 31, 1998....
, Antontio Alfonseca, Willy Mo Pena, and Mariano Duncan
Mariano Duncan
Mariano Duncan Nalasco is a retired second baseman and shortstop who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his 12 year career. He was the infield coach and 1st base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers under Managers Grady Little and Joe Torre...
.
The Bluefish won their first league championship in 1999, and have won the most games in Atlantic League history. The land under The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was purchased by the city of Bridgeport from Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
for $1 and with the forgiveness of back taxes owed on the property. The Jenkins Valve plant was demolished to make way for the stadium. The success of the Bluefish led to major redevelopment of the South End, including construction of the Arena at Harbor Yard
Arena at Harbor Yard
The Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate...
and a multi-use parking garage. In many ways, the renaissance of Bridgeport was started by the Bluefish.
The original founders of the Bluefish were Mickey Herbert, Jack McGregor
Jack McGregor
Jack Edwin McGregor is a former Pennsylvania State Senator from Pittsburgh and the founder of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins. He currently resides in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he serves as counsel to Cohen and Wolf, P.C. where he serves as an advisor to companies looking to...
, Mary-Jane Foster, and the Bridgeport Waterfront Investors. Herbert anchored the team through a mayoral scandal and difficult financial circumstances. Prior to the 2006 season, the franchise was purchased by Get Hooked, LLC, a group of investors from Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
that included McGregor and Foster. However, Get Hooked dropped the Bluefish prior to the 2008 season in favor of seeking a new ballpark for the city of Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
. The Bluefish were purchased by Frank Boulton, who is also the owner of the Long Island Ducks and the founder of the Atlantic League.
Before the 2009 season, the Bluefish hired Willie Upshaw
Willie Upshaw
Willie Clay Upshaw is a retired Major League Baseball player who played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians , both of the American League. Following his Major League career, he played two seasons in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks...
, a Major League Baseball alumnus and Fairfield County native, as their bench coach. He was Bridgeport's first manager from 1998 to 2000, as well as the first base coach for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from 2000–2005, and the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Upshaw spent nine of his ten playing seasons in the Majors with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He led the team twice in home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. First in 1982 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI and also in 1983 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI. During the 1983 season, Upshaw became the first Toronto player to top 100 RBI in a season. On July 8, 2009 manager Tommy John
Tommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
announced he was stepping down and Willie Upshaw was picked to take his place.
Logos and uniforms
The official colors of the Bridgeport Bluefish are navy blue, aqua, and silver. The primary logo consists of the "Bluefish" wordmark in navy blue with aqua outline superimposed over a depiction of a cartoon bluefish holding a baseball bat.The Bluefish wear caps produced by The Game Headwear
The Game Headwear
The Game Headwear originated as Neil's Sporting Goods in the 1960s. Initially started to equip little league and school athletic teams, the company's business greatly increased in the 1970s and 1980s...
and uniforms by Wilson Sporting Goods
Wilson Sporting Goods
The Wilson Sporting Goods Company is a sports equipment manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois, and currently is a foreign subsidiary of the Finnish company Amer Sports....
. The home cap is navy blue with aqua trim on the ventilation holes and an aqua button, with the cap logo depicting a bluefish interwoven with a capital "B" centered on the front. The away cap is navy blue with an aqua brim and button, with the same cap logo. The home jersey is white with traditional navy blue piping below the collar and around the sleeves. The "Bluefish" wordmark is centered across the front in navy blue with silver outline and aqua drop shadow
Drop shadow
In computer graphics, a drop shadow is a visual effect consisting of drawing that looks like the shadow of an object, giving the impression that the object is raised above the objects behind it. The drop shadow is often used for elements of a graphical user interface such as windows or menus, and...
. The number on the back is in solid navy blue, and the interlocking "BB" logo centered on the left sleeve. The away jersey is grey with navy blue piping, and the "Bridgeport" wordmark centered across the front in navy blue with white outline. The Bluefish also have navy blue alternate jerseys, with aqua piping. The interlocking "BB" logo is centered on the left-side chest, with the number on the back in aqua outlined in white.
Season-by-season records
| Season | First Half W - L Record | First Half Winning Percentage | First Half Finish | Second Half W - L Record | Second Half Winning Percentage | Second Half Finish | Overall W - L Record | Overall Winning Percentage | Overall Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 33-37 | .471 | 2nd in North Division | 22-48 | .314 | 4th in North Division | 55-85 | .393 | 4th in North Division | - |
| 2006 | 38-25 | .603 | 2nd in North Division | 37-24 | .607 | 1st in North Division | 75-49 | .605 | 1st in North Division | 2-3 (lost league championship to Lancaster Barnstormers Lancaster Barnstormers The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... ) |
| 2007 | 35-28 | .556 | 2nd in North Division | 25-38 | .397 | 4th in North Division | 60-66 | .476 | 3rd in North Division | - |
| 2008 | 33-37 | .471 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 34-36 | .486 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 67-73 | .479 | 3rd in Liberty Division | - |
| 2009 | 33-37 | .471 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 32-38 | .457 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 65-75 | .464 | 3rd in Liberty Division | - |
| 2010 | 36-34 | .514 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 47-23 | .671 | 1st in Liberty Division | 83-57 | .592 | 1st in Liberty Division | 0-3 (lost league championship to York Revolution York Revolution The York Revolution is an American professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball... ) |
| 2011 | 32-31 | .507 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 36-28 | .671 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 68-59 | .535 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 0-1 (lost play in game to Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Southern Maryland Blue Crabs The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season... ) |
| Totals (1998–2011) | 487-413 | .541 | - | 520-449 | .536 | - | 1007-862 | .511 | - | 10-17 |
- 1 Atlantic League Championship (1999)
Ferry Cup
The Bridgeport Bluefish contend with the Long Island DucksLong Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
over the Ferry Cup, which is sponsored by the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. The two teams border on the Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
, and many fans of both teams regularly cross it to support them. As of May 12, 2009 the Bluefish-Ducks rivalry record is 85-83, in favor of Bridgeport.
Mascots
One of the Bridgeport Bluefish official mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
s is an anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
bluefish named B.B. He wears the team's alternate jersey (number 98) with white sneakers. B.B. was born on May 29, 1997 in Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
. He later migrated to the Long Island Sound, and joined the Bluefish soon after. The mascot's name alludes to the initials of the team and its nickname.
Cap'n L.I. Sounder was another source of entertainment at Harbor Yard. He donned the uniform of a sailor, and has a short beard. Cap'n L.I. Sounder's name referred to the nautical rank of captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
and the name of a Long Island Sound resident. Cap'n L.I. Sounder no longer appears at Bluefish home games.
Retired numbers
 |
 |
| Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in... |
Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947... |
| OF Outfield The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield... Retired by the Brigeport Bluefish on August 14, 2008 |
2B Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997 |