Brockton Rox
Encyclopedia
The Brockton Rox were a professional baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts
, in the United States
. The Rox were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. From the 2002 season to 2011, the Rox played their home games at Campanelli Stadium
. The team's name is a derivative of the nearby Boston Red Sox
of the American League
and a tribute to the boxers Rocky Marciano
and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, both from Brockton. The team folded following the 2011 season.
3-1 in the opening round best of 5 series. In the Championship Series, the Rox fell behind 2 games to 0 against the Quebec Capitales
before rallying to tie the series at 2-2. In the deciding game 5, the Rox took a 3-2 lead into the 8th inning, but a late rally by Quebec left Brockton on the losing end 5-4 giving Quebec its first ever Can-Am League Championship.In 2009 the team won 56 games, a franchise record which was also best in the league. They lost in the first round of the playoffs 3-1 to the eventual champion, the Quebec Capitales.
Rox DH Guye Senjem was named the Rox Most Valuable Player for 2006, and RHP John Kelly was named the team's Most Valuable Pitcher.
Senjem, a Minnesota native, began his professional career with the St. Paul Saints
in 1997. Before arriving in Brockton in 2005, he spent time in the Cincinnati Reds
and Colorado Rockies
organizations. He set an early tone for a successful 2006 campaign with a game-winning solo home run in the 10th inning on Opening Night at Campanelli Stadium
. He went on to tie the franchise mark for home runs in a single season with 14, and led the team in home runs, and runs batted in. Twice, the left-handed hitter was named the Can-Am League’s Batter of the Week. In addition, he was named to the League's post-season All-Star team.
John Kelly was acquired by the Rox in a trade with the New Jersey Jackals
in the month of June. The right-handed veteran made an immediate impact, and was nearly perfect after joining the team. He recorded a save in his first appearance, and proceeded to win his first five starts with the Rox. In 15 appearances with Brockton, he was 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA. He posted double-digit victories for the second consecutive season, finishing with 10 wins overall this year.
Before the 2009 season, the Rox hired former Atlantic City Surf
President and Director of Baseball Operations Chris Carminucci as field manager. He has since been named President, and is the new managing partner.
Towards the end of the 2009 season, it became known that owners and management were $300,000 in debt, and they were looking to the city to restructure their lease commitments. However, with Carminucci Sports Group, which holds stock in several other minor league baseball teams in the Can-Am's sister league the American Association, taking control. as the club's new managing partner, the Rox have been stabilized have had a tremendously successful 2010 season, working hard toward the playoffs.
The Rox are strong, and viable now with a tremendous fan base. The Rox look forward to providing the city of Brockton a top minor league baseball for years to come.
On January 4, 2011 the Rox announced the signing of Bill Buckner
as their new manager.
In November of 2011 it was announced the Rox folded and will no longer play in the Can-Am League. It is possible the team will come back in a Wood Bat Collegiate league.
and Marvelous Marvin Hagler).
The Brockton Rox game cap is navy blue with the "B" cap logo centered on the front in red with white outline.
The Rox adopted new colors following the 2010 season; the team previously wore green, black, white, and brown.
from the area: undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano
(#49) and middleweight champion "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler
(#62). On May 23, 2005 the club gave a roster spot to former Boston Red Sox
pitcher and colorful personality Oil Can Boyd
. Boyd was not re-signed in 2006, and is currently out of baseball. Also, in 2005, the team made headlines by offering Theo Epstein
a position with the team.http://www.brocktonmass.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/2/498
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Rox were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional, independent baseball league located in the Northeastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is...
, 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...
. From the 2002 season to 2011, the Rox played their home games at Campanelli Stadium
Campanelli Stadium
Campanelli Stadium is a stadium in Brockton, Massachusetts. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Brockton Rox Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball independent minor league baseball team...
. The team's name is a derivative of the nearby Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
and a tribute to the boxers Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, both from Brockton. The team folded following the 2011 season.
History
In 2006, the Rox celebrated the team's fifth anniversary season by finishing the season 49-43 and qualifying for the #3 seed in the Can-Am League Playoffs. The Rox defeated the New Haven County CuttersNew Haven County Cutters
The New Haven County Cutters were an independent baseball team based in New Haven, Connecticut. From 2004 through 2007, it played in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
3-1 in the opening round best of 5 series. In the Championship Series, the Rox fell behind 2 games to 0 against the Quebec Capitales
Quebec Capitales
The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
before rallying to tie the series at 2-2. In the deciding game 5, the Rox took a 3-2 lead into the 8th inning, but a late rally by Quebec left Brockton on the losing end 5-4 giving Quebec its first ever Can-Am League Championship.In 2009 the team won 56 games, a franchise record which was also best in the league. They lost in the first round of the playoffs 3-1 to the eventual champion, the Quebec Capitales.
Rox DH Guye Senjem was named the Rox Most Valuable Player for 2006, and RHP John Kelly was named the team's Most Valuable Pitcher.
Senjem, a Minnesota native, began his professional career with the St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in 1997. Before arriving in Brockton in 2005, he spent time in the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
organizations. He set an early tone for a successful 2006 campaign with a game-winning solo home run in the 10th inning on Opening Night at Campanelli Stadium
Campanelli Stadium
Campanelli Stadium is a stadium in Brockton, Massachusetts. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Brockton Rox Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball independent minor league baseball team...
. He went on to tie the franchise mark for home runs in a single season with 14, and led the team in home runs, and runs batted in. Twice, the left-handed hitter was named the Can-Am League’s Batter of the Week. In addition, he was named to the League's post-season All-Star team.
John Kelly was acquired by the Rox in a trade with the New Jersey Jackals
New Jersey Jackals
The New Jersey Jackals are a professional baseball team based in Little Falls, New Jersey, in the United States. The Jackals are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in the month of June. The right-handed veteran made an immediate impact, and was nearly perfect after joining the team. He recorded a save in his first appearance, and proceeded to win his first five starts with the Rox. In 15 appearances with Brockton, he was 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA. He posted double-digit victories for the second consecutive season, finishing with 10 wins overall this year.
Before the 2009 season, the Rox hired former Atlantic City Surf
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...
President and Director of Baseball Operations Chris Carminucci as field manager. He has since been named President, and is the new managing partner.
Towards the end of the 2009 season, it became known that owners and management were $300,000 in debt, and they were looking to the city to restructure their lease commitments. However, with Carminucci Sports Group, which holds stock in several other minor league baseball teams in the Can-Am's sister league the American Association, taking control. as the club's new managing partner, the Rox have been stabilized have had a tremendously successful 2010 season, working hard toward the playoffs.
The Rox are strong, and viable now with a tremendous fan base. The Rox look forward to providing the city of Brockton a top minor league baseball for years to come.
On January 4, 2011 the Rox announced the signing of Bill Buckner
Bill Buckner
William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
as their new manager.
In November of 2011 it was announced the Rox folded and will no longer play in the Can-Am League. It is possible the team will come back in a Wood Bat Collegiate league.
Logos and uniforms
The official colors of the Brockton Rox are navy blue, red, and silver. The primary logo consists of the "Rox" wordmark in red with navy blue outline, with a pair of boxing gloves (an allusion to two boxers from Brockton: Rocky MarcianoRocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
and Marvelous Marvin Hagler).
The Brockton Rox game cap is navy blue with the "B" cap logo centered on the front in red with white outline.
The Rox adopted new colors following the 2010 season; the team previously wore green, black, white, and brown.
Retired numbers
The team's only retired numbers are those of men who didn't play baseball professionally. The retired numbers represent the number of fights won by two famous boxersBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from the area: undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
(#49) and middleweight champion "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler
Marvin Hagler
Marvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former professional boxer who was undisputed world middleweight champion between 1980 and 1987. Hagler holds the distinction of having the highest KO% of all middleweight champions at 78%...
(#62). On May 23, 2005 the club gave a roster spot to former Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher and colorful personality Oil Can Boyd
Oil Can Boyd
Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Boyd played for the Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , and Texas Rangers .He batted and threw right-handed....
. Boyd was not re-signed in 2006, and is currently out of baseball. Also, in 2005, the team made headlines by offering Theo Epstein
Theo Epstein
Theo Nathan Epstein is the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs.On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball when the Boston Red Sox hired him at the age of 28...
a position with the team.http://www.brocktonmass.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/2/498
- 42, Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonJack 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...
, retired throughout baseball. - 49, Rocky MarcianoRocky MarcianoRocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
(boxer, 49 career wins). - 62, Marvin HaglerMarvin HaglerMarvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former professional boxer who was undisputed world middleweight champion between 1980 and 1987. Hagler holds the distinction of having the highest KO% of all middleweight champions at 78%...
(boxer, 62 career wins).
External links
- Brockton Rox home page