Daytona Cubs
Encyclopedia
The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball
team based in Daytona Beach, Florida
. The team plays in the Florida State League
(FSL), and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
major league
club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.
The team is currently managed by Buddy Bailey
. Brady Ballard took over as general manager
of the Cubs in 2009. Robbie Aaron is the radio play-by-play announcer and TV host for Cubs broadcasts. The team has won four FSL championships: in 1995, 2000, 2004 (co-champions with the Tampa Yankees
), and 2008. Their fourth FSL Championship came over the Fort Myers Miracle
, 3–1 in a five-game series. Tony Thomas was the series MVP
.
. In September 1987, the White Sox decided to move their Class A affiliate to Sarasota
. This left Daytona without a major league player development contract, resulting in the Admirals' owner selling the team to the New York Mets
. The Mets moved the team to Port St. Lucie
to become the St. Lucie Mets
. Daytona did not have professional baseball for five years after the move.
. At the end of the 1992 season, the Cubs decided to move their Class A affiliate to Florida. The Florida State League originally assigned the transplanted Cubs team to play at Baseball City Stadium
in Davenport
. However, Jordan Kobritz, the new owner and general manager
of the minor league franchise, wanted the team to play in Daytona Beach instead. Negotiations to bring the Cubs to Daytona Beach went on for a couple of months and were completed just in time to start the new season.
The Daytona Cubs opened their first season on the road, sweeping the Vero Beach Dodgers, two games to zero. The home opener was scheduled for April 12. Jackie Robinson Ballpark was sold out on opening night. Chelsea Clinton
, President Clinton
's daughter, was invited to Daytona to throw the opening pitch. The young Ms. Clinton could not attend due to a family medical emergency, and Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and FSL President Chuck Murphy threw the ceremonial opening pitches instead. The Cubs' public address announcer led fans in singing "Go, Cubs, Go
," although with slightly altered lyrics (substituting "Daytona" for "Chicago"). The Daytona Cubs won their home opener with a score of 5–2 against the Sarasota White Sox, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox who left Daytona Beach five years earlier.
, located in nearby DeLand
. This ballpark is the home of the Stetson University
Hatters baseball team. Kobritz's goal was to generate some fan interest in the Cubs, in the western part of Volusia County, Florida
. The game (vs. the St. Petersburg Devil Rays) was played on June 26, 1999. In August 2004, the D-Cubs had to move several games to Melching Field, due to damage to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, caused by Hurricane Charley
. The Cubs paid another visit to Melching Field on June 20, 2007, when they played a double-header against the Palm Beach Cardinals
. The game was moved this time to benefit a local charity in Deland, as well as provide another opportunity to showcase the Daytona Cubs to fans in Deland.
s of the Daytona Cubs are descendants of the Chicago Cubs uniforms. Jerseys and pants for home games are made of white fabric with blue pinstripes, while those for road games are made of gray fabric with blue pinstripes. On home jerseys, the Chicago Cubs logo is located on the left chest, and a Daytona Cubs logo is located on the left sleeve. On road jerseys, the word "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script, and a Daytona Cubs logo is present on the left shoulder. The player's number is written on the back in large blue characters surrounded by red. Blue t-shirts, of varying sleeve lengths, are worn underneath the jerseys.
The team's batting practice uniforms, which double as alternate uniforms, are made of light blue fabric with white pinstripes. "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script. There is a Daytona Cubs logo on the left shoulder. Numbers, in blue surrounded by red, are sewn on the back in block characters.
The official home and road caps are blue with either the Chicago Cubs or Daytona Cubs logo centered on the front. A blue belt is worn on all the different uniforms along with blue ankle-length socks.
A mascot
for games was developed from the logo: an anthropomorphic
bear named Cubby, who first appeared on the field on May 27, 1994 (this day is marked as Cubby's "birthday"). He has brown fur and wears the same style of uniform as the team, but wearing his hat backwards. Cubby has been the team's mascot since 1994. When he is not attending games, Cubby acts as the team's Goodwill Ambassador, visiting local schools and charity events.
Daytona Cubs fans have learned to not get attached to any particular players, since the reward for superior play is to be taken away from Daytona and sent up to a higher farm team. Cubby has been an adequate substitute to represent the team to the public.
Print
The Daytona Cubs do not offer any printed periodicals at this time. However, the team does offer subscriptions to a monthly e-mail newsletter. Local newspaper coverage of the team is provided by The Daytona Beach News-Journal and Orlando Sentinel
newspapers.
However, a weekly television program, titled "Inside Daytona Cubs Baseball," is broadcast weekly on WDSC-TV (formerly known as WCEU-15), the local PBS
station licensed to Daytona State College. The 30-minute show, usually co-hosted by the current Cubs Announcer and Manager, features player interviews, team news, tips from players on how to play the game, and other related content. The show is usually broadcast on Wednesday nights, with a rebroadcast on Sunday evenings.
Local television sports-news reporting on the Daytona Cubs games is provided by stations in the Orlando, Florida
market, including WESH
Channel 2 (NBC
affiliate), WKMG-TV
Channel 6 (CBS
affiliate), WFTV
Channel 9 (ABC
affiliate), and WOFL
Channel 35 (Fox
owned station).
to date:
's song "Go, Cubs, Go
," was sung by the fans. Substitute "Daytona" for "Chicago" and "Robinson field" for "Wrigley Field" and the tune fits almost perfectly. Another classic baseball song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game
," has a Cubs version ("Take Me Out to the Cubs Game"), which is sung periodically at home games.
Eleven men have managed
the Daytona Cubs baseball team since its inception in 1993. Four managers have guided the team to win the FSL Championship: Dave Trembley
(1995), Richie Zisk
(2000), Steve McFarland (2004), and Jody Davis (2008). Trembley won 290 games from 1995 to 1996 and 2001 to 2002, placing him first on the all-time wins list for Cubs managers. Having managed the team for 545 games, he is also the longest-tenured manager in team history. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more is Steve McFarland (.556). Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more is .429 by the team's first manager, Bill Hays. Buddy Bailey
is the team's current manager; he managed his first Cubs game in 2006. He was replaced as manager following the season but returned to Daytona in 2009. These records are correct as of the end of the 2010 season.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team based in Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
. The team plays in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
(FSL), and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
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...
club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.
The team is currently managed by Buddy Bailey
Buddy Bailey
Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is the manager of the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League and a veteran skipper in minor league baseball. In , Bailey will spend his third consecutive season as Daytona's manager...
. Brady Ballard took over as general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the Cubs in 2009. Robbie Aaron is the radio play-by-play announcer and TV host for Cubs broadcasts. The team has won four FSL championships: in 1995, 2000, 2004 (co-champions with the Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
), and 2008. Their fourth FSL Championship came over the Fort Myers Miracle
Fort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in...
, 3–1 in a five-game series. Tony Thomas was the series MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
Daytona Beach Admirals
The last Florida State League (FSL) baseball team to play in Daytona Beach, was known as the Daytona Beach Admirals, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. In September 1987, the White Sox decided to move their Class A affiliate to Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
. This left Daytona without a major league player development contract, resulting in the Admirals' owner selling the team to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. The Mets moved the team to Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Port St. Lucie is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, United States. The population of Port St. Lucie was 88,769 at the 2000 census but grew rapidly during the 2000s. In 2009 the State of Florida estimated the City's population at 155,251. Port St. Lucie forms part of a metropolitan area called...
to become the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
. Daytona did not have professional baseball for five years after the move.
The Cubs come to town
Prior to 1993, the Chicago Cubs were affiliated with the Winston Salem Warthogs, a Class A team that played in the Carolina LeagueCarolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. At the end of the 1992 season, the Cubs decided to move their Class A affiliate to Florida. The Florida State League originally assigned the transplanted Cubs team to play at Baseball City Stadium
Baseball City Stadium
Baseball City Stadium was a stadium located in Davenport, Florida that was in use from 1988-2002. It was a portion of the Boardwalk and Baseball theme park. The two facilities adjoined at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Route 27, about 25 miles southwest of Orlando. The facility had five...
in Davenport
Davenport, Florida
Davenport is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,925 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,994. While the city of Davenport itself is very small, the area north of the city close to Interstate 4 and US 27 is...
. However, Jordan Kobritz, the new owner and general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the minor league franchise, wanted the team to play in Daytona Beach instead. Negotiations to bring the Cubs to Daytona Beach went on for a couple of months and were completed just in time to start the new season.
The Daytona Cubs opened their first season on the road, sweeping the Vero Beach Dodgers, two games to zero. The home opener was scheduled for April 12. Jackie Robinson Ballpark was sold out on opening night. Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Victoria Clinton is a television journalist, currently serving as Special Correspondent for NBC News, and philanthropist, working through the Clinton Global Initiative. She is the only child of former U.S...
, President Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's daughter, was invited to Daytona to throw the opening pitch. The young Ms. Clinton could not attend due to a family medical emergency, and Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and FSL President Chuck Murphy threw the ceremonial opening pitches instead. The Cubs' public address announcer led fans in singing "Go, Cubs, Go
Go, Cubs, Go
"Go Cubs Go", "Go, Cubs, Go" or "Go, Cubs, Go!" is a song written by Steve Goodman in 1984. At various times the Goodman version of the song has been the official Chicago Cubs team song and the official Cubs victory song. The Goodman version of the song is now referred to as the official Chicago...
," although with slightly altered lyrics (substituting "Daytona" for "Chicago"). The Daytona Cubs won their home opener with a score of 5–2 against the Sarasota White Sox, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox who left Daytona Beach five years earlier.
Season-by-season results
| Division and League Champions † |
Division Champions ‡ |
Post-season Berth * |
| Year | Win % | record | Post-season win % | 1995 † | 87–48 | .644 | 3–2 | .600 | Clinched Eastern Division title Won FSL Championship vs Fort Myers Miracle Fort Myers Miracle The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in... , 3–2 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 71–66 | .518 | ||||||||||||||
| 1997 | 65–73 | .471 | ||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 67–73 | .479 | ||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 63–75 | .457 | ||||||||||||||
| 2000 † |
76–63 | .547 | 5–0 | 1.000 | Won Eastern Division title vs St. Lucie Mets St. Lucie Mets The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park... , 2–0 Won FSL Championship vs Dunedin Blue Jays Dunedin Blue Jays The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club... , 3–0 |
|||||||||||
| 2001 | 68–68 | .500 | ||||||||||||||
| 2002 | 64–73 | .467 | ||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 66–71 | .482 | ||||||||||||||
| 2004 † |
70–56 | .556 | 2–0 | 1.000 | Won Eastern Division title vs Vero Beach Devil Rays Vero Beach Devil Rays The Vero Beach Devil Rays, originally the Vero Beach Dodgers, were a minor league baseball team based in Vero Beach, Florida. They played in the Class A-Advanced Florida State League from 1980–2008, at which point they relocated to Port Charlotte, Florida as the Charlotte Stone Crabs... , 2–0 Declared Co-FSL Champions with Tampa Yankees Tampa Yankees The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of... |
|||||||||||
| 2005 | 69–65 | .515 | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | 71–66 | .518 | ||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 57–80 | .416 | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 † |
73–59 | .553 | 5–2 | .714 | Won Eastern Division title vs Palm Beach Cardinals Palm Beach Cardinals The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club.... , 2–1 Won FSL Championship vs Fort Myers Miracle Fort Myers Miracle The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in... , 3–1 |
|||||||||||
| 2009 | 64–71 | .474 | ||||||||||||||
| 2010 | 75–64 | .540 | ||||||||||||||
| Totals | 1,224–1,220 | .501 | — | — | — | 15–4 | .789 | 4 Division titles, 4 FSL Championships |
Jackie Robinson Ballpark
The Daytona Cubs' current, and only, ballpark is Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The venue has experienced several expansions and renovations since its completion in 1914, and currently seats 4,200 spectators.Melching Field at Conrad Park
In 1999, Daytona Cubs' owner and General Manager Jordan Kobritz decided to move a home game to Melching Field at Conrad ParkMelching Field at Conrad Park
Melching Field at Conrad Park is a baseball stadium located in DeLand, Florida. The primary tenant of Melching Field is the Stetson University Hatters college baseball team, a Division I program playing in the Atlantic Sun Conference....
, located in nearby DeLand
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
. This ballpark is the home of the Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
Hatters baseball team. Kobritz's goal was to generate some fan interest in the Cubs, in the western part of Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona....
. The game (vs. the St. Petersburg Devil Rays) was played on June 26, 1999. In August 2004, the D-Cubs had to move several games to Melching Field, due to damage to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, caused by Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
. The Cubs paid another visit to Melching Field on June 20, 2007, when they played a double-header against the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
. The game was moved this time to benefit a local charity in Deland, as well as provide another opportunity to showcase the Daytona Cubs to fans in Deland.
Uniforms
The team’s color scheme consists of red, white, and blue, the same colors used by the Chicago Cubs. The uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
s of the Daytona Cubs are descendants of the Chicago Cubs uniforms. Jerseys and pants for home games are made of white fabric with blue pinstripes, while those for road games are made of gray fabric with blue pinstripes. On home jerseys, the Chicago Cubs logo is located on the left chest, and a Daytona Cubs logo is located on the left sleeve. On road jerseys, the word "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script, and a Daytona Cubs logo is present on the left shoulder. The player's number is written on the back in large blue characters surrounded by red. Blue t-shirts, of varying sleeve lengths, are worn underneath the jerseys.
The team's batting practice uniforms, which double as alternate uniforms, are made of light blue fabric with white pinstripes. "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script. There is a Daytona Cubs logo on the left shoulder. Numbers, in blue surrounded by red, are sewn on the back in block characters.
The official home and road caps are blue with either the Chicago Cubs or Daytona Cubs logo centered on the front. A blue belt is worn on all the different uniforms along with blue ankle-length socks.
Logo and mascot
The Daytona Cubs originally used a version of the Chicago Cubs emblem. In 1994, the Cubs hired Benedict Advertising, a local marketing firm, to develop a new logo. Benedict's design department created a bear cub wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap, which would reflect a laid back setting in Daytona Beach. The logo became the official patch used on Daytona Cubs uniforms and souveniers.A mascot
Mascot
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...
for games was developed from the logo: 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...
bear named Cubby, who first appeared on the field on May 27, 1994 (this day is marked as Cubby's "birthday"). He has brown fur and wears the same style of uniform as the team, but wearing his hat backwards. Cubby has been the team's mascot since 1994. When he is not attending games, Cubby acts as the team's Goodwill Ambassador, visiting local schools and charity events.
Daytona Cubs fans have learned to not get attached to any particular players, since the reward for superior play is to be taken away from Daytona and sent up to a higher farm team. Cubby has been an adequate substitute to represent the team to the public.
Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen Waltz; she announced her resignation in February 2008...
newspapers.
Radio
In March 2011, the Daytona Cubs announced they were forming a radio parnership with WSBB 1230AM, to broadcast all of the home and away games on the station. The broadcast team of Robbie Aaron, Dan Acheson, and Chad Seely will be providing play-by-play coverage.Television
Cubs games are not commonly broadcast on television. There has only been casual interest in Daytona from television networks that cover their parent Chicago Cubs.However, a weekly television program, titled "Inside Daytona Cubs Baseball," is broadcast weekly on WDSC-TV (formerly known as WCEU-15), the local PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
station licensed to Daytona State College. The 30-minute show, usually co-hosted by the current Cubs Announcer and Manager, features player interviews, team news, tips from players on how to play the game, and other related content. The show is usually broadcast on Wednesday nights, with a rebroadcast on Sunday evenings.
Local television sports-news reporting on the Daytona Cubs games is provided by stations in the Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
market, including WESH
WESH
WESH is the NBC affiliate in Orlando, Florida. It is licensed to Daytona Beach, with studio facilities in Winter Park. It transmits its digital signal on VHF channel 11, which redirects to virtual channel 2.1, reflecting its former analog channel assignment, through PSIP. It is currently owned by...
Channel 2 (NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate), WKMG-TV
WKMG-TV
WKMG-TV channel 6 is the CBS network affiliate for Central Florida . WKMG is licensed to Orlando and is owned and operated by Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., a subsidiary of the Washington Post Company. The station refers to itself as "Local6". WKMG's transmitter is located in Bithlo, Florida...
Channel 6 (CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate), WFTV
WFTV
WFTV, channel 9, is the ABC-affiliated television station for Central Florida that is licensed to Orlando. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter between Bithlo and Christmas. Owned by Cox Enterprises, WFTV is sister to Independent WRDQ. The two stations...
Channel 9 (ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate), and WOFL
WOFL
WOFL, channel 35, is the Fox owned-and-operated television station serving the Orlando, Florida metropolitan area. It is licensed to Orlando, with studios located in Lake Mary. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22. On cable, WOFL-TV is currently seen on channel 3 for subscribers of...
Channel 35 (Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
owned station).
Home runs
- Ryan Harvey, July 28, 2006, game vs. Clearwater ThreshersClearwater ThreshersThe Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2004, the team competes in the West Division....
(Cubs won, 10–9), hit four home runs in one game. No other player has matched this feat in the Florida State League to date.
Hitting for the cycle
Three Cubs players have hit for the cycleHitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
to date:
- Adam Greenberg, August 17, 2002, game vs. St. Lucie MetsSt. Lucie MetsThe St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
(Cubs won, 17–1) - Felix PieFelix PieFélix Pie is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.-Minor league career:...
, June 27, 2004, game vs. Fort Myers MiracleFort Myers MiracleThe Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in...
(Cubs won, 15–14, 10 innings) - Brett JacksonBrett JacksonBrett Jackson is a outfielder in the Chicago Cubs organization. Before the 2011 season, Jackson was considered the Cubs second best prospect according to Baseball America...
, June 14, 2010, game vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers (Cubs won, 6–4, 11 innings)
Music
The Daytona Cubs have the benefit of adapting the culture of the Chicago Cubs. From the D-Cubs' first home game, Steve GoodmanSteve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
's song "Go, Cubs, Go
Go, Cubs, Go
"Go Cubs Go", "Go, Cubs, Go" or "Go, Cubs, Go!" is a song written by Steve Goodman in 1984. At various times the Goodman version of the song has been the official Chicago Cubs team song and the official Cubs victory song. The Goodman version of the song is now referred to as the official Chicago...
," was sung by the fans. Substitute "Daytona" for "Chicago" and "Robinson field" for "Wrigley Field" and the tune fits almost perfectly. Another classic baseball song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song. The song is traditionally sung during the seventh-inning stretch of...
," has a Cubs version ("Take Me Out to the Cubs Game"), which is sung periodically at home games.
Team affiliations
| Level | Team | League | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major League | Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
National League National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional... |
Chicago, Illinois |
| AAA | Iowa Cubs Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:... |
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| Advanced A | Daytona Cubs Daytona Cubs The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League , and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs major league club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.The... |
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Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had... |
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Mesa, Arizona Mesa, Arizona According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%... |
Florida State League
Some of the Daytona Cubs players have distinguished themselves in the Florida State League- Matt Craig, 2006 FSL All-Star First Baseman
- Jake Fox, 2006 FSL All-Star Catcher
- Sean Gallagher, 2006 FSL All-Star Pitcher
- Mitch Atkins, 2007 FSL All-Star pitcher
- Tyler ColvinTyler ColvinTyler Eugene Colvin is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs. Colvin played college baseball at Clemson University.-Professional career:...
, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder - Chris Amador, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder
- Jesus Valdez, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder
- Matt Matulia, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder
- Alex MaestriAlex MaestriAlessandro Maestri is an Australian Baseball League pitcher for the Brisbane Bandits who signed with the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on Jan. 6, . The 5'11", 180 lb...
, 2008 FSL All-Star pitcher - Ryan SearleRyan SearleRyan Gregory Searle is a professional baseball pitcher. He graduated from Northpine Christian College at the end of 2006.He was signed to a professional baseball contract at the age of 17 with the Chicago Cubs in 2007....
, 2009 FSL All-Star pitcher - Starlin Castro, 2009 FSL All-Star infielder
- Aaron Shafer, 2010 FSL All-Star pitcher
- Brett Jackson, 2010 FSL All-Star outfielder
Major League players
Many Daytona Cubs players have advanced to play in the major leagues; most of them with the Chicago Cubs, a few with other teams.Managers
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
the Daytona Cubs baseball team since its inception in 1993. Four managers have guided the team to win the FSL Championship: Dave Trembley
Dave Trembley
David Michael Trembley is a former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Before managing the Orioles Trembley was a minor league manager for twenty seasons compiling a 1369–1413 record. He won two league titles and earned Manager of the Year awards in three leagues...
(1995), Richie Zisk
Richie Zisk
Richard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
(2000), Steve McFarland (2004), and Jody Davis (2008). Trembley won 290 games from 1995 to 1996 and 2001 to 2002, placing him first on the all-time wins list for Cubs managers. Having managed the team for 545 games, he is also the longest-tenured manager in team history. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more is Steve McFarland (.556). Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more is .429 by the team's first manager, Bill Hays. Buddy Bailey
Buddy Bailey
Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is the manager of the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League and a veteran skipper in minor league baseball. In , Bailey will spend his third consecutive season as Daytona's manager...
is the team's current manager; he managed his first Cubs game in 2006. He was replaced as manager following the season but returned to Daytona in 2009. These records are correct as of the end of the 2010 season.
| # | Manager | Years | Games | Wins | Losses | Win % | Post-season Appearances | Post-season Wins | Post-season Loses | Post-season Win % | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993 | 133 | 57 | 76 | .429 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2 | 1994 | 134 | 61 | 73 | .455 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 3 | 1995–1996 | 272 | 158 | 114 | .581 | 1 | 3 | 2 | .600 | ||
| 4 | 1997–1998 | 278 | 132 | 146 | .475 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 5 | 1999 | 138 | 63 | 75 | .457 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 6 | 2000 | 139 | 76 | 63 | .547 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | ||
| 2001–2002 | 273 | 132 | 141 | .484 | – | – | – | – | |||
| 7 | 2003 | 137 | 66 | 71 | .482 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 8 | 2004 | 126 | 70 | 56 | .556 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | ||
| 2005 | 134 | 69 | 65 | .515 | – | – | – | – | |||
| 9 | 70 | 35 | 35 | .500 | – | – | – | – | |||
| 10 | 67 | 36 | 31 | .537 | – | – | – | – | |||
| 11 | 2007–2008 | 269 | 130 | 139 | .483 | 1 | 5 | 2 | .714 | ||
| 2009–present | 274 | 139 | 135 | .507 | – | – | – | – | |||
| Totals | 2,444 | 1,224 | 1,220 | .500 | 4 | 15 | 4 | .789 | — | ||