Gastonia Rangers
Encyclopedia
The Gastonia Rangers were a class A minor league baseball
team located in Gastonia, North Carolina
. The team played first as the Rangers in the Western Carolinas League
(1973–1974), then later in the same league renamed as the South Atlantic League
(1987–1992), and were affiliated with the Texas Rangers
. Their home stadium was Sims Legion Park
. After the 1992 season, the team moved to another North Carolina city, Hickory
, and have been known as the Hickory Crawdads
ever since.
The team underwent numerous team name changes http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Gastonia%2C_NC as the Comers, Pirates, Rangers, Cardinals, Expos, Jets, Tigers, then finally the Rangers again in 1987 through 1992. During the 1989 and 1990 seasons, 44-year-old Tug McGraw
came out of retirement to pitch one game for the Gastonia Rangers http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Tug-McGraw.shtml. His stat line in 1989 was
,
This is the last known statistical link of the Gastonia Rangers baseball club. In their last season, they went 66-70 (.485), 12 games back in the SAL's Northern Division. While Gastonia, NC no longer has a team in the South Atlantic League it has since 2002 has been home to the Gastonia Grizzlies of the collegiate Coastal Plain League
.
.
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 located in Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
. The team played first as the Rangers in the Western Carolinas League
Western Carolinas League
The Western Carolinas League was a Class D and a low Class A full-season league in American minor league baseball. The WCL changed its name prior to the 1980 season and has been known since as the South Atlantic League, a highly successful low Class A circuit with teams up the Eastern Seaboard...
(1973–1974), then later in the same league renamed as the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
(1987–1992), and were affiliated with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. Their home stadium was Sims Legion Park
Sims Legion Park
Sims Legion Park is a 3,000-seat baseball stadium located in Gastonia, North Carolina, it serves as home to the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League....
. After the 1992 season, the team moved to another North Carolina city, Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, and have been known as the Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
ever since.
The team underwent numerous team name changes http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Gastonia%2C_NC as the Comers, Pirates, Rangers, Cardinals, Expos, Jets, Tigers, then finally the Rangers again in 1987 through 1992. During the 1989 and 1990 seasons, 44-year-old Tug McGraw
Tug McGraw
Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
came out of retirement to pitch one game for the Gastonia Rangers http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Tug-McGraw.shtml. His stat line in 1989 was
| Year | Team | Lg | Age | Org | Lvl | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SH | GF | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | GAS | SAL | 44 | Tex | A | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The End in Gastonia
It was previously a minor mystery what became of the Gastonia Rangers organization. Very little reference can be found made of them across the internet. But according to Minor League BaseballMinor 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...
,
"Donald C. Beaver is Owner/President of the New Orleans Zephyrs. He is also the owner and President of the Class-A South Atlantic League Hickory (NC) Crawdads and owner of the Class AAA International League Charlotte Knights. He has ownership in the Pittsburgh Pirates and is on their board of directors.
Beaver received his Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University in 1962 and followed it up with a Masters of Business Administration in 1964. He embarked on a career as a hospital administrator and in 1975 he founded the Brian Center Corporation, where he served as CEO until 1995.
While he achieved success as a nursing home pioneer, Beaver never forgot his love of baseball. He was thrust into the spotlight at an early age as a pitcher in the 1952 Little League World Series. 40 years later he purchased the Gastonia Rangers from George ShinnGeorge ShinnGeorge Shinn is the former owner of the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets as well the Charlotte Knights and Gastonia Rangers minor league baseball teams along with the Raleigh/Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football. He purchased the Hornets for $32,500,000 in 1987...
and relocated the franchise to Hickory, and since then several clubs have been added. In 2000 he was inducted into the Little League World Series Hall of Fame."http://louisville.bats.milb.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20061214&content_id=148682&vkey=about_l112&fext=.jsp&sid=l112
This is the last known statistical link of the Gastonia Rangers baseball club. In their last season, they went 66-70 (.485), 12 games back in the SAL's Northern Division. While Gastonia, NC no longer has a team in the South Atlantic League it has since 2002 has been home to the Gastonia Grizzlies of the collegiate Coastal Plain League
Coastal Plain League
The Coastal Plain League is a wood-bat collegiate summer league, featuring college players from throughout the nation. The league takes its name from a Class D minor league baseball league which operated in the same area from 1937 to 1952. The modern league was formed with six teams in 1997...
.
Former players
- Sammy SosaSammy SosaSamuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
- Jeff FryeJeff FryeJeffrey Dustin Frye is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the Colorado Rockies for parts of 1992-2001. He is 5'9 and 165 lbs. and he bats and throws right-handed...
- José HernándezJosé Hernández (baseball)José Antonio Hernández Figueroa nicknamed, "The Strikeout King" is a former Major League Baseball infielder....
- Robb NenRobb NenRobert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
- Darren OliverDarren OliverDarren Christopher Oliver is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher.Oliver was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 3rd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft, and has had three separate stints with the club.-Early life:...
- Iván RodríguezIván RodríguezIván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
- Wilson AlvarezWilson AlvarezWilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
- Juan Gonzalez
- Bill HaselmanBill HaselmanWilliam Joseph Haselman is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He served as the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox in . Before taking over the role of first base coach, Haselman served as bullpen coach...
- Dean PalmerDean PalmerDean William Palmer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1989 to 2003...
- Rey SánchezRey SánchezRey Francisco Sánchez Guadalupe is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He attended high school in California and was drafted in the 13th round of the amateur baseball draft by the Texas Rangers. He played in their minor league system until , when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for minor...
- Benji GilBenji GilRomar Benjamin Gil Aguilar is a former Major League Baseball utility player.Gil made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1993...
- Danny PattersonDanny PattersonDaniel Shane Patterson is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers ....
- Tug McGrawTug McGrawFrank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
- Jim SundbergJim SundbergJames Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
- Mike HargroveMike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
Stadium
The Gastonia Rangers (as well as the future Gastonia Grizzlies) played at Sims Legion ParkSims Legion Park
Sims Legion Park is a 3,000-seat baseball stadium located in Gastonia, North Carolina, it serves as home to the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League....
.