Richmond Flying Squirrels
Encyclopedia
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a minor league baseball
team in Richmond, Virginia
. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants
major league
club, and plays at The Diamond. The Squirrels were previously known as the Connecticut Defenders
.
The Flying Squirrels mark affiliated baseball's return to Richmond after a one-year absence prompted by the relocation of the former Triple-A International League
's Richmond Braves
to Lawrenceville, Georgia
, where they are now called the Gwinnett Braves
.
, a farm club of the New York Yankees
playing games at both Quigley Stadium
and Yale Field
in West Haven, Connecticut
. They switched affiliations in 1980 to the Oakland Athletics
and became the West Haven Whitecaps for one season before becoming the West Haven A's. In 1983, the team became the Albany A's when they moved to the Capital District
of New York, playing at Heritage Park
in Colonie. In 1985 the Yankees again became the team's parent club, replacing the A's, and prompting the minor-league team to become the Albany-Colonie Yankees, which they would retain until 1994.
On June 3, 1994, the Yankees announced they would move their franchise from Albany-Colonie to Norwich, Connecticut
, and rename the team the Norwich Navigators. Property in Norwich was allotted for a new stadium on November 3 the same year, and the team played their season-opening game on April 6, 1995 with a win over the Bowie Baysox
. The new stadium's opening game was 11 days later and ended again with a Navigators victory, this time over the Reading Phillies
.
Norwich reached the Eastern League playoffs four times within the next six years, while many current and former New York Yankees
were leading the team. On September 14, 2002 the Navigators won their first and only Eastern League championship with a five-game series victory at home over the Harrisburg Senators
, under the direction of rookie manager Luis Sojo
.
Within weeks, the Yankees announced that they were ending their affiliation
with the Navigators to start a new team, the Trenton Thunder
. Later that fall, the San Francisco Giants
signed them as their new parent club for the 2003 season.
In 2005, the team was bought by boxing
promoter Lou DiBella
. With attendance figures declining, management announced an overhaul of the franchise's image and held a contest during the season allowing the public to select a new name. It was announced November 14, 2005 that the winning name was the Connecticut Defenders
. A new mascot, the Bald Eagle
, debuted eight days later. Another contest was held to name the mascot, and on February 11, 2006, the eagle was named "Cutter." The "Defenders" name, and Bald Eagle mascot were both references to the United States Coast Guard Academy
located nearby in New London
, and the Naval Submarine Base New London
in nearby Groton
.
In 2008 the San Francisco Giants renewed their PDC with the Defenders franchise until 2010. The following season, the Defenders won the Southern Division title, qualifying for the Eastern League playoffs. The Defenders defeated the New Britain Rock Cats
three games to one in the ELDS, the second time making it to the Eastern League Championship Series in franchise history; however, the Defenders fell short in the end, this time losing three games to one against the Akron Aeros
.
On September 23, 2009, it was announced that the Defenders would leave Norwich for their current home at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia
, where they will continue seeking proposals for a new ballpark in the Richmond metropolitan area. The team name was changed to the "Flying Squirrels".
readers "name-the-team-contest", which ended on October 15, 2009. Other finalists were the Rock Hoppers, Hambones, Rhinos, Flatheads, and Hush Puppies. (The name Hambones was later ruled out of the contest after the city's uproar and the NAACP finding that "the Hambones" could be seen as a derogatory term directed towards the African-American community.}
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 in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of 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....
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, and plays at The Diamond. The Squirrels were previously known as the Connecticut Defenders
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
.
The Flying Squirrels mark affiliated baseball's return to Richmond after a one-year absence prompted by the relocation of the former Triple-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
's Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
to Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. The Census Bureau estimates the 2008 population at 29,258...
, where they are now called the Gwinnett Braves
Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Braves are a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Atlanta Braves. The team was previously the Richmond Braves for 43 seasons . On January 14, 2008, it was announced that the Richmond Braves would move from Richmond,...
.
History
The Flying Squirrels began in 1972 as the West Haven YankeesWest Haven Yankees
The West Haven Yankees were a minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut from 1972 until 1982. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Quigley Stadium....
, a farm club of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
playing games at both Quigley Stadium
Quigley Stadium (West Haven)
Quigley Stadium is a stadium in West Haven, Connecticut, USA. It was built in 1947 and has a capacity of 2,000 people. It opened on June 20, 1947. It was originally called Exhibition Stadium but subsequently re-named for Maurice P...
and Yale Field
Yale Field
Yale Field is a stadium in West Haven, Connecticut, just across the city line with New Haven, Connecticut. It is primarily used for the Yale University baseball team, the Bulldogs, and, until 2007 was also the home field of the New Haven County Cutters Canadian-American Association of Professional...
in West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 52,721.-History:...
. They switched affiliations in 1980 to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and became the West Haven Whitecaps for one season before becoming the West Haven A's. In 1983, the team became the Albany A's when they moved to the Capital District
Capital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
of New York, playing at Heritage Park
Heritage Park (Colonie)
Heritage Park was a stadium in Colonie, New York, USA. It was primarily used for baseball but was also used for high school and college football games. It had a capacity of 5,500.-History:...
in Colonie. In 1985 the Yankees again became the team's parent club, replacing the A's, and prompting the minor-league team to become the Albany-Colonie Yankees, which they would retain until 1994.
On June 3, 1994, the Yankees announced they would move their franchise from Albany-Colonie to Norwich, Connecticut
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
, and rename the team the Norwich Navigators. Property in Norwich was allotted for a new stadium on November 3 the same year, and the team played their season-opening game on April 6, 1995 with a win over the Bowie Baysox
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
. The new stadium's opening game was 11 days later and ended again with a Navigators victory, this time over the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
.
Norwich reached the Eastern League playoffs four times within the next six years, while many current and former New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
were leading the team. On September 14, 2002 the Navigators won their first and only Eastern League championship with a five-game series victory at home over the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, under the direction of rookie manager Luis Sojo
Luis Sojo
Luis Beltrán Sojo Sojo is a former Major League Baseball infielder and right-handed batter who played with the Toronto Blue Jays , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates...
.
Within weeks, the Yankees announced that they were ending their affiliation
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
with the Navigators to start a new team, the Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. Later that fall, 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....
signed them as their new parent club for the 2003 season.
In 2005, the team was bought by boxing
Boxing
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...
promoter Lou DiBella
Lou DiBella
Louis John DiBella, Jr. is a boxing promoter and television/film producer. He is Founder and CEO of DiBella Entertainment based in New York City...
. With attendance figures declining, management announced an overhaul of the franchise's image and held a contest during the season allowing the public to select a new name. It was announced November 14, 2005 that the winning name was the Connecticut Defenders
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
. A new mascot, the Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
, debuted eight days later. Another contest was held to name the mascot, and on February 11, 2006, the eagle was named "Cutter." The "Defenders" name, and Bald Eagle mascot were both references to the United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
located nearby in New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, and the Naval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London is the United States Navy's primary submarine base, the "Home of the Submarine Force", and "the Submarine Capital of the World".-History:...
in nearby Groton
Groton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
.
In 2008 the San Francisco Giants renewed their PDC with the Defenders franchise until 2010. The following season, the Defenders won the Southern Division title, qualifying for the Eastern League playoffs. The Defenders defeated the New Britain Rock Cats
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
three games to one in the ELDS, the second time making it to the Eastern League Championship Series in franchise history; however, the Defenders fell short in the end, this time losing three games to one against the Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
.
On September 23, 2009, it was announced that the Defenders would leave Norwich for their current home at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, where they will continue seeking proposals for a new ballpark in the Richmond metropolitan area. The team name was changed to the "Flying Squirrels".
Name
The name the Richmond Flying Squirrels was chosen through a Richmond Times-DispatchRichmond Times-Dispatch
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is the primary daily newspaper in Richmond the capital of Virginia, United States, and is commonly considered the "newspaper of record" for events occurring in much of the state...
readers "name-the-team-contest", which ended on October 15, 2009. Other finalists were the Rock Hoppers, Hambones, Rhinos, Flatheads, and Hush Puppies. (The name Hambones was later ruled out of the contest after the city's uproar and the NAACP finding that "the Hambones" could be seen as a derogatory term directed towards the African-American community.}
Logo
The new logo was unveiled on December 1, 2009. It is a black, red, and grey flying squirrel with a patch in the shape of an "R" (for Richmond) on top of an acorn over its heart.Season records
(Norwich & Connecticut: Place indicates finish in Northern Division, Richmond: Place indicates finish in Western Division)- As Norwich Navigators
- 1995: 70–71 (3rd), manager Jimmy Johnson
- 1996: 71–70 (3rd), manager Jim EssianJim EssianJames Sarkis Essian, Jr. is an American former catcher and occasional infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Cleveland Indians. He was signed by the Phillies at age 18, but he only amassed 24 at-bats over three seasons...
- 1997: 73–69 (2nd), manager Trey HillmanTrey HillmanThomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
- 1998: 66–76 (4th), manager Trey HillmanTrey HillmanThomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
- 1999: 78–64 (2nd), manager Lee MazzilliLee MazzilliLee Louis Mazzilli, , is a former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager. On December 11, 2006, he was hired as the lead studio analyst for SportsNet New York, the New York Mets' cable television network...
- 2000: 76–66 (3rd), manager Dan RadisonDan RadisonDaniel John Radison is an American coach and instructor in professional baseball. On November 20, 2009, he was appointed first-base coach of the Washington Nationals by newly named permanent manager Jim Riggleman....
- 2001: 83–59 (2nd), manager Stump MerrillStump MerrillCarl "Stump" Merrill is a former manager in Major League Baseball who served as manager of the New York Yankees in and...
- 2002: 76–64 (1st), manager Stump MerrillStump MerrillCarl "Stump" Merrill is a former manager in Major League Baseball who served as manager of the New York Yankees in and...
- 2003: 62–79 (6th), manager Shane TurnerShane TurnerShane Lee Turner is a former professional baseball player. He played in parts of three seasons in the Major League Baseball for three different teams....
- 2004: 69–74 (5th), manager Shane TurnerShane TurnerShane Lee Turner is a former professional baseball player. He played in parts of three seasons in the Major League Baseball for three different teams....
- 2005: 71–72 (3rd), manager Dave MachemerDave MachemerDavid Ritchie Machemer is a former professional baseball player and current minor league manager. He played two seasons for the California Angels and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is currently the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.-Biography:Machemer has recorded over 1,000...
- As Connecticut Defenders
- 2006: 64–77 (5th), manager Dave MachemerDave MachemerDavid Ritchie Machemer is a former professional baseball player and current minor league manager. He played two seasons for the California Angels and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is currently the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.-Biography:Machemer has recorded over 1,000...
- 2007: 63–78 (5th), managers Dave MachemerDave MachemerDavid Ritchie Machemer is a former professional baseball player and current minor league manager. He played two seasons for the California Angels and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is currently the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.-Biography:Machemer has recorded over 1,000...
(through July 21) and Shane TurnerShane TurnerShane Lee Turner is a former professional baseball player. He played in parts of three seasons in the Major League Baseball for three different teams.... - 2008: 68–73 (4th), manager Bien FigueroaBien FigueroaBienvenido Figueroa DeLeon is a former Major League Baseball player. Figueroa played for the St. Louis Cardinals in . He later managed in the minor leagues with the Bluefield Orioles, Delmarva Shorebirds, Frederick Keys, Bowie BaySox, and the Connecticut Defenders. -External links:...
- 2009: 83–59 (1st), manager Steve DeckerSteve DeckerStephen Michael Decker , is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played from -, -, and . He is the current manager of the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants....
- 2006: 64–77 (5th), manager Dave Machemer
- As Richmond Flying Squirrels
- 2010: 68–73 (5th), manager Andy Skeels
- 2011: 76–66 (2nd), manager Dave MachemerDave MachemerDavid Ritchie Machemer is a former professional baseball player and current minor league manager. He played two seasons for the California Angels and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is currently the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.-Biography:Machemer has recorded over 1,000...
Playoffs
- 1997 season: Lost to PortlandPortland Sea DogsThe Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
, 3–2, in first round - 1999 season: Defeated TrentonTrenton ThunderThe Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
3–2, in first round; lost to HarrisburgHarrisburg SenatorsThe Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
3–2, in championship round. - 2001 season: Lost to New BritainNew Britain Rock CatsThe New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
, 3–1, in first round - 2002 season: Defeated New Haven, 3–0, in first round; defeated HarrisburgHarrisburg SenatorsThe Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
3–2 to win Eastern League title. - 2009 season: Defeated New BritainNew Britain Rock CatsThe New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
, 3–1, in first round; lost to AkronAkron AerosThe Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
3–1, in championship round. - 2011 season: Defeated HarrisburgHarrisburg SenatorsThe Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, 3–0, in first round; lost to New HampshireNew Hampshire Fisher CatsThe New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
in championship round.