West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
Encyclopedia
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 of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
and the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. The team is located in Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
, and plays their home games at Pringles Park
Pringles Park
Pringles Park is a 6,000 seat minor league baseball stadium located in Jackson, Tennessee. It opened in 1998.Pringles Park was built by the municipal government of Jackson, Tennessee and is the home of the Jackson Generals of the Southern League. The Generals are the Class AA affiliate of the...
; opened in 1998, the park currently holds 6,000 fans.
From their inaugural season until 2010, the Generals were known as the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. The new name is reflective of the Jackson Generals minor league team based in Jackson during the first half of the 20th century.
Chicago Cubs (1998–2006)
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
in 1998 as the Double-A 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...
. In the following season, 1999, manager 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...
led the team to win the West Division title. They went on to play in the Southern League Championship series where they were defeated by the Orlando Rays, three games to one. The Diamond Jaxx also hosted the SL All-Star Game that season.
The 2000 team was managed by Dave Bialas
Dave Bialas
David Bruce Bialas is a former minor league baseball player and manager and Major League Baseball coach. He served as a coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1995 through 1999 and in 2002. As a minor league outfielder and first baseman in the St...
and featured such future major league stars as Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
and Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
. The team also won its first, and only, SL Championship. They defeated the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
(3–2) to win the West Division title, and then beat the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
(3–2) to take the league title.
The Diamond Jaxx's worst season came in 2001 when the team won only 59 games and lost 80, finishing with a .424 average, their worst average to-date. In 2002, the team lost the West Division Championship to the Birmingham Barons, two games to three.
In 2005, Nomar Garciaparra
Nomar Garciaparra
Anthony Nomar Garciaparra is a former Major League Baseball player. After playing parts of 9 seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played third base, first base, and designated hitter for the Oakland Athletics, first base and third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and...
played in four games for the Diamond Jaxx. The team, managed by Bobby Dickerson
Bobby Dickerson
Bobby Dale Dickerson is the interim bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball....
, returned to post-season action for the first time since 2002. They won the North Division Championship versus the Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
before losing the league championship to the Jacksonville Suns, one game to three.
After the 2005 season, the team considered a move to South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, citing financial problems, but team owner Bob Lozinak was denied permission by 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...
. They later signed a three-year lease to play at Pringles Park
Pringles Park
Pringles Park is a 6,000 seat minor league baseball stadium located in Jackson, Tennessee. It opened in 1998.Pringles Park was built by the municipal government of Jackson, Tennessee and is the home of the Jackson Generals of the Southern League. The Generals are the Class AA affiliate of the...
through the 2008 season.
Following the 2006 season, the Diamond Jaxx ended their affiliation with the Cubs. Team ownership made an attempt to sell the team to a group of investors in Florida which was approved by the city, but failed to meet deadlines for approval by MLB, Minor League Baseball
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...
, and the Southern League.
Seattle Mariners (2007–present)
The Diamond Jaxx began their affiliation with the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in 2007. They finished the season with a .432 winning percentage.
On October 2, 2007, The Tennessean, reported that the team's owners entered into an agreement to sell the team to a group of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
-based investors. Low attendance and financial problems were cited as reasons for the sale. One of the new owners is Reese Smith III, who is also a minority partner in the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. The new owners planned to keep the team in Jackson for the 2008 season in an attempt to increase attendance and break even (financially). The sale was approved by the Southern League during the 2007 Baseball Winter Meetings. The majority owner will be David Freeman, who is also the majority owner of the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
On September 6, 2010, the team announced that they were retiring the Diamond Jaxx nickname after the 2010 SL playoffs, rebranding as the Jackson Generals for 2011 and beyond.
Season-by-season record
| West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Southern League Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... ) |
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| Year | |Post-season | |||||||
| Record | Win % | Finish* | Record | Win % | Result | |||
| 1998 | 66–74 | .471 | 3rd | – | – | |||
| 1999 | 84–57 | .596 | 1st | 4–4 | .500 | Won West Division Championship vs Chattanooga Lookouts Chattanooga Lookouts The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts... , 3–1 Lost SL Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... Championship vs Orlando Rays, 1–3 |
||
| 2000 | 80–58 | .580 | 1st | 6–4 | .600 | Won West Division Championship vs Birmingham Barons Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club.... , 3–2 Won SL Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... Championship vs Jacksonville Suns Jacksonville Suns The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team... , 3–2 |
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| 2001 | 59–80 | .424 | 5th | – | – | |||
| 2002 | 73–67 | .521 | 3rd | 2–3 | .400 | Lost West Division Championship vs Birmingham Barons Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club.... , 2–3 |
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| 2003 | 65–73 | .471 | 4th | – | – | |||
| 2004 | 70–68 | .507 | 3rd | – | – | |||
| 2005 | 83–56 | .597 | 1st | 4–3 | .571 | Won North Division Championship vs Carolina Mudcats Carolina Mudcats The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:... , 3–0 Lost SL Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... Championship vs Jacksonville Suns Jacksonville Suns The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team... , 1–3 |
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| 2006 | 75–65 | .536 | 2nd | – | – | |||
| 2007 | 60–79 | .432 | 4th | – | – | |||
| 2008 | 70–68 | .507 | 3rd | 0–3 | .000 | Lost North Division Championship vs Carolina Mudcats Carolina Mudcats The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:... , 0–3 |
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| Totals | 776–745 | .510 | – | 16–17 | .485 | 1 League Championship | ||
| Note: |
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Notable former players
Many current and former major leaguersMajor 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...
have played for the Diamond Jaxx/Generals. A list of notable players includes:
- David AardsmaDavid AardsmaDavid Allan Aardsma is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He is the first player alphabetically in the list of all-time Major League Baseball players, having displaced Hank Aaron upon his MLB debut....
- Micah BowieMicah BowieMicah Andrew Bowie is a left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Early career:He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 8th round in...
- Ronny CedeñoRonny CedeñoRonny Alexander Cedeño is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed and was born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela...
- Hee-seop ChoiHee-Seop ChoiHee-Seop Choi is a professional baseball player who has played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a first baseman who bats and throws left-handed. Choi currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the South Korean pro baseball league.-Amateur career:Choi...
- Dan CortesDan CortesDaniel Adam "Dan" Cortes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the seventh round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft...
- Scott DownsScott DownsScott Jeremy Downs is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays...
- Kyle FarnsworthKyle FarnsworthKyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
- Nomar GarciaparraNomar GarciaparraAnthony Nomar Garciaparra is a former Major League Baseball player. After playing parts of 9 seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played third base, first base, and designated hitter for the Oakland Athletics, first base and third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and...
- Adam Greenberg
- Ángel GuzmánÁngel GuzmánÁngel Moisés Guzmán is a professional baseball pitcher. Listed at 6-3 , 195 pounds , Guzmán bats and throws right-handed. He made his major league debut on April 26, .-Career:...
- Greg HalmanGreg HalmanGregory Anthony "Greg" Halman was a Dutch professional baseball outfielder. He played with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball during the and seasons...
- Eric HinskeEric HinskeEric Scott Hinske is a Major League Baseball outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman currently an Atlanta Braves organization...
- Shawn KelleyShawn KelleyShawn Andrew Kelley is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He attended Ballard High School, and later Austin Peay State University. Kelley was drafted by the Mariners in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his professional debut in 2007, and later made his...
- Josh LuekeJosh LuekeJoshua William Lueke is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:Lueke was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 16th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft...
- Carlos MármolCarlos MarmolCarlos Agustín Mármol is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Minor league career:Mármol started his career as a catcher/outfielder...
- Wade MillerWade MillerWade Thomas Miller is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Houston Astros from through the Boston Red Sox in and the Chicago Cubs in and . He bats and throws right-handed...
- Sergio MitreSergio MitreSergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...
- Adam MooreAdam MooreAdam Ross Moore is an American Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Moore was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft...
- Scott Moore
- Matt MurtonMatt MurtonMatthew Henry Murton is an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan...
- Ricky NolascoRicky NolascoCarlos Enrique "Ricky" Nolasco is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins. He is listed as 6'2" and 220, and made his major league debut on April 5,...
- Corey PattersonCorey PattersonDonald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
- Carlos PegueroCarlos PegueroCarlos Angel Peguero is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Seattle Mariners. He signed as a non-drafted free agent on January 20, 2005 by Mariners scouts Patrick Guerrero and Bob Engle...
- Michael PinedaMichael PinedaMichael Francisco Pineda is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners...
- Renyel PintoRenyel PintoRenyel Eligio Pinto is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his major league debut on May 18, .-Career:...
- Mark PriorMark PriorMark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...
- Arthur RhodesArthur RhodesArthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
- Jae Kuk Ryu
- Michael SaundersMichael SaundersMichael Edward Saunders is a Canadian Major League Baseball left fielder for the Seattle Mariners. He is a left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder...
- 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....
- Geovany SotoGeovany SotoGeovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:...
- Ryan TheriotRyan TheriotRyan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
- Luis ValbuenaLuis ValbuenaLuis Adan Valbuena is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Career:Valbuena began his professional career in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2005...
- Jack Wilson
- Mike Wilson
- Carlos ZambranoCarlos ZambranoCarlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
Ballpark
The Generals' current, and only, ballpark is Pringles ParkPringles Park
Pringles Park is a 6,000 seat minor league baseball stadium located in Jackson, Tennessee. It opened in 1998.Pringles Park was built by the municipal government of Jackson, Tennessee and is the home of the Jackson Generals of the Southern League. The Generals are the Class AA affiliate of the...
. The park, which is owned by the City of Jackson, was opened in 1998 and seats 6,000 fans.