Wilmington Blue Rocks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wilmington Blue Rocks | ||
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| League | Carolina League | |
| Division | Northern Division | |
| Year founded | 1993 | |
| Major League affiliation | Kansas City Royals | |
| Home ballpark | Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium | |
| Previous home ballparks | ||
| City | Wilmington, Delaware | |
| Current uniform colors | royal blue, black | |
| Previous uniform colors | ||
| Logo design | Entwined "BR" in blue with a pick axe hitting it | |
| Division titles | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004 | |
| League titles | 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999 | |
| Manager | John Mizerock | |
| Owner | Matt Minker | |
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
The modern Blue Rocks were founded in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were purchased and relocated to the riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Carolina League, an advanced Single-A league in minor league baseball. The name Blue Rocks was chosen because of the blue granite found along the Brandywine River in Wilmington.
From 1993 to 2004, the Blue Rocks were an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. From 2005 to 2006, the team was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox; however, they returned to the Royals beginning in 2007.
Among the 83 Blue Rocks that have gone on to the major leagues, the standouts include Carlos Beltrán, Johnny Damon, Jon Lieber, Mike Sweeney, and Angel Berroa.
Before the modern Blue Rocks, there was a Wilmington Blue Rocks team that played in minor league baseball in the 1940s & 1950s. Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts played for the Blue Rocks while a minor leaguer in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
The Blue Rocks play at Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in Wilmington's growing Riverfront district and was instrumental in bringing commerce and public attention to the once ignored and dilapidated area of the city. The Riverfront now is growing with outlet shops, restaurants, corporate buildings, condos, and a proposed casino.
In 2005, the Blue Rocks were featured in Sportscenter's 50 States in 50 Days. Matt Winer reported from a set in left field where Sportscenter did stories on the many mascots of the Blue Rocks. The August 19th game featuring Sportscenter drew the Blue Rocks largest crowd of the year.
The Blue Rocks have three mascots. One is Rocky Bluewinkle, a blue moose. Another is Mr. Celery, a stalk of celery that comes out to "CEL"-a-brate when Wilmington scores a run. Finally, there is Rubble, a giant blue rock.
When the Blue Rocks returned in 1993, the current Daniel S. Frawley Stadium was known as Legends' Stadium, after the many Delaware sports legends. After Frawley's death, the stadium was renamed to honor the former Wilmington mayor.
[edit] Players of note
[edit] Baseball Hall of Famers
- Robin Roberts (original franchise)
[edit] Not to be forgotten
- Angel Berroa 2003 American League Rookie of the Year
- Carlos Beltran 1999 American League Rookie of the Year
- Dermal Brown
- Kiko Calero
- Lance Carter 2003 MLB All Star
- Johnny Damon
- Mark Ellis
- Sal Fasano
- Raul Gonzalez
- Zack Greinke
- Shane Halter
- Runelvys Hernandez
- Jon Lieber
- Wes Obermueller
- Jose Rosado winning pitcher in 1997 MLB All-Star Game
- Glendon Rusch
- Anibal Sanchez
- Curt Simmons (original franchise)
- Andy Stewart
- Larry Sutton 1994 Carolina League MVP
- Mike Sweeney
- Michael Tucker
[edit] Retired numbers
- 33 Mike Sweeney
- 36 Robin Roberts
- 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)
[edit] External links
| Kansas City Royals Franchise | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | AA | A | Rookie |
| Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers |
Wilmington Blue Rocks Burlington Bees |
Burlington Royals Arizona Royals Idaho Falls Chukars |
| Carolina League | ||
| Northern Division | Southern Division | |
|---|---|---|
| Frederick Keys | Lynchburg Hillcats | Potomac Nationals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Kinston Indians | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Salem Avalanche | Winston-Salem Warthogs | |
