Wilmington Blue Rocks
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| Wilmington Blue Rocks Founded in 1976 Wilmington, Delaware |
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| League titles | (1994, 96, 98 & 99) | ||
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| Owner(s)/Operated by: Matt Minker | |||
| Manager: Darryl Kennedy | |||
| General Manager: Chris Kemple | |||
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.
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[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. They returned to the Royals in 2007.
Among the 91 Blue Rocks who have gone on to the major leagues, the standouts include Carlos Beltrán, Johnny Damon, Jon Lieber, Mike Sweeney, Danny Schell. and Angel Berroa. Schell played for the Blue Rocks under Scooter Newsome and Danny Carnevale in the early 1950's, and had two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1954 and 1955.
Before the modern Blue Rocks, there was a Wilmington Blue Rocks team that played minor league baseball in the 1940s & 1950s. Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts played for these 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.
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 in team history.
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 died while playing a recreational basketball game, the stadium was renamed in his honor.
On Nov. 11, 2007, owner and founder Matt Minker died after a five year battle with cancer.
[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
- Brandon Berger
- Tim Byrdak
- Dee Brown
- Kiko Calero
- Lance Carter 2003 MLB All Star
- Johnny Damon 2004 World Series champion, author of "IDIOT", and Yankees outfielder
- Mark Ellis
- Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox 2005 top pick, 2007 World Series Champion
- Sal Fasano
- Carlos Febles
- Raul Gonzalez
- Zack Greinke
- Lance Jennings
- Shane Halter
- Ken Harvey
- Runelvys Hernandez
- Jon Lieber 20 game winner with Cubs
- Mendy Lopez
- Jed Lowrie
- Ramon E. Martinez
- Wes Obermueller
- Kit Pellow
- Paul Phillips
- Clyde Daniel "Danny" Schell (original franchise)
- Mark Quinn
- Jose Rosado winning pitcher in 1997 MLB All-Star Game
- Glendon Rusch
- Brian Sanches
- Anibal Sanchez Threw no hitter for Florida Marlins in 2006
- Shawn Sedlacek
- Curt Simmons (original franchise)
- Andy Stewart
- Larry Sutton 1994 Carolina League MVP
- Mike Sweeney Royals All-Star
- Michael Tucker
- Hugh Walker
[edit] Retired numbers
- 33 Mike Sweeney
- 35 Patrick McKernan
- 36 Robin Roberts
- 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)
[edit] External links
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| AAA | AA | A | Rookie |
| Omaha Royals | Northwest Arkansas Naturals |
Wilmington Blue Rocks Burlington Bees |
Burlington Royals Arizona League Royals Idaho Falls Chukars |
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