| Frisco RoughRiders Founded in 1971 Frisco, Texas |
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| League titles | 2004 | ||
| Division titles | 2003, 2004, 2008 | ||
| Owner(s)/Operated by: Mandalay Sports Entertainment | |||
| Manager: Steve Buechele | |||
| General Manager: Scott Sonju | |||
The Frisco RoughRiders (short form: 'Riders) are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains (and, for the 2002 season, the Shreveport SwampDragons). In 2003, they were purchased by Mandalay Entertainment in connection with Tom Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers and the company that owns it, Southwest Sports Group.[1] Mandalay Baseball moved them to the North Texas city of Frisco and changed their name to the RoughRiders.
They currently play at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. Opened on April 3, 2003, the stadium seats 10,600 fans.[2] The stadium is both unique and innovative; both bullpens are surrounded by seats and there is a pool area available for rental just beyond the right center field wall.
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"The Rough Riders" was the name bestowed by the American press on the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment during the Spanish-American War, headed by to-be American President Theodore Roosevelt. The team was named after a historical division in order to comply with the tradition of the major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, who were named after the Texas Ranger Division.
| Season | GP | W | L | Current Position | GB | |
| 2009/ 1st Half | 67 | 32 | 35 | 3rd in South | 4 | |
| 2009/ 2nd Half | 62 | 35 | 27 | 2nd in South | 1 |
December 3: Frisco Minor League Team is announced
Southwest Sports Group (SSG) and Mandalay Sports Entertainment (MSE) reach an agreement of joint ownership of a Double-A, Texas League franchise to be located in Frisco, Texas.
February 6: Frisco Baseball Stadium underway
Officials with the Double-A team and representatives of the City of Frisco and Collin County broke ground on a new ballpark to be ready for the 2003 season.
July 4: Frisco RoughRiders unveil team name and logo
At a July 4th Centennial Celebration, the Frisco Professional Baseball Team announced their new name and logo.
September 26: RoughRiders announce affiliation with Texas Rangers
Frisco RoughRiders Professional Baseball announced its Major League affiliation with the Texas Rangers. "We are thrilled to be the Double-A affiliate of the Rangers," said President & General Manager Mike McCall. "A player may be a RoughRider in April and a Ranger by August."
January 21: RoughRiders announce ballpark
The Frisco RoughRiders announced that Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. and the Dr Pepper Bottling Company of Texas have entered into a partnership with the RoughRiders for naming rights to the team's state-of-the-art stadium.
April 3: RoughRiders sell out inaugural Season Opener
In the first ever professional game at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark, the RoughRiders announce a sellout of over 10,000 fans.
September, 2: Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark named "Best New Ballpark for 2003"
Each year, the award by baseballparks.com goes to the new baseball stadium with the best combination of superior design, attractive site selection and fan amenities.
September 2: First playoff game is played at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark
The first playoff game for both the RoughRiders and Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark was played as the 'Riders defeated Wichita.
September 13: RoughRiders advance to Texas League Championship Series
The ‘Riders advance to the Texas League Championship Series to face the San Antonio Missions, but lost four games to one in the best-of-seven series.
September 26: RoughRiders set attendance records during inaugural season
Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark witnessed 675,620 fans come through the turnstiles in the RoughRiders’ inaugural season, which ranked fourth overall in all of minor league attendance.
August 30: ‘Riders earn playoff birth for second straight season
The 'Riders finished off a remarkable second half run and clinched the Texas League East Division title at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark.
September 9: ‘Riders advance to Texas League Championship
The Frisco RoughRiders wasted no time in dispatching the Drillers to clinch the Texas League Eastern Division Title and moved on to face Western Division Champs Round Rock in the Championship Series.
September 18: RoughRiders win Texas League Championship
The Frisco RoughRiders shut down the Express and captured its first Texas League title in just its second year of existence as Frisco won the best-of-seven Texas League Championship Series.
June 21: Frisco hosts Texas League All-Star Game
Andre Ethier leads the East All-Stars over the West, 5-0, with a key RBI-single.
July 28: RoughRiders combine for Perfect Game A.J. Murray, Steve Karsay, and Scott Feldman combined to pitch a perfect game in Corpus Christi. The final score was 3-0 as it was the first no-hit game in the three-year history of the Frisco RoughRiders.
September 4: RoughRiders end season with 58-82 record
June 17: Four RoughRiders are chosen for Texas League All-Star Game
Pitchers Thomas Diamond and John Danks, infielder Adam Morissey, and outfielder Anthony Webster were selected to the Mid-Summer Classic.
September 1: Frisco finishes 2006 season with 72-68 record
RoughRiders finish in third place in the South Division.
June 12: Six RoughRiders selected for Texas League All-Star Game
June 16: Frisco clinches playoff birth
The RoughRiders won the first half title and earned an automatic spot in the Texas League playoffs for the first time since 2004.
September 3: RoughRiders end regular season with franchise-best record
Frisco ended the 2007 season with a regular season record of 85-55, the best ever in RoughRiders’ history.
September 7: Frisco swept in first round of 2007 playoffs Frisco was defeated three games to none by San Antonio in the first round of the Texas League Playoffs. September 12: Dave Anderson named Manager of the Year Leading Frisco to the best record in the Texas League, first-year Manager Dave Anderson was named Texas League Manager of the Year, the first time a Frisco manager earned such an award. October 6: Mandalay named Baseball Organization of the Year Mandalay Baseball Properties, the owner and operator of the Frisco RoughRiders was named "Baseball Organization of the Year," by Ballpark Digest. November 15: Frisco recognized as top Double-A franchise The RoughRiders were named the 2007 Bob Freitas Award winner for Double-A minor league baseball by Baseball America.
March 29: RoughRiders top Rangers in exhibition game In this inaugural event, Frisco defeated the big league club in one of the last exhibition games before the regular season for both teams.
April 24: RoughRiders welcome 3,000,000th fan
May 18: Matt Harrison tosses no-hitter Lefty starter Matt Harrison throws the first no-hitter at Dr Pepper Ballpark and second in franchise history.
June 10: RoughRiders secure playoff spot Frisco clinches a playoff birth in the Texas League Playoffs with a First Half Championship, the second first-half title in the past two years.
July 7: Feliz debuts with 100 MPH fastball Hard-throwing youngster Neftali Feliz made his Double-A debut in Frisco with several pitches over 100 MPH.
August 13: Holland dominant in Double-A debut Lefty Derek Holland struck out 10 in his Double-A debut.
August 28: Scott Little named ‘08 Texas League Manager of the Year For the second consecutive season, a Frisco manager took home the award and only the second time a team won in back-to-back seasons with different managers.
September 1: Frisco clinches second-half title For the first time in franchise history, the RoughRiders won both the first and second half titles with a combined record of 84-56.
September 5: RoughRiders win South Division Frisco sweeps San Antonio and advances to the Championship Series to face Arkansas.
September 15: Frisco falls in final game of Championship Series The RoughRiders were one win away from a Texas League Championship, but dropped the final game to Arkansas.
April 2009: Rangers first-round draft pick starts season with Frisco First baseman Justin Smoak, selected by the Rangers in the first round of the June 2008 draft, starts 50 games for the RoughRiders, hitting .328 with 6 home runs and 29 RBI.
June 16: Five RoughRiders selected to 73rd Texas League All-Star Game Pitchers Jose Diaz and Kasey Kiker, as well as catcher Manuel Pina, outfielder Craig Gentry and first baseman Justin Smoak are all named All-Stars.
July 1: Dr Pepper Ballpark hosts 73rd Annual Texas League All-Star Game.
September 7: The ‘Riders lose 3-0 in Midland to end the regular season and miss out on post-season play.
April 8: Former Rangers’ third baseman Steve Buechele makes his Frisco debut Behind a strong outing from ‘Riders starter Blake Beavan, Buechele earned his first victory as a Double-A manager, besting the Springfield Cardinals 2-1 on Opening Day.
June 19: ‘Riders clinch First Half South Division Title Tanner Roark earned the win pitching 5.1 innings as the RoughRiders topped the Corpus Christi Hooks 7-3 at Whataburger Field to win the First Half Title.
July 9: Two RoughRiders traded in Cliff Lee deal Just hours before first pitch in Springfield, MO, the ‘Riders learn that second baseman Matt Lawson and righthander Josh Lueke are part of the deal that also sent former ‘Riders Blake Beavan and Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe.
August 28: Three Rangers rehab at Dr Pepper Ballpark Cristian Guzman, Ian Kinsler, and Nelson Cruz bat 1-2-3 for the ‘Riders, but the club gets shutout by Midland 2-0 in front of 11,666 fans (second largest crowd at time of publication).
August 30: Blake Beavan Texas League Pitcher of the Year After posting a 10-5 record and a 2.78 ERA over 17 starts, the former first round draft pick earns Texas League Pitcher of the Year honors. (At the time of the award, Beavan was pitching for Triple-A Tacoma).
September 11: Post-season comes to and end in Midland The RoughRiders lose the best-of-five Divisional Round to the Midland RockHounds losing three games to one. The 2010 season ended on this night after a 9-4 loss to the ‘Hounds in Midland.
General Manager Mike McCall (2003–2006) Scott Sonju (2006–Present)
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7-day disabled list |
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These players were once part of the RoughRiders (not including any rehab assignment) and have then succeeded to have a Major League appearance.[3]
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| Texas Rangers franchise | |||
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| Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Rookie |
| Round Rock Express | Frisco RoughRiders |
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hickory Crawdads Spokane Indians |
AZL Rangers DSL Rangers |
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