Bradenton Explorers

Bradenton Explorers Founded in 1989 Bradenton, Florida
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Independent Winter Baseball League (1989-1990)
Minor league affiliations
League	Senior Professional Baseball Association (1989-1990)
Division	Northern Division
Major league affiliations
Current	Independent
Minor league titles
League titles	0
Division titles	0
Team data
Nickname	Daytona Beach Explorers (1990)
Previous names	Bradenton Explorers (1989)
Ballpark	Jackie Robinson Ballpark (1990)
Previous parks	McKechnie Field (1989)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Greg Sirota
Manager	Clete Boyer

The Bradenton Explorers were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. That season, the club complied a record of 38-34 and finished in second place in the league's Northern Division, narrowly holding off the Orlando Juice. Jim Morrison led the league with 17 home runs, and pitcher Rick Lysander added a league-high 11 saves. In the playoffs, the Explorers lost to the St. Petersburg Pelicans, who went on to become league champions.

However the following season, the team relocated to Daytona Beach, becoming the Daytona Beach Explorers. The move was a result of the team losing $1 million during their first season.^[1] In Daytona the team had a 11-11 record and were in 4th place when the league ceased operations on December 28, 1990.

Notable players

• Willie Aikens
• Gary Alexander
• Dan Boone
• Doug Capilla
• Stan Cliburn
• Gene Clines
• Al Cowens
• John D'Acquisto
• Steve Dillard
• Chuck Dobson
• Wayne Garrett
• Garth Iorg
• Pat Kelly
• Bruce Kison
• Ken Kravec
• Wayne Krenchicki
• Ron LeFlore
• Rick Lysander
• Mickey Mahler
• Tippy Martinez
• Hal McRae
• Danny Meyer
• Omar Moreno
• Jim Morrison
• Graig Nettles
• Jim Nettles
• Wayne Nordhagen
• Al Oliver
• Rick Peterson
• Jerry Royster
• Manny Sanguillén
• Earl Stephenson
• Sammy Stewart

References