Savannah Sand Gnats
|
Savannah Sand Gnats Founded in 1984 Savannah, Georgia | |||||
| |||||
| Class-level | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Single-A (1984–Present) | ||||
| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| League | South Atlantic League (1984–Present) | ||||
| Division | Southern Division | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Current | New York Mets (2007–Present) | ||||
| Previous |
| ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles | 4 (1993, 1994, 1996, 2013) | ||||
| Division titles | 2 (1993, 2013) | ||||
| Team data | |||||
| Nickname | Savannah Sand Gnats (1996–Present) | ||||
Previous names | Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995) | ||||
| Ballpark | Grayson Stadium (1984–Present) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Hardball Capital LLC | ||||
| Manager | Luis Rojas | ||||
| President | John Katz | ||||
The Savannah Sand Gnats are a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and are a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. Since the 2007 season, the Sand Gnats have been an affiliate of the New York Mets.[1]
History
Formerly known as the Savannah Cardinals, the team played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats, and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002, and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.
The Sand Gnats play their home games at Grayson Stadium. Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seats 4,700 fans. The Sand Gnats have won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1997, 2013).
On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.
On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation.[2]
Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré, Éric Gagné, Edwin Encarnación, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Josh Whitesell, Josh Satin, and Ryan Zimmerman.
Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses
| Season | W | L | Finish | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 78 | 61 | 3rd, Southern | Lost in semi-finals |
| 1985 | 57 | 78 | 4th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1986 | 75 | 60 | 2nd, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1987 | 69 | 69 | 4th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1988 | 68 | 67 | 5th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1989 | 69 | 70 | 4th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1990 | 73 | 68 | 6th, Southern | Lost League Finals |
| 1991 | 61 | 77 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1992 | 62 | 78 | 5th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1993 | 94 | 48 | 1st, Southern | League Champions |
| 1994 | 82 | 55 | 2nd, Southern | League Champions |
| 1995 | 56 | 83 | 6th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1996 | 72 | 69 | 2nd, Southern | League Champions |
| 1997 | 63 | 77 | 3rd, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1998 | 66 | 76 | 3rd, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 1999 | 62 | 78 | 4th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2000 | 74 | 65 | 4th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2001 | 54 | 82 | 8th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2002 | 49 | 89 | 8th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2003 | 58 | 80 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2004 | 58 | 80 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2005 | 62 | 76 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2006 | 56 | 83 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2007 | 41 | 94 | 8th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2008 | 61 | 76 | 7th, Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2009 | 65 | 72 | Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2010 | 75 | 64 | Southern | Lost in Semi-Finals |
| 2011 | 79 | 60 | Southern | Lost League Finals[3] |
| 2012 | 69 | 67 | Southern | Did Not Qualify |
| 2013 | 77 | 61 | Southern | League Champions |
| 2014 | 85 | 51 | Southern | Lost in Semi-Finals |
1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals
In popular culture
- The team was featured in the first season of Da Ali G Show, when the character Borat sang his national anthem, and then ventured into the locker room.[4]
- The Gnats were featured on the Food Network show Paula's Home Cooking during the episode "Ball Game", when Paula Deen threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a game and wore a team jersey while cooking.[5]
- They were featured on the television sitcom George Lopez, when the character Jason McNamara is drafted by the Nationals, and is going to play for the Sand Gnats.
- In June 2013, the Royal Pains episode "Lawson Translation" features two main characters attending Sand Gnats games and taking a (fictional) veteran player on as a medical patient.
Roster
| Savannah Sand Gnats roster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
|
Pitchers
|
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
|
Manager
Coaches
| ||
References
- ↑ BallParkDigest.com
- ↑ "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games". Associated Press. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=7cb66084
- ↑ "Borat's Guide to the USA, Episode Five: Baseball". The Unofficial Borat Homepage. May 24, 2002. Retrieved January 7, 2007.
- ↑ "Food Network synopsis of the Paula's Home Cooking episode". Food Network. 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2007.
External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.svg.png){kind=small}