Charlotte Stone Crabs

Charlotte Stone Crabs Founded in 1980 Port Charlotte, Florida Based in Port Charlotte since 2009
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Class A Advanced (1980–present)
Minor league affiliations
Florida State League (1980–present) South Division
Major league affiliations
Tampa Bay Rays (2007–present) Los Angeles Dodgers (1980–2006)
Name
Charlotte Stone Crabs (2009–present) Vero Beach Devil Rays (2007–2008) Vero Beach Dodgers (1980–2006)
Colors
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Ballpark
Charlotte Sports Park (2009–present) Holman Stadium (1980–2008)
Minor league titles
League titles	1983, 1990
Division titles	1983, 1990, 2009, 2010
Owner(s)/Operated by: Cal Ripken, Jr., Ripken Baseball
Manager: Jim Morrison
General Manager: Joe Hart

The Charlotte Stone Crabs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Port Charlotte, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.

The Stone Crabs were originally the Vero Beach Dodgers (later Vero Beach Devil Rays), who played in Vero Beach, Florida from 1980 to 2008. The team relocated to Port Charlotte after being purchased by Ripken Baseball. They play their home games at Charlotte Sports Park, and are named for the Florida stone crab, which is indigenous to the Charlotte County region.

The team affiliated with two different Major League Baseball teams during their existence: the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980 to 2006 and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays since 2007.

History

The Charlotte Stone Crabs were formerly known as the Vero Beach Dodgers, later the Vero Beach Devil Rays. The franchise was founded in 1980, and played at Holman Stadium, the former spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Dodgers from 1980 to 2006.

In 2007 the franchise's affiliation changed to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; they were then renamed the Vero Beach Devil Rays. Under their new name they won the 2007 Florida State League championship. On August 25, 2008, it was announced that the Vero Beach franchise was sold to Ripken Baseball, which resulted in a relocation of the franchise to Port Charlotte, Florida to become the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

The Stone Crabs play their home games at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida, the former spring training home of the Texas Rangers. On December 20, the team announced that Jim Morrison will return as manager, having managed the Vero Beach team in 2008.

In their first season in Port Charlotte, the Stone Crabs won the FSL South division title but lost the league title to the Tampa Yankees three games to two.

Notable players

The Charlotte Stone Crabs have had many Major League players in their existence. Jake McGee was the first Stone Crabs player to make it to the majors. B. J. Upton, on a rehab assignment in April 2009, was the first batter in franchise history. Other big leaguers who have spent time with the Stone Crabs include: Rocco Baldelli, Grant Balfour, Jason Bartlett, Chad Bradford, Pat Burrell, Brad Hawpe, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Joyce, Scott Kazmir, Carlos Peña, Fernando Pérez, Shawn Riggans, Brian Shouse, Andy Sonnanstine, and Mitch Talbot.

Notable alumni

• Rocco Baldelli (2007–2008)
• Erick Orrala (2003–2004)
• David Price (2008)
• Matt Kemp (2005)

Roster

Charlotte Stone Crabs roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 17 Andrew Bellatti 22 Ryan Carpenter 11 Jake Floethe 19 Nate Garcia -- Grayson Garvin 18 Roberto Gomez 20 Jesse Hahn 34 Lenny Linsky 35 Peter Markel 30 Jacob Partridge 29 Felipe Rivero * -- Wilking Rodríguez * 26 Eliazer Suero		Catchers  8 Lucas Bailey  9 Curt Casali 27 Jake DePew 16 Alejandro Segovia -- David Wendt ‡ Infielders  3 Hector Guevara  2 Jake Hager 23 Jeff Malm -- Juniel Querecuto 28 Richie Shaffer  7 Steven Tinoco Outfielders 10 Kes Carter 32 Kyeong Kang 14 Taylor Motter 24 Drew Vettleson		Manager  4 Brady Williams Coaches 37 Bill Moloney (pitching) 33 Joe Szekely (hitting) 7-day disabled list * On Tampa Bay Rays 40-man roster ∞ Reserve list § Suspended list ‡ Restricted list # Rehab assignment Roster updated April 5, 2013 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Tampa Bay Rays minor league players

External links

• Official Charlotte Stone Crabs website
• "Ripken Baseball buys Vero Beach franchise" FSL news
• http://www.vbdrays.com/