Savannah Sand Gnats

Savannah Sand Gnats Founded in 1984 Savannah, Georgia
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Class-level
Single-A
Minor league affiliations
South Atlantic League Southern Division
Major league affiliations
New York Mets (2007–present) Washington Nationals (2003–2006) Montreal Expos (2003–2004) Texas Rangers (1998–2002) Los Angeles Dodgers (1996–1997) St. Louis Cardinals (1984–1995)
Name
Savannah Sand Gnats (1996–present) Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995)
Ballpark
Grayson Stadium
Minor league titles
League titles	3 (1993, 1994, 1996)
Division titles	1 (1993)
Owner(s)/Operated by: Hardball Capital LLC
Manager: Ryan Ellis
General Manager: 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.

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 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. The Gnats were also 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. They were also featured to the television show George Lopez, when the character Jason McNamara is drafted by the Nationals, and is going to play for the Sand Gnats.

The Sand Gnats have won three SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1997).

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.

Among their notable alumni are Edwin Encarnacion, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Josh Whitesell, Josh Satin, and Ryan Zimmerman.

Season-by-season records

Former Sand Gnats, Josh Whitesell and Ryan Zimmerman (left)

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

1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals

Roster

Savannah Sand Gnats roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 40 Yohan Almonte  6 Hamilton Bennett 18 Angel Cuan 36 Ryan Fraser 35 Gonzalez Germen 38 Erik Goeddel -- Michael Hebert 36 Chase Huchingson 12 Adam Kolarek 19 Guillaume Leduc 29 Ronny Morla 31 Luis Rojas 17 Taylor Whitenton 25 Gabriel Zavala		Catchers 22 Albert Cordero 11 Blake Forsythe 37 Juan Torres Infielders 21 Jet Butler 14 Sam Honeck  7 Luis Nieves 31 Aderlin Rodriguez  2 Wilfredo Tovar Outfielders 23 Joe Bonfe 10 Darrell Ceciliani  8 Rafael Fernandez 16 Alonzo Harris  6 Miguel Tejada		Manager  9 Ryan Ellis Coaches 50 Glenn Abbott (pitching) 30 Benny Distefano (hitting) 26 Jose Carreno (coach) 7-day disabled list * On New York Mets 40-man roster ∞ Reserve list § Suspended list ‡ Restricted list # Rehab assignment Roster updated July 9, 2011 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → New York Mets minor league players

External links

• Savannah Sand Gnats Official Site