Trenton Thunder: Difference between revisions
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The '''Trenton Thunder''' are an [[United States|American]] [[ |
The '''Trenton Thunder''' are an [[United States|American]] [[Minor League Baseball]] team and are the Double-A affiliate of the [[New York Yankees]]. The Thunder play in the Northern Division of the [[Eastern League (U.S. baseball)|Eastern League]], and are the two-time defending league champions. The Thunder's home stadium is [[Mercer County Waterfront Park]] in [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], [[New Jersey]]. |
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==Team history== |
==Team history== |
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On [[September 15]], [[2007]], the Thunder defeated the [[Akron Aeros]] to win their first Eastern League Championship Series in team history. |
On [[September 15]], [[2007]], the Thunder defeated the [[Akron Aeros]] to win their first Eastern League Championship Series in team history. |
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Trenton defended its league title with 5-1 win over the [[Akron Aeros]] on [[September 14]], [[2008]]. |
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===Notable alumni=== |
===Notable alumni=== |
Revision as of 06:05, 15 September 2008
![]() | For current information on this topic, see 2008 Trenton Thunder season. |
Trenton Thunder | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
Class | Double-A (1980-Present) | ||||
League | Eastern League (1980-Present) | ||||
Division | Northern Division | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | New York Yankees (2003-present) | ||||
Previous teams | Boston Red Sox (1995-2002)
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Minor league titles | |||||
League titles | 2007, 2008 | ||||
Division titles | 1995, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008 | ||||
Team data | |||||
Name | Trenton Thunder (1994-present)
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Ballpark | Mercer County Waterfront Park (1994-Present) | ||||
Previous parks | Labatt Memorial Park (1989-1993)
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Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Garden State Baseball, LP (Joe Finley, Joe Caruso, and Joe Plumeri) | ||||
General manager | Will Smith | ||||
Manager | Tony Franklin |
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions. The Thunder's home stadium is Mercer County Waterfront Park in Trenton, New Jersey.
Team history
The Trenton franchise originated in Glens Falls, New York, in 1980 as the Glens Falls White Sox. The Detroit Tigers replaced the White Sox in 1985 with the team being known as the Glens Falls Tigers, and stayed on after the franchise moved to London, Ontario, in 1989, becoming the London Tigers and playing at historic Labatt Park.
In 1994, the Thunder moved to Trenton, and kept the Detroit affiliation for a season before switching affiliations to the Boston Red Sox in 1995. As a Red Sox affiliate, the club recorded three first-place finishes, but was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round each time. In 2003, the Thunder became aligned with the Yankees; the Red Sox adopted the Portland Sea Dogs at that time. The switch reflected both teams' fanbases, as Central New Jersey is home to a large number of Yankees fans, while Maine is home to a large number of Red Sox fans.
On June 4 1994, Phil Stidham became the first Thunder alumni to play in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers, giving up six runs on six hits, including two home runs, as part of a 21-7 romp by the Minnesota Twins.[1]
In 2006, the Thunder became the first team in Minor League Baseball history to draw over 400,000 fans for twelve consecutive seasons at the Double-A level or below. Through 13 seasons, over 5.4 million people had attended a Thunder game.[2]
Surpassing the previous mark set of 8,729 while Derek Jeter was on a rehab stint with the team, the Thunder set a new single-game attendance record on May 23, 2007, when 9,134 fans attended to watch Roger Clemens make his second minor-league start as he worked toward a return to the Yankees.
On September 15, 2007, the Thunder defeated the Akron Aeros to win their first Eastern League Championship Series in team history.
Trenton defended its league title with 5-1 win over the Akron Aeros on September 14, 2008.
Notable alumni
Tigers
Red Sox
- David Eckstein
- Nomar Garciaparra
- Shea Hillenbrand
- Adam Hyzdu
- Trot Nixon
- Carl Pavano
- Jeff Suppan
- Troy O'Leary
Yankees
- T. J. Beam
- Melky Cabrera
- Andy Cannizaro
- Robinson Canó
- Joba Chamberlain
- Roger Clemens
- Tyler Clippard
- Matt DeSalvo
- Alberto Gonzalez
- Phil Hughes
- Jeff Karstens
- Ian Kennedy
- Edwar Ramirez
- Chien-Ming Wang
- Derek Jeter
Retired numbers
- 5: Nomar Garciaparra
- 33: Tony Clark
- 42: Jackie Robinson†
†Jackie Robinson never played for the Trenton Thunder, but his number, 42, was retired by every Major League Baseball team and affiliate. See grandfather clause.
Season records
Season | Affiliation | Manager | Record |
1994 | Tigers | Tom Runnells | 55-85, 5th place South |
1995 | Red Sox | Ken Macha | 73-69, 1st place South (tie) |
1996 | Red Sox | Ken Macha | 86-56, 1st place South |
1997 | Red Sox | DeMarlo Hale | 71-70, 4th place South |
1998 | Red Sox | DeMarlo Hale | 71-70, 3rd place South |
1999 | Red Sox | DeMarlo Hale | 92-50, 1st place North |
2000 | Red Sox | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 67-75, 5th place North |
2001 | Red Sox | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 67-75, 5th place North |
2002 | Red Sox | Ron Johnson | 63-77, 5th place North (tie) |
2003 | Yankees | Stump Merrill | 70-71, 4th place North |
2004 | Yankees | Stump Merrill | 64-78, 6th place North |
2005 | Yankees | Bill Masse | 74-68, 2nd place North |
2006 | Yankees | Bill Masse | 80-62, 1st place North |
2007 | Yankees | Tony Franklin | 83-59, 1st place North |
2008 | Yankees | Tony Franklin | 86-54, 1st place North |
Playoff appearances
- 1995 season: Lost to Reading, 3-0 in semifinals
- 1996 season: Lost to Harrisburg, 3-1 in semifinals
- 1999 season: Lost to Norwich, 3-2 in semifinals
- 2005 season: Lost to Portland, 3-2 in semifinals
- 2006 season: Lost to Portland 3-1 in semifinals
- 2007 season: Defeated Portland 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Akron 3-1 in championship series.
- 2008 season: Defeated Portland 3-0 in semifinals; defeated Akron 3-1 in championship series.
Waterfront Park
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Waterfront_Park.jpg/220px-Waterfront_Park.jpg)
Official Name: Samuel J. Plumeri Field at Mercer County Waterfront Park
Address: One Thunder Road, Trenton, NJ 08611
Opened: May 9, 1994
Seating Capacity: 6,440
Dimensions: LF - 330 ft, CF - 407 ft, RF - 330 ft
Waterfront Park is located right on the banks of the Delaware River, creating beautiful scenery for guests.
Mascots
Boomer
Boomer is the Thunder's well-known and much-loved mascot. He is a blue "Thunderbird" with a yellow beak and buck teeth. He wears a Thunder uniform as well as purple and yellow shades. Boomer traditionally takes part in many of the promotions and activities throughout Thunder home games, such as a race around the bases against a young fan. Boomer's likeness has appeared on numerous pieces of merchandise, and he is involved with several programs assisting children in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These factors have made him perhaps the most popular and enduring aspect of the Trenton Thunder.
Chase
Chase "That Golden Thunder" is a six year old Golden Retriever who has been part of the Thunder family since late in the 2002 season. He often serves as "batdog" during the first inning at most Thunder home games, retrieving bats and balls and returning them to the Thunder dugout. Contrary to popular belief, his teeth do not leave marks in the equipment, as Retrievers are trained to carry birds without puncturing them. Later in the game, Chase usually catches frisbees to win a cash prize for a lucky fan. He does however have a golden tooth due to his bat carrying duties. Chase has garnered significant media attention, appearing on FOX, CNN, YES Network, UPN9, WNBC4, and even Japanese television. In 2008, Chase sired a litter of pups. One of the pups is being trained to be his successor and was named Derby in a fan poll during the offseason.
Current roster
Template:Trenton Thunder roster