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Nashville Sounds

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Nashville Sounds
File:NashvilleSounds.png File:NashvilleSoundsCap.png
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (1985–present)
Previous classesDouble-A (1978–1984)
LeaguePacific Coast League (1998–present)
ConferenceAmerican Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamMilwaukee Brewers (2005–present)
Previous teamsPittsburgh Pirates (1998–2004)
Minor league titles
League titles 1979, 1982, 2005
Conference titles 2003, 2005
Division titles 1979, 1981, 1982, 1990, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007
Team data
NameNashville Sounds (1978–present)
BallparkHerschel Greer Stadium (1978–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
AmeriSports Companies LLC / Nashville Sounds Baseball Club
General managerJoe Hart
ManagerFrank Kremblas

The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee and are named for the city's association with the music industry. The team plays their home games at Herschel Greer Stadium, which opened in 1978 and currently holds 10,052 fans.

Originally established as a Double-A team in 1978, the Sounds moved up to the Triple-A level in 1985. The team has served as a farm club for six different major league franchises. A total of twenty-one different managers have helmed the club and its nearly 800 players. As of the completion of the 2007 season, the team has played in 4,297 regular season games and compiled a win–loss record of 2,245–2,052.[1]

The team fielded in 1981 was recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time. The 2006 team tied the record for the longest game in PCL history. Of the three nine-inning perfect games in the history of the PCL, two have been pitched by members of the Sounds.

The Sounds won the PCL Championship in 2005, sweeping the Tacoma Rainiers in three games in the final series. Previous league titles won by the team are the Southern League title in 1979, as the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, and again in 1982, as the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Going into 2008, they are the three-time defending PCL American North Division champions.

Team history

The Reds era (1978–1979)

Nashville's professional baseball history dates back to 1885 beginning with the Nashville Americans. They were followed by the Blues, Tigers, Seraphs, and Vols. The city was without a professional baseball team since the Double-A Vols ceased operations after their 1963 season. In 1978, the Nashville Sounds were added as an expansion franchise team in the Double-A Southern League and were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds.

Original Sounds logo from 1978 to 1997

President and part owner Larry Schmittou, head coach of the Vanderbilt University baseball team, was instrumental in bringing professional baseball back to Nashville. Schmittou's business philosophy revolved around earning profits not from ticket sales, but from the sale of souvenirs and concessions.[2] This philosophy also involved promoting entertainment value, or fun, instead of promoting the baseball game.[3] With the help of country music star Conway Twitty, who heard about the proposed team in local newspapers, Schmittou brought in other recording artists such as Larry Gatlin and Jerry Reed, as well as other Nashvillians, as Sounds shareholders.[4][5]

The club played their home games at a new facility, Herschel Greer Stadium, located south of downtown Nashville at the foot of St. Cloud Hill in Fort Negley Park. Fans responded well to the return of baseball to the city, evidenced by Nashville leading the Southern League in attendance in each of their seven seasons as a member of the league.[4] Two years later, it set the all-time league attendance record (575,676).[6] The team's name, logo, and color scheme originated with the Memphis Sounds of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1974, who used them for one season before the team relocated and became the Baltimore Claws.[7] When the ABA merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976, some of the copyrights were allowed to lapse, and Nashville's baseball team adopted the abandoned schemes.[8] The color blue was added to Memphis' original red and white palate. The original "guitar swinger" logo was drawn by Schmittou and then sent to a graphic designer who realized the final design.[5]

File:Nashville Sounds - First Home Game.jpg
The Sounds' first home game on April 26 1978

The Sounds played their first home game, a 12–4 victory, on April 26 1978 against the Savannah Braves in front of a sellout crowd of 8,156 fans.[9] The home opener was scheduled to take place the previous evening, but was rained out.[9] The team requested to open the season on the road and had to swap a series with the Chattanooga Lookouts in order to have enough time to complete the stadium.[3] Tractors and grading machines were still preparing the field on game day, and the electricity was turned on only five minutes before the gates opened.[9] The sod, which arrived late, was laid the day before the scheduled opening game with the help of an estimated group of 50 fans who heard an announcement on local radio stations inviting them to a "sod party" by general manager Farrell Owens.[3][9] As the Double-A affiliate of the Reds, the Sounds finished ninth during their inaugural campaign of 1978, but led the league in attendance by drawing 380,000 fans (more than double the second-place attendance).[4]

Under manager George Scherger, the Sounds started the 1979 season poorly, before rallying to win 20 of 31 games in late May and June. They entered the last game of the first half in first place, but lost to their cross-state rivals, the Memphis Chicks and finished in second place. The Sounds and Chicks met again on the last day of the second half in a split doubleheader; both games were won by Nashville. The two teams then faced-off in a best-of-three series to determine the Western Division champion. The Sounds won the series two games to one before advancing to the Southern League championship series against the Columbus Astros. Nashville captured the league title by defeating the Astros three games to one. That year, the club also led the nation in minor league attendance.[10] Also in 1979, the team played host to the Southern League All-Star Game. The contest pitted a team of the league's all-stars against the major league Atlanta Braves. The all-stars defeated the Braves, five runs to two. Nashville's Duane Walker was named the MVP.[11]

Originally, the Reds allowed Nashville to use a designated hitter in their lineup. However, this allowance was later revoked, as the Reds were a part of the National League which did not use a DH. President Larry Schmittou issued an ultimatum: if Cincinnati would not let them use the DH, they would not renew their contract and would look for a new major league affiliate. The Reds did not renege on their decision to prohibit the DH, so the Sounds looked for a new affiliate after 1979. Schmittou was then approached by five or six clubs looking to enter the Southern League as a Sounds affiliate.[3]

The Yankees era (1980–1984)

The Sounds made their first affiliation switch in 1980, becoming a part of the New York Yankees organization. Managers Stump Merrill and Johnny Oates and future major leaguers such as Steve Balboni, Don Mattingly, Buck Showalter, Otis Nixon, Willie McGee, Pat Tabler, and Dan Pasqua helped lead Nashville to first or second place divisional finishes from 1980 to 1984.

The 1980 Sounds finished the first half one-and-a-half games behind the Memphis Chicks. In the second half, the team finished in first place, fourteen games ahead of the second place team. In the Western Division championship series, Nashville lost to Memphis, three games to one. Nine Southern League records were set during the season, the team's pitching staff led the league in ERA and strikeouts, and Steve Balboni led the league in runs, home runs, and total bases.[12] The team also set a league attendance record, when a total of 575,676 fans visited Greer Stadium.[6] As of the completion of the 2007 season, this record still stands. In 2001, the 1980 Sounds were ranked as the sixty-ninth greatest minor league baseball team of all-time by baseball historians.[6]

File:Nashville Sounds - Mattingly & McGee.JPG
Don Mattingly (left) and Willie McGee (right) in 1981

On April 16, 1981, the New York Yankees made a stop in Nashville to play an exhibition game against the Sounds. The 10–1 Yankees victory was played in front of a standing room only crowd of 17,318 fans.[13] Also on hand for the game were Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, coach Yogi Berra, and players Reggie Jackson, Bucky Dent, Lou Piniella, Bobby Murcer, Goose Gossage, Tommy John, and Johnny Oates.[13] The second half winning Sounds went on to win the Western Division championship after defeating the Memphis Chicks in three straight games. The team suffered in the best-of-five league championship series, falling to the Orlando Twins, 1–3. Don Mattingly and Willie McGee, who both played for the Sounds in 1981, were later promoted to the major leagues. In 1985, Mattingly was named the American League Most Valuable Player and McGee named the National League MVP. This feat made Nashville the first team to ever have both MVPs perform on the same team during the same year.[14]

The following year, second half winner Nashville met the Knoxville Blue Jays in the 1982 division playoffs. After defeating the Blue Jays, the Sounds advanced to the league championship series to play against the Jacksonville Suns. Going into Game Four, held at Greer Stadium, Nashville led the best-of-five series 2–1. In the thirteenth inning, Nashville's Brian Dayett hit a home run, clinching the Southern League championship, giving the Sounds their second league title.[15]

The New York Yankees returned for another exhibition game against the Sounds on April 28, 1983. New York had a four run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a five-run rally with two outs propelled the Sounds to a 5–4 win in front of 13,641 fans.[16] Among the Yankees in attendance for the game were Billy Martin, Yogi Berra, Goose Gossage, Ken Griffey, Sr., Dave Winfield, Lou Piniella, and Willie Randolph.[16] During the season, manager Doug Holmquist, frustrated with the team's disappointing first half, instituted a system of fines for player infractions or poor performance on the field. The program ranged from a $10 fine for a pitcher walking a batter with one on and two outs to a $100 fine for missing curfew.[17] Rebounding, Nashville won the second half pennant, earning the team a shot at the Western Division championship. The Sounds, however, lost the fifth game of the best-of-five series to the Birmingham Barons by a score of five runs to seven, ending their season.[17] On June 21 during a road trip to Orlando, Florida. While walking back to the hotel with teammates Scott Bradley, Mike Pagliarulo, and Buck Showalter, Nashville's Erik Peterson was hit by an automobile. When he began to convulse, Bradley put his fingers down Peterson’s throat to keep him from swallowing his tongue. He survived, but with a bruised leg and several lacerations to the head, and he was able to return to play later in the season.[17] The Southern League All-Star Game returned to Nashville in 1983. Not only did the Sounds host the event, but they also served as the all-star team's competition. The all-stars scored the victory with a score of three runs to two.[11]

The Sounds were one game shy of winning the first half pennant in 1984. Winning the first half title is something that eluded the team during its entire seven year span at the Double-A level. Nashville captured the second half title, however, for the sixth consecutive season, after defeating Knoxville in a playoff game. The two teams met again in the divisional playoffs, where the Sounds lost, one game to three.[18] One important highlight of the 1984 first half took place on May 4, when Jim Deshaies pitched the club’s first no-hitter against the Columbus Astros in the second game of a seven-inning doubleheader. The 5–1 Sounds victory was cut short of being a perfect game following three walks and a batter being hit by a pitch, advancing the runner home for the only Astros run of the game.[19]

The Tigers era (1985–1986)

In 1983, Sounds President Larry Schmittou noticed a 5% drop in season ticket sales, a higher ratio of no shows from season ticket holders, and a slight decline in over-all attendance.[20] These issues with spectator turnout were accompanied by a decline in local media coverage, particularly in regard to road games. In order to boost interest in the team, Schmittou tried, unsuccessfully, to purchase a Triple-A franchise late in the 1983 season. Attendance continued to drop in 1984, as season ticket sales were down 12% and over-all attendance was down almost 20%.[20] Media attention was still on the decline.[20]

Schmittou and team owners arrived at terms in June 1984 to purchase the Evansville Triplets of the American Association, with plans to move the franchise from Evansville, Indiana, to Nashville for the 1985 season. In order to prove to the team's Nashville banks, which would back the purchase, that the move was financially viable, Schmittou commissioned a survey to evaluate the potential turnout for a Triple-A team versus a Double-A team. Though the research proved to team owners that the move was a sensible decision, the banks were not impressed. As a result, the team switched banks and went ahead with the purchase and relocation.[20] Nashville’s existing Southern League franchise was moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where it became the Huntsville Stars. The Triplets' legacy was retired, and the team was moved to Nashville. The Triple-A Sounds carried on the history of the Double-A team that preceded it.

The Sounds entered the Triple-A playing level as affiliates of the Detroit Tigers in 1985. On July 17, Bryan Kelly pitched the club’s second no-hitter against the Oklahoma City 89ers, a 6–0 win.[19] Nashville ended the season in second place in the Eastern Division, missing out on finishing in first place by two and a half games. Since August 13, they either shared or held the lead with the Louisville Redbirds. The Sounds had a three-game lead on August 20, but a five-game losing streak during their last road trip knocked them out of contention for the lead.[21]

In 1986, Nashville finished third in their division with a 68–74 regular season record,[22] their first losing season since the inaugural 1978 campaign. Also that season, the Sounds were enlisted to serve as the competition in the Southern League All-Star Game, held in Huntsville, Alabama. The game was won by Nashville with a score of four runs to two.[11]

The Reds era, part II (1987–1992)

The Sounds rejoined the Cincinnati Reds farm system in 1987, this time as their Triple-A affiliate. As a result, a number of minor leaguers played in the Reds organization at two different levels with Nashville. Over the first three seasons (1987 to 1989), Nashville fans had the opportunity to watch players who eventually made up two thirds of Cincinnati’s 1990 World Series championship roster.[4] Spending the beginning of the 1987 season around the top of the standings, the team hit a slump after losing a few key players mid-season. The result was a 64–76 record and a last place finish.[22] One player lost due to injuries was third baseman Chris Sabo. The following season, Sabo was promoted to Cincinnati and was also named the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year, a first for any former Sounds player.[23]

File:Nashville Sounds - Skeeter Barnes.JPG
Skeeter Barnes in 1988

The 1988 Sounds were in last place and had a losing record until making numerous management changes late in the season. During a two-week period in July and August 1988, the Sounds went through five different managers. The team started the season with Jack Lind, who left due to health problems.[24] His position was filled on an interim basis by pitching coach Wayne Garland until former manager George Scherger, manager of the 1979 South League championship Sounds, was brought in. He retired after one game and was replaced by Jim Hoff, who stayed a few days before taking up a position with the Reds' front office.[24] Finally, former Texas Rangers manager Frank Lucchesi was hired to lead the Sounds for the rest of the season.[24] Lucchesi managed the team's last 39 games, leading them to a final record of 73–69.[22] They finished second in the East Division and were out of the playoffs.[25]

Greer Stadium was home to a rare baseball occurrence on August 6 and August 7 1988, when Nashville and the Indianapolis Indians exchanged no-hitters on back-to-back nights. First, Indianapolis’ Randy Johnson and Pat Pacillo combined for a no-hit loss against the Sounds, a 1–0 Nashville win.[19] The next night, Nashville's Jack Armstrong registered a no-hit game against the Indians, a 4–0 Sounds victory. This was the third no-hitter ever pitched by a member of the Sounds.[19]

After finishing in third place with a 74–72 record in 1989,[22] the Sounds returned in 1990 to experience their most successful season as a part of the American Association, when they compiled an 86–61 record.[22] Finishing the regular season in a tie with the Buffalo Bisons, the Sounds won the Eastern Division championship in a one-game playoff. The extra-inning affair was ended by Chris Jones’ two-run homer in the top of the eighteenth inning. The Sounds advanced to their first American Association championship series, in which they lost to the Omaha Royals two games to three. That year, Nashville set their all-time attendance record when a total of 605,122 fans came out to Greer Stadium.[4] This was also outfielder Skeeter Barnes' last season with the team. After four non-consecutive years with the team, Barnes became the team’s career leader in four categories: games (514), at bats (1,848), hits (517), and doubles (94).[26]

In 1991, the Sounds started the year in first place, where they remained for only ten days. By May 1, the team had fallen into third place in the Eastern Division, where they remained for the rest of the season. Nashville posted a losing record every month during the season and finished the year sixteen games behind the first place Buffalo Bisons. First baseman Terry Lee, who led the Sounds in hits, RBI, runs, and home runs, was selected for the mid-season Triple-A All-Star Game and the league's post-season All-Star Team.[27] The following year was Nashville's last as a Reds affiliate. The team posted a 67–77 record,[22] winding up in fourth place and out of the post-season picture.

The White Sox era (1993–1997)

Nashville switched affiliations again in 1993, this time becoming the top farm club of the Chicago White Sox. In addition to a new affiliation, the 1993 season also brought the addition of Greer Stadium's signature guitar-shaped scoreboard. In their first year with the White Sox, the Sounds clinched the East Division title with an 81–62 record.[22] In the league championship series, the Iowa Cubs defeated the Sounds in extra innings in Game Seven. Also, Nashville continued its strong attendance, drawing over 400,000 fans for the fifth consecutive year.[28] Nashville's Rick Renick was named the American Association Manager of the Year.[29]

The Sounds shared their ballpark with the Southern League's Nashville Xpress, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. The Charlotte Knights of the Southern League became a Triple-A franchise in 1993, leaving their former Double-A club without a home. Sounds owner Larry Schmittou offered Greer Stadium as a temporary home for the team. In order to accommodate two teams, the Xpress scheduled its home games during the Sounds’ roads trips. This marked the first time since the New York Mets and Yankees shared Shea Stadium in 1976 that two teams shared a facility.[30] Baseball America ranked the dual Nashville teams as number one on its list of the "top 10 happenings in minor league baseball."[30] In 1995, the Xpress relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina and became the Port City Roosters.

In 1994, the Sounds earned an 83–61 record and led the league in ERA (3.53) and strikeouts (1041).[22] They also made their second consecutive appearance in the league's championship series. In the first round, Nashville swept the New Orleans Zephyrs in three straight games to advance to the league finals. In the best of five series, the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Sounds three games to one.[31] Nashville hosted the mid-season Triple-A All-Star Game in 1994. Four Sounds players were selected for the event: Ray Durham, Drew Denson, and Scott Ruffcorn, who was later put on the disabled list and replaced by Steve Schrenk. Durham won the "Stars of Stars" award, recognizing him as the most valuable All-Star representing the American Association.[31]

The Sounds compiled a 68–76 record,[22] twenty games behind first place, in 1995. Due to the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, the Sounds' roster was heavily populated by replacement players.[5] The team got off to a 3–15 start and was never able to recover in the standings.[5] Nashville pitcher Rodney Bolton led the American Association with a 2.88 ERA, a feat that he repeated in 1995.[32] Originally, Michael Jordan, who played with the White Sox's Double-A Birmingham Barons in 1994, was signed to play the 1995 season as a non-drafted free agent for the Sounds. However, with the ongoing MLB strike, Jordan decided to quit the sport rather than becoming a replacement player and being labeled a strikebreaker.[33][34]

The team worked on their record in 1996, ending up with an improved 77–67 record.[22] Despite a decent record, their second place divisional finish kept them out of the playoffs. Manager Rick Renick earned the league's Manager of the Year award, and pitcher Scott Ruffcorn lead the league with thirteen wins. This season marked the last that Larry Schmittou would be the team's principal owner. With the city prepared to welcome an NFL franchise, the Tennessee Titans, Schmittou decided that revenue would be drawn away from his baseball team. He sold his entire financial interest in the Sounds to Al Gordan, president of Amerisports Companies LLC.[3] The following year, Nashville put together a 74–68 season,[22] leaving them in third place and out of the post-season. In addition to being selected for both the mid-season and post-season All-Star teams, outfielder Magglio Ordóñez garnered the league's Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.[29]

The Pirates era (1998–2004)

Following the 1997 season, the American Association, of which the Sounds were a member, disbanded, and its teams were absorbed by one of the two remaining Triple-A leagues. As a result, the franchise joined the Pacific Coast League and picked up a new major league affiliation, as they became the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1998, the team's first season as a Pirates affiliate, the Sounds finished last in the division with a 67–76 record.[35]

File:SecondNashvilleSoundsLogo.PNG
Sounds logo from 1998 to 2004

For the first time since the team's foundation in 1978, the Sounds adopted a new logo, color scheme, and uniforms in 1999. Improving from the previous year, Nashville put together an 80–60 record.[35] A second place finish, however, left them out of the post-season picture. Sounds second baseman Matt Howard led the league in fielding percentage (.982) and fewest strikeouts per plate appearance (1:18.2). Pitcher Jimmy Anderson also led the PCL in winning percentage (.846, 11–2).[36]

Nashville finished with a 63–79 record,[35] good for a last place finish in the 2000 divisional standings. Nashville's second baseman, John Wehner, lead the league in fielding percentage (.984).[36] This season was the team's worst in the PCL, in terms of the win-loss record, until it was tied by the 2004 team.

Former All-Star Sounds infielder Marty Brown returned to the club as the team's twenty-fifth manager in 2001, becoming the first former Nashville player to serve as the team's skipper. The club compiled a 64–77 record,[35] putting them in third place and out of the playoffs. Leading the PCL in fielding percentage was outfielder Ryan Radmanovich (.995), while outfielder Tike Redman tied another player with a league leading 10 triples.[36] On June 30, Redman became the first Sounds player to hit for the cycle.[37]

The Sounds scored a third place divisional finish with a 72–71 record in 2002.[35] For the fourth consecutive year, a member of the team led the PCL in fielding percentage. This time it was pitcher Matt Guerrier (1.000, 46 TC).[36] After playing his fifth and final season in Nashville, outfielder Chad Hermansen established himself as the franchise's career leader in RBI (286), runs (303), and home runs (92).[26]

On April 7, 2003, right-hander John Wasdin pitched the first perfect game in Nashville Sounds history in his first start of the season against the Albuquerque Isotopes.[38] The 4–0 Sounds win was only the second nine-inning perfect game in PCL history.[38] That year, manager Trent Jewett led the Sounds to an 81–62 record.[35] They also clinched the East Division title, giving them their first post season berth as a member of the Pacific Coast League. Nashville met Albuquerque in the American Conference championship series, defeating them three games to one. Going on to the league championship series, they faced the Sacramento River Cats, losing the best-of-five series in three straight contests.

The franchise finished the 2004 with a 63–79 record,[35] finishing last in the division. Early in the season, Jason Bay played four games in Nashville before being promoted to Pittsburgh. Following the season, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year. This made him the second former player from Nashville to receive Rookie of the Year honors.[39] On May 21, catcher J. R. House became the second Sounds player to hit for the cycle.[37]

The Brewers era (2005–present)

File:Nashville Sounds - 2005.jpg
The Sounds celebrating their conference title win before eventually winning the PCL title in 2005

The Sounds changed affiliates in 2005, welcoming the Milwaukee Brewers as their sixth different major league franchise. The Sounds' new affiliation started well as the club captured the 2005 Pacific Coast League championship, Nashville's first professional title since the Sounds' previous league crown in 1982. Managed by Frank Kremblas and featuring top prospects such as Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Nelson Cruz, and Corey Hart, the Sounds won the Pacific Coast League American North Division title on the second-to-last day of the season. In the conference championship, Nashville defeated the Oklahoma RedHawks three games to two. In the PCL championship series, the Sounds defeated the Tacoma Rainiers in three straight games to capture the league title.[40]

On July 15, 2006, Nashville pitchers Carlos Villanueva, Mike Meyers, and Alec Zumwalt combined to pitch the fifth no-hitter in team history, a 2–0 win over the Memphis Redbirds.[41] The Sounds finished the season with a 76–68 record,[35] tied with the Iowa Cubs for first place in the American North Division. The Sounds won the division title and advanced to the postseason by means of a tiebreaker (winning the regular season series versus Iowa nine games to seven). Nashville then lost to the Round Rock Express, two games to three, in the conference championship series.[42] On May 5–6, the Sounds participated in a 24-inning affair against the New Orleans Zephyrs. The contest, played over the course of two days, lasted a total of eight hours and seven minutes. This game matched the longest game, in terms of innings played, in PCL history.[43] Additionally, several team and league records were broken by both teams. The record was originally set on June 8 1909 in a game between the San Francisco Seals and Oakland Oaks. A few years later, on September 10 1911, the record was tied by a contest between the Sacramento Solons and Portland Beavers.[43]

The 2007 Sounds featured top Brewers prospects Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Braun, both of whom were promoted to Milwaukee during the season. Braun, who made his major league debut on May 25, was named National League Rookie of the Year following the season, making him the third former Sounds player to receive this honor.[44] On June 25, Manny Parra pitched the club's second perfect game, only the third nine-inning perfect game in PCL history, against the Round Rock Express;[45] he was promoted to the Brewers shortly thereafter. The team, led by PCL Manager of the Year Frank Kremblas, captured the North Division title for the third straight year and finished the season with a league best .618 winning percentage (89–55).[35] In the conference championship series, they were defeated by the New Orleans Zephyrs, three games to one.[46]

On June 14, 2008, following massive flooding in the Midwest, the Sounds and the Iowa Cubs played a game with an official attendance of zero.[47] Though downtown Des Moines was under a mandatory evacuation, team officials received permission from the city to play the game as long as no fans were allowed into Principal Park. In order to keep fans away, the lights and scoreboard were not turned on, the game was not broadcast in the local market, and a message on the team's website announced that the game was postponed. PCL Commissioner Branch Rickey III believed that this was the first time such actions were taken out of necessity.[47]

Season-by-season results

Main article: Nashville Sounds seasons
Nashville Sounds 5-Year History
Year Regular Season Post-season
Record Win % FinishL FinishD GB Record Win % Result
2003 81–62 .566 2nd 1st - 3–4 .429 Clinched East Division Title
Won American Conference Championship vs Albuquerque Isotopes, 3–1
Lost PCL Championship vs Sacramento River Cats, 0–3
2004 63–79 .444 14th 4th 17.0
2005 75–69 .521 6th 1st - 6–2 .750 Clinched American North Division Title
Won American Conference Championship vs Oklahoma RedHawks, 3–2
Won PCL Championship vs Tacoma Rainiers, 3–0
2006 76–68 .528 5th t-1st - 2–3 .400 Won American North Division Title vs Iowa Cubs, 1–0
Lost American Conference Championship vs Round Rock Express, 2–3
2007 89–55 .618 1st 1st - 1–3 .250 Clinched American North Division Title
Lost American Conference Championship vs New Orleans Zephyrs, 1–3
5-Year Totals 384–333 .536 - - - 12–12 .500 1 PCL Championship

Current roster

Nashville Sounds roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Manager

Coaches

  • 20 Al LeBoeuf (hitting)
  • 55 Patrick McGuff (pitching)
  • 27 Eric Theisen (hitting)
  • 24 David Tufo (bench)
  •  4 Ned Yost IV

60-day injured list

7-day injured list
* On Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 1, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • International League
 → Milwaukee Brewers minor league players

Retired numbers

File:NashvilleSoundsRetired00.PNG File:NashvilleSoundsRetired18.PNG File:NashvilleSoundsRetired42.PNG
Skeeter Barnes Don Mattingly Jackie Robinson
1B / 3B / OF
1979, 1988–1990
Retired early 1990s		 1B / OF
1981
Retired August 12, 1999		 Retired throughout
professional baseball
on April 15, 1997

Ballparks

Herschel Greer Stadium

Main article: Herschel Greer Stadium
Nashville's Herschel Greer Stadium

The Sounds' current, and only, ballpark is Herschel Greer Stadium. The venue has experienced numerous expansions and contractions since its completion in 1978. Though the stadium currently seats 10,052 spectators, in the late 1980s, it could accommodate as many as 18,000.[48] The ballpark’s best known feature is its giant 115.6 foot (35.23 m) guitar-shaped scoreboard behind the left field wall.

In recent years, following the construction of newer, relatively luxurious minor league ballparks, Greer has fallen below standards set for Triple-A stadiums by professional baseball. It has been the subject of many renovations and upgrades in order to meet current Triple-A standards. Prior to the 2008 season, more than $1 million in upgrades and repairs were made to the stadium.[49] The improvements, which include a new clubhouse, improved field lighting, and improvements to restrooms, walkways, and seating, should keep the stadium functional for another three to five years.[49] The team's current lease, as the stadium is owned by the city, expires after the current season.

First Tennessee Field

Main article: First Tennessee Field
File:First Tennessee Field artist rendering.jpg
An artist's rendering of First Tennessee Field

The team had originally planned on leaving Greer Stadium for a new ballpark in the early 2000s.[50] Opening day at the new venue was repeatedly pushed back, eventually to as late as 2009.[51][52] After years of the Sounds lobbying for a new park and threatening to leave town (either for the suburbs or a new location altogether), the Nashville Metro Council approved a new stadium on February 7 2006. It was to be called First Tennessee Field and was planned for construction on the west bank of the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville, just two miles north of the current stadium.

The Sounds and private developers Struever Brothers, Eccles, & Rouse were unable to finalize financing and design plans for the new stadium by the April 15 2007, deadline set by the Nashville Metro Council. As a result, the First Tennessee Field construction project was cancelled. In the meantime, numerous upgrades and repairs have been made to Greer in order to preserve its functionality until a new stadium can be built. Renovations made prior to the 2008 season should keep the stadium going for another three to five years. At that point the Sounds will need to make major renovations, build a new stadium, or look into the possibility of relocating.[49]

On January 31 2008, Tennessee House Bill 4183/Senate Bill 4120, designed to assist Double-A, Triple-A, and major league teams in covering the debt incurred by the construction of a new stadium, was introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly. If the bill becomes law, it will grant a portion of state and local sales tax revenue generated by the stadium and adjoining hotels and restaurants to the entity responsible for retirement of the debt for a period of thirty years or until the debt is paid, whichever occurs first.[53] Such a law could aid the Sounds with the financing of a new stadium; problems with financing were a primary reason that the First Tennessee Field project was cancelled.[54] After a Senate Tax Subcommittee gave the bill its positive recommendation, the city responded by calling the effort “an act of bad faith" by the Sounds.[55] On May 9, the team dropped its efforts to get the bill passed into law, but reiterated its desire to build a new ballpark in the city.[56]

Uniforms

Current

File:Nashville Sounds Jerseys 2007.PNG
Nashville Sounds uniforms during the 2008 season

The current uniforms of the Nashville Sounds are descendants of the new uniforms they adopted in 1999, after becoming affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998. Jerseys and pants for home games are made of white fabric, while those for road games are made of gray fabric. The sleeveless jerseys have red and black piping around the neck and along the row of buttons going up the chest. Pants have the same piping going down the legs on the outside. On home jerseys, the word "Sounds" is written across the chest in red script, surrounded by black. A Milwaukee Brewers logo is located on the front left shoulder. The player’s name is written on the back in black block characters; numbers are also displayed in large red characters surrounded by black. Black t-shirts, short or long sleeve, are worn underneath the jerseys. Road jerseys are the same, but with "Nashville" across the chest in the same style; they also lack the player's name on the back. The official home and road caps are black with the red and white music note logo centered on the front.

The team’s alternate uniform is identical to the home outfit, except it is worn with the team’s batting practice jerseys and a different cap. This jersey is a red mesh button up with a single line of black piping going down the sleeves and across the shoulders to the neck. "Sounds" is written across the chest in white script, surrounded by black. There are black ventilation stripes located at the armpits. Also, a Brewers logo is worn on the front left shoulder. Numbers, in white surrounded by black, are sewn on the back in block characters. The alternate uniform is worn with either a black cap with a red bill which bears an updated version of the original "guitar swinger" logo or the regular home/road black cap. It may also be paired with the team’s red batting practice cap which bears a yellow and white version of the music note logo.

Past

Originally, the team’s color scheme consisted of red, white, and blue. Uniforms utilizing this palate were worn from 1978 to 1998. During this time, the team wore two major styles of uniforms: pullover jerseys and button up jerseys. Each of these styles experienced a number of minor design alterations from season to season.

File:Nashville Sounds Jerseys 1989.PNG
Sounds uniforms during the 1989 season

The pullover v-neck jerseys, worn by the team from 1978 to 1986, were made of white fabric, for home games, and red or blue, for road games or as alternates. They carried bands of red, white, and blue around the neck, with larger bands at the end of the sleeves (the blue version had one thin white band and two large red bands). The team’s pants were white and also displayed these stripes along the sides (small stripes) and at the waistband (large stripes). Across the chest was written the word "Sounds" in two-color music note-like script. Numbers were sewn on the back of jerseys. Beginning circa 1985, numbers were also located on the front of jerseys on the player’s left chest, below the team name. The team wore a blue cap with red brim, displaying an "N" styled like a music note in white, bordered by red; this was official team cap from 1978 to 1995.

From 1987 to 1998, the team’s uniforms featured button up jerseys made of white fabric, for home games, and gray, for road games. Small bands of red, white, and blue appeared at the openings of the sleeves and along the sides of the team’s pants. The word "Sounds" was written across the chest in blue music note-like script, with a red border; the font was changed briefly from 1987 to 1988. Numbers were present on the front of jerseys, on the player’s left chest, below the team name, in blue block characters surrounded by red. The back of the jersey carried the player’s number; during some years, names were also present. Road jerseys had "Nashville" written across the chest and were missing the tri-color bands. The original cap was worn with this uniform until 1995 when the bill was changed to blue and the guitar-swinger logo was added to accompany the “N.”

The team switched to its current black, red, and white color scheme in 1999. That season, uniforms consisted of pinstriped pants and button up jerseys, with black sleeves carrying a music note logo on the left sleeve. By 2004, the team switched to pants and jerseys almost identical to the current designs. These sleeved jerseys differed in that they carried red and black piping around sleeve openings, a music note logo on the left sleeve, and numbers on the front of jerseys below the team name; they also lacked the logo of their parent club on the chest.

Radio and television

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Nashville Sounds broadcasters.

During the opening season of 1978, Nashville Sounds games were broadcast on WMTS 96.3 FM by announcer and station owner, Monte Hale. He died following the inaugural season, after which Bob Jamison was hired for the 1979 season. Jamison remained the voice of the Sounds through 1990 when he was hired as the radio broadcaster for the California Angels. For the 1991 season, the Sounds hired former Huntsville Stars and Iowa Cubs broadcaster Steve Carroll. Carroll left after 1995 to become the radio voice of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and, later, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Steve Selby served as the voice of the Sounds from 1996 to 1999. He was joined on-air by fellow commentator Mike Caps for the 1997 season. Chuck Valenches replaced Caps as the assistant broadcaster in 1998 and was promoted to the role of lead broadcaster at the beginning of 2000. He is currently the lead voice of the Sounds on radio. Valenches is frequently joined on the air at home by Pete Weber, the voice of the Nashville Predators, and John Melton, a former catcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks system.[57] As of 2008, Sounds games are broadcast on WNSR 560 AM,[58] and online via the Sounds' website.[59]

Sounds home games were regularly televised by WZTV from 1982 to 1992. A few games were also aired by WNPX in 1999.[60] As of 2008, Sounds games are not broadcast on television. However, select road games are streamed through the MiLB.TV feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball. A monthly television program, called Sounds On Demand, which has aired since 2005,[61] airs throughout Middle Tennessee on Comcast cable channel 49. The thirty-minute show, hosted by Chuck Valenches, features player interviews, team news, tips from players on how to play the game, and other related content. It is also available "On Demand" through Comcast Digital Cable programming.[62]

Mascots

Ozzie, mascot of the Nashville Sounds

The Nashville Sounds' mascot is an anthropomorphic cougar named Ozzie. He has yellow fur and wears the same style of uniform as the players, but with no hat. In addition to the team's current home and alternate uniforms, he also wears versions of their home uniforms from the past few season.

The first Sounds mascot was introduced during the team's inaugural 1978 season. Homer Horsehide, whose name was selected in a naming contest, resembled their major league affiliate's mascot—Mr. Red of the Cincinnati Reds. The character was human in appearance, with the exception of an oversized anthropomorphized baseball in place of a human head. The mustachioed mascot donned a uniform identical to that of Sounds players.[63]

Prior to Ozzie, a lime-green dinosaur named Champ was the team's mascot.[64] His short-lived time as a mascot began and ended in 1996. Following altercations with team management and league personnel during games, Champ, vis-à-vis his performer, did not return for the 1997 season.[65]

When AmeriSports Companies LLC, the current ownership group, took control of the team in April 1997, they decided that a new mascot was needed. Since the group also owned the Class A Kane County Cougars minor league team, which had an extra mascot uniform, the surplus cougar outfit was sent to Nashville. After building a fan following during Ozzie’s first season, team management decided to make him the permanent team mascot.[66] Initially, the Ozzie costume was identical to the brown cougar costume still in use by Kane County, but was later replaced by the current yellow costume, which made its debut on April 11 1998.[67]

Faith Nights

File:NashvilleSoundsFaithNight.jpg
An example of a bobblehead, depicting Jonah, given to fans during 2006

The Nashville Sounds hosted the first Faith Night promotions in 2002.[68] These Christian-based promotional evenings include pre-game concerts from Christian music artists, Bible-themed bobblehead giveaways, and testimonials from players about their faith. Artists performing at Nashville's Greer Stadium in the past include Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson, and Matthew West. Brent High, then Vice President of Sales for the Sounds, and Mike Snider, the president and owner of Third Coast Sports, an entertainment and sports marketing firm in Nashville, are credited with developing the promotion.[69]

Since their inception, Faith Nights have been among the top-ten most-attended games each season.[70] During Faith Nights in 2004, the Sounds experienced a 93% increase in attendance over their average season attendance for non-Faith Night dates; over 500 church groups attended these games.[69] That fall, the team partnered with the Nashville-area Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a needy family. The team raised more than $45,000 from ten percent of ticket proceeds and collections during Faith Nights.[71]

The promotion has since been adopted by at least forty other minor league teams. It has also been used by major league teams such as the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. Teams from the NFL and NBA have also shown interest in holding Faith Night promotions.[70] The program has garnered national media attention for the Sounds from The New York Times, National Public Radio, and CBS Evening News.

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ "Year-By-Year Results." Nashville Sounds 2008 Media Guide. 2008: 143.
  2. ^ "25 for 25: Stars in the Baseball America Universe." BaseballAmerica.com 20 July, 2006. 24 March 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e Traughber, Bill. "CHC: Q&A with Larry Schmittou." CSTV. 8 April 2008. 9 April 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Team History." Nashville Sounds. 26 March 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d "Team History." 2002 Nashville Sounds Yearbook. 2002: 11.
  6. ^ a b c "Historians Weiss, Wright Rank 100 Best Minor League Baseball Teams." Minor League Baseball. 2001. 2 November 2007.
  7. ^ "Memphis Sounds." Remember the ABA. 13 March 2008.
  8. ^ "Memphis Sounds." Spiritus-Temporis. 2005. 25 March 2008.
  9. ^ a b c d Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: Sounds' First Game." Nashville Sounds. 7 August 2006. 8 March 2008.
  10. ^ The Nashville Sounds 1980 Official Souvenir Program. 1980: 15.
  11. ^ a b c Elliott, Jeff. "All-Star game survives years of dormancy, format changes." The Florida Times-Union. 5 July 2003. 7 March 2008.
  12. ^ "1980 Nashville Sounds Team — 97 wins — 47 losses." The Nashville Sounds 1981 Official Souvenir Program. 1981: 15.
  13. ^ a b Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: 1981 New York Yankees Visit Greer Stadium." Nashville Sounds. 7 August 2006. 8 March 2008.
  14. ^ Schmittou, Larry. "Message from the President." The Nashville Sounds 1986 Official Souvenir Program. 1986: 8.
  15. ^ Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: Sounds Win Two Championships (Part 2 Of 2)." Nashville Sounds. 2 June 2005. 8 March 2008.
  16. ^ a b "Nashville Sounds in 1983." The Tennessean. 11 April 2008.
  17. ^ a b c McGee, Mark. "1983 Review." The Nashville Sounds 1984 Official Souvenir Program. 1984: 10–11.
  18. ^ Squires, Tom. "1984 Review." The Nashville Sounds 1985 Official Souvenir Program. 1985: 10.
  19. ^ a b c d Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: Sounds No-Hitters." 30 June 2005. 12 March 2008.
  20. ^ a b c d Schmittou, Larry. "Message from the President." The Nashville Sounds 1985 Souvenir Program. 1985: 8.
  21. ^ "1985 Sounds Review." The Nashville Sounds 1986 Official Souvenir Program. 1986: 10.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Nashville - American Association." The Baseball Cube. 24 March 2008.
  23. ^ "1987 Sounds Review." The Nashville Sounds 1988 Official Souvenir Program. 1988: 70.
  24. ^ a b c Nashville Sounds 2007 Media Guide. 2007: 184.
  25. ^ "1988 Sounds Review." The Nashville Sounds 1989 Official Souvenir Program. 1989: 74.
  26. ^ a b "Top Ten Career Leaders." Nashville Sounds. 24 March 2008.
  27. ^ "The Year of Change." The Nashville Sounds 1992 Official Souvenir Program. 1992: 74.
  28. ^ Nashville Sounds 2007 Media Guide. 2007: 159.
  29. ^ a b Nashville Sounds 2007 Media Guide. 2007: 142.
  30. ^ a b Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: Nashville Hosts Two Teams In 1993 & 1994." Nashville Sounds. 12 September 2005. 11 March 2008.
  31. ^ a b "1994 in Review." Nashville Sounds 1995 Official Souvenir Program. 1995: 92.
  32. ^ Nashville Sounds 2007 Media Guide. 2007: 153.
  33. ^ "Timeline: MJ through the years." The Sporting News. 11 June 1998. 9 April 2008.
  34. ^ "Michael Jordan." MSN Encarta. 2007. 9 April 2008.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nashville - Pacific Coast League." The Baseball Cube. 24 March 2008.
  36. ^ a b c d The 2007 Nashville Sounds Media Guide. 2007: 153.
  37. ^ a b "30 Years ... Two Sounds Hitting For The Cycle." 2008 Nashville Sounds Media Guide. 2008: 17.
  38. ^ a b "Wasdin Perfect Game." Nashville Sounds. 25 March 2008.
  39. ^ "Ex-Sound Bay Named N.L. Rookie Of The Year." Nashville Sounds. 11 August 2004. 25 March 2008.
  40. ^ "Cruz Homers Sounds To 2005 PCL Title!!" Nashville Sounds. 16 September 2005. 31 October 2007.
  41. ^ "Sounds Toss Fifth No-Hitter In Club History." Nashville Sounds. 15 July 2006. 12 March 2008.
  42. ^ "2006 Sounds Season In Review." Nashville Sounds. 19 September 2006. 31 October 2007.
  43. ^ a b "Sounds Fall To Zephyrs In 24-Inning Marathon." Nashville Sounds. 5 May 2006. 31 October 2007.
  44. ^ McCalvy, Adam. "Braun named NL Rookie of the Year." Major League Baseball. 12 November 2007.
  45. ^ "Manny Parra Tosses Perfect Game For Sounds." Nashville Sounds. 25 June 2007. 7 August 2007.
  46. ^ "2007 Sounds Season In Review." Nashville Sounds. 12 September 2007. 31 October 2007.
  47. ^ a b Peterson, Randy. "Only Sounds of silence play at empty park." The Tennessean. 15 June 2008: 1C.
  48. ^ "Greer Stadium... Striving to be the best." The Nashville Sounds 1988 Official Souvenir Program. 1988: 22.
  49. ^ a b c "Sounds cover all the bases to ready ballpark for opener." The Tennessean. 11 April 2008: 1A.
  50. ^ "First Tennessee to put name on proposed Sounds stadium." Nashville Business Journal. 21 November 2003. 26 March 2008.
  51. ^ "Purcell Firm On City, Sounds Stadium Agreement." WSMV.com 11 September 2006. 26 March 2008.
  52. ^ "How Do I Reserve My Seats At The New Downtown Ballpark?" Nashville Sounds. 25 October 2005. 26 March 2008.
  53. ^ "Bill information for HB4183." Tennessee General Assembly. 20 February 2008. 27 February 2008.
  54. ^ "Mayor: Sounds Responsible For New Stadium." Channel 4 News. WSMV. 29 February 2008. 26 March 2008.
  55. ^ "Dean, Sounds’ relationship on the rocks." The City Paper. 1 May 2008. 9 May 2008.
  56. ^ "Sounds Drops Efforts To Divert Sales Tax." Channel 4 News. WSMV. 9 May 2008.
  57. ^ Valenches, Chuck. "The Sounds of Summer, a Look Back at the 'Voices' of the Sounds." 2007 Nashville Sounds Souvenir Program. April 2007: 14-16.
  58. ^ "Sounds Games To Air On 560 AM Through 2009." Nashville Sounds. 9 November 2006. 20 February 2008.
  59. ^ "Listen Live." Nashville Sounds. 7 May 2008.
  60. ^ Russell, Keith. "Deal puts five Sounds home games on TV." Nashville Business Journal. 19 March 1999. 9 May 2008.
  61. ^ "Sounds debut new TV show." The City Paper. May 2005. 5 April 2008.
  62. ^ "What's New At Greer Stadium In 2007?" Nashville Sounds. 3 April 2007. 24 October 2007.
  63. ^ "Nashville Sounds in 1978." The Tennessean. 11 April 2008.
  64. ^ Wade, Susan. "Sideline Chatter — School Caters To Fuzzy-Suit Crowd." The Seattle Times. 24 November 2005. 25 October 2007.
  65. ^ Hart, Joe. "Once a Bird Brain..." Philadelphia City Paper. 29 November 2001. 29 January 2008.
  66. ^ "Sounds GM hates aging ballpark but loves market." The Tennessean. 5 August 2007: 1-2E.
  67. ^ "Meet Ozzie." Nashville Sounds. 29 January 2008.
  68. ^ "About Third Coast Sports." Third Coast Sports. 30 January 2008.
  69. ^ a b Cherner, Reid. "If you billed it around faith, they will certainly come." USA Today. 21 July 2005. 23 October 2007.
  70. ^ a b Cornish, Audie. "Baseball Teams Woo Christian Fans to Games." National Public Radio. 26 May 2006. 23 October 2007.
  71. ^ Nashville "Sounds' 'Faith Nights' pay off for Habitat for Humanity project." Nashville Business Journal. 25 October 2004. 23 October 2007.
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