Mobile BayBears

Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
Founded in 1976 ; Mobile, Alabama ;
	File:MobileBayBearsCap.png
Minor league affiliations
Class	Double-A
League	Southern League (1976–present)
Division	South
Major league affiliations
Team	Los Angeles Angels (2017–present)
Previous teams	Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2016); San Diego Padres (1997–2006); Seattle Mariners (1995–1996); Minnesota Twins (1993–1994);
Minor league titles
League titles (4)	1998; 2004*; 2011; 2012;
Division titles (3)	1998; 2004; 2011; *Co-champions
Team data
Name	Mobile BayBears (1997–present)
Previous names	Port City Roosters (1995–1996); Nashville Xpress (1993–1994); Charlotte Knights (1989–1992); Charlotte Orioles (1976–1988);
Colors	Navy, light blue, ecru, white;
Ballpark	Hank Aaron Stadium (1997–present)
Owner(s)/; Operator(s)	BallCorps LLC / Mobile Professional Baseball, LLC
General manager	Ken Clary
Manager	Sal Fasano

The Mobile BayBears are a Minor League Baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home run king and Mobile native Hank Aaron. Opened in 1997, the park seats 6,000 spectators. The BayBears will relocate to Madison, Alabama, in 2020, where they will be called the Rocket City Trash Pandas.^[2]

History

The BayBears franchise originated in 1976 in Charlotte, North Carolina, first as the Charlotte Orioles and then as the first incarnation of the Charlotte Knights. When Charlotte moved up to become a Triple-A franchise in 1993, the team found a temporary home in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Nashville Xpress from 1993 to 1994. It existed as the Port City Roosters in Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1995 to 1996. The franchise landed in Mobile in 1997.

The team's name was announced in July 1996, having been selected in a name-the-team contest.^[3] Mobile mayor Mike Dow announced the name at that year's Mobile Fourth of July fireworks display.^[4] In September 1996, the BayBears signed an affiliation agreement with the San Diego Padres.^[5]

File:Rocket City Trash Pandas.png

Rocket City Trash Pandas

In November 2017, BayBears owners Michael Savit and HWS Group, closed on the sale of the team to BallCorps LLC.^[6] The team will continue to play in Mobile through the 2019 season, but will relocate to Madison, Alabama, in 2020, where they will play in a newly-built ballpark.^[7]^[8] Upon relocation, the team will be called the Rocket City Trash Pandas.^[2] The name is a reference to both the area's association with the space industry and the determination and ingenuity of raccoons.^[2]

Television and radio

All Mobile BayBears games are televised live on MiLB.TV. The Mobile BayBears Broadcast Network is hosted by Steve Goldberg and is aired on the TUNEIN Radio App.

BayBears Hall of Fame

Other notable alumni

Roster

Template:Mobile BayBears roster

References

^ "Ken Clary Named New BayBears GM". Ballpark Digest. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Ary, Patrick (September 5, 2018). "Rocket City Trash Pandas chosen as new Madison baseball team's name". WHNT. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
^ "Baseball Notes". Wilmington Star-News. 1996-07-06. p. 2C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^ "Baseball". Tuscaloosa News. 1996-07-05. p. 3C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^ "New Mobile team links with Padres". Wilmington Star-News. 1996-09-20. p. 2C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^ Stephenson, Creg (November 9, 2017). "Mobile BayBears confirm sale, will play 2018 season at Hank Aaron Stadium". AL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
^ Reichard, Kevin (January 30, 2018). "New Madison Ballpark Approved; 2020 Opening Planned". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
^ "MiLB Approves Mobile BayBears Move to Madison". Ballpark Digest. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.

External links

[1] "Ken Clary Named New BayBears GM". Ballpark Digest. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.

[PAry-2] Ary, Patrick (September 5, 2018). "Rocket City Trash Pandas chosen as new Madison baseball team's name". WHNT. Retrieved September 5, 2018.

[3] "Baseball Notes". Wilmington Star-News. 1996-07-06. p. 2C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.

[4] "Baseball". Tuscaloosa News. 1996-07-05. p. 3C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.

[5] "New Mobile team links with Padres". Wilmington Star-News. 1996-09-20. p. 2C. Retrieved 2011-03-15.

[6] Stephenson, Creg (November 9, 2017). "Mobile BayBears confirm sale, will play 2018 season at Hank Aaron Stadium". AL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.

[7] Reichard, Kevin (January 30, 2018). "New Madison Ballpark Approved; 2020 Opening Planned". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 30, 2018.

[8] "MiLB Approves Mobile BayBears Move to Madison". Ballpark Digest. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.

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v t e Southern League
North Division	Birmingham Barons Chattanooga Lookouts Rocket City Trash Pandas Tennessee Smokies
South Division	Biloxi Shuckers Mississippi Braves Montgomery Biscuits Pensacola Blue Wahoos
All-Star Game Champions Hall of Fame Manager of the Year Award MVP Award Pitcher of the Year Award Rosters Stadiums Teams