Texas AirHogs

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Texas AirHogs
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueAmerican Association (South Division)
LocationGrand Prairie, Texas
BallparkAirHogs Stadium
Founded2007
League championships(1) 2011
Division championships(3) 2008, 2011, 2013
ColorsBlack, red, white, silver
       
OwnershipNeltex Sports (Donnie Nelson)
ManagerChris Bando
Websiteairhogsbaseball.com

The Texas AirHogs are a professional baseball team based in Grand Prairie, Texas, in the United States. The AirHogs are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Beginning in the 2008 season as the Grand Prairie AirHogs, the team plays their home games at AirHogs Stadium.

The name "AirHogs"' is a slang term used by U.S. military pilots, and refers to the city's aviation industry[1] (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is headquartered in Grand Prairie, and Vought Corporation once had a major plant in Dallas adjacent to Grand Prairie before the company was sold and the plant closed).

For the 2016 season, the AirHogs merged with the Amarillo Thunderheads, taking their current name and splitting games between both home ballparks; since the 2017 season, the team has been based solely in Grand Prairie.

History

On October 22, 2007, the AirHogs named former Major Leaguer Pete Incaviglia as their first manager.

2008 season

The AirHogs played their first game in franchise history on May 8 against the St. Paul Saints, losing the contest 10-3. The first home game ever played by the AirHogs ended on a sour note as they were defeated 4-2 by the Wichita Wingnuts on May 16. On July 25, Scot Drucker's contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. He was the first ever Grand Prairie player to be signed by a team affiliated to a Major League club. On July 28, starting pitcher Kieran Mattison's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was sent to the Dodgers Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League.

2009 All-Star Game

The AirHogs played host to the 2009 American Association All-Star Game at their home field, the Ballpark in Grand Prairie, on July 21, 2009.

2011 season

The AirHogs won their first American Association championship by winning a decisive game 5 in the championship series.

2015–2016

On November 19, 2015, American Association commissioner Miles Wolff announced that there would no longer be interleague play between the AA and the Can-Am League (for which he was also commissioner) and that for the 2016 season the Amarillo Thunderheads and the AirHogs would operate as a joint team with 25 games in Amarillo and 25 games in Grand Prairie to make a 12 team league.[2] On November 27, 2015 James Frisbie was named the team's manager.[3] Following the season the team announced that they would not be returning to Amarillo, and would play all games in Grand Prairie for 2017.[4]

2018–present

On May 18, 2018, the American Association announced that AirHogs have developed a partnership with the Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) and Shougang Sports for the 2018-20 seasons. Thirty members of the Chinese National Baseball Team (known as the Beijing Shougang Eagles) will train at AirHogs Stadium and rotate as players on the Texas AirHogs roster. New manager John McLaren serves as the manager of the China national baseball team.[5]

On June 12, 2020, it was announced that the AirHogs were one of six teams that would not be participating in the 2020 American Association season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Year-by-year

Year Record

W\L

Pct Finish Playoffs
2008 56–40 .622 2nd Lost in Finals to Sioux Falls Canaries
2009 48–48 .500 T–3rd Did not qualify
2010 43–52 .453 3rd Did not qualify
2011 64–36 .640 1st Won Championship Series over St. Paul Saints
2012 53–47 .640 2nd Did not qualify
2013 54–46 .540 1st Lost 1st Round to Wichita Wingnuts
2014 40–60 .400 3rd Did not qualify
2015 29–71 .290 5th Did not qualify
2016 34–65 .343 4th Did not qualify
2017 43–57 .430 3rd Did not qualify
2018 25–75 .250 5th Did not qualify
2019 28–71 .283 6th Did not qualify
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Current roster

Texas AirHogs roster
Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers
N/A



 

Catchers
N/A

Infielders
N/A

Outfielders
N/A

 

Manager

Coaches


Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated June 17, 2020
 Transactions

References

  1. ^ AirHogs takes root as Grand Prairie baseball team's name Archived 23 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/american-association-releases-2016-schedule/
  3. ^ http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/texas-names-james-frisbie-as-clubs-manager/
  4. ^ Lahnert, Lance; Winslow, Donald R. (October 13, 2016). "Going, going, gone: Amarillo loses its minor league team". Amarillo Globe-News.
  5. ^ http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/the-chinese-national-baseball-teamnow-in-north/
  6. ^ "Independent American Association to start baseball season July 3 with limited fans". ESPN. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
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