Lynchburg Hillcats
| Lynchburg Hillcats | |||||
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Class | A Advanced | ||||
| League | Carolina League (1966–present) | ||||
| Division | Northern Division | ||||
Previous leagues | Southern League (1963–1965) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Team | Cleveland Indians (2015–present) | ||||
| Previous teams | Atlanta Braves (2011–2014) Cincinnati Reds (2010) Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–2009) Boston Red Sox (1988–1994) New York Mets (1976–1987) Texas Rangers (1975) Minnesota Twins (1970–1974) Chicago White Sox (1963–1969) | ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (7) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Name | Lynchburg Hillcats (1995–present) Lynchburg Red Sox (1988–1994) Lynchburg Mets (1976–1987) Lynchburg Rangers (1975) Lynchburg Twins (1970–1974) Lynchburg White Sox (1963–1969) | ||||
| Colors | Blue Ridge blue, midnight blue, seven hills green | ||||
| Ballpark | Calvin Falwell Field (1963–present) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Elmore Sports Group | ||||
| General manager | Ronnie Roberts | ||||
| Manager | Mark Budzinski | ||||
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Cleveland Indians. They had been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 2009. The Hillcats play home games at Calvin Falwell Field; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 fans.
In May 2016, the franchise announced that they would rebrand after the season.[1] When put to a fan vote for a new moniker with Derechos, Doves, Lamb Chops, Love Apples, and River Runners as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name.[2] They did, however, unveil new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills Green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season.[3]
Division and League Championships
- 1896 State League Champions, No playoffs.
- 1906 Virginia League Champions, No playoffs.
- 1940 Virginia League Champions, Senators over Harrisonburg, 3–2.
- 1944 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 4–3.
- 1948 Piedmont League Regular Season Champions, Cardinals lose to Newport News Dodgers, 0–4.
- 1949 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 4–2.
- 1962 South Atlantic League Regular Season Champions, White Sox lose to Macon, 0–3.
- 1963 South Atlantic League 2nd-Half Champions, White Sox lose to Augusta, 2–3.
- 1964 Southern League Champions, No playoffs.
- 1973 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Twins lose to Winston-Salem, 2–3.
- 1977 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Mets lose to Peninsula, 2–3.
- 1978 Carolina League Champions, Mets over Peninsula, 3–0.
- 1982 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Mets lose to Alexandria in one-game Divisional playoff.
- 1983 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Winston-Salem, 3–0.
- 1984 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Durham, 3–1.
- 1985 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Mets sweep Division lose to Winston-Salem, 1–3.
- 1988 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Salem, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 2–3, in Championship.
- 1989 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox lose to Prince William, 1–2, in playoffs.
- 1991 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Prince William, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 0–3, in Championship.
- 1992 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Red Sox sweep Division lose to Peninsula, 2–3, in Championship.
- 1997 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win 2nd-Half Northern Division, over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
- 2000 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 0–3, in Championship.
- 2002 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win Northern Division Wildcard, over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
- 2003 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Winston-Salem, 0–3, in Championship.
- 2005 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Frederick, 0–2, in playoffs.
- 2009 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 3–2, in playoffs, over Salem, 3–0, in Championship.
- 2012 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Winston-Salem, 3–1, in Championship.
- 2013 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0-2, in playoffs.
- 2014 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0-2, in playoffs.
- 2015 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Wilmington, 2-0, in playoffs.
- 2016 Carolina League 1st-Half & 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Potomac, 2-1, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 3-1, in Championship.
Roster
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Notable Lynchburg Alumni
Phil Gosselin 2011
- Tommy La Stella, 2012–13
- Evan Gattis, 2012
- Andrelton Simmons, 2011
- Pedro Alvarez, 2008
- Daniel Moskos, 2008
- Steve Pearce, 2007
- Neil Walker, 2005–06
- Nyjer Morgan, 2005–06
- Rajai Davis, 2004
- Henry Owens, 2004
- Zach Duke, 2004
- Paul Maholm, 2004
- Jose Bautista, 2003
- José Castillo, 2001–02
- Nate McLouth, 2000–02
- John Grabow, 2001
- Joe Beimel, 2000
- Aramis Ramirez, 1997
- Trot Nixon, 1994
- Ryan Maloney, 1993
- Lenny Dykstra, 1983
- Dwight Gooden, 1983
- Lloyd McClendon, 1981–82
- Darryl Strawberry, 1981
- Billy Beane, 1981
- Gail Hopkins, 1967
- John McNamara, 1955
References
- ^ Lynchburg Hillcats announce contest to rename franchise - WSET.com
- ^ "Lynchburg to Remain Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
- ^ "Lynchburg Hillcats Unveil New Logos". Ballpark Digest. October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
External links
Categories:
- Sports clubs established in 1963
- Sports in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Professional baseball teams in Virginia
- Carolina League teams
- Cleveland Indians minor league affiliates
- Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates
- Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliates
- Atlanta Braves minor league affiliates
- Boston Red Sox minor league affiliates
- New York Mets minor league affiliates
- Texas Rangers minor league affiliates
- Minnesota Twins minor league affiliates
- Chicago White Sox minor league affiliates