Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Encyclopedia
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League
and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers
. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves
. The Pelicans play home games at BB&T Coastal Field, which opened in 1999 and seats up to 6,600 fans.
, which relocated following the 1997 season as a result of the expansion of the AAA International League
into Durham, North Carolina
and the assumption of the "Bulls" name by the new franchise. It spent the 1998 season in Danville, Virginia
as the 97s
while awaiting a move to Myrtle Beach as their new stadium, Coastal Federal Field
, was still under construction.
In 1999, the team advanced to the 1999 Carolina League Mills Cup Championship series. The series, against the Wilmington Blue Rocks
, was tied, 2–2, with Game 5 of 5 set for Myrtle Beach when the series was cancelled because of Hurricane Floyd.
The Pelicans play their home games at BB&T Coastal Field, a family friendly ballpark with a Speed Pitch, Obstacle Course, and Moon Bounce on the concourse. In 2004, Baseball America rated Coastal Federal Field as the #2 Class-A level ballpark in the United States. The current manager of the Pelicans is former big leaguer Jason Wood.
In early 2006, Capitol Broadcasting Company
announced plans to sell the Pelicans. The current owner is Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP, a group led by lawyer Chuck Greenberg
.
Myrtle Beach won both the first and second-half Southern Division titles in 2008 under Rocket Wheeler
, who was named Carolina League Manager of the Year. The following season, current Atlanta Braves RF Jason Heyward
played over half the year in Myrtle Beach en route to being named Baseball America's 2009 Minor League Player of the Year.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. The Pelicans play home games at BB&T Coastal Field, which opened in 1999 and seats up to 6,600 fans.
Team history
Previously, this franchise was known as the Durham BullsDurham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
, which relocated following the 1997 season as a result of the expansion of the AAA International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
into Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
and the assumption of the "Bulls" name by the new franchise. It spent the 1998 season in Danville, Virginia
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
as the 97s
Danville 97s
The Danville 97s were a minor league baseball team based in Danville, Virginia for the 1998 season only. They were a baseball team that played in the Carolina League and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves for their lone season. Prior to the 97s, the Durham Bulls were the Braves High-A...
while awaiting a move to Myrtle Beach as their new stadium, Coastal Federal Field
Coastal Federal Field
BB&T Coastal Field is located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is the home field of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers in the Carolina League. The stadium, located just off Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach, opened in 1999. It holds up to 6,600 people...
, was still under construction.
In 1999, the team advanced to the 1999 Carolina League Mills Cup Championship series. The series, against the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
, was tied, 2–2, with Game 5 of 5 set for Myrtle Beach when the series was cancelled because of Hurricane Floyd.
The Pelicans play their home games at BB&T Coastal Field, a family friendly ballpark with a Speed Pitch, Obstacle Course, and Moon Bounce on the concourse. In 2004, Baseball America rated Coastal Federal Field as the #2 Class-A level ballpark in the United States. The current manager of the Pelicans is former big leaguer Jason Wood.
In early 2006, Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company is a TV and radio broadcast company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They also own and operate the minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls.-TV:*WRAL-TV 5...
announced plans to sell the Pelicans. The current owner is Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP, a group led by lawyer Chuck Greenberg
Chuck Greenberg (attorney)
Charles M. "Chuck" Greenberg is an American sports attorney and chairman and founder of the Greenberg Sports Group. Greenberg was managing partner of Rangers Baseball Express, LLC, which on August 5, 2010, won court approval to purchase the Texas Rangers, a Major League Baseball team, from Tom...
.
Myrtle Beach won both the first and second-half Southern Division titles in 2008 under Rocket Wheeler
Rocket Wheeler
Ralph Norman "Rocket" Wheeler is a former minor league infielder and the current minor league manager for the Class AA Mississippi Braves of the Southern League. Wheeler attended the University of Houston where he obtained his nickname "Rocket" for his speed and hustle.Wheeler was drafted by the...
, who was named Carolina League Manager of the Year. The following season, current Atlanta Braves RF Jason Heyward
Jason Heyward
Jason Alias Heyward , nicknamed J-Hey and J-Hey-Kid, is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Atlanta Braves. He throws and bats left-handed....
played over half the year in Myrtle Beach en route to being named Baseball America's 2009 Minor League Player of the Year.
Notable former players
- Elvis AndrusElvis AndrusElvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
, Texas Rangers shortstop - Joey DevineJoey DevineJoseph Neal "Joey" Devine is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Atlanta Braves:...
, Oakland Athletics relief pitcher - Jeff FrancoeurJeff FrancoeurJeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
, Kansas City Royals outfielder - Freddie FreemanFreddie FreemanFrederick Charles "Freddie" Freeman is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
, Atlanta Braves first baseman - Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop - Marcus GilesMarcus GilesMarcus William Giles is a former Major League Baseball player. He played second base and batted right-handed. His older brother, Brian Giles, was an outfielder who also played in the Major Leagues.-Career:...
, All Star second baseman - Tommy HansonTommy HansonThomas J "Tommy" Hanson is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Hanson was considered by Baseball America to be the top prospect in the Braves farm system going into the 2009 season...
, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher - Matt HarrisonMatt HarrisonMatthew Reid Harrison is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Baseball career:Harrison attended South Granville High School in Creedmoor, North Carolina...
, Texas Rangers starting pitcher - Jason HeywardJason HeywardJason Alias Heyward , nicknamed J-Hey and J-Hey-Kid, is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Atlanta Braves. He throws and bats left-handed....
, Atlanta Braves outfielder - Craig KimbrelCraig KimbrelCraig Michael Kimbrel is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Breaking the record for saves by a rookie in the 2011 season, Kimbrel was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award for the National League....
, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher - Adam LaRocheAdam LaRocheDavid Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
, Washington Nationals first baseman - Jason MarquisJason MarquisJason Scott Marquis is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously pitched for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks....
, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher - Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves catcher
- Jarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history...
, Boston Red Sox catcher - Adam SternAdam SternAdam James Stern is a Canadian Major League Baseball outfielder who is presently a free agent.He bats left-handed, and throws right-handed. He was dubbed the "Canadian Babe Ruth" by Cleveland Indians outfielder Trot Nixon. Stern is the second Jewish player from Canada in major league history....
, Major League Baseball outfielder - Jonny VentersJonny VentersJonathan William Venters is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.-Professional career:Venters was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft....
, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher - Adam WainwrightAdam WainwrightAdam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher