Nashua Pride
Encyclopedia
The Nashua Pride were a professional baseball team based in Nashua, New Hampshire
, in the United States, not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. They played home games at Holman Stadium from 1998 through 2008, when they were sold and renamed the American Defenders of New Hampshire. In 2010 that team moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and became the Pittsfield Colonials. The franchise itself no longer exists, as the Colonials folded after the 2011 baseball season.
in 1998. The team name was based on the fact that in 1997, Money
magazine named Nashua the "best place to live" in the America. The team's primary home uniform logo was the word "Pride" in script, and included the number "1" inside the capital "P."
In the 2000 season, the team swept the Somerset Patriots
in three games to win the Atlantic League Championship Series. However, the Patriots answered that loss by defeating the Pride in the 2003 and 2005 championships. Despite their on-field success, the Pride suffered as a result of having one of the lowest average attendances and being the farthest team from the core of the league.
In 2006, the team moved to the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, (Can-Am League). As Nashua is closer in proximity to the teams of the Can-Am League than those of the Atlantic, the Pride was relieved of the expensive travel to away games.
In 2007, the Pride won the Can-Am League championship. After that season, long-time manager Butch Hobson
left the Pride to take the managerial job with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
of the Atlantic League, while former Boston Red Sox
outfielder Rick Miller
was hired as manager in Nashua. Former Boston Red Sox
firstbaseman/outfielder Brian Daubach
was hired as the hitting coach midway through the 2008 season.
American skier Bode Miller
played one home game each year for the team in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Former Red Sox reliever Rich "El Guapo" Garces
appeared in the Pride bullpen in 2007 and 2008.
Following the 2008 season, when the Pride lost an estimated $500,000, former owner John Stabile sold the team to the American Defenders of New Hampshire
, LLC. Stabile, a Nashua resident, had bought the team in January 2006 to prevent it from relocating, and got assurances from the new owners that they would keep the team in Nashua.
American Defenders of New Hampshire, LLC consisted of Nokona executives Buddy Lewis and Jerry O'Connor, former Boston Red Sox
general manager Dan Duquette
, and Terry Allvord.
The new owners changed the club's name from the Nashua Pride to the American Defenders of New Hampshire, placing less of an emphasis on the Nashua market. They kept General Manager Chris Hall and promoted Brian Daubach
from Hitting Coach to Manager.
The team was evicted from Holman stadium in Nashua midway through the 2009 season because of nonpayment of rent.
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
, in the United States, not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. They played home games at Holman Stadium from 1998 through 2008, when they were sold and renamed the American Defenders of New Hampshire. In 2010 that team moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and became the Pittsfield Colonials. The franchise itself no longer exists, as the Colonials folded after the 2011 baseball season.
History
The Nashua Pride was one of the founding members of the Atlantic League of Professional BaseballAtlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
in 1998. The team name was based on the fact that in 1997, Money
Money (magazine)
Money is published by Time Inc. Its first issue was published in October 1972. Its articles cover the gamut of personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues like paying for college, credit, career and home improvement...
magazine named Nashua the "best place to live" in the America. The team's primary home uniform logo was the word "Pride" in script, and included the number "1" inside the capital "P."
In the 2000 season, the team swept the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in three games to win the Atlantic League Championship Series. However, the Patriots answered that loss by defeating the Pride in the 2003 and 2005 championships. Despite their on-field success, the Pride suffered as a result of having one of the lowest average attendances and being the farthest team from the core of the league.
In 2006, the team moved to the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, (Can-Am League). As Nashua is closer in proximity to the teams of the Can-Am League than those of the Atlantic, the Pride was relieved of the expensive travel to away games.
In 2007, the Pride won the Can-Am League championship. After that season, long-time manager Butch Hobson
Butch Hobson
Clell Lavern "Butch" Hobson, Jr. is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Hobson played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.After retiring, he managed the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox...
left the Pride to take the managerial job with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season...
of the Atlantic League, while former Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
outfielder Rick Miller
Rick Miller (baseball player)
Richard Alan Miller is an American former outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1971-1985. Miller attended Grand Rapids Union Highschool and was a star athlete in the Grand Rapids City League He spent 12 of his 15 seasons as a member of the Boston Red Sox, he also played with the California...
was hired as manager in Nashua. Former Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
firstbaseman/outfielder Brian Daubach
Brian Daubach
Brian Michael Daubach is a retired Major League Baseball player and current minor league baseball manager. During his playing career Daubach served as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
was hired as the hitting coach midway through the 2008 season.
American skier Bode Miller
Bode Miller
Samuel Bode Miller is an American alpine ski racer. He is an Olympic and World Championship gold medalist, a two-time overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008, and is generally considered the greatest American alpine skier of all time...
played one home game each year for the team in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Former Red Sox reliever Rich "El Guapo" Garces
Rich Garcés
Richard Alan Garcés Mendoza, Jr. [gar-CESS] is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball...
appeared in the Pride bullpen in 2007 and 2008.
Sale of the Pride
American Defenders of New Hampshire
The Pittsfield Colonials were a baseball team in the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts...
, LLC. Stabile, a Nashua resident, had bought the team in January 2006 to prevent it from relocating, and got assurances from the new owners that they would keep the team in Nashua.
American Defenders of New Hampshire, LLC consisted of Nokona executives Buddy Lewis and Jerry O'Connor, former Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
general manager Dan Duquette
Dan Duquette
Daniel F. Duquette is the Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations for the Baltimore Orioles. He was the General Manager of the Montreal Expos from September through January and for the Boston Red Sox from through March...
, and Terry Allvord.
The new owners changed the club's name from the Nashua Pride to the American Defenders of New Hampshire, placing less of an emphasis on the Nashua market. They kept General Manager Chris Hall and promoted Brian Daubach
Brian Daubach
Brian Michael Daubach is a retired Major League Baseball player and current minor league baseball manager. During his playing career Daubach served as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
from Hitting Coach to Manager.
The team was evicted from Holman stadium in Nashua midway through the 2009 season because of nonpayment of rent.
Nashua baseball history
The Pride was one of several professional teams to play in Nashua, and one of five to have played at Holman Stadium:- 1895: Nashua Rainmakers, New England Association
- 1901-1905: Nashua, New England LeagueNew England LeagueThe New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
- B - 1926-1927: Nashua Millionaires, New England LeagueNew England LeagueThe New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
- B - 1929-1930: Nashua Millionaires, New England LeagueNew England LeagueThe New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
- B - 1933: Nashua, New England LeagueNew England LeagueThe New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
- B - 1946-1949: Nashua DodgersNashua DodgersThe Nashua Dodgers was a farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers, operating in the class-B New England League between 1946 and 1949. It is believed to be the first professional baseball team based in the United States in the twentieth century to play with a racially integrated roster...
, New England LeagueNew England LeagueThe New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
- B - 1983: Nashua Angels, Eastern LeagueEastern League (U.S. baseball)The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
- AA - 1984-1986: Nashua Pirates, Eastern League - AA
- 1995-1996: Nashua Hawks, North Atlantic League - independent
- 1998-2005: Nashua Pride, Atlantic LeagueAtlantic League of Professional BaseballThe Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
- independent - 2006-2008: Nashua Pride, Can-Am LeagueCanadian-American Association of Professional BaseballThe Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional, independent baseball league located in the Northeastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is...
- independent - 2009: American Defenders of New HampshireAmerican Defenders of New HampshireThe Pittsfield Colonials were a baseball team in the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts...
, Can-Am League - independent
Notable Pride alumni
- Mike EaslerMike EaslerMichael Anthony Easler is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who enjoyed a 14 year major league career from 1973 to 1987 with the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, California Angels, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees...
(Manager) - 1998 - Brendan DonnellyBrendan DonnellyBrendan Kevin Donnelly is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft...
- 1999 - Curtis PrideCurtis PrideCurtis John Pride is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and is currently the head baseball coach at Gallaudet University. Pride stands at 6'0" tall and weighs 210 pounds. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.-Youth:Deaf at birth from rubella, Pride developed oral skills early in his...
- 1999, 2003, 2004 - Sam HornSam HornSamuel Lee Horn is a former baseball player who spent parts of 8 seasons in MLB and was an anchor for New England Sports Network, the flagship station of Boston sports teams.-Pro career:...
- 2000, 2001 - Paxton CrawfordPaxton CrawfordPaxton Keith Crawford is a former player in Major League Baseball who played from 2000 to 2001.-Professional career:...
- 2003 - Dante BichetteDante BichetteAlphonse Dante Bichette, Sr. is a former Italian-American Major League Baseball player. Bichette was a four-time All-Star as a member of the Colorado Rockies.-Career:...
- 2004 - Jeff JudenJeff JudenJeffrey Daniel Juden is a former Major League Baseball player. He is 6'8" and weighs 270 lbs...
- 2004 - Darren BraggDarren BraggDarren William Bragg is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , St...
- 2005 - Orlando MillerOrlando MillerOrlando Miller Salmon , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a shortstop from 1994-97.Orlando Miller got his pro career started in the minor leagues in 1991...
- 2005 - Jeff SparksJeff SparksJames Jeffrey Sparks was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Tampa Bay Devil Rays.As of May 2007, Sparks was selling home-and-garden products at Lowe's and attending firefighter school while training with former major league pitcher Mike Marshall.- External links :...
- 2005 - Rich GarcesRich GarcésRichard Alan Garcés Mendoza, Jr. [gar-CESS] is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball...
- 2007, 2008 - Butch HobsonButch HobsonClell Lavern "Butch" Hobson, Jr. is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Hobson played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.After retiring, he managed the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox...
(Manager) - 2000-2007 - Brian DaubachBrian DaubachBrian Michael Daubach is a retired Major League Baseball player and current minor league baseball manager. During his playing career Daubach served as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
(Hitting Coach) 2008