Nashville Xpress
Encyclopedia
The Nashville Xpress were a minor league baseball
team of the Southern League
from 1993 to 1994. They were located in Nashville, Tennessee
and played home games at Herschel Greer Stadium
, which opened in 1978. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
and were named for trains which ran along tracks beyond the ballpark's outfield wall.
Previously known as the Charlotte Knights
of Charlotte, North Carolina
, the franchise was without a home when Charlotte moved up to a Triple-A franchise. After spending two years in Nashville, the team relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina
, becoming the Port City Roosters
.
The Xpress shared their ballpark with the Triple-A American Association
's Nashville Sounds
. This marked the first time since the New York Mets
and Yankees
shared Shea Stadium
in 1976 that two teams shared a facility. Baseball America
ranked the dual Nashville teams as number one on its list of the "top 10 happenings in minor league baseball."
sold his Double-A Southern League
Charlotte Knights
franchise to Tom Benson
who planned on moving the team to New Orleans, Louisiana. However, the sale was cancelled when John Dikeou, owner of the Triple-A American Association
's Denver Zephyrs, moved his team there after being displaced by the Colorado Rockies
National League
expansion team
. Nashville Sounds
owner Larry Schmittou
offered Nashville's
Herschel Greer Stadium
as a temporary home for the team. In January 1993, Southern League team owners met to explore all options for the homeless franchise. In the end, they decided to accept Schmittou's offer and place the team in Nashville for one season. A one-year management arrangement was decided upon wherein Schmittou and the Sounds' staff would be responsible for taking care of Shinn's team.
While in Nashville, the team was known as the Nashville Xpress. The nickname refers to the presence of railroad tracks
which are located to the east-southeast of Greer Stadium just beyond the outfield wall. The Xpress scheduled its home games during the Sounds' road trips and went on the road when the Sounds played at home. They played in the Southern League as the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
and were managed by former major league catcher Phil Roof
. The coaching staff was rounded out with pitching coach Rick Anderson
and hitting coach Mark Funderburk
, both former Twins players.
The team completed the first-half of the season with a 40–31 (.563) record and won the first-half western division title. They finished the second-half with a 32–39 (.451) record, for a combined 72–70 (.507) record. The Xpress faced the Birmingham Barons
, the second-half western division winners, in the best-of-five western division championship series. The Barons swept the Xpress in three straight games, eliminating Nashville from the post-season, the only post-season appearance in franchise history.
Nashville's Oscar Muñoz
was chosen as the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher. Outfielder Rich Becker
was selected for the post-season All-Star team. Marty Cordova
tied for the league lead in extra-base hits
(54), and Jeff Mansur tied for the lead in complete game
s (4).
Right-handed pitcher Brad Radke
was named to the post-season All-Star team. LaTroy Hawkins
tied for the best winning percentage
(.818, 9–2). Pitchers Marc Barcelo and Brad Radke
tied with each other and one other player for the lead in games started
with 28.
Also in 1994, Greer Stadium saw appearances by Michael Jordan
, who was playing for the rival Barons at that time and came to Nashville as a visitor. Had Jordan advanced to Triple-A, he would have played for the Nashville Sounds, which was the White Sox affiliate at the time.
After the season, the club moved to Wilmington, North Carolina
, where they became the Port City Roosters
.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
from 1993 to 1994. They were located in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and played home games at Herschel Greer Stadium
Herschel Greer Stadium
Herschel Greer Stadium is a minor league baseball park located in Nashville, Tennessee, on the grounds of Fort Negley, an American Civil War fortification, approximately two miles south of downtown...
, which opened in 1978. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and were named for trains which ran along tracks beyond the ballpark's outfield wall.
Previously known as the Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
of Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, the franchise was without a home when Charlotte moved up to a Triple-A franchise. After spending two years in Nashville, the team relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, becoming the Port City Roosters
Port City Roosters
The Port City Roosters were a minor league baseball team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. The team, which played in the Southern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners major-league club. The Roosters played in Brooks Field on the campus of the University of North Carolina,...
.
The Xpress shared their ballpark with the Triple-A American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. This marked the first time since the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
shared Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
in 1976 that two teams shared a facility. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
ranked the dual Nashville teams as number one on its list of the "top 10 happenings in minor league baseball."
1993 season
After the 1992 season, George ShinnGeorge Shinn
George Shinn is the former owner of the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets as well the Charlotte Knights and Gastonia Rangers minor league baseball teams along with the Raleigh/Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football. He purchased the Hornets for $32,500,000 in 1987...
sold his Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
franchise to Tom Benson
Tom Benson
See also Tom Benson and Tom Benson for the Northern Ireland Unionist.Tom Benson is the owner of the New Orleans Saints. He is currently the owner of several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas...
who planned on moving the team to New Orleans, Louisiana. However, the sale was cancelled when John Dikeou, owner of the Triple-A American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's Denver Zephyrs, moved his team there after being displaced by the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
. Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
owner Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou is an American entrepreneur. He currently owns a S&S Family Entertainment LLC, which operates a chain of bowling centers. He is a former coach of the Vanderbilt University baseball team. From the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, he was the owner of several minor league baseball teams...
offered Nashville's
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
Herschel Greer Stadium
Herschel Greer Stadium
Herschel Greer Stadium is a minor league baseball park located in Nashville, Tennessee, on the grounds of Fort Negley, an American Civil War fortification, approximately two miles south of downtown...
as a temporary home for the team. In January 1993, Southern League team owners met to explore all options for the homeless franchise. In the end, they decided to accept Schmittou's offer and place the team in Nashville for one season. A one-year management arrangement was decided upon wherein Schmittou and the Sounds' staff would be responsible for taking care of Shinn's team.
While in Nashville, the team was known as the Nashville Xpress. The nickname refers to the presence of railroad tracks
Rail tracks
The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers and ballast , plus the underlying subgrade...
which are located to the east-southeast of Greer Stadium just beyond the outfield wall. The Xpress scheduled its home games during the Sounds' road trips and went on the road when the Sounds played at home. They played in the Southern League as the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and were managed by former major league catcher Phil Roof
Phil Roof
Phillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
. The coaching staff was rounded out with pitching coach Rick Anderson
Rick Anderson (baseball, born 1956)
Richard Arlen Anderson is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and the current pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins.-New York Mets:...
and hitting coach Mark Funderburk
Mark Funderburk
Mark Clifford Funderburk is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Minnesota Twins. He was drafted by the Twins in the 16th round of the 1976 amateur entry draft...
, both former Twins players.
The team completed the first-half of the season with a 40–31 (.563) record and won the first-half western division title. They finished the second-half with a 32–39 (.451) record, for a combined 72–70 (.507) record. The Xpress faced the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
, the second-half western division winners, in the best-of-five western division championship series. The Barons swept the Xpress in three straight games, eliminating Nashville from the post-season, the only post-season appearance in franchise history.
Nashville's Oscar Muñoz
Oscar Muñoz (baseball)
Juan Oscar Muñoz is a former major league baseball pitcher.Muñoz attended the University of Miami and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the fifth round of the 1990 amateur draft. He played in the Cleveland farm system until 1991...
was chosen as the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher. Outfielder Rich Becker
Rich Becker
Richard "Richie" Godhard Becker was a Major League Baseball player between 1993-2000.Born in Aurora, Illinois, Becker was selected in the third round of the 1990 Major League Baseball amateur draft out of West Aurora High School by the Minnesota Twins. In high school Becker, excelled at football...
was selected for the post-season All-Star team. Marty Cordova
Marty Cordova
Martin Keevin "Marty" Cordova [cor-DOH-vuh] , is an American former Major League Baseball left fielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins , Toronto Blue Jays , Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles...
tied for the league lead in extra-base hits
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
(54), and Jeff Mansur tied for the lead in complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s (4).
1994 season
Phil Roof and his coaching staff returned in 1994 for the franchise's second and final season. Despite finishing the year with a 74–66 (.529) record, the Xpress failed to win either half of the season and was left out of the post-season picture.Right-handed pitcher Brad Radke
Brad Radke
Brad William Radke is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played his entire 12 season career with the Minnesota Twins. Radke won 148 career games and was one of the most consistent pitchers in the Twins organization during the late 90's...
was named to the post-season All-Star team. LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.-Minnesota Twins:...
tied for the best winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
(.818, 9–2). Pitchers Marc Barcelo and Brad Radke
Brad Radke
Brad William Radke is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played his entire 12 season career with the Minnesota Twins. Radke won 148 career games and was one of the most consistent pitchers in the Twins organization during the late 90's...
tied with each other and one other player for the lead in games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
with 28.
Also in 1994, Greer Stadium saw appearances by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, who was playing for the rival Barons at that time and came to Nashville as a visitor. Had Jordan advanced to Triple-A, he would have played for the Nashville Sounds, which was the White Sox affiliate at the time.
After the season, the club moved to Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, where they became the Port City Roosters
Port City Roosters
The Port City Roosters were a minor league baseball team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. The team, which played in the Southern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners major-league club. The Roosters played in Brooks Field on the campus of the University of North Carolina,...
.
Season-by-season results
| Nashville Xpress | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |Post-season | |||||||
| Record | Win % | League | Division | GB | Record | Win % | Result | |
| 1993 | 72–70 | .507 | 5th | 3rd | 6 | 0–3 | .000 | Won first-half West Division title Lost West Division title vs Birmingham Barons Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club.... , 0–3 |
| 1994 | 74–66 | .529 | 4th (tie) | 3rd | 8 | – | – | — |
| Totals | 146–136 | .518 | – | – | – | 0–3 | .000 | 0 SL Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... Championships |
Notable players
Of the 60 players who appeared on the Xpress roster during the team's existence, 22 also played at least one game in the major leagues. These players were:- Rich BeckerRich BeckerRichard "Richie" Godhard Becker was a Major League Baseball player between 1993-2000.Born in Aurora, Illinois, Becker was selected in the third round of the 1990 Major League Baseball amateur draft out of West Aurora High School by the Minnesota Twins. In high school Becker, excelled at football...
- Marty CordovaMarty CordovaMartin Keevin "Marty" Cordova [cor-DOH-vuh] , is an American former Major League Baseball left fielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins , Toronto Blue Jays , Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles...
- Steve DunnSteve Dunn (1990s first baseman)Steven Robert Dunn is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 1988 amateur draft, and played for the Twins in 1994 and 1995....
- Mike DurantMike Durant (baseball)Michael Joseph Durant is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Minnesota Twins. He was drafted by the Twins in the second round of the 1991 amateur entry draft...
- Gus GandarillasGus GandarillasGustavo Gandarillas is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 1992 amateur entry draft...
- Rich GarcésRich GarcésRichard Alan Garcés Mendoza, Jr. [gar-CESS] is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball...
- Eddie GuardadoEddie GuardadoEdward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
- LaTroy HawkinsLaTroy HawkinsLaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.-Minnesota Twins:...
- Denny HockingDenny HockingDennis Lee "Denny" Hocking is a former Major League Baseball utility player. After playing at El Camino College in California, he was drafted in the 52nd round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins and made his major league debut in...
- Dan MastellerDan MastellerDan Patrick Masteller is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played one season in the majors for the Minnesota Twins in .Originally drafted by the Twins in the 11th round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft, Masteller played in their organization until June, 1995, when he made his...
- Damian MillerDamian MillerDamian Donald Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher who last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school years:...
- Travis MillerTravis MillerTravis Eugene Miller , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from - for the Minnesota Twins.-External links:...
- Mike MisuracaMike MisuracaMichael William Misuraca is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1988...
- Oscar MuñozOscar Muñoz (baseball)Juan Oscar Muñoz is a former major league baseball pitcher.Muñoz attended the University of Miami and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the fifth round of the 1990 amateur draft. He played in the Cleveland farm system until 1991...
- Dan NaultyDan NaultyDaniel Donovan Naulty is a former pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees in Major League Baseball....
- Alan NewmanAlan NewmanAlan Spencer Newman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in the majors, 1999 for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and 2000 for the Cleveland Indians. He then went on to play three seasons in Japan, 2001-02 for the Yakult Swallows and 2003 for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.-...
- Brian RaabeBrian RaabeBrian Charles Raabe in New Ulm, Minnesota, is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. Raabe played for three different major league ballclubs during his career: the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , and Colorado Rockies , playing third base and second base.On November 20, 1997, Raabe was...
- Brad RadkeBrad RadkeBrad William Radke is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played his entire 12 season career with the Minnesota Twins. Radke won 148 career games and was one of the most consistent pitchers in the Twins organization during the late 90's...
- Todd RitchieTodd RitchieTodd Everett Ritchie is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues from -....
- Erik SchullstromErik SchullstromErik Paul Schullstrom is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Minnesota Twins in 1994 and 1995. He was born on March 25, 1969 in San Diego, California, and he attended Fresno State University. Schullstrom was 6'5" and 220 pounds...
- Scott StahoviakScott StahoviakScott Edmund Stahoviak is a former Minnesota Twins first baseman. He was born on March 6, 1970, in Waukegan, Illinois. He attended Creighton University, and was an integral part of Creighton's NCAA College World Series appearance in 1991...
- Scott WatkinsScott WatkinsScott Allen Watkins is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Watkins pitched in for the Minnesota Twins, pitching in 27 games with no wins or losses.-Sources:...