New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Encyclopedia
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball
team based in Manchester, New Hampshire
. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays
major-league club.
During the team's first season in Manchester, the Fisher Cats played at Gill Stadium
, a historic ballpark in a residential neighborhood. Starting with the 2005 season, the Fisher Cats have played at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (originally known as "Merchantsauto.com Stadium") located in Manchester. The park seats 7,500 fans.
The Fisher Cats won the Eastern League championship in 2004, their first season in New Hampshire after moving the franchise from New Haven, Connecticut
.
In 1992, New Haven, Connecticut
was granted an expansion Double-A franchise which was named the New Haven Ravens. The Ravens began play in the 1994 season affiliated with the Colorado Rockies
. The team hosted the 1998 Double-A All-Star Game, was league runner-up in 1995 and 2003, and won the Eastern League Championship in 2000 with an 82-60 record, defeating the Reading Phillies 3 games to 1 in the championship series. The Ravens played in Yale Field
.
On January 26, 2003, the team was sold to businessman Drew Weber, who had the intent of moving the team to Manchester, New Hampshire. During the league playoffs on September 2, 2003, the Eastern League baseball team owners voted to approve the move. The team's first season in Manchester was 2004. The first season was played at Gill Stadium
south of the downtown area while the current ballpark, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, was under construction.
On July 19, 2005, Drew Weber sold his controlling interest in the team. Art Solomon became the new controlling owner with 60 percent ownership, while Weber retained a 40 percent ownership share. On July 12, 2008, Solomon purchased full ownership of the Fisher Cats from Weber.
Gary Cathcart was named the team's new manager on November 28, 2007; Cathcart had served as the Fisher Cats' hitting coach during 2005 and 2006, and had most recently managed the single-A Lansing Lugnuts
.
On July 16, 2008, the team hosted the 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby between the Northern Division and Southern Division. Travis Snider of the Fisher Cats won the Home Run Derby over Luis Montanez of the Bowie Baysox
7 to 6. In the All-Star Game itself, the Northern Division defeated the Southern Division 5-3 before a Northeast Delta Dental Stadium record crowd of 8,762.
, held every four years, signifies the start of the Presidential election process. Immediately, the name and logo were widely criticized. An online petition was created by two local baseball fans asking the team ownership to reconsider their decision and was covered by local newspapers, radio, and television stations. This coverage was led by a front-page article in the New Hampshire Union Leader
, New Hampshire's largest newspaper, on Sunday November 9, 2003. By the afternoon of November 10, over 1200 unique visitors had signed the petition. Later in the day, the team announced that they would not use the Primaries name after all and that they would seek public opinion on a new name.
On November 13, 2003, the team announced the "Name the Team" contest which had three phases over the following weeks. During the first phase, fans submitted suggestions. During the second phase, fans ranked their top five favorite names from the suggestions. For the final phase, fans voted for their single favorite among the top five names from the second round. On December 3, the final voting results were announced: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (1,574 votes - 24.5%), Manchester Millers (1,552 votes - 24.1%), Granite State Mountain Men (1,382 vote - 21.5%), New Hampshire Granite (1,302 votes - 20.2%), and New Hampshire Primaries (627 votes - 9.7%). The ultimate source of the name is from the fisher
, often called a fisher cat in New Hampshire. On January 22, 2004, the team unveiled the new set of logos that would be used for the name New Hampshire Fisher Cats. All of the team's logos and fonts were created and designed by Studio Simon of Louisville, Kentucky. Team colors were green, black, silver, and bronze.
On August 25, 2007, the Fisher Cats held a "turn back the clock
" promotion and played as the New Hampshire Primaries against the Portland Sea Dogs
. The Primaries wore specially-designed game worn jerseys for the game. This event would be repeated on July 4, 2008, for a game against the Trenton Thunder.
On November 28, 2007, the team unveiled a new logo, uniforms, and team colors that were designed by Rickabaugh Graphics of Gahanna, Ohio. The official colors were emerald green, black, white, and silver.
On November 16, 2010, the team colors were changed to red, white and blue, with no other major changes to the logo and uniforms.
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 based in Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
major-league club.
During the team's first season in Manchester, the Fisher Cats played at Gill Stadium
Gill Stadium
Gill Stadium is a sporting stadium located in Manchester, New Hampshire. It is believed to be the oldest stadium constructed of concrete and steel in New England outside of the Boston area...
, a historic ballpark in a residential neighborhood. Starting with the 2005 season, the Fisher Cats have played at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (originally known as "Merchantsauto.com Stadium") located in Manchester. The park seats 7,500 fans.
The Fisher Cats won the Eastern League championship in 2004, their first season in New Hampshire after moving the franchise from New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
.
Team history
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
was granted an expansion Double-A franchise which was named the New Haven Ravens. The Ravens began play in the 1994 season affiliated with 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...
. The team hosted the 1998 Double-A All-Star Game, was league runner-up in 1995 and 2003, and won the Eastern League Championship in 2000 with an 82-60 record, defeating the Reading Phillies 3 games to 1 in the championship series. The Ravens played in Yale Field
Yale Field
Yale Field is a stadium in West Haven, Connecticut, just across the city line with New Haven, Connecticut. It is primarily used for the Yale University baseball team, the Bulldogs, and, until 2007 was also the home field of the New Haven County Cutters Canadian-American Association of Professional...
.
On January 26, 2003, the team was sold to businessman Drew Weber, who had the intent of moving the team to Manchester, New Hampshire. During the league playoffs on September 2, 2003, the Eastern League baseball team owners voted to approve the move. The team's first season in Manchester was 2004. The first season was played at Gill Stadium
Gill Stadium
Gill Stadium is a sporting stadium located in Manchester, New Hampshire. It is believed to be the oldest stadium constructed of concrete and steel in New England outside of the Boston area...
south of the downtown area while the current ballpark, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, was under construction.
On July 19, 2005, Drew Weber sold his controlling interest in the team. Art Solomon became the new controlling owner with 60 percent ownership, while Weber retained a 40 percent ownership share. On July 12, 2008, Solomon purchased full ownership of the Fisher Cats from Weber.
Gary Cathcart was named the team's new manager on November 28, 2007; Cathcart had served as the Fisher Cats' hitting coach during 2005 and 2006, and had most recently managed the single-A Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
.
On July 16, 2008, the team hosted the 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby between the Northern Division and Southern Division. Travis Snider of the Fisher Cats won the Home Run Derby over Luis Montanez of the Bowie Baysox
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
7 to 6. In the All-Star Game itself, the Northern Division defeated the Southern Division 5-3 before a Northeast Delta Dental Stadium record crowd of 8,762.
Origin of current team name
On November 6, 2003, the new management unveiled the New Hampshire Primaries name and logo, which featured an elephant and a donkey holding baseball bats, and was to be used starting in the 2004 season. The management stated that they felt it reflected a unique aspect of the state, since the New Hampshire primaryNew Hampshire primary
The New Hampshire primary is the first in a series of nationwide political party primary elections held in the United States every four years , as part of the process of choosing the Democratic and Republican nominees for the presidential elections to be held the subsequent November.Although only a...
, held every four years, signifies the start of the Presidential election process. Immediately, the name and logo were widely criticized. An online petition was created by two local baseball fans asking the team ownership to reconsider their decision and was covered by local newspapers, radio, and television stations. This coverage was led by a front-page article in the New Hampshire Union Leader
New Hampshire Union Leader
The New Hampshire Union Leader is the daily newspaper of Manchester, the largest city in the state of New Hampshire. As of September 2010 it had a daily circulation of 48,342 and the circulation of its Sunday paper, the New Hampshire Sunday News, was 63,991. It was founded in 1863.It was called...
, New Hampshire's largest newspaper, on Sunday November 9, 2003. By the afternoon of November 10, over 1200 unique visitors had signed the petition. Later in the day, the team announced that they would not use the Primaries name after all and that they would seek public opinion on a new name.
On November 13, 2003, the team announced the "Name the Team" contest which had three phases over the following weeks. During the first phase, fans submitted suggestions. During the second phase, fans ranked their top five favorite names from the suggestions. For the final phase, fans voted for their single favorite among the top five names from the second round. On December 3, the final voting results were announced: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (1,574 votes - 24.5%), Manchester Millers (1,552 votes - 24.1%), Granite State Mountain Men (1,382 vote - 21.5%), New Hampshire Granite (1,302 votes - 20.2%), and New Hampshire Primaries (627 votes - 9.7%). The ultimate source of the name is from the fisher
Fisher (animal)
The fisher is a medium-size mammal native to North America. It is a member of the mustelid family, commonly referred to as the weasel family. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American Marten...
, often called a fisher cat in New Hampshire. On January 22, 2004, the team unveiled the new set of logos that would be used for the name New Hampshire Fisher Cats. All of the team's logos and fonts were created and designed by Studio Simon of Louisville, Kentucky. Team colors were green, black, silver, and bronze.
On August 25, 2007, the Fisher Cats held a "turn back the clock
Throwback uniform
Throwback uniforms and jerseys are one-time or limited-time variations on a sports team's uniforms styled to resemble uniforms from that team's past. They have proven popular in all major pro and college sports in the USA, not only with fans, but with the teams' marketing and merchandising...
" promotion and played as the New Hampshire Primaries against the Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
. The Primaries wore specially-designed game worn jerseys for the game. This event would be repeated on July 4, 2008, for a game against the Trenton Thunder.
On November 28, 2007, the team unveiled a new logo, uniforms, and team colors that were designed by Rickabaugh Graphics of Gahanna, Ohio. The official colors were emerald green, black, white, and silver.
On November 16, 2010, the team colors were changed to red, white and blue, with no other major changes to the logo and uniforms.
Season records
(Place indicates finish in Northern Division)- As New Haven Ravens
- 1994: 77-63 (2nd), manager Paul ZuvellaPaul ZuvellaPaul Zuvella is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league baseball manager. Primarily a shortstop and second baseman, he stood 6'0" tall, weighed 178 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:...
- 1995: 79-63 (2nd), manager Paul ZuvellaPaul ZuvellaPaul Zuvella is a former Major League Baseball player and minor league baseball manager. Primarily a shortstop and second baseman, he stood 6'0" tall, weighed 178 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:...
- 1996: 66-75 (4th), manager Bill Hayes
- 1997: 64-78 (5th), manager Bill Hayes
- 1998: 59-83 (5th), manager Tim BlackwellTim Blackwell (baseball)Timothy P. Blackwell is a former professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to for the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs and the Montreal Expos. He was a switch-hitter who threw right handed...
- 1999: 65-77 (t-3rd), manager Dan RohnDan RohnDaniel Jay Rohn is a former infielder and administrative coach in Major League Baseball. Rohn was drafted as a second baseman by the Chicago Cubs in the 4th round of the 1977 amateur draft, and made his major league debut on September 2, 1983...
- 2000: 82-60 (2nd), manager Dan RohnDan RohnDaniel Jay Rohn is a former infielder and administrative coach in Major League Baseball. Rohn was drafted as a second baseman by the Chicago Cubs in the 4th round of the 1977 amateur draft, and made his major league debut on September 2, 1983...
- 2001: 47-95 (6th), manager Dan Sheaffer
- 2002: 74-65 (2nd), manager Mark DeJohnMark DeJohnMark Stephen DeJohn is an American professional baseball coach who in will serve as field coordinator of instruction in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system. He is a former minor league manager and Major League infielder and coach...
- 2003: 79-63 (1st), manager Marty PeveyMarty PeveyMarty Ashley Pevey is the manager for the Chicago Cubs Single A affiliate Peoria Chiefs and former third base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball team....
- 1994: 77-63 (2nd), manager Paul Zuvella
- As New Hampshire Fisher Cats:
- 2004: 84-57 (1st), manager Mike BassoMike BassoMike Anthony Basso is a former minor league baseball catcher who went on to become a scout, coach and manager in the minor leagues....
- 2005: 68-74 (5th), manager Mike BassoMike BassoMike Anthony Basso is a former minor league baseball catcher who went on to become a scout, coach and manager in the minor leagues....
- 2006: 68-73 (4th), manager Doug Davis
- 2007: 70-73 (3rd), manager Bill Masse
- 2008: 61-81 (6th), manager Gary Cathcart
- 2009: 64-78 (5th), manager Gary Cathcart
- 2010: 79-62 (2nd), manager Luis Rivera
- 2011: 77-65 (1st), manager Sal FasanoSal FasanoSalvatore Frank Fasano is a former Major League Baseball catcher who is currently the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double A Eastern League, a Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. He is known to many for his famous Horseshoe moustache.Jeff Pearlman...
- 2004: 84-57 (1st), manager Mike Basso
Playoff appearances
- 1995 season: Defeated PortlandPortland Sea DogsThe Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
3-1 in semifinals; lost to ReadingReading PhilliesThe Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
3-2 in championship. - 2000 season: Defeated BinghamtonBinghamton MetsThe Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
3-1 in semifinals; defeated ReadingReading PhilliesThe Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
3-1 for league title. - 2002 season: Lost to NorwichConnecticut DefendersThe Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
3-0 in semifinals. - 2003 season: Defeated New BritainNew Britain Rock CatsThe New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
3-2 in semifinals; lost to AkronAkron AerosThe Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
3-0 in championship. - 2004 season: Defeated BinghamtonBinghamton MetsThe Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
3-1 in semifinals; defeated AltoonaAltoona CurveThe Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
3-0 for league title. - 2010 season: Lost to TrentonTrenton ThunderThe Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
3-0 in semifinals. - 2011 Season: Defeated ReadingReading PhilliesThe Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
3-1 in semifinals; defeated RichmondRichmond Flying SquirrelsThe Richmond Flying Squirrels are a minor league baseball team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond...
3-1 for league title
Notable players
- Todd HeltonTodd HeltonTodd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
- Brandon LeagueBrandon LeagueBrandon Paul League is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is married with three children. He resides in Honolulu, and is hapa Yonsei. His maternal great-grandparents were born and raised in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan...
- Dustin McGowanDustin McGowanDustin Michael McGowan is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia in the 1st round with 33rd pick of the draft on June 4, 2000...
- Aaron Hill
- Shaun MarcumShaun MarcumShaun Michael Marcum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
- Alex RiosAlex RíosAlexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
- Gustavo ChacinGustavo ChacínGustavo Adolfo Chacín is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Toronto Blue Jays:In 2004, Chacín led all minor leaguers with 18 wins, and was the 24th pitcher used by the Blue Jays, tying the team record set in the 2002 season...
- Adam LindAdam LindAdam Alan Lind is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft and was signed on June 30, 2004. He was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of...
- Travis SniderTravis SniderTravis James Snider is a Major League Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He hits and throws left-handed. He played baseball at Henry M. Jackson High School, where he also played running back and linebacker in football...
- Ricky Romero
- David PurceyDavid PurceyDavid Kent Purcey is a left-handed pitcher in professional baseball.-Amateur career:Purcey attended high school at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, and then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for the Sooners baseball team.-Professional career:Purcey originally was...
- Jesse LitschJesse LitschJesse Allen Litsch is an American pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is tall and weighs 225 pounds....
- Lyle OverbayLyle OverbayLyle Stefan Overbay is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.-Amateur career:...
** - Victor ZambranoVíctor ZambranoVíctor Manuel Zambrano is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.-Major League Career :...
** - Gregg ZaunGregg ZaunGregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
** - A.J. Burnett**
- **Played for the Fisher Cats while on Rehab from Toronto