If you’re not familiar with the history of minor league baseball, and, more importantly, beer in the Pacific Northwest, then the nickname for the Triple-A franchise in Tacoma, Washington, seems to be about as straightforward as they come. The Rainiers’ name is obviously inspired by Mount Rainier, the tallest mountain
Category: Minor League Baseball
Cool Cats: The Story Behind the Sacramento River Cats
In the course of writing this series, I have been surprised on many occasions to learn of connections between the names of sports teams and their home towns. So when I called up the Sacramento River Cats to learn the story behind their nickname, I was expecting to find that
Lehigh Valley IronPigs represent Bacon USA with new uniforms
A couple of years ago, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the AAA-level International League unveiled their highly unique identity, which included a hat with a single strip of bacon on the crown. This is also the same club that plans to become the Lehigh Valley Cheesesteaks for a night, so
Minor League Baseball opens season with 11 new-look teams
We’re on the cusp of the 2016 baseball season, which means that we’ll finally be able to see in action the new minor league baseball identities that have been unveiled over the last few months. The 11 affiliated teams that rebranded during the offseason can be broken down into three categories: new teams playing with new names in new
Look Out for Chattanooga’s New Look in 2016
The Chattanooga Lookouts, Southern League Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, unveiled their new uniforms via an event earlier this morning. Despite the affiliation with the Twins, the uniforms appear to be more of a mix between the Cincinnati Reds and the old Negro League Kansas City Monarchs. This replaces
Ballclub Re-Brands As Cheesesteaks for One Night Only
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced they will be known as the Cheesesteaks for one night only in 2016, a nod to their in-state Major League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phillies. This follows the popular “Taco Night” promotion held by the Fresno Grizzlies last season (and will again this Summer) in
The Evolution of Dinosaurs in Utah: The Story Behind the Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors, advanced rookie level affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, were never meant to be. In 1993, Dave Baggott, who describes himself as the founder, president, owner, and janitor of the team, went to the mayor of Ogden, Utah, with the idea of bringing a minor league team
Bulls keep Durham classy with Bull City Blues unis
In 2016, minor league baseball teams at all levels will trot out alternate uniforms featuring the likes of tacos, asparagus, zoo animals, and Saul Goodman, to name just a few recent examples. In the face of these increasingly wacky promotional duds, the Durham Bulls have done an about face with their elegant “Bull
It Is Easy Being Green: Stockton Ports to Celebrate Asparagus Night
The Stockton Ports are finding that it is easy being green. There are at least four cities in the United States alone that claim the status of asparagus capital of the world, but only one of them will send a minor league baseball team out on the field wearing asparagus-themed jerseys
Mississippi Braves to support Jackson Zoo with wild jerseys
The Double-A Mississippi Braves will take to the field April 9 in jerseys commemorating the Jackson Zoo, which is less than seven miles away from the M-Braves’ stadium. The jerseys, which feature stylized drawings of zoo animals and a Jackson Zoo sleeve patch, will be auctioned after the game, with
Mighty Asparagus Has Struck Out! The Story Behind the Stockton Ports
Stockton, California, is the asparagus capital of the world. The stinky green stalk is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s major crops, and the city of Stockton is home to the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival, which celebrates all things asparagussy. The problem is, Hadley Massachusetts; Oceana County, Michigan; and Isleton, California,
Frisco RoughRiders throwback to the 1980s with promotional jerseys
The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have only been around since 2003, but they’ll spend 2016 throwing back to the 1980s with a series of promotional uniforms. The best of the lot is “Salute to 8-Bit and Arcades Night” on July 8, when the RoughRiders will take to