The origin of minor league baseball’s triple-A Salt Lake Bees’ nickname traces back a couple thousand years—to the Biblical “land of milk and honey.” Utah’s Mormon settlers called the state “Deseret,” a word from the Book of Mormon that means honey bee in the Jaredite language. It’s the reason the
Category: Minor League Baseball
The Dog Days of Summer: The Story Behind the El Paso Chihuahuas
Admit it, the first time you heard the nickname for one of minor league baseball’s newest teams—the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres—you thought of Paris Hilton. Or possibly Taco Bell. This is one of the reasons the announcement of the new nickname in El Paso
Holy Sea Cow! The Story Behind the Brevard County Manatees
If the rumors are true, the reason that there’s a minor league baseball team called the Manatees is that fans wanted a Major League team called the Manatees, but the powers that be wouldn’t allow it. Here’s Kyle Smith, general manager of the single-A Brevard County Manatees of the Florida
Everything is Better with Bacon: The Story Behind the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
One of the reasons many minor league baseball teams adopt wacky nicknames is that they want to emphasize the fun, family-friendly atmosphere of a game at their ballpark. As I’ve spoken with representatives from different teams for this series, it’s become clear to me that a lot of minor league
Rock of Ages: The Story Behind the Midland RockHounds
The Double-A Oakland A’s affiliate in the Texas League is called the Midland RockHounds because it sounds better than the Midland Geologists. And Rocky the RockHound is definitely a better mascot than some guy named Ted (or whatever) in a white lab coat. When I spoke with Brian Smith, Midland’s
So Cool They Barely Need a Team: The Story Behind the Lake Elsinore Storm
In 2001, the Lake Elsinore Storm, single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, took their unremarkable storm cloud logo and made a terrific decision: They scrapped most of it. But they didn’t scrap all of it. They ditched the cloud and the breezy type and the lightning bolt and even
The story behind the Las Vegas 51s: Coolest logo this side of Gunga City
Here’s how much I like the nickname and logo of the triple-A Las Vegas 51s: I bought myself a 51s hat and shirt, even though I am a Phillies fan and the 51s are a Mets affiliate. I love their primary logo (above), the stand-alone alien head with the baseball seam
Baseball Team to Wear Michael Jackson Jerseys
The Gary Southshore Railcats, an independent baseball club in the American Association, will pay tribute to one of their own next Saturday, June 21st, when they wear special Michael Jackson themed jerseys. Jackson was one of the most famous pop musicians of all-time, he was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958
2014 July 4th MLB Cap Designs Spotted
Thanks to a tip posted on the SportsLogos.Net message boards, and confirmed by subsequent Minor League clubs, we have gotten our first look at the 2014 4th of July Patriotic MLB Cap designs. Our early look at the 2014 design is courtesy an anonymous hat shop employee who sent in
Pics: Nordiques, North Stars Baseball Jerseys
Last night the Quebec Capitales and St. Paul Saints got together for a CanAm – American Association inter-league game at Stade Municipal in Quebec City. In celebration of “Soirée Hockey” (Hockey Night), the two teams took the field wearing the jerseys of their respective former NHL hockey franchises – the Capitales
Independent Baseball Teams Revive Nordiques, North Stars
A couple of independent baseball leagues are joining together to bring back some long-lost, never-forgotten hockey teams. An interleague game between the CanAm League‘s Quebec Capitales and American Association’s St. Paul Saints tomorrow night will see the return of the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques and Minnesota North Stars… sort of. It’s
The Most Edible Mascot in Baseball: The Story Behind the Montgomery Biscuits
In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that at time of this writing, my wife has had me on a grain-free, sugar-free diet for the better part of a month—and I use the word better loosely. This means no ice cream helmet sundaes, no beer, and for