The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons.[1] The team relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, in 2016 where they are now known as the Columbia Fireflies.[2]
| Savannah Sand Gnats | |
|---|---|
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| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class A |
Previous leagues | South Atlantic League (1984–2015) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
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| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (4) |
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| Division titles (2) |
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| Team data | |
Previous names |
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| Colors | Dark green, burgundy, tan, black, white |
| Mascot | Gnate the Gnat (2005-2015) Gnic the Gnat (1996-2004) |
Previous parks | Grayson Stadium (1984–2015) |
History
editFormerly known as the Savannah Cardinals, the team played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats, and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002 and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.
The Sand Gnats played their home games at Grayson Stadium. Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seated 4,700 fans during its time as the home of the Sand Gnats. The Sand Gnats won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1996, 2013).
On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.
On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation.[3]
On March 20, 2008, Atlanta-based Hardball Capital purchased the Savannah Sand Gnats.[4]
Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré, Jacob DeGrom, Éric Gagné, Edwin Encarnación, Michael Fulmer, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Steven Matz, Collin McHugh, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Whitesell, Josh Satin, and Ryan Zimmerman.
Season-by-season records
edit
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses
| Season | W | L | Finish | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 78 | 61 | 3rd, Southern | Lost in semi-finals |
| 1985 | 57 | 78 | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1986 | 75 | 60 | 2nd, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1987 | 69 | 69 | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1988 | 68 | 67 | 5th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1989 | 69 | 70 | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1990 | 73 | 68 | 6th, Southern | Lost League Finals |
| 1991 | 61 | 77 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1992 | 62 | 78 | 5th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1993 | 94 | 48 | 1st, Southern | League Champions |
| 1994 | 82 | 55 | 2nd, Southern | League Champions |
| 1995 | 56 | 83 | 6th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | 72 | 69 | 2nd, Southern | League Champions |
| 1997 | 63 | 77 | 3rd, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1998 | 66 | 76 | 3rd, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | 62 | 78 | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | 74 | 65 | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2001 | 54 | 82 | 8th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2002 | 49 | 89 | 8th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | 58 | 80 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | 58 | 80 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | 62 | 76 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 56 | 83 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 41 | 94 | 8th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 61 | 76 | 7th, Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 65 | 72 | Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 75 | 64 | Southern | Lost in semi-finals |
| 2011 | 79 | 60 | Southern | Lost League Finals[5] |
| 2012 | 69 | 67 | Southern | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | 77 | 61 | Southern | League Champions |
| 2014 | 85 | 51 | Southern | Lost in semi-finals |
| 2015 | 83 | 54 | 1st, Southern | Lost in League Finals |
1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals
Rivals
editAugusta GreenJackets
editThe Sand Gnats had a in-state rivalry with the Augusta GreenJackets, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
Charleston RiverDogs
editThe Sand Gnats had a rivalry with the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees.
References
edit- ^ "Affiliate Dance: 2006". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
- ^ Connolly, Matt (September 19, 2015). "Goodbye Sand Gnats, hello Fireflies". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games". ESPN. Associated Press. May 8, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
- ^ Manasso, John (March 20, 2008). "Savannah Sand Gnats sold to Hardball Capital". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ "2011 Savannah Sand Gnats Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.