Brevard County Manatees
Encyclopedia
The Brevard County Manatees are a minor league baseball
team of the Florida State League
, and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers
. They are based in Viera, Florida
, and play their home games at Space Coast Stadium
; built in , the park holds 8,100 fans and is also the Spring Training
home of the Washington Nationals
The Manatees will be affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers through 2012, as the two organizations extended their player development contract (PDC) in the spring of .
Their mascot
is known as Manny the Manatee. During the time that the team was affiliated with the Marlins, the mascot was named Hugh.
. They made a second championship series appearance in . However, due to the September 11 attacks
, the championship series was canceled and the Manatees and Tampa Yankees were declared co-champions. In , the Manatees won the title in their division, but lost in the league finals to the Clearwater Threshers
in four games.
On August 12, 2009, the Manatees recorded the 1,000th win in franchise history with an 8–2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays.
On April 7, 2011 – the opening day of the season – every fan will get into the game free.
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 Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
, and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. They are based in Viera, Florida
Viera, Florida
Viera is a master planned community located in the central coastal region of Brevard County, Florida. It is part of an unincorporated section adjacent to the Melbourne, Florida area.-Geography:...
, and play their home games at Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium is a baseball stadium that was completed prior to the 1994 season as part of a plan to bring spring training for the Florida Marlins to Viera, Florida....
; built in , the park holds 8,100 fans and is also the Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
home of the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
The Manatees will be affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers through 2012, as the two organizations extended their player development contract (PDC) in the spring of .
Their mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is known as Manny the Manatee. During the time that the team was affiliated with the Marlins, the mascot was named Hugh.
Team history
In , the Manatees made it to the Florida State League championship series, but lost in the finals to the Tampa YankeesTampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
. They made a second championship series appearance in . However, due to the September 11 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, the championship series was canceled and the Manatees and Tampa Yankees were declared co-champions. In , the Manatees won the title in their division, but lost in the league finals to the Clearwater Threshers
Clearwater Threshers
The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2004, the team competes in the West Division....
in four games.
On August 12, 2009, the Manatees recorded the 1,000th win in franchise history with an 8–2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Promotions
In April 2007, on "World Record First Pitch Attempt Day" the stadium was opened at 6:00 a.m. for the 7:00 p.m. game to allow each fan to throw a ceremonial first pitch. They were still short of the world record by several hundred pitches.On April 7, 2011 – the opening day of the season – every fan will get into the game free.
Season-by-season results
| Brevard County Manatees | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |Post-season | |||||
| Record | Win % | League | Record | Win % | Result | |
| 1994 | 78–61 | .561 | 2nd | 3–3 | .500 | Won East Division title vs West Palm Beach Expos West Palm Beach Expos The West Palm Beach Expos were a Florida State League minor league baseball team that existed from 1969 to 1997. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, they were affiliated with the Montreal Expos and they played their home games at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. They were one of the longest... , 2–0 Lost FSL Florida State League The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues... Championship vs Tampa Yankees Tampa Yankees The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of... , 1–3 |
| 1995 | 61–74 | .452 | 12th | — | — | — |
| 1996 | 47–92 | .338 | 14th | — | — | — |
| 1997 | 62–76 | .449 | 12th | — | — | — |
| 1998 | 43–97 | .307 | 14th | — | — | — |
| 1999 | 61–74 | .452 | 12th | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 66–74 | .471 | 10th | — | — | — |
| 2001 | 80–55 | .593 | 1st | 2–1 | .667 | Won East Division title vs Vero Beach Dodgers, 2–1 FSL Florida State League The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues... Championship series vs Tampa Yankees Tampa Yankees The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of... canceled due to September 11, 2001 attacks September 11, 2001 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation... . Both teams are declared co-champions. |
| 2002 | 51–85 | .375 | 12th | — | — | — |
| 2003 | 65–66 | .496 | 7th | — | — | — |
| 2004 | 53–72 | .424 | 10th | — | — | — |
| 2005 | 63–73 | .463 | 10th | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 64–65 | .496 | 8th | — | — | — |
| 2007 | 74–62 | .544 | 4th | 3–4 | .429 | Won East Division title vs St. Lucie Mets St. Lucie Mets The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park... , 2–1 Lost FSL Florida State League The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues... Championship vs Clearwater Threshers Clearwater Threshers The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2004, the team competes in the West Division.... , 1–3 |
| 2008 | 66–72 | .478 | 8th | — | — | — |
| 2009 | 79–48 | .622 | 1st | 0–2 | .000 | Lost North Division title vs Tampa Yankees Tampa Yankees The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of... , 0–2 |
| 2010 | 64–75 | .460 | 10th | — | — | — |
| Totals | 1,067–1,221 | .466 | — | 8–10 | .444 | 1 League Co-Championship |
Notable alumni
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- Ryan BraunRyan BraunRyan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
won the National LeagueNational LeagueThe 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...
Rookie of the Year Award after leading the league in slugging percentage, won Silver Slugger Awards in 2008–10, and was an NL All Star in 2008–11. - Josh ButlerJosh ButlerJoshua James Butler is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers organization.-Career:...
- Chad CorderoChad CorderoChad Patrick Cordero is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He broke into the big league ranks with the Montreal Expos...
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- Yovani GallardoYovani GallardoYovani Gallardo is a Mexican-American right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas....
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- Matt ManteiMatt ManteiMatthew Bruce Mantei [MAN-tie] is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. In his career, Mantei played with the Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
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- Mike RedmondMike RedmondMichael Patrick Redmond is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Redmond graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1989. He attended Gonzaga University. Mike and his wife Michele have two sons.Redmond made his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins on May 31, 1998...
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- Randy WinnRandy WinnDwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
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- Jay PowellJay PowellJames Willard "Jay" Powell , is a former American baseball pitcher, who last played for the Atlanta Braves. He graduated from West Lauderdale Knights in 1990Mississippi State University....
- Tony SaundersTony SaundersAnthony Scott "Tony" Saunders is a retired American Major League baseball pitcher for three seasons between 1997 and 1999. He was the first player selected by the-then Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the expansion draft....
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- Carlos Villanueva
- Kelley WashingtonKelley WashingtonJames Kelley Washington is an American football wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
(Wide Receiver, New England Patriots, was a prospect for the Florida Marlins and played in Brevard in 1998 and 1999) - Chris Young (Pitcher, San Diego Padres)