Dayton Dragons

The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball

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 from Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...

 affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

. They play in the Midwest League

Midwest League

The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...

 at Fifth Third Field

Fifth Third Field (Dayton)

Fifth Third Field is a minor league baseball stadium in Dayton, Ohio in the United States. As in the case of another stadium in Toledo, the Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank purchased the naming rights to the facility...

.

The Dragons came to Dayton

Dayton, Ohio

Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...

 in 2000. They were previously a franchise based in Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...

 and were called the Rockford Expos (1988–1992), Rockford Royals (1993–1994), Rockford Cubbies (1995–1998), and Rockford Reds (1999).

Fifth Third Field

The team's home park is Fifth Third Field

Fifth Third Field (Dayton)

Fifth Third Field is a minor league baseball stadium in Dayton, Ohio in the United States. As in the case of another stadium in Toledo, the Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank purchased the naming rights to the facility...

 in Dayton, Ohio.

During its first season the Dragons set a class A baseball attendance record of 581,853. Dayton broke that record in 2003 when 590,382 fans—ranking seventh in all of minor league baseball—went through the turnstiles.

The Dragons average 8,375 fans per game, or 116% of capacity. The Dragons have been the top Class A team in attendance every year of their existence, and have set and re-broken the record for Class A attendance three times. On April 17, 2007, the Dragons enjoyed their 500th consecutive sellout.

On July 9, 2011, the Dragons officially set a new record of 815 consecutive sellout games. The sellout streak is the longest across all professional sports in the U.S. passing the previous record set by the Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

 from 1977–1995.

Facts

• Voted as one of the top ten hottest tickets
  Ticket (admission)
  A ticket is a voucher that indicates that one has paid for admission to an event or establishment such as a theatre, movie theater, amusement park, zoo, museum, concert, or other attraction, or permission to travel on a vehicle such as an airliner, train, bus, or boat, typically because one has...
  
   to get in ALL of professional sports by Sports Illustrated
  Sports Illustrated
  Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
  
  .
• The Dragons have led the Midwest League
  Midwest League
  The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
  
   and all of Single A baseball in total season attendance from 2000 to 2010.
• Had a total 2010 attendance of 597,433
• Averaged 8,534 fans in attendance per game
• On July 9, 2011, set the new record of the most consecutive sold out games (815 total) in all of professional sports.
• Notable part-owners of the team include former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin
  Archie Griffin
  Archie Mason Griffin is a former American football running back. Griffin played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner...
  
   and basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson
  Magic Johnson
  Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
  
  .
• In 2011, Ballpark Digest named the Dragons the "Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year." This honor came during a year in which they set the all-time professional sports sellout streak of 815 (they finished the season at 843 consecutive sellouts); finished 1st in the Midwest League Eastern Division and had the overall best Midwest League record (.593); set franchise records for wins (83–57), wins in a half (48–22 during the second half, which was also the best record among the 80 teams in the seven full-season Minor League Baseball leagues that split their seasons), road wins (38), and wins in a month (22 in August); set franchise records for team ERA (3.39) and shutout wins (14); set a Midwest League pitching record for strikeouts (1,292); and set a franchise record for stolen bases (224, including 103 by shortstop Billy Hamilton, which was the 9th highest total ever for a Minor Leaguer).

Year-by-year Records

Team

|Regular Season

MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

2

3

.400

Lost to Michigan Michigan Battle Cats The Michigan Battle Cats was a minor league baseball team which began playing in the Midwest League in 1995 and called C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan home. The franchise had previously been located in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994 where they were called the Madison Hatters. Prior to that... in League Semifinals

DAY

2001

82

57

.590

2nd in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

2

2

.500

Lost to South Bend South Bend Silver Hawks The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League.... in League Semifinals

DAY

2002

73

67

.521

4th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

0

2

.000

Lost to West Michigan West Michigan Whitecaps The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:... in League Quarterfinals

DAY

2003

61

78

.439

6th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2004

48

92

.343

6th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2005

60

79

.432

6th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2006

67

73

.479

5th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2007

78

62

.557

3rd in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

1

2

.333

Lost to South Bend in League Quarterfinals

DAY

2008

66

72

.478

2nd in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

2

2

.500

Lost to South Bend In League Semifinals

DAY

2009

59

80

.425

4th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2010

53

85

.384

8th in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

–

–

–

–

DAY

2011

83

57

.593

1st in MWL Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... East

1

2

.333

Lost to Lansing 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... In League Quarterfinals

Former players

Many former Dragons players have gone on to play in the MLB. Some notable players include:

• Austin Kearns
  Austin Kearns
  Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
  
   (2000)
• José Acevedo (2000)
• Ray Olmedo
  Ray Olmedo
  Rainer Gustavo "Ray" Olmedo is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed....
  
   (2000)
• Adam Dunn
  Adam Dunn
  Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
  
   (2000)
• John Koronka
  John Koronka
  John Vincent Koronka is a left-handed baseball pitcher who currently is a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
  
   (2001)
• Wily Mo Peña
  Wily Mo Peña
  Wily Modesto Peña is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball...
  
   (2001)
• Edwin Encarnacion
  Edwin Encarnación
  Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
  
   (2001–2002)
• Todd Coffey
  Todd Coffey
  Justin Todd Coffey is an American professional baseball pitcher. He was born in Forest City, North Carolina.-Baseball career:...
  
   (2002–2003)
• Miguel Perez (2003–2004)
• Joey Votto
  Joey Votto
  Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
  
   (2003–2004)
• Chris Dickerson
  Chris Dickerson (baseball)
  Christopher Charles Dickerson is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...
  
   (2004)
• Homer Bailey
  Homer Bailey
  David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds....
  
   (2005)
• Johnny Cueto
  Johnny Cueto
  Johnny Brent Cueto [KWAY-toe] is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Minor league career:...
  
   (2006)
• Jay Bruce
  Jay Bruce
  Jay Allen Bruce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He was selected 12th overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft....
  
   (2006)
• Logan Ondrusek
  Logan Ondrusek
  Logan Jared Ondrusek is a right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He grew up and went to school in Shiner, Texas, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 13th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft.-Minor League Career:Ondrusek began his minor league career with the rookie Billings...
  
   (2006)
• Drew Stubbs
  Drew Stubbs
  Andrew Robert "Drew" Stubbs is an American Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds. He plays center field.-Before professional baseball:...
  
   (2007)

Personnel

The Dragons have had six managers in their history:

• Freddie Benavides
  Freddie Benavides
  Alfredo Benavides is a former Major League Baseball infielder of Mexican American descent. He is an alumnus of Texas Christian University....
  
   (2000)
• Donnie Scott
  Donnie Scott
  Donald Malcolm Scott was a catcher in Major League Baseball. From through , Scott played a role as backup and part-time catcher for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. While bouncing around in the minor leagues, Scott was also a member of the farm system for the Baltimore...
  
   (2001–2003, 2007–2008)
• Alonzo Powell
  Alonzo Powell
  Alonzo Sidney Powell is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
  
   (2004–2005)
• Billy Gardner, Jr.
  Billy Gardner, Jr.
  William Frederick Gardner, Jr. is an American minor league baseball manager. In , Gardner is slated to begin his fifth consecutive season as skipper of the Montgomery Biscuits, Double-A Southern League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays...
  
   (2006)
• Todd Benzinger
  Todd Benzinger
  Todd Eric Benzinger is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played from 1987 to 1995. Benzinger is a graduate of New Richmond High School in New Richmond, Ohio....
  
   (2009–2010)
• Delino DeShields
  Delino DeShields
  Delino Lamont DeShields is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who enjoyed a 13-year career with 5 teams. He is currently the manager for the Dayton Dragons in the Cincinnati Reds organization....
  
   (2011–present)

The Dragons are broadcast on 980 WONE

WONE (AM)

WONE is an AM radio station in Dayton, Ohio operating on 980 kHz with a Sports Talk format. It carries programming from Fox Sports Radio, as well as the Jim Rome Show and the Dan Patrick Show .-History:The station took the air in 1949, licensed to Skyland Broadcasting Corp...

, with Tom Nichols and Mike Couzens as the broadcasters.

External links

• Dayton, Ohio, in the Midwest League
• Dayton Dragons web site
• Twitter @DaytonDragons
• Dayton Dragons Dayton Daily News