Fort Myers Miracle
Encyclopedia
The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced 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...

 affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

 club, currently managed by Jake Mauer
Jake Mauer
Donald Charles "Jake" Mauer is a former Minor League Baseball player, and former NCAA Division III baseball standout. As senior in , he set the University of St. Thomas season record for hits with 83, and is the school's career leader in hits , runs & games . He was inducted into the St...

. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium
Hammond Stadium
Hammond Stadium is a baseball field located in the Lee County Sports Complex in South Fort Myers, Florida, United States. The stadium was built in and holds 7,500 people. It is the Spring Training home of the Minnesota Twins, and houses their Class A Advanced affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle, in...

, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in . The park is also used as the Minnesota Twins' 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...

 facility.

Musician Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...

 and actor Bill Murray
Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor and comedian. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live in which he earned an Emmy Award and later went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films, including Caddyshack , Ghostbusters , and...

 have been minority part-owners of the team since . The majority owner is Marvin Goldklang
Marvin Goldklang
Marvin Goldklang is a minority owner of the New York Yankees. He is also the principal owner of four minor league baseball teams, and assists in the management of others.-Minor League Baseball:...

, who also owns a stake in three other minor league baseball teams throughout the country (Hudson Valley Renegades
Hudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team is a member of the New York - Penn League, a Class A Short Season league. The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY....

, Charleston RiverDogs
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...

, and St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...

). Murray is also a minority part-owner of the Saints.

History

The Miracle franchise was founded in , as the Fort Myers Palms. One year later, they moved to Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...

 and were renamed the Hustlers. The team became temporarily inactive, with the rest 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...

, midway through the season. Even though the Florida State League resumed play in , the Hustlers remained inactive until they were reactivated by the FSL during the – offseason to serve as the Class D affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

. The team was renamed the Miami Marlins in honor of the original Marlins of the Triple-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...

 who had moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...

 (and subsequently Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...

) following the season.

In , there was a restructuring of the classification system of all 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...

, which resulted in the FSL changing from Class D to its current status of Class A-Advanced. They became a Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

 affiliate in , and were renamed the Miami Orioles after their MLB parent club from –.

Upon the Baltimore Orioles' severing of their affiliation with the Miami Orioles following the 1981 season, the franchise reverted back to the Marlins name, and actually participated in the FSL season as an independent entry. Without a Major League affiliate, this team was composed of undrafted players from the area, free agents from various organizations and players on loan from the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...

, and Oakland A's organizations.

The following season the Miami Marlins became a San Diego Padres affiliate. This partnership only lasted two years, and the Marlins found themselves again without a parent club for the season. Again, they filled their roster with talent on loan from various organizations, along with eleven former major leaguers looking to rejuvenate their careers. They stuck with this formula through the season.

In , the Marlins were renamed the Miami Miracle after a group of investors that included Bill Murray and Jimmy Buffett purchased the club. They moved the team from Bobby Maduro Miami Stadium to Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...

's University Park
University Park, Florida
According to the census of 2000, there were 26,538 people, 8,646 households, and 6,501 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,535.1 people per square mile . There were 9,047 housing units at an average density of 2,227.9/sq mi...

 (the vast majority of their time in Miami, the team played at Miami Stadium
Miami Stadium
Miami Stadium was a baseball stadium in Miami, Florida. It was primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Miami Marlins minor league baseball team, as well as other minor league teams. It opened in 1949 and held 13,500 people...

).

The Miracle were sold again a year later to the Marv Goldklang Group. Mike Veeck (son of Hall of Fame inductee Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...

, and author of the book, Fun is Good) also became part owner of the organization while Murray and Buffett still maintained their shares as well. In , these new owners returned the Miracle to Fort Myers where it has remained ever since. The Miracle operated as a co-op club with the Minnesota Twins that season, and became a full Twins affiliate a year later. This Player Development Contract runs through 2012.

Since their arrival in Fort Myers, the Miracle have won the FSL's Western division in the first half of the & seasons, and won the second half in , & . They've gone on to win the division in 1995 & 2008, but have yet to win an FSL League championship. For the season, the Florida State League was realigned, and the Miracle became part of the Southern Division, along with the Charlotte Stone Crabs
Charlotte Stone Crabs
The Charlotte Stone Crabs are a minor league baseball team based in Port Charlotte, Florida. The team are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team....

, Jupiter Hammerheads
Jupiter Hammerheads
The Jupiter Hammerheads are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter, Florida, named for the hammerhead shark.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Miami Marlins major-league club....

, Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....

, 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...

 and Sarasota Reds. The team notched a franchise first by capturing both the first and second half division crown. They faced the Charlotte Stone Crabs, who finished second both halves, in the South Division Finals. Despite a 14-6 regular season record against the Stone Crabs, the Miracle lost in three games to Charlotte.

2010

Former Twins farmhand and older brother of Twins catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...

 Joe Mauer
Joe Mauer
Joseph Patrick Mauer is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is the only catcher in Major League history to win three batting titles...

, Jake Mauer
Jake Mauer
Donald Charles "Jake" Mauer is a former Minor League Baseball player, and former NCAA Division III baseball standout. As senior in , he set the University of St. Thomas season record for hits with 83, and is the school's career leader in hits , runs & games . He was inducted into the St...

, was named manager of the team after having led the GCL Twins to a wild card victory in and the South Division crown in . Mauer's success in the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...

 did not carry over to the Florida State League, as he led the team to a 64-74 record his first season at the helm, its worst record since finishing 61-74 in . Billy Bullock and Chris Herrmann represented Fort Myers at the FSL All-Star game, held on June 12 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....

, home of the Brevard County Manatees
Brevard County Manatees
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...

. Kyle Gibson
Kyle Gibson
Kyle Benjamin Gibson is a pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. He is considered one of the top prospects in baseball.-Amateur career:...

 and Yangervis Solarte were also named Southern Division All-Stars, however, both had been promoted to double A prior to the game.


FSL All-Stars

  • 1992 - Troy Buckley, Brian Raabe
    Brian Raabe
    Brian Charles Raabe in New Ulm, Minnesota, is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. Raabe played for three different major league ballclubs during his career: the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , and Colorado Rockies , playing third base and second base.On November 20, 1997, Raabe was...

     - Brent Brede
    Brent Brede
    Brent David Brede is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft, Brede made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 8,...

    , Steve Hazlett
    Steve Hazlett
    Stephen Edward Hazlett is a retired professional ice hockey player who in the 1979–80 NHL season played in his only National Hockey League game for the Vancouver Canucks.-External links:...

    , Damian Miller
    Damian Miller
    Damian Donald Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher who last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school years:...

     - Gus Gandarillas, Andrew Kontorinis, Matt Lawton
    Matt Lawton
    Matthew "Matt" Lawton, Jr. is a retired professional baseball whose career spanned 15 seasons, including 12 seasons in Major League Baseball. Lawton, an outfielder, made his major league debut September 5, 1995, with the Minnesota Twins, who signed him four years prior...

    , Scott Moten, Chad Roper - Shane Bowers
    Shane Bowers
    Shane Patrick Bowers is an American former Major League Baseball player. After being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft, Bowers played in the minor leagues until 1997, when the Twins called him up to the major leagues. He started five games for Minnesota in...

     - Mike Moriarty
    Mike Moriarty
    Michael Thomas Moriarty is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop and second baseman. He played during one season at the major league level for the Baltimore Orioles. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 7th round of the amateur draft...

    , Javier Valentin
    Javier Valentín
    José Javier Valentín Rosario is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. From -, he played for the Cincinnati Reds after playing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and playing in four brief stints for the Minnesota Twins from -. He is the younger brother of former Major League...

     - Chad Allen, Phil Haigler, Jacque Jones
    Jacque Jones
    Jacque Dewayne Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently is a free agent-Early life:...

    , Brad Niedermaier, David Ortiz
    David Ortiz
    David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...

    , A.J. Pierzynski - Joe Mays
    Joe Mays
    Joeseph Emerson Mays is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.Mays is a 1994 graduate of Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida. He also attended Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He and his wife, Melinda , have two children.Mays began his major league career with the...

    , Chad Moeller
    Chad Moeller
    Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Colorado Rockies organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman Chris Cron.-College career:...

    , Tommy Peterman - Matt LeCroy, Kyle Lohse
    Kyle Lohse
    Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki...

  • 2000 - Brandon Masters, Juan Rincon
    Juan Rincón
    Juan Manuel Rincón is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is with the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Rincón bats and throws right-handed. He throws a low 90s fastball and a mid low 80s slider...

    , Saul Rivera
    Saul Rivera
    Rabell Saúl Rivera is a right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher currently a free agent.-Career:...

    , Ruben Salazar, Brad Thomas
    Brad Thomas
    Bradley Richard Thomas is an Australian professional baseball pitcher that is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers, in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and in the Korean Baseball Organization for the...

    - Ronnie Corona, Juan Padilla
    Juan Padilla
    Juan Miguel Padilla is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He is now pitching for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League.-Major league career:...

     - Beau Kemp, Josh Rabe
    Josh Rabe
    Joshua Wayne Rabe is a former Major League Baseball outfielder with the Minnesota Twins and current head baseball coach for Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois.-Quincy University:...

    , Matt Scanlon
  • 2003 - J.D. Durbin, Jason Kubel
    Jason Kubel
    Jason James Kubel is an American professional baseball player. A Belle Fourche, South Dakota native, Kubel was drafted by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2000 Draft after playing high school ball at Highland High School.-Early life:...

    , Joe Mauer - Scott Baker, Travis Bowyer
    Travis Bowyer
    Travis Charlton Bowyer is a relief pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization. He is listed at 6 foot, 3 inches and 210 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed....

    , Kaulana Kuhaulua, Francisco Liriano
    Francisco Liriano
    Francisco Liriano y Casillas is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...

    , José Morales, Justin Olson - Nick Blackburn
    Nick Blackburn
    Robert Nicholas Blackburn is a Major League Baseball pitcher in the Minnesota Twins system. He graduated from Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. He attended Seminole State College. The 6-4, 227 pound right-hander was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 34th round of the...

    , Matt Moses, Denard Span
    Denard Span
    Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School...

  • 2006 - Alexi Casilla, Matt Garza
    Matt Garza
    Matthew Scott Garza is a United States professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State.-Minnesota Twins:...

    , Kyle Geiger, Brandon Roberts, Kevin Slowey
    Kevin Slowey
    Kevin Michael Slowey is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. Slowey was selected by the Twins with the 73rd pick in the 2nd round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.-College:...

     - Eddie Morlan, Ryan Mullins, Oswaldo Sosa
  • 2008 - Robert Delaney, Brian Dinkelman, Jeff Manship, Wilson Ramos, Anthony Slama, Rene Tosoni, Danny Valencia
    Danny Valencia
    Daniel Paul Valencia is a third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.In high school, he was all-county three times and all-state twice. In college, he was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team...

  • 2009 - David Bromberg, Chris Cates, Carlos Gutierrez, Steven Hirschfeld, Daniel Lehmann, Chris Parmelee, Ben Revere, Steve Singleton, Spencer Steedley
  • 2010 - Billy Bullock, Kyle Gibson, Chris Herrmann, Yangervis Solarte

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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