Oklahoma RedHawks
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball
team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League
, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros
. The RedHawks play in Bricktown Ballpark, located in the Bricktown Entertainment District
in downtown Oklahoma City.
The team was originally known as the Oklahoma City 89ers from 1962 to 1997 when the team played at All Sports Stadium (now demolished) at the state fairgrounds. The original name made reference to the Land Run of 1889
, which led to the founding of Oklahoma City. Following the 1997 season, they became the Oklahoma RedHawks. After the 2008 season, the team added "City" to their name. The minor renaming was accompanied by new logos and a new color scheme.
. The Oklahoma City 89ers began play in 1962 as a minor league affiliate of the Houston Colt .45's (later the Houston Astros
). In 1973, a three-year connection with the Cleveland Indians
was established. A later affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies
lasted from 1976 until 1982.
In 1983, the Texas Rangers became the parent club, a relationship that would continue as the 89ers adopted new colors and uniforms along with the nickname "RedHawks" in 1998 in connection with the move to the newly-built RedHawks Ballpark. Crowds are consistently large at the park and the RedHawks have been very competitive with the exception of a couple of seasons.
On September 14, 2010, the Texas Rangers ownership announced that they were moving their Triple-A affiliation to the Round Rock Express
(formerly the Astros' AAA affiliate). On September 15 the Redhawks were sold to Mandalay Baseball Properties
, which also owns or operates five other minor league baseball teams, and is part of the Mandalay Entertainment
conglomerate chaired by entertainment industry executive Peter Guber
. On September 20, Mandalay entered into a formal agreement for the Redhawks to become the Astros' new AAA affiliate.
Former players (1998—2008)
Former players (1962—1997)
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 based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. The RedHawks play in Bricktown Ballpark, located in the Bricktown Entertainment District
Bricktown (Oklahoma City)
Bricktown is an entertainment district just east of downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . It was formerly a major warehouse district. The major attractions of the district are the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, the navigable Bricktown Canal, and the 16-screen Harkins movie theatre...
in downtown Oklahoma City.
The team was originally known as the Oklahoma City 89ers from 1962 to 1997 when the team played at All Sports Stadium (now demolished) at the state fairgrounds. The original name made reference to the Land Run of 1889
Land Run of 1889
The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands and included all or part of the 2005 modern day Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne counties of the U.S. state of Oklahoma...
, which led to the founding of Oklahoma City. Following the 1997 season, they became the Oklahoma RedHawks. After the 2008 season, the team added "City" to their name. The minor renaming was accompanied by new logos and a new color scheme.
History
Oklahoma City previously had a different minor league team, the Oklahoma City IndiansOklahoma City Indians
The Oklahoma City Indians were an American minor league baseball franchise representing Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that played in the Texas League in 1909, 1933-42 and from 1946-57, and in the Western League from 1918-32...
. The Oklahoma City 89ers began play in 1962 as a minor league affiliate of the Houston Colt .45's (later the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
). In 1973, a three-year connection with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
was established. A later affiliation with 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...
lasted from 1976 until 1982.
In 1983, the Texas Rangers became the parent club, a relationship that would continue as the 89ers adopted new colors and uniforms along with the nickname "RedHawks" in 1998 in connection with the move to the newly-built RedHawks Ballpark. Crowds are consistently large at the park and the RedHawks have been very competitive with the exception of a couple of seasons.
On September 14, 2010, the Texas Rangers ownership announced that they were moving their Triple-A affiliation to the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
(formerly the Astros' AAA affiliate). On September 15 the Redhawks were sold to Mandalay Baseball Properties
Mandalay Sports Entertainment
Mandalay Sports Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mandalay Entertainment Group. MSE owns a number of minor-league baseball teams, via its Mandalay Baseball subsidiary, and is responsible for managing several more.-Teams owned:-Teams managed:...
, which also owns or operates five other minor league baseball teams, and is part of the Mandalay Entertainment
Mandalay Entertainment
Mandalay Entertainment Group is a multimedia entertainment vehicle in motion pictures, television, sports entertainment and new media. It was formed in 1995...
conglomerate chaired by entertainment industry executive Peter Guber
Peter Guber
Howard Peter Guber is an American film producer and executive and Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment...
. On September 20, Mandalay entered into a formal agreement for the Redhawks to become the Astros' new AAA affiliate.
Notable former players
- Hank BlalockHank BlalockHank Joe Blalock is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.-High school:Blalock attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California...
, third-baseman/first-baseman - Francisco CorderoFrancisco CorderoFrancisco Javier Cordero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds...
, pitcher - Nelson Cruz, outfielder
- Doug DavisDoug DavisDouglas N. "Doug" Davis is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball...
, pitcher - R.A. Dickey, pitcher
- Justin DuchschererJustin DuchschererJustin Craig Duchscherer [DUKE-shur] is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early career:...
, pitcher - Scott FeldmanScott FeldmanScott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
, pitcher - Travis HafnerTravis HafnerTravis Lee Hafner is a left-handed hitting designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central Division. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times...
, first-baseman/designated hitter - Gabe KaplerGabe KaplerGabriel "Gabe" Stefan Kapler is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.He has played portions of 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Tampa Bay Rays...
, outfielder - Ian KinslerIan KinslerIan Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
, second-baseman - Mitch MorelandMitch MorelandMitchell Austin Moreland is a professional baseball first baseman and right fielder who plays for the Texas Rangers....
, first-baseman/outfielder - Jarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history...
, catcher - Justin SmoakJustin SmoakJustin Kyle Smoak is an American Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.-High school career:...
, first-baseman - Edinson VolquezEdinson VolquezEdinson Volquez [VOL-kez] , is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed....
, pitcher
Roster
See also
Current and former players (2009—)Former players (1998—2008)
Former players (1962—1997)
External links
- Oklahoma City RedHawks official site
- Justin Smoak named 2009 International Senior Athlete of the Year. Cassandra Sedgman, "Paul Hyham IBAF 2009 Umpire of the Year". Baseball Australia, 7 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-07. See: International Baseball Federation#Awards and Texas Rangers award winners and league leaders#Minor-league system.