Daytona Tortugas

Daytona Tortugas
Founded in 1993
Daytona Beach, Florida
Team logoCap insignia
Class-level
Current Class A-Advanced (1993–present)
Minor league affiliations
League Florida State League (1993–present)
Division North Division (2010–present)
Major league affiliations
Current Cincinnati Reds (2015–present)
Previous Chicago Cubs (1993–2014)
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1995
  • 2000
  • 2004*
  • 2008
  • 2011
  • 2013
Division titles (8)
  • 1995
  • 2000
  • 2004
  • 2008
  • 2011
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
*Co-champions Tampa Yankees
Team data
Previous names
 Daytona Cubs (1993–2014)
Ballpark Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark (1993–present)
Previous parks
 Melching Field at Conrad Park (2004)
(Interim home due to damage from Hurricane Charley)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
 Tortugas Baseball Club, LLC
Manager Eli Marrero
General Manager Josh Lawther

The Daytona Tortugas are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League (FSL). They are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. The team plays at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans. In 2015, the inaugural season of Tortugas baseball, Daytona finished with a 77-58 record and won the Florida State League North Division Championship with a two-game sweep of the Clearwater Threshers in the first round of the playoffs.

The club was previously known as the Daytona Cubs from 1993 to 2014 when the team was an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The team has won six Florida State League championships: in 1995, 2000, 2004 (co-champions with the Tampa Yankees), 2008, 2011 and 2013. Their sixth FSL Championship came over the Charlotte Stone Crabs, winning 3–1 in a best-of-five series.

History

Daytona Beach Admirals

The last Florida State League (FSL) baseball team to play in Daytona Beach, was known as the Daytona Beach Admirals, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. In September 1987, the White Sox decided to move their Class A affiliate to Sarasota. This left Daytona without a major league player development contract, resulting in the Admirals' owner selling the team to the New York Mets. The Mets moved the team to Port St. Lucie to become the St. Lucie Mets. Daytona did not have professional baseball for five years after the move.[1]

Chicago Cubs

Prior to 1993, the Chicago Cubs were affiliated with the Winston Salem Warthogs, a Class A team that played in the Carolina League. At the end of the 1992 season, the Cubs decided to move their Class A affiliate to Florida. The Florida State League originally assigned the transplanted Cubs team to play at Baseball City Stadium in Davenport. However, Jordan Kobritz, the new owner and general manager of the minor league franchise, wanted the team to play in Daytona Beach instead.[2] Negotiations to bring the Cubs to Daytona Beach went on for a couple of months and were completed just in time to start the new season.[3][4][5]

The Daytona Cubs opened their first season on the road, sweeping the Vero Beach Dodgers, two games to zero.[6][7] The home opener was scheduled for April 12.[8] Jackie Robinson Ballpark was sold out on opening night.[7] Chelsea Clinton, President Clinton's daughter, was invited to Daytona to throw the opening pitch.[9] The young Ms. Clinton could not attend due to a family medical emergency, and Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and FSL President Chuck Murphy threw the ceremonial opening pitches instead.[7] The Cubs' public address announcer led fans in singing "Go, Cubs, Go", although with slightly altered lyrics (substituting "Daytona" for "Chicago"). The Daytona Cubs won their home opener 5-2 against the Sarasota White Sox, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox who left Daytona Beach five years earlier.[7]

Cincinnati Reds

After the 2014 season, the Cubs ended their affiliation with Daytona, and signed a new contract with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League.[10][11] Daytona reached an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2014 season, and announced the team would be rebranded with a new name with a "local angle" in 2015.[12] They chose the name "Tortugas".[13]

On June 3, 2015, Big Game Florida, LLC, headed by Andy Rayburn, sold the team to Tortugas Baseball Club, LLC, headed by Reese Smith III. Smith plans to keep the team in Daytona.[14]

Season-by-season results

Division and League Champions
†		 Division Champions
‡		 Post-season Berth
*
Year Record[a] Win % League[b] Division[c] GB[d] Post-season
record[e] 		Post-season
win % 		Result
1993 57–76 .429 10th 5th 22½ — — —
1994 61–73 .455 11th 4th 14½ — — —
1995
† 		87–48 .644 1st 1st — 3–2 .600 Clinched Eastern Division title
Won FSL Championship vs Fort Myers Miracle, 3–2[15]
1996 71–66 .518 6th 2nd 2 — — —
1997 65–73 .471 10th 4th 6½ — — —
1998 67–73 .479 9th 3rd 13 — — —
1999 63–75 .457 11th 4th 10 — — —
2000
† 		76–63 .547 5th 2nd 5 5–0 1.000 Won Eastern Division title vs St. Lucie Mets, 2–0[15]
Won FSL Championship vs Dunedin Blue Jays, 3–0[15]
2001 68–68 .500 6th 4th 12½ — — —
2002 64–73 .467 8th 5th 16½ — — —
2003 66–71 .482 9th 4th 10 — — —
2004
† 		70–56 .556 4th 2nd 3 2–0 1.000 Won Eastern Division title vs Vero Beach Devil Rays, 2–0[15]
Declared Co-FSL Champions with Tampa Yankees[15]
2005 69–65 .515 5th 2nd 8½ — — —
2006 71–66 .518 5th 3rd 5 — — —
2007 57–80 .416 11th 6th 17½ — — —
2008
† 		73–59 .553 3rd 1st — 5–2 .714 Won Eastern Division title vs Palm Beach Cardinals, 2–1[15]
Won FSL Championship vs Fort Myers Miracle, 3–1[15]
2009 64–71 .474 9th 5th 19 — — —
2010 75–64 .540 4th 2nd 5 — — —
2011
† 		76–61 .555 — 1st — 5–1 .833 Won North Division title vs Dunedin Blue Jays, 2–1[15]
Won FSL Championship vs St. Lucie Mets, 3–0[15]
2012 59–74 .444 9th 6th 19 — — —
2013
† 		75–51 .595 1st 1st — 5–1 .833 Won North Division title vs Dunedin Blue Jays, 2–0[15]
Won FSL Championship vs Charlotte Stone Crabs, 3–1[15]
2014
‡		 67–69 .493 2nd 1st — 3–3 .500 Won North Division title vs Dunedin Blue Jays, 2–0[15]
Lost FSL Championship vs Fort Myers Miracle, 3–1[15]
2015
‡		 77–58 .570 2nd 1st — 3–3 .500 Won North Division title vs Clearwater Threshers, 2–0[15]
Lost FSL Championship vs Charlotte Stone Crabs, 3–1[15]
Totals 1,578 – 1,533 .507 — — — 31–12 .721 8 Division titles, 6 FSL Championships

Ballparks

Jackie Robinson Ballpark

Jackie Robinson Ballpark

The Daytona Tortugas' current, and only, ballpark is Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The venue has experienced several expansions and renovations since its completion in 1914, and currently seats 5,100 spectators.

Melching Field at Conrad Park

In 1999, Daytona Cubs' owner and General Manager Jordan Kobritz decided to move a home game to Melching Field at Conrad Park, located in nearby DeLand. This ballpark is the home of the Stetson University Hatters baseball team. Kobritz's goal was to generate some fan interest in the Cubs, in the western part of Volusia County, Florida. The game (vs. the St. Petersburg Devil Rays) was played on June 26, 1999.[16] In August 2004, the D-Cubs had to move several games to Melching Field, due to damage to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, caused by Hurricane Charley.[17][18] The Cubs paid another visit to Melching Field on June 20, 2007, when they played a double-header against the Palm Beach Cardinals. The game was moved this time to benefit a local charity in DeLand, as well as provide another opportunity to showcase the Daytona Cubs to fans in DeLand.[19]

Uniforms

Daytona Cubs uniforms during the 2010 season

The team's color scheme (as the Cubs) consisted of red, white, and blue, the same colors used by the Chicago Cubs. The uniforms of the Daytona Cubs are descendants of the Chicago Cubs uniforms. Jerseys and pants for home games are made of white fabric with blue pinstripes, while those for road games are made of gray fabric with blue pinstripes. On home jerseys, the Chicago Cubs logo is located on the left chest, and a Daytona Cubs logo is located on the left sleeve. On road jerseys, the word "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script, and a Daytona Cubs logo is present on the left shoulder. The player's number is written on the back in large blue characters surrounded by red. Blue T-shirts, of varying sleeve lengths, are worn underneath the jerseys.

The team's batting practice uniforms, which double as alternate uniforms, were made of light blue fabric with white pinstripes. "Daytona" is written across the chest in red script. There is a Daytona Cubs logo on the left shoulder. Numbers, in blue surrounded by red, are sewn on the back in block characters.

The official home and road caps were blue with either the Chicago Cubs or Daytona Cubs logo centered on the front. A blue belt was worn on all the different uniforms along with blue ankle-length socks.

Logo and mascot

A color photograph of a person wearing an anthropomorphized grizzly bear costume and dressed in a white pinstriped baseball uniform with a red, white, and blue patch on the chest reading, "CUBS"
Cubby, mascot of the Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs originally used a version of the Chicago Cubs emblem. In 1994, the Cubs hired Benedict Advertising, a local marketing firm, to develop a new logo. Benedict's design department created a bear cub wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap, which would reflect a laid back setting in Daytona Beach. The logo became the official patch used on Daytona Cubs uniforms and souvenirs.[20]

A mascot for games was developed from the logo: an anthropomorphic bear named Cubby, who first appeared on the field on May 27, 1994 (this day is marked as Cubby's "birthday"). He has brown fur and wears the same style of uniform as the team, but wearing his hat backwards. Cubby has been the team's mascot since 1994. When he is not attending games, Cubby acts as the team's Goodwill Ambassador, visiting local schools and charity events.[21]

Daytona Cubs fans have learned to not get attached to any particular players, since the reward for superior play is to be taken away from Daytona and sent up to a higher farm team. Cubby has been an adequate substitute to represent the team to the public.

Media

Radio

Since 2011, the Daytona Tortugas have enjoyed a radio partnership with "The Great Voice of Volusia County", AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB, to broadcast all the home and away games on the station. Tyler Murray, the Tortugas Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, provides the play-by-play coverage.[22]

Print

Local newspaper coverage of the team is provided by The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Memorable events and records

Home runs

Hitting for the cycle

Three Cubs players have hit for the cycle to date:

No-hitters

Roster

Daytona Tortugas roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 28 Tejay Antone
  • -- Nolan Becker
  • 14 Brennan Bernardino
  • -- Jonathon Crawford
  • 18 Jacob Ehret
  • 35 Ismael Guillon
  • 20 Jimmy Herget
  • 33 Nick Howard
  • -- Dan Langfield
  • 31 Tyler Mahle
  • 45 Keury Mella
  • 13 Evan Mitchell
  • 38 El'Hajj Muhammad
  • 17 Jake Paulson
  • 29 Alex Powers
  • -- Wyatt Strahan
  • 32 Seth Varner
  • 24 Greg Williams

Catchers

  • 30 Garrett Boulware
  •  4 Chad Tromp

Infielders

  • -- Ronald Bueno
  • 16 Blake Butler
  • 21 Angelo Gumbs
  • -- Gavin LaValley
  • 23 Avain Rachal
  • 23 Tanner Rahier
  • 25 Taylor Sparks
  •  7 Blake Trahan
  •  3 Ty Washington

Outfielders

  • 99 Aristides Aquino
  • 15 Jeff Gelalich
  • 12 Brian O'Grady
  • 10 Jimmy Pickens
  • 40 Jonathan Reynoso

Manager

Coaches


7-day disabled list
* On Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated May 3, 2016
Transactions
→ More MiLB rosters
→ Cincinnati Reds minor league players

Notable alumni

Florida State League

Some Daytona Cubs players have distinguished themselves in the Florida State League

  • Matt Craig, 2006 FSL All-Star First Baseman[27]
  • Jake Fox, 2006 FSL All-Star Catcher[27]
  • Sean Gallagher, 2006 FSL All-Star Pitcher[27]
  • Mitch Atkins, 2007 FSL All-Star pitcher[28]
  • Tyler Colvin, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder[28]
  • Chris Amador, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder[28]
  • Jesus Valdez, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder[28]
  • Matt Matulia, 2007 FSL All-Star outfielder[28]
  • Alex Maestri, 2008 FSL All-Star pitcher
  • Ryan Searle, 2009 FSL All-Star pitcher[29]
  • Starlin Castro, 2009 FSL All-Star infielder[29]
  • Aaron Shafer, 2010 FSL All-Star pitcher[30]
  • Brett Jackson, 2010 FSL All-Star outfielder[30]
  • Frank Batista, 2011 FSL All-Star pitcher [31]
  • Justin Bour, 2011 FSL All-Star first baseman[31]
  • Evan Crawford, 2011 FSL All-Star outfielder[31]
  • Aaron Kurcz, 2011 FSL All-Star pitcher[31]
  • Junior Lake, 2011 FSL All-Star shortstop[31]
  • Arismendy Alcantara, 2012 FSL All-Star infielder[32]
  • John Andreoli, 2012–2013 FSL All-Star outfielder[32]
  • Austin Kirk, 2012 FSL All-Star pitcher[32]
  • Matt Loosen, 2012 FSL All-Star pitcher[32]
  • Nelson Perez, 2012 FSL All-Star pitcher[32]
  • Greg Rohan, 2012 FSL All-Star infielder[32]
  • Matt Szczur, 2012 FSL All-Star outfielder[32]
  • Javier Baez, 2013 FSL All-Star infielder
  • Frank Del Valle, 2013 FSL All-Star pitcher
  • Dustin Geiger, 2013 FSL All-Star infielder
  • Jorge Soler, 2013 FSL All-Star outfielder

Major League players

Wall plaque inside Jackie Robinson Ballpark recognizing Daytona Cubs players who eventually rose to play in the major leagues

Many Daytona Cubs players have advanced to play in the major leagues; most of them with the Chicago Cubs, a few with other teams.

Managers

A man wearing a white baseball jersey with "Orioles" written across the chest in orange script and a black baseball cap with an orange oriole on the front
Dave Trembley, Cubs manager from 1995 to 1996 and 2001 to 2002

11 men have managed the Daytona Cubs baseball team since its inception in 1993. Four managers have guided the team to win the FSL Championship: Dave Trembley (1995), Richie Zisk (2000), Steve McFarland (2004), and Jody Davis (2008).[15] Trembley won 290 games from 1995 to 1996 and 2001 to 2002, placing him first on the all-time wins list for Cubs managers. Having managed the team for 545 games, he is also the longest-tenured manager in team history. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more is Steve McFarland (.556). Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more is .429 by the team's first manager, Bill Hays. Buddy Bailey managed his first Cubs game in 2006, was replaced as manager following the season but returned to Daytona in 2009. These records are correct as of the end of the 2013 season. Dave Keller is currently in his first season as manager of the Daytona Cubs.

# Manager Years Games Wins Losses Win % Post-season
Appearances 		Post-season
Wins 		Post-season
Loses 		Post-season
Win % 		Ref
1 Bill Hays 1993 133 57 76 .429 – – – – [33]
2 Ken Bolek 1994 134 61 73 .455 – – – – [34]
3 Dave Trembley 1995–1996 272 158 114 .581 1 3 2 .600 [35]
4 Steve Roadcap 1997–1998 278 132 146 .475 – – – – [36]
5 Nate Oliver 1999 138 63 75 .457 – – – – [37]
6 Richie Zisk 2000 139 76 63 .547 1 5 0 1.000 [38]
— Dave Trembley 2001–2002 273 132 141 .484 – – – – [35]
7 Rick Kranitz 2003 137 66 71 .482 – – – – [39]
8 Steve McFarland 2004 126 70 56 .556 1 2 0 1.000 [40]
— Richie Zisk 2005 134 69 65 .515 – – – – [38]
9 Don Buford 2006 70 35 35 .500 – – – – [41][42][43]
— Buddy Bailey 2009–2011 274 215 196 .523 1 5 1 .833 [44]
10 Brian Harper 2012 133 59 74 .444 - - - - [45]
11 Dave Keller 2013 126 75 51 .595 1 5 1 .833 [46]
12 Eli Marrero 2014 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 [47]
Totals 2,840 1,434 1,406 .505 6 25 6 .801 —

Photos

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Admirals are Leaving; Deal Struck With Mets". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Sep 3, 1987.
  2. ↑ "Report: Daytona Closer to getting baseball team". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Feb 2, 1993.
  3. ↑ "Baseball City may get Cubs". Lakeland Ledger. Feb 6, 1993.
  4. ↑ "DB & Cubs still under negotiation". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Feb 9, 1993.
  5. ↑ "Class A Cubs will leave Baseball City for Daytona". Lakeland Ledger. Feb 23, 1993.
  6. ↑ "Dickson, Cubs make FSL debuts". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Apr 8, 1993.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Opening night a big hit with area baseball fans". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Apr 13, 1993.
  8. ↑ "Pro Baseball Returns to Daytona Beach". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Apr 10, 1993.
  9. ↑ "Kobritz invites Chelsea to pitch". Bangor Daily News. Mar 10, 1993.
  10. ↑ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-daytona-cubs-affiliation-ends-20140916-story.html
  11. ↑ http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140917/SPORTS/140919525/1040/frontpage?Title=It-s-official-Cubs-say-goodbye-to-Daytona-for-Myrtle-Beach
  12. ↑ http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140918/SPORTS/140919397?Title=It-x2019-s-official-Cincinnati-Reds-are-Daytona-x2019-s-new-MLB-affiliate
  13. ↑ http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141204&content_id=103072556&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb
  14. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (June 4, 2015). "Reese Smith III Buys Daytona Tortugas". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Past Champions". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  16. ↑ "FSL Cubs Win 3–2 in Deland". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. June 27, 1999.
  17. ↑ "Daytona Cubs to Play in Deland". Our Sports Central. Aug 15, 2004.
  18. ↑ "Relocating, Relocating, Relocating". Our Sports Central. Aug 16, 2004.
  19. ↑ "Daytona Cubs to Play in Deland June 20". Our Sports Central. May 31, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Local Businesses Find Their Niche After Logo Makeover". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Aug 13, 1995.
  21. ↑ "FSL Cubs Meet Their Better Half". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. September 6, 1994.
  22. ↑ "Daytona Cubs and AM 1230 WSBB Announce Radio Partnership". MiLB.com. July 29, 2006.
  23. ↑ "Harvey hits FSL-record four homers". Special to MLB.com. July 29, 2006.
  24. ↑ Ingram, Derek (July 29, 2006). "Harvey Hits Four HR's, Breaks Record". scout.com. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  25. 1 2 "Pie Hits for Cycle, July 4 Show". Our Sports Central. Aug 13, 2004.
  26. ↑ "Jackson Hits for Cycle in Cubs Win". Our Sports Central. June 14, 2010.
  27. 1 2 3 "Cubs Stay Strong at Home" Oursportscentral.com Retrieved on April 1, 2011.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "Five Cubs Named to FSL All Star Team" Oursportscentral.com Retrieved on April 1, 2011.
  29. 1 2 "Division leaders pace FSL All-Star rosters" Minorleaguebaseball.com Retrieved on April 1, 2011.
  30. 1 2 "Overbeck's power tops FSL ASG rosters" Minorleaguebaseball.com Retrieved on April 1, 2011.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 "Five Cubs Named to FSL All-Star Team" milb.com Retrieved March 5, 2011
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2012 Cubs Minor League All-Stars" wiklifield.thecubsreporter.com Retrieved on March 5, 2011
  33. ↑ "Bill Hays." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Ken Bolek." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  35. 1 2 "David Trembley." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Steve Roadcap." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Nate Oliver." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  38. 1 2 "Richie Zisk." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Rick Kranitz." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Steve McFarland." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Don Buford." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  42. ↑ "Cubs announce Daytona Cubs coaching staff changes." Chicago Cubs. June 14, 2006. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  43. ↑ Baseball American 2007 Almanac. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, Inc, 2007: 302. ISBN 978-1-932391-13-8
  44. ↑ "Buddy Bailey." Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on March 29, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Brian Harper." MLB. Retrieved on September 10, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Dave Keller." Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved on September 10, 2013.
  47. ↑ MLB. Retrieved on December 1 10, 2014.

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