Mobile BayBears

Mobile BayBears
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesDouble-A (1997–2019)
Previous leagues
Southern League (1997–2019)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1998
  • 2004*
  • 2011
  • 2012
Division titles (3)
  • 1998
  • 2004
  • 2011
*Co-champions
Team data
Previous names
Mobile BayBears (1997–2019)
ColorsNavy, light blue, ecru, white
       
MascotTeddy (2001–2019)
Bay B. Bear (1997–2019)
BayBear (1997–2004)
Kookie (2001–2019)
Previous parks
Hank Aaron Stadium (1997–2019)
"Teddy", mascot of the BayBears

The Mobile BayBears were a Minor League Baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which played in the Southern League, served as the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres (1997–2006), Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2016), and Los Angeles Angels (2017–2019). The BayBears played in Hank Aaron Stadium, which opened in 1997 and is named after baseball's former all-time home run king and Mobile native Hank Aaron.

In 2020, the BayBears relocated to Madison, Alabama, where they are now called the Rocket City Trash Pandas.[1]

History

The BayBears franchise originated in 1976 in Charlotte, North Carolina, first as the Charlotte Orioles and then as the first incarnation of the Charlotte Knights. When Charlotte moved up to become a Triple-A franchise in 1993, the team found a temporary home in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Nashville Xpress from 1993 to 1994. It existed as the Port City Roosters in Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1995 to 1996. The franchise landed in Mobile in 1997.

The team's name was announced in July 1996, having been selected in a name-the-team contest.[2] Mobile mayor Mike Dow announced the name at that year's Mobile Fourth of July fireworks display.[3] In September 1996, the BayBears signed an affiliation agreement with the San Diego Padres.[4]

In November 2017, BayBears owners Michael Savit and HWS Group, closed on the sale of the team to BallCorps LLC.[5] The team continued to play in Mobile through the 2019 season, but relocated to Madison, Alabama, in 2020, where they were planned to play in a newly-built ballpark.[6][7] Upon relocation, the team was renamed the Rocket City Trash Pandas.[1] The name is a reference to both the area's association with the space industry and the determination and ingenuity of raccoons.[1]

The BayBears played their final game on September 2, 2019.[8] They were defeated by the Tennessee Smokies, 5–4, before a crowd of 1,554 people.[9]

BayBears Hall of Fame

Other notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c Ary, Patrick (September 5, 2018). "Rocket City Trash Pandas chosen as new Madison baseball team's name". WHNT-TV. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Baseball Notes". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. July 6, 1996. p. 2C. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  3. ^ "Baseball". The Tuscaloosa News. July 5, 1996. p. 3C. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  4. ^ "New Mobile team links with Padres". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. September 20, 1996. p. 2C. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  5. ^ Stephenson, Creg (November 9, 2017). "Mobile BayBears confirm sale, will play 2018 season at Hank Aaron Stadium". AL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  6. ^ Reichard, Kevin (January 30, 2018). "New Madison Ballpark Approved; 2020 Opening Planned". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  7. ^ "MiLB Approves Mobile BayBears Move to Madison". Ballpark Digest. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  8. ^ Gattis, Paul (September 3, 2019). "BayBears bid farewell to Mobile to become Rocket City Trash Pandas". AL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  9. ^ "Smokies vs. BayBears Box Score | 09/02/19". MiLB.com. September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.