Wilmington Blue Rocks
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The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.
- Founded: 1993 (Carolina League)
- All-time Record: 943-728 (.564 winning percentage)
- Home ballpark: Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium
- Uniform colors: Royal blue, yellow, red, and white
- Logo design: Entwined "BR" in blue or red
- Mills Cup Championships won (4): 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999
- North Division titles won (8): 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004
- Playoff appearances (10): 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Franchise history
The modern Blue Rocks were founded in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were purchased and relocated to the riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Carolina League, an advanced Single-A league in minor league baseball.
From 1993 to 2004, the Blue Rocks were an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Starting with the 2005 baseball season, the team started an affiliation with the Boston Red Sox.
Among the 75 Blue Rocks that have gone on to the major leagues, the standouts include Carlos Beltrán, Johnny Damon, Jon Lieber, Mike Sweeney, and Angel Berroa.
Before the modern Blue Rocks, there was a Wilmington Blue Rocks team that played in minor league baseball in the 1940s & 1950s. Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts played for the Blue Rocks while a minor leaguer in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
The Blue Rocks play at Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in Wilmington's growing Riverfront district and was instrumental in bringing commerce and public attention to the once ignored and dilapidated area of the city. The Riverfront now is growing with outlet shops, restaurants, corporate buildings, condos, and a proposed casino.
In 2005, the Blue Rocks were featured in Sportscenter's 50 States in 50 Days. Matt Winer reported from a set in left field where Sportscenter did stories on the many mascots of the Blue Rocks. The August 19th game featuring Sportscenter drew the Blue Rocks largest crowd of the year.
The Blue Rocks have three mascots. One is Rocky Bluewinkle, a blue moose. Another is Mr. Celery, a stalk of celery that comes out to "CEL"-a-brate when Wilmington scores a run. Finally, there is Rubble, a giant blue rock.
Players of note
- Robin Roberts (original franchise)
Not to be forgotten
- Angel Berroa
- Carlos Beltran
- Johnny Damon
- Raul Gonzalez
- Zack Greinke
- Runelvys Hernandez
- Jon Lieber
- Glendon Rusch
- Curt Simmons (original franchise)
- Mike Sweeney
- Michael Tucker
Retired numbers
- 33 Mike Sweeney
- 36 Robin Roberts
- 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)
Retired numbers
(due to affiliation with Boston)
External link
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|---|---|---|
| Frederick Keys | Lynchburg Hillcats | Potomac Nationals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Kinston Indians | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Salem Avalanche | Winston-Salem Warthogs | |
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