Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, formerly known as the Jacksonville Suns, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Two teams named the Suns have played in Jacksonville since 1962: a class Triple-A International League team from 1962 to 1968, and the current Double-A team from 1970 to 2016. From 1985 to 1990, the team was known as the Jacksonville Expos during their affiliation with the Montreal Expos. The team rebranded itself as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp before the 2017 season.
| Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Founded in 1962 Jacksonville, Florida | |||||
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
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| Class | Double-A (1970–present) | ||||
| Previous classes | Triple-A (1962–1968) | ||||
| League | Southern League (1970–present) | ||||
| Division | South | ||||
Previous leagues | International League (1962–1968) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Team | Florida/Miami Marlins (2009–present) | ||||
| Previous teams |
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| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (7) |
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| Division titles (14) |
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| First half titles (8) |
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| Second half titles (13) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Nickname | Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2017–present) | ||||
Previous names | Jacksonville Expos (1985–1990) Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968; 1970–1984; 1991–2016) | ||||
| Ballpark | Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (2003–present) | ||||
Previous parks | Sam W. Wolfson Baseball Park (1962–1968, 1970–2002) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Ken Babby | ||||
| Manager | Kevin Randel | ||||
| General Manager | Harold Craw | ||||
The modern Jacksonville club has played in the Southern League longer than any other team.[1] The Suns won the International League title in 1968 and the Southern League championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2014. They play at the 121 Financial Park, an 11,000-person capacity, $34 million park that opened in 2003. Since moving to the facility, the Suns were a top selling franchise in the Southern League.[1]
In 2016, Forbes listed the Jumbo Shrimp as the 28th-most valuable Minor League Baseball team with a value of $27.5 million.[2]
History
Jacksonville has had minor league baseball nearly every year since the early 20th century. From 1904 to 1961 the city was home to minor league teams such as the Jacksonville Jays, the Jacksonville Tars, and the Jacksonville Braves, as well as the Jacksonville Red Caps of the Negro Leagues. The former three teams all played in the South Atlantic League (the "Sally League"), which became the modern Southern League in 1964.[1]
Jacksonville Suns (1962–2016)
The first team known as the Jacksonville Suns began play in the Triple-A International League in 1962. The team had been founded in Havana, Cuba, where they were known as the Havana Sugar Kings. Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959 the team relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey, but soon folded; the franchise was bought by the Cleveland Indians, who moved it to Jacksonville as the Jacksonville Suns in 1962.[3] The president was local baseball fixture Sam W. Wolfson, previously the owner of the Jacksonville Braves; the Suns replaced the Jacksonville Jets Sally League club. During this period a number of later Major League stars played for the Suns, including Tommy John, Nolan Ryan, and Tom Seaver, and the team won the International League championship in 1968. Following that season the team's parent club, the New York Mets, decided to relocate the team to Virginia, where they became the Norfolk Tides.[4]
Jacksonville was without baseball in 1969, but in 1970 a new Suns team began play in the Double-A Southern League. The team was affiliated with both the Montreal Expos and the Milwaukee Brewers in its inaugural season, with the Cleveland Indians in 1971, and then with the Kansas City Royals from 1972–1984. Affiliation switched back to the Expos from 1985–1990, during which period the team was known as the Jacksonville Expos. Since then it has been affiliated with the Seattle Mariners (1991–1994), the Detroit Tigers (1995–2000), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2001–2008), and most recently the Miami Marlins (2009–present).[5] The Suns have appeared in the Southern League playoffs 15 times, and won the championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2014. After winning the championship in 2009 and defending it in 2010, the Jacksonville Suns became the third team in Southern League history to successfully defend a championship. Coincidentally, both previous teams to defend their championship were based in Montgomery: the Montgomery Rebels who successfully defended their title between 1972-1973 and 1975-1977; and the Montgomery Biscuits who defended their title between 2006-2007.[6]
In 1998 with the Suns, Gabe Kapler won the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award, after leading the league with 28 home runs, and also leading the league in hits (176), runs (113), doubles (47; breaking the old doubles record of 44), RBIs (146; most in the minors in 1998 and most ever in the Southern League), extra-base hits (81; a league record), total bases (319; a league record), and sacrifice flies (11).[7][8]
In 2014, the Suns finished the regular season on a ten-game winning streak, edging out the Mississippi Braves by one game to win the second half South Division title outright. Including the playoffs, the 2014 Suns won 16 of their final 17 games on the year en route to the franchise's sixth Southern League title. The Suns have played in the Southern League longer than any other team, and their 41-year period in Jacksonville has become the longest continuous association between any city and a class Double-A team.[1][4]
The Suns played at Wolfson Park from 1962 until it was demolished in 2002. Since 2003 they have played at Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, an 11,000 seat, $34 million field created as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. Since moving to the Baseball Grounds the Suns have consistently led the Southern League in attendance, drawing over one million fans in their first four years.[4] The Suns' success has led to speculation that the team may move to class Triple A in the future.[1] For a time, the Suns used the advertising slogan "Baseball's never been hotter with the Jacksonville Suns!".
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2016–present)
In November 2016 the Jacksonville Suns were renamed the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.[9] Currently, the franchise uses the advertising slogan "Shrimply the best!".
Television
All Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games are televised live on MiLB.TV. The play-by-play broadcaster is Roger Hoover.
Notable former players and coaches
- Christian Yelich, outfielder
- Mike Cuellar, pitcher
- Vic Davalillo, outfielder
- Gary Gentry, pitcher
- Bud Harrelson, infielder
- Brandon Hyde, manager
- Brandon Inge, third baseman
- Randy Johnson, pitcher
- Gabe Kapler (born 1975), major league baseball outfielder and manager
- Clayton Kershaw, pitcher
- Jerry Koosman, pitcher
- Coco Laboy, infielder
- James Loney, first base
- Amos Otis, outfielder
- Alex Rodriguez, shortstop
- Grover Resinger, manager
- Bobby Tolan, outfielder
- Russell Martin, catcher
- Ed Spiezio, infielder
- Giancarlo Stanton, outfielder
- Nolan Ryan, pitcher
- Tug McGraw, pitcher
- Tom Seaver, pitcher
- Larry Walker, right fielder, and first Canadian to win the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) of MLB[10][11]
- U. L. Washington, infielder
- Frank White, infielder
- Steve Yeager, hitting coach
Roster
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Season-by-season record
| Year | Regular Season | Post-season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Win % | Finish* | Record | Win % | Result | ||||
| Jacksonville Suns (International League) (1962–1968) | |||||||||
| 1962 | 94–60 | .610 | 1st | 7–7 | .500 | Lost in Governors' Cup Finals vs Atlanta Crackers, 3–4 Won First Round vs Rochester Red Wings, 4–3 Won International League Pennant | |||
| 1963 | 56–91 | .381 | 10th | — | — | ||||
| 1964 | 89–62 | .589 | 1st | 0–4 | .000 | Lost in First Round vs Rochester Red Wings, 0–4 Won International League Pennant | |||
| 1965 | 71–76 | .483 | 6th | — | — | ||||
| 1966 | 68–79 | .463 | 7th | — | — | ||||
| 1967 | 66–73 | .475 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 1968 | 75–71 | .514 | 4th | 7–1 | .875 | Won Governors' Cup Finals vs Columbus Jets, 4–0 Won First Round vs Toledo Mud Hens, 3–1 | |||
| Totals | 518-512 | .503 | — | 14-12 | .538 | 1 League Championship & 2 League Pennants | |||
| Note: * Finish denotes their position in the overall league standings. | |||||||||
| Year | Regular Season | Post-season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Win % | Finish* | Record | Win % | Result | ||||
| Jacksonville Suns (Southern League) (1970–1984) | |||||||||
| 1970 | 67–70 | .489 | 5th | — | — | no playoffs held | |||
| 1971 | 63-77 | .450 | ??? | — | — | ||||
| 1972 | 64–75 | .460 | 6th | — | — | ||||
| 1973 | 76–60 | .559 | 2nd | 1–3 | .250 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Montgomery Rebels, 1–3 Won East Division | |||
| 1974 | 78–60 | .565 | 1st | 2–3 | .200 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Knoxville Sox, 2–3 Won East Division | |||
| 1975 | 59–79 | .428 | 8th | — | — | ||||
| 1976 | 66–72 | .478 | ??? | — | — | ||||
| 1977 | 72–66 | .522 | 4th | 2-3 | .200 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Montgomery Rebels, 0-2 Won East Division Championship Series vs Savannah Braves, 2-1 Won East Division Second Half | |||
| 1978 | 73–69 | .514 | 3rd | — | — | ||||
| 1979 | 69–72 | .489 | 6th | — | — | ||||
| 1980 | 63–81 | .438 | 8th | — | — | ||||
| 1981 | 65–77 | .458 | 8th | — | — | ||||
| 1982 | 83–61 | .576 | 1st | 4–4 | .500 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Nashville Sounds, 1–3 Won East Division Championship Series vs Columbus Astros, 3–1 Won East Division First Half & Second Half | |||
| 1983 | 77–68 | .531 | 4th | 4-4 | .500 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Birmingham Barons, 1-3 Won East Division Championship Series vs Savannah Braves, 3-1 Won East Division Second Half | |||
| 1984 | 76–69 | .524 | 3rd | — | — | ||||
| Jacksonville Expos (Southern League) (1985–1990) | |||||||||
| 1985 | 73-70 | .510 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 1986 | 75-68 | .524 | 2nd | 1-3 | .250 | Lost East Division Championship Series vs Columbus Astros, 1-3 Won East Division First Half | |||
| 1987 | 85-59 | .590 | 1st | — | — | ||||
| 1988 | 69-73 | .486 | 5th | 2-3 | .400 | Lost East Division Championship Series vs Greenville Braves, 2-3 East Division Wild-Card | |||
| 1989 | 68-76 | .472 | 7th | — | — | ||||
| 1990 | 84-60 | .583 | 2nd | 1-3 | .250 | Lost East Division Championship Series vs Orlando Sun Rays, 1-3 Won East Division Second Half | |||
| Jacksonville Suns (Southern League) (1991–present) | |||||||||
| 1991 | 74-69 | .517 | 4th | — | — | ||||
| 1992 | 68-75 | .476 | 7th | — | — | ||||
| 1993 | 59-81 | .421 | 10th | — | — | ||||
| 1994 | 60-77 | .438 | 9th | — | — | ||||
| 1995 | 75-69 | .521 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 1996 | 75-63 | .543 | 3rd | 6-2 | .750 | Won Southern League Championship vs Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–1 Won East Division Championship Series vs Carolina Mudcats, 3-1 Won East Division First Half & Second Half | |||
| 1997 | 66-73 | .475 | 8th | — | — | ||||
| 1998 | 86-54 | .614 | 1st | 4-3 | .571 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Mobile BayBears, 1-3 Won East Division Championship Series vs Knoxville Smokies, 3-0 Won East Division First Half | |||
| 1999 | 75-66 | .532 | 3rd | — | — | ||||
| 2000 | 69-71 | .493 | 5th | 5-5 | .500 | Lost in Championship Series vs West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, 2–3 Won East Division Championship Series vs Greenville Braves, 3-2 Won East Division Second Half | |||
| 2001 | 83-56 | .597 | 1st | 3-2 | .600 | Southern League Co-Champions with Huntsville Stars (1) Won East Division Championship Series vs Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-2 Won East Division First Half & Second Half | |||
| 2002 | 77-62 | .554 | 2nd | 3-5 | .375 | Lost Southern League Championship vs Birmingham Barons, 0-3 Won East Division Championship Series vs Carolina Mudcats, 3-2 Won East Division First Half | |||
| 2003 | 66-73 | .475 | 6th | — | — | ||||
| 2004 | 66–71 | .482 | 7th | — | — | ||||
| 2005 | 79–61 | .564 | 4th | 6–1 | .857 | Won Southern League Championship vs West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, 3–1 Won South Division Championship Series vs Birmingham Barons, 3–0 Won South Division First Half | |||
| 2006 | 86–54 | .614 | 1st | 0–3 | .000 | Lost South Division Championship Series vs Montgomery Biscuits, 0–3 Won South Division First Half | |||
| 2007 | 80–60 | .571 | 2nd | — | — | ||||
| 2008 | 68–72 | .486 | 7th | — | — | ||||
| 2009 | 82–58 | .586 | 2nd | 6–1 | .857 | Won Southern League Championship vs Tennessee Smokies, 3–1 Won South Division Championship Series vs Birmingham Barons, 3–0 Won South Division Second Half | |||
| 2010 | 81–59 | .579 | 2nd | 6–2 | .750 | Won Southern League Championship vs Tennessee Smokies, 3–1 Won South Division Championship Series vs Mobile BayBears, 3–1 Won South Division First Half & Second Half | |||
| 2011 | 70–70 | .500 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 2012 | 70–70 | .500 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 2013 | 73–63 | .537 | 5th | — | — | ||||
| 2014 | 81–59 | .579 | 2nd | 6—1 | .857 | Won Southern League Championship vs Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-0 Won South Division Championship Series vs Mobile BayBears, 3-1 Won South Division Second Half | |||
| 2015 | 57–81 | .413 | 9th | — | — | ||||
| 2016 | 63–76 | .453 | 8th | — | — | ||||
| Totals | 3335-3124 | .516 | — | 61-48 | .560 | 6 League Championships 14 Division Championships 19 Half Seasons Won 18 Post-Season Appearances | |||
| Note: * Finish denotes their position in the overall league standings. ? denotes missing information. | |||||||||
See also
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players (from 2017)
- Jacksonville Suns players (1962–1968, 1970–1984, 1991–2016)
- Jacksonville Expos players (1985–1990)
References
- Pahigian, Josh (2007). The Ultimate Minor League Baseball Road Trip: A Fan's Guide to AAA, AA, A, and Independent League Stadiums. Globe Pequot. p. 201. ISBN 1-59921-024-X. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- Klebnikov, Sergei (July 8, 2016). "Minor League Baseball's Most Valuable Teams – 28. Jacksonville Suns". Forbes. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
- Benson, Michael (1989). Ballparks of North America. McFarland. p. 187. ISBN 0-89950-367-5.
- "Jacksonville Baseball History". jaxsuns.com. 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- "Jacksonville Suns". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- Southern League Past Champions | Southern League Content
- "1998 Southern League - Season Review". www.thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- "Gabe Kapler Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- Frenette, Gene (2016-11-01). "Jacksonville Suns changing name to Jumbo Shrimp". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
- Montville, Leigh (April 5, 1993). "The accidental ballplayer: Larry Walker always dreamed of playing in Montreal—for a hockey team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- Smith, Claire (November 14, 1997). "Walker is first Canadian M.V.P." The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
External links
- Jacksonsville Jumbo Shrimp (official website)
