Trenton Thunder

The Trenton Thunder is an American Minor League Baseball team based in Trenton, New Jersey, that is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. The Thunder's home stadium is Arm & Hammer Park.

Trenton Thunder Founded in 1980 Trenton, New Jersey
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class	Double-A (1980-Present)
League	Eastern League (1980-Present)
Division	Eastern Division
Major league affiliations
Team	New York Yankees (2003–present)
Previous teams	Boston Red Sox (1995–2002) Detroit Tigers (1986–1994) Chicago White Sox (1980–1985)
Minor league titles
League titles (4)	2007 2008 2013 2019
Division titles (12)	1995 1996 1999 2006 2007 2008 2010 2012 2016 2017 2018 2019
Team data
Nickname	Trenton Thunder (1994–present) London Tigers (1989–1993) Glens Falls Tigers (1986–1988) Glens Falls White Sox (1980–1985)
Colors	Navy blue, gold, white, blue, silver
Mascots	Boomer and Cloudman
Ballpark	Arm & Hammer Park (1994-Present)
Previous parks	Labatt Memorial Park (1989–1993, in London, Ontario) East Field (1980–1988, in Glens Falls, New York)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Garden State Baseball, LP Joseph Plumeri, Joseph Finley, Joseph Caruso
Manager	Pat Osborn
General Manager	Jeff Hurley

History

The Trenton Thunder were founded in 1980 in Glens Falls, New York, as the Glens Falls White Sox. The team was affiliated with the Chicago White Sox from 1980–1984. The Detroit Tigers replaced the White Sox in 1985 with the team being renamed as the Glens Falls Tigers, and stayed on as a Tigers affiliate after the franchise moved to London, Ontario, in 1989, becoming the London Tigers and began playing at historic Labatt Park.

In 1994, the London Tigers relocated to Trenton and became the Trenton Thunder. The team kept the Tigers affiliation for that season only, before switching affiliations to the Boston Red Sox in 1995. As a Red Sox affiliate, the club recorded three first-place finishes, but was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round each time. In 2003, the Thunder became the Yankees affiliate, and the Portland Sea Dogs became the new Red Sox affiliate. The switch reflected both teams' fanbases, as Central New Jersey is home to many Yankees fans, while Maine is home to many Red Sox fans.

On June 4, 1994, Phil Stidham became the first Thunder alumnus to play in the major leagues, for the Detroit Tigers, giving up six runs on six hits, including two home runs, as part of a 21-7 romp by the Minnesota Twins.[1]

In 2006, the Thunder became the first team in Minor League Baseball history to draw over 400,000 fans for 12 consecutive seasons, at the Double-A level or below. Through 13 seasons, over 5.4 million people had attended a Thunder game.[2]

Surpassing the previous mark of 8,729, set while Derek Jeter was on a rehab stint with the team, the Thunder set a new single-game attendance record on May 23, 2007, when 9,134 fans attended, to watch Roger Clemens make his second minor-league start, as he worked toward a return to the Yankees. On Sunday, July 3, 2011, a paid attendance of 9,212 set a new record, as Derek Jeter returned once again, for a rehab start.

On September 15, 2007, the Thunder defeated the Akron Aeros to win their first Eastern League Championship Series in team history. Trenton defended its league title with 5-1 win over the Akron Aeros on September 14, 2008. The Thunder lost to the Altoona Curve in the 2010 Eastern League Championship Series.

In 2013, the Minor League Baseball website named the Trenton Thunder the Minor League team of the year. Trenton also took home two other awards which included "Promo of the Year" for the Retirement Party for team bat dog Chase That Golden Thunder. The 13-year-old Golden Retriever retired this year and in his final game the team included a bobble head give away in honor of the long time mascot. The third award was for "Mascot of the Year" which included an online four minute which garnered the most hits of any other team's mascot video.[3]

Retired numbers

• 2: David Eckstein
• 5: Nomar Garciaparra
• 33: Tony Clark
• 42: Jackie Robinson

Season records

Season	Affiliation	Manager	Record
1994	Tigers	Tom Runnells	55-85, 5th place South
1995	Red Sox	Ken Macha	73-69, 1st place South (tie)
1996	Red Sox	Ken Macha	86-56, 1st place South
1997	Red Sox	DeMarlo Hale	71-70, 4th place South
1998	Red Sox	DeMarlo Hale	71-70, 3rd place South
1999	Red Sox	DeMarlo Hale	92-50, 1st place North
2000	Red Sox	Billy Gardner, Jr.	67-75, 5th place North
2001	Red Sox	Billy Gardner, Jr.	67-75, 5th place North
2002	Red Sox	Ron Johnson	63-77, 5th place North (tie)
2003	Yankees	Stump Merrill	70-71, 4th place North
2004	Yankees	Stump Merrill	64-78, 6th place North
2005	Yankees	Bill Masse	74-68, 2nd place North
2006	Yankees	Bill Masse	80-62, 1st place North
2007	Yankees	Tony Franklin	83-59, 1st place North
2008	Yankees	Tony Franklin	86-54, 1st place North
2009	Yankees	Tony Franklin	69-72, 3rd place North
2010	Yankees	Tony Franklin	83-59, 1st place East
2011	Yankees	Tony Franklin	68-73, 4th place East
2012	Yankees	Tony Franklin	79-63, 1st place East
2013	Yankees	Tony Franklin	74-67, 2nd place East
2014	Yankees	Tony Franklin	67-75, 4th place East
2015	Yankees	Al Pedrique	71-71, 3rd place East
2016	Yankees	Bobby Mitchell	87-55, 2nd place East
2017	Yankees	Bobby Mitchell	92-48, 1st place East
2018	Yankees	Jay Bell	79-61, 1st place East
2019	Yankees	Patrick Osborn	76-62, 2nd place East

Playoff appearances

• 1995 season: Lost to Reading, 3-0 in semifinals
• 1996 season: Lost to Harrisburg, 3-1 in semifinals
• 1999 season: Lost to Norwich, 3-2 in semifinals
• 2005 season: Lost to Portland, 3-2 in semifinals
• 2006 season: Lost to Portland 3-1 in semifinals
• 2007 season: Defeated Portland 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Akron 3-1 in championship series.
• 2008 season: Defeated Portland 3-0 in semifinals; defeated Akron 3-1 in championship series.
• 2010 season: Defeated New Hampshire 3-0 in semifinals; lost to Altoona 3-1 in championship series.
• 2012 season: Defeated Reading 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Akron 3-1 in championship series.
• 2013 season: Defeated Binghamton 3-0 in semifinals; defeated Harrisburg 3-0 in championship series.
• 2016 season: Defeated Reading 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Akron 3-0 in championship series.
• 2017 season: Defeated Binghamton 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Altoona 3-0 in championship series.
• 2018 season: Lost to New Hampshire, 3-0 in semifinals
• 2019 season: Defeated Reading 3-0 in semifinals; defeated Bowie in the championship series 3-1.

Arm & Hammer Park

Waterfront Park

Main article: Arm & Hammer Park

• Former name (until 2012): Mercer County Waterfront Park
• Address: One Thunder Road, Trenton, NJ 08611
• Opened: May 9, 1994
• Seating capacity: 6,440
• Dimensions: LF – 330 ft, CF – 407 ft, RF – 330 ft

Mascots

Boomer

The Thunder's mascot is a blue "Thunderbird" named Boomer. He wears a Thunder uniform as well as purple and yellow shades. Boomer traditionally takes part in many of the promotions and activities throughout Thunder home games, such as a race around the bases against a young fan. Boomer's likeness has appeared on numerous pieces of merchandise, and he is involved with several programs assisting children in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Cloudman

Cloudman is the Thunder's newest mascot, debuting during the 2015 season. He is a fearless caped crusader who serves the greater good in our community. The Cloudman's Hometown Heroes program debuted in 2015. Fans have the opportunity to nominate local heroes in their community to be honored in the middle of the seventh inning of every home game. Current and former armed forces members, first-responders and individuals who do good in the community are often nominated. Cloudman can be seen all over Arm & Hammer Park during a Thunder game, usually in tandem with Boomer, the Thunder's original mascot. Together Cloudman and Boomer take part in such in-game activities as shooting T-shirts off into the crowd, racing a youngster around the bases for a prize, and competing against one another to pick the loudest section in the stadium on a given night.

Chase, Derby and Rookie

Chase "That Golden Thunder" was a Golden Retriever who was part of the Thunder family from late in the 2002 season until his death in 2013. He often served as "batdog" during the first inning at most Thunder home games, retrieving bats and balls and returning them to the Thunder dugout. Contrary to popular belief, his teeth did not leave marks in the equipment, as Retrievers are trained to carry birds without puncturing them; however, he did have a golden tooth, due to his bat carrying duties. Later in the game, Chase usually caught frisbees to win a cash prize for a lucky fan. Chase had garnered significant media attention, appearing on FOX, CNN, YES Network, UPN9, WNBC4, and even Japanese television. In 2008, Chase sired a litter of pups. One of the pups was trained to be his successor and was named Home Run Derby (or Derby for short) in a fan poll during the offseason. Another of the pups from that litter was named Ollie, and served as a batdog for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats until September, 2016. Chase died July 8, 2013, aged 13. He was diagnosed with cancer in February and had been suffering from arthritis.[4]

One of Derby's pups, Rookie, has been trained to keep the family business intact as a third-generation "batdog".[5] In 2017, Rookie and Derby shared "batdog" duties with Rookie retrieving bats in the first inning and Derby retrieving in the second inning during every game. On January 8, 2018, Derby died from cancer. Rookie became the Thunder's batdog beginning with the 2018 season.[6]

Ownership

Joe Plumeri, Trenton-born and Vice Chairman of the First Data Board of Directors, Joseph Finley and Joseph Caruso are the owners of the Trenton Thunder. Together, they make up Garden State Baseball, LP. Both Plumeri and Finley also owned the Lakewood BlueClaws as American Baseball Company, LLC until July 2017.[7] Finley also is part owner of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.[8][9] The team plays at Arm & Hammer Park, a 6,341-seat stadium.

Roster

Trenton Thunder roster

Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 64 Daniel Alvarez  8 Braden Bristo 14 Will Carter  9 Trevor Lane 26 James Reeves 21 Clarke Schmidt 61 Shawn Semple -- Trevor Stephan -- Brian Trieglaff 22 Greg Weissert -- Garrett Whitlock		Catchers Infielders  4 Angel Aguilar 67 Max Burt 34 Chris Gittens  6 Kyle Holder 12 Hoy Jun Park  3 Brandon Wagner -- Russell Wilson ‡ Outfielders 24 Isiah Gilliam 16 Ben Ruta 15 Zack Zehner		Manager -- Julio Mosquera Coaches -- Caonabo Cosme (defense) -- Jose Javier (defense) -- Ken Joyce (pitching) -- Travis Phelps (pitching) 7-day injured list * On New York Yankees 40-man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated February 8, 2020 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • Eastern League → New York Yankees minor league players

References

1. "Phil Stidham 1994 Pitching Gamelogs – Baseball-Reference PI".
2. "Trenton Thunder". MiLB.com.
3. "Trenton Thunder, Double A-Affiliate of the New York Yankees, Named Minor League Team of the Year".
4. Famous minor league bat-dog dies, USA Today, July 9, 2013
5. "E:60 - The Family Business - ESPN Video".
6. LoGiudice, Daniel. "Trenton Thunder bat dog, Rookie, shines as late father, Derby, is honored". app. Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
7. "Shore Town Baseball Acquires Lakewood BlueClaws". MiLB.com.
8. Patrick Mcgeehan (December 17, 2000). "Private Sector–A Wall St. Son at Nasdaq's Table". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
9. Tom McCarthy (2003). Baseball in Trenton. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-1310-5. Retrieved July 15, 2010.

External links

• Official website
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference