Clearwater Threshers

The Clearwater Threshers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Clearwater, Florida, and have played their home games at BayCare Ballpark since 2004. They previously played at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium from 1985 to 2003.

Clearwater Threshers
Founded in 1985 Clearwater, Florida
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class	Single-A (2022–present)
Previous classes	Low-A (2021) Class A-Advanced (1990–2020) Class A (1985–1989)
League	Florida State League (2022–present)
Division	West Division
Previous leagues	Low-A Southeast (2021) Florida State League (1985–2020)
Major league affiliations
Team	Philadelphia Phillies (1985–present)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)	1993 2007
Division titles (4)	1991 1996 2007 2023
First-half titles (1)	2023
Team data
Name	Clearwater Threshers (2004–present)
Previous names	Clearwater Phillies (1985–2003)
Mascot	Phinley
Ballpark	BayCare Ballpark (2004–present)
Previous parks	Jack Russell Memorial Stadium (1985–2003)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Philadelphia Phillies
General manager	Jason Adams^[1]
Manager	Marty Malloy

The team began play in 1985 as the Clearwater Phillies and were named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. Clearwater became the Threshers in 2004 when the team moved to the new Spectrum Field.

Clearwater Phillies

Clearwater city officials approached the Philadelphia Phillies as early as 1981 about locating a Phillies minor league affiliate at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater. In July 1982, in a visit to Philadelphia, Clearwater city officials and the president of the Florida State League again asked the Philadelphia Phillies about affiliating with a team to be based in Clearwater. The Amateur Softball Association Clearwater Bombers had long used Jack Russell Stadium during the summer months when the field would be reconfigured for softball. The placement of a minor league baseball team would mean the relocation of the Bombers.^[2]

The Florida State League granted the city of Clearwater a franchise on September 26, 1984.^[3] The Clearwater Phillies began play in 1985 after the Philadelphia Phillies ended their affiliation with their High Class A minor league team, the Carolina League Peninsula Pilots, based in Hampton, Virginia, and placed their new team at Jack Russell Stadium. The Philadelphia Phillies owned the franchise and named the club the Clearwater Phillies. The Clearwater Phillies played their first game on April 12, 1985, at home, against the Tampa Tarpons.^[4]

The club played as the Clearwater Phillies through the 2003 season. The Phillies planned to leave Jack Russell Memorial Stadium after the 2003 season to move into a new ballpark, Baycare Ballpark, adjacent to the Carpenter Complex, the Phillies' minor league training facility. With the move to the new ballpark, the Clearwater Phillies were renamed the "Threshers" and adopted a new team logo and colors.

Threshers and Spectrum Field

In 2004, the Clearwater Threshers were managed by former Phillies player and Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt. Greg Legg managed the team in 2005 and 2006. Dave Huppert was the manager in 2007, and Razor Shines in 2008. Ernie Whitt was named the manager for the 2009 season after Shines was promoted to base coach for the New York Mets.

In 2007, the Threshers won the second half in the FSL West Division. They defeated the Sarasota Reds (2–1) in the FSL West Division Playoffs, then defeated the Brevard County Manatees 3 games to 1 in the FSL Championship Series (best-of-five) to win the FSL title. The Threshers were named MiLB.com's Class A Advanced Team of the Year.^[5]

A single-game attendance record of 9,090 was set on July 3, 2008.^[6]

On July 26, 2009, Pedro Martínez made a rehab start for the Threshers against the St. Lucie Mets at Spectrum Field. Martinez pitched 11⁄3 innings before rain caused the game to be canceled, wiping out the official record of his start.^[7] Martinez subsequently moved to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for his next start.

On May 23, 2011, The Threshers gained national attention after playing in a 23-inning game against the Jupiter Hammerheads.^[8]

Season-by-season

These statistics are current through the 2018 season.^[9]

Full season

Year	League	Division	Regular season					Postseason
			Finish	Wins	Losses	Win%	GB
Clearwater Phillies
1985	FSL	West	4th	69	72	.489	14
1986	FSL	West	3rd	63	74	.460	25.5
1987	FSL	West	3rd	66	70	.485	16

Split season

League champions †

Finals appearance *

Division winner ^

Wild card berth ¤

Year	League	Division	Regular season										Post-season
			1st half					2nd half
			Finish	Wins	Losses	Win%	GB	Finish	Wins	Losses	Win%	GB
Clearwater Phillies
1988	FSL	West	5th	25	44	.362	9.5	5th	27	42	.391	13.5
1989	FSL	West	4th	34	36	.486	6	5th	23	43	.348	17.5
1990	FSL	West	5th	23	46	.333	17.5	5th	27	41	.397	13
1991	FSL	West	1st ^	42	23	.646	—	1st ^	39	26	.600	—	Won semifinals (St. Lucie) 2–1 Lost finals (West Palm Beach) 0–2 *
1992	FSL	West	2nd	38	31	.551	12	2nd ¤	37	28	.569	4	Won quarterfinals (Dunedin) 2–0 Lost semifinals (Lakeland) 0–2
1993	FSL	West	1st ^	44	24	.647	—	5th	31	36	.463	13.5	Won semifinals (Charlotte) 2–1 Won finals (St. Lucie) 3–1 †
1994	FSL	West	5th	36	33	.522	9	3rd	36	29	.554	5.5
1995	FSL	West	2nd	38	32	.543	3	2nd	41	27	.603	3
1996	FSL	West	1st ^	44	26	.629	—	5th	31	36	.463	11.5	Won semifinals (Tampa) 2–0 Lost finals (St. Lucie) 1–3 *
1997	FSL	West	7th	31	38	.449	11.5	4th	39	30	.565	4.5
1998	FSL	West	3rd	42	28	.600	4.5	2nd	40	30	.571	6.5
1999	FSL	West	1st ^	46	23	.667	—	7th	31	36	.463	9.5	Lost semifinals (Dunedin) 1–2
2000	FSL	West	4th	37	33	.529	3.5	7th	27	38	.415	15.5
2001	FSL	West	3rd	32	35	.478	2.5	4th	36	34	.514	11
2002	FSL	West	6th	22	50	.306	21	3rd	35	29	.547	8
2003	FSL	West	2nd	37	31	.544	6	2nd	35	30	.538	2.5
Clearwater Threshers
2004	FSL	West	6th	25	45	.357	16	4th	30	36	.455	8.5
2005	FSL	West	6th	17	50	.254	28	6th	24	45	.348	17.5
2006	FSL	West	5th	31	38	.449	6.5	3rd	36	34	.514	6
2007	FSL	West	3rd	39	31	.557	4	1st ^	44	26	.629	—	Won semifinals (Sarasota) 2–1 Won finals (Brevard County) 3–1 †
2008	FSL	West	6th	32	38	.457	13.5	5th	32	38	.457	17
2009	FSL	North	4th	32	34	.485	9	4th	35	35	.500	14
2010	FSL	North	3rd	37	33	.529	4	6th	30	39	.435	13
2011	FSL	North	2nd	39	30	.565	7.5	3rd	36	33	.522	2.5
2012	FSL	North	3rd	38	30	.559	5.5	3rd	36	30	.545	1
2013	FSL	North	4th	35	33	.515	3	3rd	32	35	.578	11.5
2014	FSL	North	6th	17	51	.250	28.5	4th	32	38	.457	10
2015	FSL	North	1st ^	37	33	.529	—	1st ^	42	25	.627	—	Lost semifinals (Daytona) 0–2
2016	FSL	North	2nd	39	29	.574	2.5	2nd	43	25	.632	1
2017	FSL	North	2nd	38	32	.543	1	4th	29	39	.426	18.5
2018	FSL	North	4th	32	36	.471	6	1st ^	45	24	.652	—	Lost semifinals (Daytona) 0–2

Statistic	Wins	Losses	Win %
Regular season record (1985–2018)	2,316	2,329	.499
Postseason record (1985–2017)	18	18	.500
All-time regular and postseason record	2,334	2,347	.499

Roster

Clearwater Threshers roster

• v
• t
• e

Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 19 Samuel Aldegheri 22 Konnor Ash 16 Jean Cabrera 46 Eiberson Castellano 49 Gabriel Cotto 10 Jaydenn Estanista   35 Braeden Fausnaught 26 Zach Haake 18 Daniel Harper  6 Jonh Henriquez 31 Estibenzon Jimenez 47 Alex McFarlane 22 Wesley Moore 29 Seth Nightingale 38 Wen Hui Pan 40 Jonathan Petit 54 Alex Rao    8 Eduar Segovia 11 Andrew Walling 48 Danny Wilkinson		Catchers  7 Jordan Dissin 52 Ryan Leitch 12 Adony Mejia ~ Infielders 44 Matt Alifano 25 Erick Brito  9 Otto Kemp 28 Cole Moore  5 Bryan Rincon Outfielders 23 Emaarion Boyd 24 Chad Castillo   13 Justin Crawford 17 Cade Fergus 50 Felix Reyes 37 Ricardo Rosario  4 Troy Schreffler 33 Jordan Viars		Manager  2 Marty Malloy Coaches -- Gustavo Armas (pitching) -- Tim Collins (pitching) 41 Chris Heintz (hitting)  3 Mycal Jones (bench coach) 60-day injured list  5 Alexeis Azuaje -- Drew Garrett -- Micah Ottenbreit 76 Ty Penner -- Nikau Pouaka-Grego -- Gustavo Sosa 31 Randy Vasquez   7-day injured list * On Philadelphia Phillies 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated February 12, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • Florida State League → Philadelphia Phillies minor league players

Notable Clearwater Phillies and Threshers alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

• Pedro Martinez (2009) inducted, 2015
• Mike Schmidt (2004, MGR) inducted, 1995
• Jim Thome (2005, 2012) inducted, 2018

Notable alumni

• Philippe Aumont
• Ricky Bottalico (1993) MLB All-Star
• Jeff Brantley (2000) MLB All-Star
• Pat Burrell (1998)
• Paul Byrd (2001) MLB All-Star
• Drew Carpenter (2007)
• Carlos Carrasco
• Danny Cox (1991)
• Darren Daulton (1987, 1996) 3 x MLB All-Star
• Johnny Estrada (1999) MLB All-Star
• Tom Gordon (2006–2008) 3 x MLB All-Star
• Jason Grimsley (1988)
• Cole Hamels (2003-2006, 2014) 4 x MLB All-Star; 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player
• J. A. Happ (2006, 2010)
• Von Hayes (1990) MLB All-Star
• Ryan Howard (2003) 3 x MLB All-Star; 2005 NL Rookie of the Year; 2006 NL Most Valuable Player
• Kyle Kendrick (2005–2006)
• Scott Kingery (2016)
• Cliff Lee (2014) 4 x MLB All-Star; 2008 Cy Young Award
• Mike Lieberthal (1991) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Chuck McElroy (1987)
• Scott Mathieson
• Mickey Morandini (1989) MLB All-Star
• Nick Punto (1999)
• Elizardo Ramirez
• Chris Roberson
• Scott Rolen (1995) 7 x MLB All-Star; 8 x Gold Glove; 1997 NL Rookie of the Year
• Jimmy Rollins (1998, 2008, 2010) 3 x MLB All-Star; 2007 NL Most Valuable Player
• Curt Schilling (1996, 2000) 6 x MLB All-Star; 2001 World Series Most Valuable Player
• Michael Schwimer
• Carlos Silva (2000)
• Alfredo Simón MLB All-Star
• Chase Utley (2001, 2010–2012) 6 x MLB All-Star
• Jayson Werth (2007–2008) MLB All-Star
• Luke Williams
• Mitch Williams (1996) MLB All-Star
• Randy Wolf (2003, 2006) MLB All-Star
• Mike Zagurski

Former coaches and trainers

• Mike Schmidt (manager – 2004) W-L: 55–81
• Greg Legg (manager 2005–2006) W-L: 108–167
• Dave Huppert (manager 2007) W-L: 83–57 / League Champions
• Razor Shines (manager 2008) W-L: 64–76
• Dan Roberts (hitting coach 2004–2005)
• Greg Gross (hitting coach 2006)
• Brad Komminsk (hitting coach 2007)
• Steve Schrenk (pitching coach 2004 and 2007–2008)

References

1. "Jason Adams Named Clearwater Threshers GM". Ballpark Digest. October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
2. Brew, Tom (1982-09-03). "Minor league team sought for Clearwater". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
3. Brew, Tom (1984-09-26). "It's time for Bombers to move on". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
4. Henderson, Robert (1985-04-09). "Clearwater Phillies' debut is right around the corner". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
5. Hill, Benjamin (2007-10-08). "Threshers came together at right time: Team of the Year award follows end of championship drought". MLB.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
6. Clearwater Threshers (2008-07-03). "Phantastic! Threshers walk off in front of record crowd". Clearwater Threshers. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
7. Hagan, Paul (2009-07-27). . Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
8. "Minor League game goes 23 innings". Espn.com.
9. Florida State League 2016 Media Guide & Record Book. Florida State League. 2016. pp. 69–81.

Further reading

• Barnicle, Frank (1986-04-04). "A diamond junkie salutes magic of Clearwater Phillies". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clearwater Threshers.

• Official website
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference