Frawley StadiumRocky Bluewinkle, mascot of the Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Blue Rocks played in the Carolina League, an advanced Single-A league in minor league baseball, from 1993 to 2020. The name "Blue Rocks" was chosen because of the blue granite found along the Brandywine River in Wilmington. 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 Blue Rocks played their first season in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were purchased and relocated to the riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. Principal owner Frank Boulton and co-owner Bud Harrelson bought the franchise in 1992, moved the team from Hampton, Virginia, and changed their affiliation from the Seattle Mariners' farm system to the Kansas City Royals'.[2] When the franchise moved to Wilmington in 1993, the ballpark was known as Legends Stadium, after the sports legends of Delaware. After Frawley, the Wilmington mayor who played a major role in the creation of the team, died while playing a recreational basketball game, the stadium was renamed Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in his honor.
The Blue Rocks were Kansas City farm team from their inception, except for the 2005 and 2006 seasons when the team was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. In 2020, with the re-organization of the minor leagues, the Blue Rocks became an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.[3]
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 Aug 19 game featuring SportsCenter drew the Blue Rocks' largest crowd in team history.
The Blue Rocks played host to the 2014 California/Carolina League All Star Game, having previously hosted the game last 12 years earlier in 2002. The California League All Stars ousted the Carolina League All Stars 3-2. Kyle Waldrop of the Bakersfield Blaze took home the game's MVP award.
On July 15, 2019, Jonathan Bowlan pitched the second no-hitter in franchise history against the Carolina Mudcats. He struck out nine batters, walking none on 97 pitches.
The Blue Rocks won the 2019 Mills Cup Championship for the first time since 1999, closing a five-game series with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers with a 2-0 victory on September 14, 2019.
In December 2020, the Blue Rocks were officially invited to become an affiliate of the Washington Nationals, joining the Nationals' minor league system beginning with the 2021 season.[4] In further conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Blue Rocks were organized into the High-A East.[5] In 2022, the High-A East became known as the South Atlantic League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[6]
The Blue Rocks have three mascots. Rocky Bluewinkle is a blue moose. Mr. Celery is a stalk of celery who comes out and dances to "Song 2" by Blur whenever Wilmington scores a run.[8] Rubble is a giant blue rock.
Mr. Celery runs along the first base line, arms aloft, clutching a stalk of celery.
^"Liz Welch Named Next Blue Rocks' General Manager". Wilmington Blue Rocks. Minor League Baseball. February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
^"Delaware Gets Carolina League Team". Roanoke Times. October 30, 2009. p. B9.
^"Washington Nationals Extend Affiliation Invitation To Blue Rocks | Blue Rocks". Milb.com. December 9, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
^"Nationals extend invitations to Minor League affiliates". Curly W Live. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
^Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
^"Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^Janus, Matt (May 6, 2010). "Legendary Former Blue Rock Robin Roberts Passes Away". M.milb.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
^Hill, Benjamin (September 1, 2017). "How Mr. Celery became a Wilmington Blue Rocks legend". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Official website
January 01, 1970
wilmington, blue, rocks, 1940, 1952, interstate, league, 1940, 1952, minor, league, baseball, team, south, atlantic, league, high, affiliate, washington, nationals, they, located, wilmington, delaware, play, their, home, games, daniel, frawley, stadium, founde. For the 1940 1952 Interstate League Wilmington Blue Rocks see Wilmington Blue Rocks 1940 1952 The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High A affiliate of the Washington Nationals They are located in Wilmington Delaware and play their home games at Daniel S Frawley Stadium Wilmington Blue RocksFounded in 1993Wilmington DelawareTeam logo Cap insigniaMinor league affiliationsClassHigh A 2021 present Previous classesClass A Advanced 1993 2020 LeagueSouth Atlantic League 2022 present DivisionNorth DivisionPrevious leaguesHigh A East 2021 Carolina League 1993 2020 Major league affiliationsTeamWashington Nationals 2021 present Previous teamsKansas City Royals 2007 2020 Boston Red Sox 2005 2006 Kansas City Royals 1993 2004 Minor league titlesLeague titles 5 19941996199819992019Division titles 6 199319952001200420152019Team dataNameWilmington Blue Rocks 1993 present BallparkDaniel S Frawley Stadium 1993 present Owner s Operator s Clark Minker Main Street BaseballGeneral managerLiz Welch 1 ManagerMario Lisson Contents 1 Franchise history 2 Roster 3 Playoffs 4 Players of note 4 1 Retired numbers 5 Mascots 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksFranchise history edit nbsp Frawley Stadium nbsp Rocky Bluewinkle mascot of the Wilmington Blue Rocks The Blue Rocks played in the Carolina League an advanced Single A league in minor league baseball from 1993 to 2020 The name Blue Rocks was chosen because of the blue granite found along the Brandywine River in Wilmington 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 Blue Rocks played their first season in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were purchased and relocated to the riverfront in Wilmington Delaware Principal owner Frank Boulton and co owner Bud Harrelson bought the franchise in 1992 moved the team from Hampton Virginia and changed their affiliation from the Seattle Mariners farm system to the Kansas City Royals 2 When the franchise moved to Wilmington in 1993 the ballpark was known as Legends Stadium after the sports legends of Delaware After Frawley the Wilmington mayor who played a major role in the creation of the team died while playing a recreational basketball game the stadium was renamed Daniel S Frawley Stadium in his honor The Blue Rocks were Kansas City farm team from their inception except for the 2005 and 2006 seasons when the team was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox In 2020 with the re organization of the minor leagues the Blue Rocks became an affiliate of the Washington Nationals 3 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 Aug 19 game featuring SportsCenter drew the Blue Rocks largest crowd in team history The Blue Rocks played host to the 2014 California Carolina League All Star Game having previously hosted the game last 12 years earlier in 2002 The California League All Stars ousted the Carolina League All Stars 3 2 Kyle Waldrop of the Bakersfield Blaze took home the game s MVP award On July 15 2019 Jonathan Bowlan pitched the second no hitter in franchise history against the Carolina Mudcats He struck out nine batters walking none on 97 pitches The Blue Rocks won the 2019 Mills Cup Championship for the first time since 1999 closing a five game series with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers with a 2 0 victory on September 14 2019 In December 2020 the Blue Rocks were officially invited to become an affiliate of the Washington Nationals joining the Nationals minor league system beginning with the 2021 season 4 In further conjunction with Major League Baseball s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021 the Blue Rocks were organized into the High A East 5 In 2022 the High A East became known as the South Atlantic League the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization 6 Roster edit nbsp The Wilmington Blue Rocks alternate logo Wilmington Blue Rocks rostervte Players Coaches Other Pitchers 32 Jake Bennett 40 Bryan Caceres 31 Brendan Collins 25 Dannel Diaz 28 Peyton Glavine 34 Chance Huff 26 Andry Lara 30 Brad Lord 47 Marlon Perez 43 Todd Peterson 35 Nick Pogue 38 Carlos Romero Seth Shuman Troy Stainbrook 14 Rodney Theophile 39 Tyler Yankosky 10 Jaren Zinn Catchers 15 Caleb Farmer 13 Matt Suggs 16 Steven Williams Infielders 20 Branden Boissiere 5 Will Frizzell 29 Sammy Infante 11 Cortland Lawson 19 Kevin Made 7 Viandel Pena Outfielders 1 Daylen Lile 12 Jared McKenzie 24 T J White Manager 37 Mario Lisson Coaches 45 Mark DiFelice pitching Delwyn Young hitting 2 Mark Harris development nbsp 7 day injured list On Washington Nationals 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 South Atlantic League Washington Nationals minor league playersPlayoffs editSeason Semifinals Finals 1993 W 2 0 Frederick L 3 1 Winston Salem 1994 W 3 0 Winston Salem 1995 W 2 0 Prince William L 3 0 Kinston 1996 W 3 1 Kinston 1997 1998 W 3 1 Winston Salem 1999 T 2 2 Myrtle Beach 2000 2001 W 2 1 Frederick L 3 2 Salem 2002 L 2 1 Lynchburg 2003 L 2 0 Lynchburg 2004 W 2 1 Potomac L 3 2 Kinston 2005 2006 L 2 1 Frederick 2007 L 2 0 Frederick 2008 L 3 0 Potomac 2009 L 3 2 Lynchburg 2010 2011 2012 L 2 1 Lynchburg 2013 2014 2015 W 2 0 Lynchburg L 3 0 Myrtle Beach 2016 2017 2018 2019 W 3 2 Salem W 3 2 FayettevillePlayers of note editMore than 200 Blue Rocks have gone on to the major leagues including All Stars Carlos Beltran Lance Carter Johnny Damon Zack Greinke Jon Lieber Jed Lowrie Jose Rosado and Mike Sweeney Other former Blue Rock players of note include nbsp Mike Moustakas during his tenure with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2009 Jeremy Affeldt Carlos Beltran Clay Buchholz David DeJesus Danny Duffy Chad Durbin Mark Ellis Jacoby Ellsbury Sal Fasano Raul Gonzalez Jed Lowrie Whit Merrifield Eric Hosmer Sean Manaea Mike Moustakas Jake Odorizzi Salvador Perez Anibal Sanchez Brady Singer Mike Sweeney Michael Tucker Retired numbers edit 18 Johnny Damon 33 Mike Sweeney 36 Robin Roberts played for the earlier Blue Rocks team 7 42 Jackie Robinson retired throughout baseball Mascots editThe Blue Rocks have three mascots Rocky Bluewinkle is a blue moose Mr Celery is a stalk of celery who comes out and dances to Song 2 by Blur whenever Wilmington scores a run 8 Rubble is a giant blue rock nbsp Mr Celery runs along the first base line arms aloft clutching a stalk of celery See also editDelaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame Wilmington Quicksteps Wilmington Park List of professional sports teams in DelawareReferences edit Liz Welch Named Next Blue Rocks General Manager Wilmington Blue Rocks Minor League Baseball February 23 2023 Retrieved April 1 2023 Delaware Gets Carolina League Team Roanoke Times October 30 2009 p B9 Washington Nationals Extend Affiliation Invitation To Blue Rocks Blue Rocks Milb com December 9 2020 Retrieved August 17 2021 Nationals extend invitations to Minor League affiliates Curly W Live December 9 2020 Retrieved December 9 2020 Mayo Jonathan February 12 2021 MLB Announces New Minors Teams Leagues Major League Baseball Retrieved February 12 2021 Historical League Names to Return in 2022 Minor League Baseball March 16 2022 Retrieved March 16 2022 Janus Matt May 6 2010 Legendary Former Blue Rock Robin Roberts Passes Away M milb com Retrieved August 17 2021 Hill Benjamin September 1 2017 How Mr Celery became a Wilmington Blue Rocks legend MiLB com Retrieved August 17 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wilmington Blue Rocks Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wilmington Blue Rocks amp oldid 1167622555, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
