Minor league baseball team
Savannah Sand Gnats Previous classes Class A Previous leagues
South Atlantic League (1984–2015)Previous teams League titles (4) Division titles (2) Previous names
Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995) Colors Dark green, burgundy, tan, black, white Mascot Gnate the Gnat (2005-2015) Previous parks
Grayson Stadium (1984–2015)
The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia . They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League . The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons.[ 1] Columbia, South Carolina , in 2016 where they are now known as the Columbia Fireflies .[ 2]
History
Formerly known as the Savannah Cardinals , the team played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals . In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats, and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers . The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002 and the Montreal Expos /Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.
The Sand Gnats played their home games at Grayson Stadium . Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seated 4,700 fans during its time as the home of the Sand Gnats. The Sand Gnats won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1996, 2013).
On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.
On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball 's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation.[ 3]
On March 20, 2008, Atlanta-based Hardball Capital purchased the Savannah Sand Gnats.[ 4]
Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré , Jacob DeGrom , Éric Gagné , Edwin Encarnación , Michael Fulmer , Travis Hafner , Hank Blalock , Steven Matz , Collin McHugh , Brandon Nimmo , Josh Whitesell , Josh Satin , and Ryan Zimmerman .
Season-by-season records
Former Sand Gnats, Josh Whitesell and Ryan Zimmerman (left) Note: W = Wins, L = Losses
Season
W
L
Finish
Postseason
1984
78
61
3rd, Southern
Lost in semi-finals
1985
57
78
4th, Southern
Did not qualify
1986
75
60
2nd, Southern
Did not qualify
1987
69
69
4th, Southern
Did not qualify
1988
68
67
5th, Southern
Did not qualify
1989
69
70
4th, Southern
Did not qualify
1990
73
68
6th, Southern
Lost League Finals
1991
61
77
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
1992
62
78
5th, Southern
Did not qualify
1993
94
48
1st, Southern
League Champions
1994
82
55
2nd, Southern
League Champions
1995
56
83
6th, Southern
Did not qualify
1996
72
69
2nd, Southern
League Champions
1997
63
77
3rd, Southern
Did not qualify
1998
66
76
3rd, Southern
Did not qualify
1999
62
78
4th, Southern
Did not qualify
2000
74
65
4th, Southern
Did not qualify
2001
54
82
8th, Southern
Did not qualify
2002
49
89
8th, Southern
Did not qualify
2003
58
80
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
2004
58
80
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
2005
62
76
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
2006
56
83
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
2007
41
94
8th, Southern
Did not qualify
2008
61
76
7th, Southern
Did not qualify
2009
65
72
Southern
Did not qualify
2010
75
64
Southern
Lost in semi-finals
2011
79
60
Southern
Lost League Finals[ 5]
2012
69
67
Southern
Did not qualify
2013
77
61
Southern
League Champions
2014
85
51
Southern
Lost in semi-finals
2015
83
54
1st, Southern
Lost in League Finals
1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals
Rivals
Augusta GreenJackets
The Sand Gnats had a in-state rivalry with the Augusta GreenJackets , an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants .
Charleston RiverDogs
The Sand Gnats had a rivalry with the Charleston RiverDogs , an affiliate of the New York Yankees .
References
^ "Affiliate Dance: 2006" . Ballpark Digest . August Publications. 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2006 .^ Connolly, Matt (September 19, 2015). "Goodbye Sand Gnats, hello Fireflies" . The State Columbia, South Carolina . Retrieved May 5, 2021 . ^ "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games" . ESPN Associated Press . May 8, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007 .^ Manasso, John (March 20, 2008). "Savannah Sand Gnats sold to Hardball Capital" . Atlanta Business Chronicle . Retrieved May 20, 2021 . ^ "2011 Savannah Sand Gnats Statistics" . Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved May 20, 2021 .
