Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, formerly known as the Jacksonville Suns and Jacksonville Expos, are a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and are named for shrimp which are caught in the area. The team plays their home games at 121 Financial Park, which opened in 2003. They previously played at Sam W. Wolfson Baseball Park from 1962 until the end of the 2002 season.

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Founded in 1962
Jacksonville, Florida
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (from 2021)
Previous classes
LeagueTBD
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamMiami Marlins (2009–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (7)
  • 1968
  • 1996
  • 2001
  • 2005
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2014
Division titles (14)
  • 1973
  • 1974
  • 1977
  • 1982
  • 1983
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2005
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2014
First half titles (8)
  • 1982
  • 1986
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2001
  • 2005
  • 2006
  • 2010
Second half titles (13)
  • 1977
  • 1982
  • 1983
  • 1987
  • 1990
  • 1996
  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2014
  • 2017
Team data
NameJacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2017–present)
Previous names
  • Jacksonville Suns (1991–2016)
  • Jacksonville Expos (1985–1990)
  • Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968, 1970–1984)
Ballpark121 Financial Park (2003–present)
Previous parks
Sam W. Wolfson Baseball Park (1962–1968, 1970–2002)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Ken Babby
General ManagerHarold Craw
ManagerTBD

Originally known as the Jacksonville Suns, the team competed in the Triple-A International League from 1962 to 1968. The franchise was relocated to Norfolk, Virginia, as the Tidewater Tides in 1969. After going a year without professional baseball, a new Suns team came to Jacksonville in 1970 as members of the Double-A Southern League. From 1985 to 1990, the team was known as the Jacksonville Expos during an affiliation with the Montreal Expos, but they returned to the Suns moniker in 1991. The team rebranded as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp before the 2017 season. They will be elevated to a yet-to-be-determined Triple-A league in 2021.

The Suns won the International League championship in 1968 and the Southern League championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2014. Jacksonville has played in the Southern League longer than any other team.[1]

History

Jacksonville has hosted Minor League Baseball teams nearly every year since the early 20th century. From 1904 to 1961, the city was home to teams such as the Jacksonville Jays, Jacksonville Tars, and Jacksonville Braves, which played predominantly in the South Atlantic League ("Sally League"), a predecessor to the modern Southern League. Jacksonville was also home to the Jacksonville Red Caps of the Negro leagues.[1]

International League (1962–1968)

The first team known as the Jacksonville Suns began play in the Triple-A International League in 1962. The franchise 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 Suns in 1962.[2] 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 Baseball 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.[3]

Southern League (1970–2020)
Wolfson Park in 2002

Jacksonville was without baseball in 1969, but a new Suns team began play in the Double-A Southern League in 1970. The team was affiliated with both the Montreal Expos and the Milwaukee Brewers in their inaugural season, with the Cleveland Indians in 1971, and then with the Kansas City Royals from 1972 to 1984. Affiliation switched back to the Expos from 1985 to 1990, during which period the team was known as the Jacksonville Expos. Since then, it has been affiliated with the Seattle Mariners (1991–1994), Detroit Tigers (1995–2000), Los Angeles Dodgers (2001–2008), and most recently the Miami Marlins (2009–present).[4] The Suns have appeared in the Southern League playoffs 15 times, and won the league's championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2014. After winning the title in 2009 and defending it in 2010, the Suns became the third team in Southern League history to successfully defend a championship.[5]

In 1998, Suns outfielder Gabe Kapler won the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award after leading the league in home runs (28), hits (176), runs (113), doubles (47), RBI (146; most in the minors in 1998 and most ever in the league), extra-base hits (81; a league record), total bases (319; a league record), and sacrifice flies (11).[6][7]

Jumbo Shrimp game at then-named Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville in 2017

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. 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][3]

The Suns played at Wolfson Park from 1962 until it was demolished in 2002. Since 2003, they have played at 121 Financial Ballpark (formerly called Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville), an 11,000 seat, US$34 million field created as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. Since the move, the Suns have consistently been at or near the top of the Southern League in attendance, drawing over one million fans in their first four years.[3] The Suns' success has led to speculation that the team could move to the Triple-A level in the future.[1]

In November 2016, the Suns were renamed the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.[8]

Triple-A (from 2021)

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, the Jumbo Shrimp were selected to move up to the Triple-A classification and continue as affiliates of the Miami Marlins in 2021.[9]

Season-by-season records
YearRegular SeasonPost-season
RecordWin %Finish*RecordWin %Result
Jacksonville Suns (International League) (1962–1968)
196294–60.6101st7–7.500Lost in Governors' Cup Finals vs Atlanta Crackers, 3–4
Won First Round vs Rochester Red Wings, 4–3
Won International League Pennant
196356–91.38110th——
196489–62.5891st0–4.000Lost in First Round vs Rochester Red Wings, 0–4
Won International League Pennant
196571–76.4836th——
196668–79.4637th——
196766–73.4755th——
196875–71.5144th7–1.875Won Governors' Cup Finals vs Columbus Jets, 4–0
Won First Round vs Toledo Mud Hens, 3–1
Totals518-512.503—14-12.5381 League Championship & 2 League Pennants
Note: * Finish denotes their position in the overall league standings.
Team relocated to Norfolk, VA in 1969. No team in Jacksonville that year.
YearRegular SeasonPost-season
RecordWin %Finish*RecordWin %Result
Jacksonville Suns (Southern League) (1970–1984)
197067–70.4895th——no playoffs held
197163-77.450???——
197264–75.4606th——
197376–60.5592nd1–3.250Lost Southern League Championship vs Montgomery Rebels, 1–3
Won East Division
197478–60.5651st2–3.200Lost Southern League Championship vs Knoxville Sox, 2–3
Won East Division
197559–79.4288th——
197666–72.478???——
197772–66.5224th2-3.200Lost Southern League Championship vs Montgomery Rebels, 0-2
Won East Division Championship Series vs Savannah Braves, 2-1
Won East Division Second Half
197873–69.5143rd——
197969–72.4896th——
198063–81.4388th——
198165–77.4588th——
198283–61.5761st4–4.500Lost 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
198377–68.5314th4-4.500Lost Southern League Championship vs Birmingham Barons, 1-3
Won East Division Championship Series vs Savannah Braves, 3-1
Won East Division Second Half
198476–69.5243rd——
Jacksonville Expos (Southern League) (1985–1990)
198573-70.5105th——
198675-68.5242nd1-3.250Lost East Division Championship Series vs Columbus Astros, 1-3
Won East Division First Half
198785-59.5901st——
198869-73.4865th2-3.400Lost East Division Championship Series vs Greenville Braves, 2-3
East Division Wild-Card
198968-76.4727th——
199084-60.5832nd1-3.250Lost East Division Championship Series vs Orlando Sun Rays, 1-3
Won East Division Second Half
Jacksonville Suns (Southern League) (1991–2016)
199174-69.5174th——
199268-75.4767th——
199359-81.42110th——
199460-77.4389th——
199575-69.5215th——
199675-63.5433rd6-2.750Won 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
199766-73.4758th——
199886-54.6141st4-3.571Lost Southern League Championship vs Mobile BayBears, 1-3
Won East Division Championship Series vs Knoxville Smokies, 3-0
Won East Division First Half
199975-66.5323rd——
200069-71.4935th5-5.500Lost 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
200183-56.5971st3-2.600Southern League Co-Champions with Huntsville Stars (1)
Won East Division Championship Series vs Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-2
Won East Division First Half & Second Half
200277-62.5542nd3-5.375Lost Southern League Championship vs Birmingham Barons, 0-3
Won East Division Championship Series vs Carolina Mudcats, 3-2
Won East Division First Half
200366-73.4756th——
200466–71.4827th——
200579–61.5644th6–1.857Won 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
200686–54.6141st0–3.000Lost South Division Championship Series vs Montgomery Biscuits, 0–3
Won South Division First Half
200780–60.5712nd——
200868–72.4867th——
200982–58.5862nd6–1.857 Won Southern League Championship vs Tennessee Smokies, 3–1
Won South Division Championship Series vs Birmingham Barons, 3–0
Won South Division Second Half
201081–59.5792nd6–2.750Won 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
201170–70.5005th——
201270–70.5005th——
201373–63.5375th——
201481–59.5792nd6—1.857Won Southern League Championship vs Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-0
Won South Division Championship Series vs Mobile BayBears, 3-1
Won South Division Second Half
201557–81.4139th——
201663–76.4538th——
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Southern League) (2017–present)
201769–71.493T-6th——Lost South Division Championship Series vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 0–3
Won South Division Second Half
201855–82.40110th——
201966–71.4825th——
2020Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[10]
Totals3525-3348.513—61-51.5456 League Championships
14 Division Championships
20 Half Seasons Won
19 Post-Season Appearances
Note: * Finish denotes their position in the overall league standings.
? denotes missing information.
(1) - 2001 Championship series cancelled because of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Teams declared co-champions.

Television

All Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games are televised live on MiLB.TV. The play-by-play broadcaster is Scott Kornberg.

Roster
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

  • 15 Santiago Chavez

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

  • 10 Kevin Randel

Coaches


7-day injured list
* On Miami Marlins 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated February 8, 2020
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Southern League
 → Miami Marlins minor league players

Notable former players and coaches
Gabe Kapler

See also
  • Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players (2017–present)
  • Jacksonville Suns players (1962–1968, 1970–1984, 1991–2016)
  • Jacksonville Expos players (1985–1990)

References
  1. 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 978-1-59921-024-7. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  2. Benson, Michael (1989). Ballparks of North America. McFarland. p. 187. ISBN 0-89950-367-5.
  3. "Jacksonville Baseball History". jaxsuns.com. 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  4. "Jacksonville Suns". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  5. Southern League Past Champions | Southern League Content
  6. "1998 Southern League - Season Review". www.thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  7. "Gabe Kapler Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  8. Frenette, Gene (2016-11-01). "Jacksonville Suns changing name to Jumbo Shrimp". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  9. Reichard, Kevin (December 9, 2020). "Marlins Add Jacksonville, Pensacola, Beloit as Affiliate Invitees". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  10. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.