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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2021–present)
Previous classesClass A-Advanced (1999–2020)
LeagueCarolina League (1999–present)
DivisionSouth Division
Major league affiliations
TeamChicago Cubs (2015–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2015
  • 2016
Division titles (9)
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2002
  • 2008
  • 2011
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
First-half titles (2)
  • 2022
  • 2023
Team data
NameMyrtle Beach Pelicans (1999–present)
Previous names
  • Danville 97s (1998)
  • Durham Bulls (1980–1997)
ColorsPelicans Blue, Pelicans Gold, Pelicans Navy, White
       
Mascots
  • Splash
  • Rally Shark
  • Slider
BallparkPelicans Ballpark (1999–present)
Previous parks
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP
PresidentRyan Moore
General managerKristin Call[1]
ManagerBuddy Bailey
MediaTuneIn Radio
Websitemilb.com/myrtle-beach

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a Minor League Baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of the National League in Major League Baseball.[2] The Pelicans compete in the Carolina League. Home games are played at Pelicans Ballpark, which opened in 1999 and seats up to 6,599 people.[3]

The Pelicans have been members of the Carolina League since 1999 and most recently won the league's championship in 2016.[4] In the reorganization of Minor League Baseball, on February 12, 2020, Major League Baseball announced that the Pelicans had accepted a Professional Development League license to continue as the Cubs' Low-A affiliate in the Low-A East.[5] This league was renamed the Carolina League and reclassified as Single-A in 2022.

From their inaugural season through 2010, they were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves, also of the National League, before spending four seasons as a Texas Rangers (American League) affiliate from 2011 to 2014. The team's current affiliation with the Chicago Cubs began in 2015.[6]

History

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Previously, this franchise was known as the Durham Bulls, the famous minor league baseball team (featured in the 1988 romantic comedy and sports film Bull Durham starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins). But it was relocated following the 1997 season as a result of the decision and expansion of the upper level Triple-A International League into Durham, North Carolina, where the new franchise also then assumed the now-nationally famous "Bulls" name while playing in the I.L. The old team / franchise then moved and spent the following 1998 season temporarily further north in Danville, Virginia, in the southwestern portion of the state, known as the Danville 97s, awaiting for the arrangements to be made for a further move to Myrtle Beach in coastal South Carolina, while their planned new stadium there, Coastal Federal Field, was then under construction. When their new home ballpark opened its gates on April 12, 1999, for the former Bulls / '97s franchise's first game, 5,521 fans came to see the new Pelicans play the Potomac Cannons (then from Woodbridge, since 2019, relocated further south to Fredericksburg) in Virginia.[3] In the first at bat, Pelicans pitcher Luis Rivera struck out Cannons hitter Esix Snead looking.[3] The first two hits at the stadium were home runs for each team, first by Potomac's Andy Bevins, and later that same game by Myrtle Beach's Ryan Lehr.[3]

Their ballpark has since dropped its original commercial sponsored name and been renamed as just Pelicans Ballpark, which is a family-friendly stadium with a speed pitch, obstacle course, and moon bounce on the concourse. In 2004, the sports media publication Baseball America rated it as the second-best Class-A level ballpark in the United States, and the best in the Carolina League in 2009.[3] For four consecutive seasons (2011–2014), Stadium Journey ranked the Pelicans as the top stadium experience in the Carolina League,[7] and one of the publication's "Top 50 Stadium Experiences" in all of sports,[3] while the internet website TripAdvisor named the team as the third-best attraction in Myrtle Beach.

Some games are televised on Marquee Sports Network, which is not available in South Carolina.

Notable games

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Splash, one of the team mascots

In their first season, the Pelicans advanced to the 1999 Carolina League Mills Cup Championship series. The best-of-five series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks was tied 2–2, with the deciding Game 5 set to be played in Myrtle Beach, when the series was cancelled because of Hurricane Floyd. The two teams were named co-champions for that season.

Myrtle Beach won both the first and second-half Southern Division titles in 2008 under Rocket Wheeler, who was named Carolina League Manager of the Year. The following season, Jason Heyward played over half the year in Myrtle Beach en route to being named Baseball America's 2009 Minor League Player of the Year.

On July 3, 2014, the Pelicans' home game with the Winston-Salem Dash was broadcast on the CBS Sports Network, the first time the Pelicans were on live national television.[8][9]

Front office changes

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In early 2006, Capitol Broadcasting Company announced plans to sell the Pelicans. The current owner is Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP, a group led by lawyer Chuck Greenberg (born 1961).[10]

On November 20, 2012, General Manager Scott Brown left to join the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League.[11] A month later, on December 21, 2012, the Pelicans hired Andy Milovich to become the club's Vice President and General Manager.[12] By January 14, 2015, Milovich was promoted to President and General Manager.[13]

On September 16, 2014, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans reached an agreement on a player development contract (PDC) with the Chicago Cubs of the National League, beginning with the 2015 season.[2]

On December 2, 2021, Kristin Call, the team's former associate general manager, was promoted to general manager, making her the first female general manager in team history.[1]

Reclassification

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On February 12, 2020, it was announced that the Pelicans, who played at the Advanced-A level of minor league baseball since the team was started in 1999, would move to Low-A in a new Major League Baseball player development alignment. The Pelicans swapped places with the Chicago Cubs' affiliate in South Bend, Indiana, which was feeding players to the Pelicans as they moved up in the Cubs' organization. The move meant that the Pelicans will predominantly get players who are in their first full seasons of pro ball. Dropping a level, the Pelicans were closer to their division opponents. The Pelicans were placed in the South Division of Low-A East, which comprises three divisions. The Charleston RiverDogs, Columbia Fireflies, and Augusta GreenJackets in North Augusta, South Carolina, are in the South Division as well.[14][15] In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[16]

Playoffs

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  • 1999 season: Defeated Kinston 2–1 in semifinals; tied Wilmington 2–2 in championship.
  • 2000 season: Defeated Lynchburg 3–0 to win championship.
  • 2002 season: Lost to Kinston 2–0 in semifinals.
  • 2008 season: Defeated Winston-Salem 3–1 in semifinals; lost to Potomac 3–1 in championship.
  • 2011 season: Lost to Kinston 3–1 in semifinals.
  • 2012 season: Lost to Winston-Salem 2–1 in semifinals.
  • 2013 season: Lost to Salem 2–0 in semifinals.
  • 2014 season: Defeated Salem 2–1 in semifinals; lost to Potomac 3–1 in championship.
  • 2015 season: Defeated Winston-Salem 2–1 in semifinals; defeated Wilmington 3–0 to win championship.
  • 2016 season: Defeated Salem 2–1 in semifinals; defeated Lynchburg 3–1 to win championship.
  • 2017 season: Lost to Down East 2–0 in semifinals.

Notable former players

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Several Pelicans have gone on to play in the major leagues. Some of these are:[17]

Retired numbers

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Myrtle Beach has honored three of its members by retiring their uniform numbers.[18]

No. Person Position Seasons
2 Rafael Furcal Shortstop 1999–2000
18 Rocket Wheeler Manager 2006–2010
43 Bruce Dal Canton Pitching coach 1999–2007

Roster

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 15 Lisandro Almonte
  • 20 Juan Bello
  • 19 Kenten Egbert
  • 22 Luis Martinez-Gomez
  • 48 Mason McGwire
  • 32 Nazier Mulé
  • 30 Kenyi Perez
  • 38 Mathew Peters
  • 54 Vince Reilly
  • 57 Luis A. Reyes
  • 24 Yenrri Rojas
  • 41 Alfredo Romero
  • 55 Luis Rujano
  • 53 Tyler Schlaffer
  • 12 Connor Schultz
  •  6 Jeral Vizcaino
  • 56 JP Wheat

Catchers

  • 11 Owen Ayers
  • 39 Dilan Granadillo
  • 16 Shane Marshall

Infielders

  • 17 Drew Bowser
  •  1 Jose Escobar
  •    Alexis Hernandez ~
  • 13 Miguel Pabon
  •  5 Christopher Paciolla ~
  •  7 Reginald Preciado
  • 33 Eriandys Ramon
  • 44 Cameron Sisneros
  •  3 Carter Trice

Outfielders

  •  9 Ivan Brethowr
  • 40 Leonel Espinoza
  • 51 Alfonsin Rosario
  • 34 Anderson Suriel

Manager

Coaches

  • 36 Armando Gabino (assistant pitching)
  • 45 D'Angelo Jiménez (bench)
  • 27 George Thanopoulos (pitching)
  • 28 Roberto Vaz (hitting)
  • 25 Daniel Wasinger (development)

60-day injured list

  •    Michael Carico
  • 21 Will Frisch
  •    Landon Ginn (full season)
  • 50 Saul Gonzalez
  • 22 Ismael Mena (full season)
  •    Joel Sierra
  •    Kevin Valdez (full season)

7-day injured list
* On Chicago Cubs 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 17, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Carolina League
 → Chicago Cubs minor league players

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hestad, Ben. "Myrtle Beach Pelicans announce promotion of Kristin Call to general manager". WBTW. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Myrtle Beach Pelicans Change Franchise Affiliation to Chicago Cubs". WMBF. Worldnow and WMBF. September 17, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Facts and Figures - Myrtle Beach Pelicans TicketReturn.com Field". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  4. ^ Vittas, John (September 14, 2016). "Pelicans win 5-3 for second straight Carolina League championship". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  5. ^ "MLB ANNOUNCES MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS Teams Will Be Part of New Model to Better Serve Fans, Players and Clubs" (PDF) (Press release). MLB Office of the Commissioner. February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Blondin, Alan (October 31, 2018). "Pelicans extend deal: See how long Chicago Cubs farmhands will play in Myrtle Beach". The Sun News. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  7. ^ Swaney, Paul (September 21, 2014). "Ranking the Ballparks of the Carolina League". Stadium Journey. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  8. ^ "Myrtle Beach Pelicans to Make National TV Debut Thursday on CBS Sports Network". The Sun News. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  9. ^ Barnett, Nathan (June 30, 2014). "Pelicans game to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network on July 3". Myrtle Beach Pelicans Official Website. Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "Chuck Greenberg: Chairman & Managing Partner". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Retrieved January 24, 2010. Chuck Greenberg assumed the role of President & Managing Partner of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on May 31, 2006 after his ownership group purchased the club from Capitol Broadcasting Company. On January 14, 2009, Greenberg assumed the role of Chairman & Managing Partner when the organization announced Todd Parnell as President.
  11. ^ "Pelicans GM Brown Leaving MB for Triple-A Charlotte". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  12. ^ "Pelicans Name New GM, Season Opens April 4th". Grand Strand Sports Report. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  13. ^ Barnett, Nathan (January 14, 2015). "Pelicans Announce Front Office Changes". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "MLB ANNOUNCES MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS Teams Will Be Part of New Model to Better Serve Fans, Players and Clubs" (PDF) (Press release). MLB Office of the Commissioner. February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Blondin, Alan. "Myrtle Beach Pelicans are changing minor league levels and leagues. They have new rivals". The Sun News. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Road to the Show". milb.com. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  18. ^ "Rafael Furcal - No. 2 Jersey Retired" (PDF). 2016 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Media Guide. Minor League Baseball. 2017. p. 105. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
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