Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Last updated

Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Jersey Shore BlueClaws.png Jersey Shore BlueClaws cap logo.png
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class High-A (2021–present)
Previous classes Class A (2001–2020)
League South Atlantic League (2022–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Team Philadelphia Phillies (2001–present)
Minor league titles
League titles (3)
  • 2006
  • 2009
  • 2010
Division titles (5)
  • 2006
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2016
  • 2018
Second-half titles (1)
  • 2023
Team data
NameJersey Shore BlueClaws (2021–present)
Previous names
Lakewood BlueClaws (2001–2020)
ColorsPhillies red, dark Atlantic blue, crab blue, golden yellow [1]
    
Ballpark ShoreTown Ballpark (2001–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Shore Town Baseball [2]
General managerJoe Ricciutti
ManagerGreg Brodzinski

The Jersey Shore BlueClaws (formerly Lakewood BlueClaws) are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Lakewood, New Jersey, and are named for their location on the Jersey Shore and blue crabs native to the area. [3] The BlueClaws play their home games at ShoreTown Ballpark.

Contents

History

Following the 2000 season, the Cape Fear Crocs of the Class A South Atlantic League relocated to Lakewood, New Jersey, and became the Lakewood BlueClaws. The BlueClaws became an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, who moved their Class A affiliation from the Piedmont Boll Weevils in Kannapolis, North Carolina, to Lakewood beginning with the 2001 season. The team was owned by the New-Jersey-born Joe Plumeri and Joe Finley, also owners of the Trenton Thunder. [4] [5] [6]

The BlueClaws play their home games at ShoreTown Ballpark. Firstenergyparklakewood.JPG
The BlueClaws play their home games at ShoreTown Ballpark.

Since their arrival in New Jersey, the BlueClaws have been a success at the gate. In each of their first five seasons, they averaged over 6,500 people per game. The team led the South Atlantic League in either average or total attendance every year through 2016, [7] and became the fastest team in league history to reach the two and three million fan attendance mark. On August 26, 2002, the BlueClaws set a South Atlantic League record when 13,003 people attended a 3–0 win over the Hickory Crawdads. This box office success comes in the absence of great success on the field. In their first five seasons, the BlueClaws failed to qualify for the playoffs. Their overall record topped the .500 mark for the first time in 2004.

On September 1, 2004, Ryan Howard became the first former BlueClaw to play in Major League Baseball, playing first base for the Phillies in a 7–2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. He played for the BlueClaws in the 2002 season. In 2005, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and in 2006 he was named the National League Most Valuable Player. In May 2007, while on the 15-day disabled list, Howard played two rehab games with the BlueClaws after suffering a hamstring injury. Each game drew over 8,000 fans and helped push the BlueClaws to a new team attendance record for the month of May. In addition to Howard, several former BlueClaws played for the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. World Series MVP Cole Hamels was with Lakewood in 2003, and starting catcher Carlos Ruiz was a member of the original Lakewood BlueClaws' roster in 2001.

The BlueClaws were sold to Shore Town Baseball in July 2017. The new ownership group includes Minor League Baseball veteran and former Mandalay Baseball Properties CEO Art Matin, as well as local investors Bob Tamashunas and Bill Luby. [8] [9]

The team rebranded as the Jersey Shore BlueClaws after the 2020 season. [1] In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the BlueClaws were organized into the High-A East. [10] 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. [11]

Season-by-season records

SeasonAffiliationManagerFirst Half RecordSecond Half Record
2001Phillies Greg Legg 28–42, 7th place North32–37, 5th place North
2002Phillies Jeff Manto 33–36, 6th place North36–34, 5th place North
2003Phillies Buddy Biancalana 22–47, 8th place North35–34, 3rd place North
2004Phillies P. J. Forbes 31–36, 7th place North39–30, 3rd place North
2005Phillies P. J. Forbes 25–45, 6th place North31–38, 7th place North
2006Phillies Dave Huppert 37–32, 4th place North47–23, 1st place North
2007Phillies Steve Roadcap 33–32, 3rd place North36–33, 2nd place North
2008Phillies Steve Roadcap 38–32, 3rd place North42–28, 2nd place North
2009Phillies Dusty Wathan 42–26, 1st place North36–32, 4th place North
2010Phillies Mark Parent 42–28, 1st place North42–27, 1st place North
2011Phillies Chris Truby 33–35, 7th place North35–34, 5th place North
2012Phillies Mickey Morandini 26–43, 6th place North36–33, 4th place North
2013Phillies Mickey Morandini 26–41, 7th place North30–39, 6th place North
2014Phillies Greg Legg 27–42, 6th place North26–42, 7th place North
2015Phillies Shawn Williams 33–35, 6th place North40–30, 2nd place North
2016Phillies Shawn Williams 29–40, 6th place North45–25, 1st place North
2017Phillies Marty Malloy 40–30, 2nd place North33–36, 5th place North
2018Phillies Marty Malloy 41–28, 1st place North46–23, 1st place North
2019Phillies Mike Micucci 29–41, 6th place North29–39
2020PhilliesSeason cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021PhilliesChris Adamson56–62, 3rd place North

Postseason records

The BlueClaws won the 2006 South Atlantic League championship on September 15, first defeating the Lexington Legends in the Northern Division final, two games to none, then defeating the Augusta GreenJackets in a dramatic 5–0 victory, winning the championship series, three games to one.

In 2009, the BlueClaws won the South Atlantic League championship by first defeating the Kannapolis Intimidators, 9–0, and winning the series by two games to none in the Northern Division final. In the championship round, the BlueClaws defeated the Greenville Drive, 5–1, in game four and then took the series, three games to one.

In 2010, the BlueClaws won both halves of the season. They became the first team to do so and win the championship, defeating Hickory, two games to one, in the Northern Division final and the Greenville Drive, three games to one, in a rematch series.

In 2016, the BlueClaws opened the first half of the season in sixth place in the Northern Division but rallied to take the second half crown. The BlueClaws then defeated the Hagerstown Suns, two games to zero, but fell in the South Atlantic League final series, three games to one, versus the Rome Braves.

In 2018, the BlueClaws won both halves of the season only to lose in the South Atlantic League final against the Lexington Legends. The BlueClaws won the Northern Division championship against the Kannapolis Intimidaters.

Roster

Jersey Shore BlueClaws roster
PlayersCoaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 24 Chase Antle
  • 40 Carlos Betancourt
  • 20 Malik Binns
  • 45 Jon Duplantier #
  • 21 Jordan Fowler
  • 35 Carlos Francisco
  • 22 Alex Garbrick Injury icon 2.svg
  • 36 Tristan Garnett
  • 32 Sam Jacobsak
  •  8 Orion Kerkering
  • 43 Rafael Marcano
  • 31 Jordi Martinez
  • 34 Gunner Mayer
  • 55 Tommy McCollum
  •  7 Mitch Neunborn
  • 17 Matt Osterberg
  • 33 Jason Ruffcorn
  • 16 Matt Russell
  •  9 Rodolfo Sanchez
  • 25 Cam Wynne

Catchers

  • 14 Arturo De Freitas
  • 23 Andrick Nava
  • 27 Anthony Quirion Injury icon 2.svg
  • 37 Caleb Ricketts Injury icon 2.svg

Infielders

Outfielders

  • 10 Jared Carr
  •  6 Marcus Lee Sang
  • 41 Leandro Pineda


Manager

  • 11 Greg Brodzinski

Coaches

60-day injured list

  • 24 Erubiel Armenta
  • -- Christian McGowan
  • 65 Jhordany Mezquita
  • -- Dominic Pipkin

Injury icon 2.svg 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 June 9, 2023
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB  •  South Atlantic League
→ Philadelphia Phillies minor league players

Retired numbers

Cole Hamels' number 19 and Ryan Howard's number 29 have been retired by the BlueClaws.

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Phillies</span> Major League Baseball franchise in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citizens Bank Park, located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somerset Patriots</span> Minor league baseball team

The Somerset Patriots are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, that is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They compete in the Eastern League, known as the Double-A Northeast in 2021, and were previously members of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball from 1998 to 2020. The Patriots have played their home games at TD Bank Ballpark since 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern League (1964–present)</span> Minor League Baseball league in the Southern United States

The Southern League is a Minor League Baseball league that has operated in the Southern United States since 1964. Along with the Eastern League and Texas League, it is one of three circuits playing at the Double-A level, which is two grades below Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Atlantic League</span> American sports league in Minor League Baseball

The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the High-A East before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rome Emperors</span> Minor league baseball team

The Rome Emperors are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They are located in Rome, Georgia, and play their home games at AdventHealth Stadium. From 2003 to 2023, the team was known as the Rome Braves. They served as Atlanta's Class A affiliate before being elevated to High-A with the restructuring of the minor league system in 2021. Rome is the longest-tenured partner club of the Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Thunder</span> Minor league baseball team

The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Thunder Ballpark</span> Baseball stadium in Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton Thunder Ballpark, formerly known as Mercer County Waterfront Park and Arm & Hammer Park, is a ballpark in Trenton, New Jersey. It is the home park for the Trenton Thunder, a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They were previously a Double-A level Minor League Baseball team of the Eastern League (1994–2020). For 2021, it served as temporary home of Triple-A East's Buffalo Bisons, as their regular stadium, Sahlen Field, was being used by the Toronto Blue Jays due to travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The official seating capacity is 6,440.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hagerstown Suns</span> Minor league baseball team

The Hagerstown Suns were a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland. They were a member of the South Atlantic League and, from 2007 through 2020, were the Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They played their home games at Municipal Stadium which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 people. The team mascot was Woolie, a giant woolly bear caterpillar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannapolis Cannon Ballers</span> Minor league baseball team

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, and play their home games at Atrium Health Ballpark. The team was established in 1995 as the Piedmont Phillies. From 1996 to 2000, they were known as the Piedmont Boll Weevils. From 2001 to 2019, they were known as the Kannapolis Intimidators, after Kannapolis native NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, who was known as "The Intimidator," purchased a share of the team before the 2001 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greensboro Grasshoppers</span> Minor league baseball team

The Greensboro Grasshoppers are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are members of the South Atlantic League and are the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They play their home games at First National Bank Field, which opened in 2005 and seats 7,499 fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Municipal Stadium (Hagerstown)</span>

Municipal Stadium was a stadium in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. It was primarily used for baseball and was built in 1930 in a short time period of six weeks and had a capacity of 4,600 people. The ballpark was demolished in Spring 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ShoreTown Ballpark</span> Baseball stadium in Lakewood, New Jersey

ShoreTown Ballpark is a stadium in Lakewood, New Jersey. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws South Atlantic League baseball team, affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team. It is also used for outdoor concerts, featuring touring musical artists such as Bob Dylan. It was built in 2001 and has 6,588 fixed seats with extended additional space on grass berms and at picnic tables around the 360-degree concourse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Mathieson</span> Canadian baseball player

Scott William Mathieson is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

Below are the rosters of the minor league affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis d'Arnaud</span> American baseball catcher (born 1989)

Travis Emmanuel d'Arnaud, nicknamed "Lil D", is an American professional baseball catcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the supplemental first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He previously played in MLB for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays. He made his MLB debut in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brock Stassi</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Brock James Stassi is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 33rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of University of Nevada, Reno, Stassi made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the club on April 3, 2017. He is currently a hitting coach in the Phillies organization for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

Nicholas Fanti is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 31st round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Maton</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Nicholas Maton is an American professional baseball utility player for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Eastern Illinois University and Lincoln Land Community College. Maton was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Howard</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Spencer Lee Howard is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copa de la Diversión</span>

Copa de la Diversión is an initiative by Minor League Baseball to promote the sport and connect its teams to their Hispanic/Latino communities. Teams adopt a culturally-relevant on-field persona for certain games each season.

References

  1. 1 2 Benjamin, Hill (October 21, 2020). "Shore thing: BlueClaws Adopt Beachy Keen Look". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (July 27, 2017). "Shore Town Baseball Acquires Lakewood BlueClaws Operating Interest". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Look". Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Board of Directors". willis.com. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  5. ↑ Dave Fairbank (March 21, 2009). "Plumeri warmly reflects on decade". Daily Press . Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  6. ↑ Gregory J. Volpe (July 24, 2000). "In Lakewood, They're Coming Before its Built". The Press of Atlantic City . Retrieved July 16, 2010.
  7. ↑ "South Atlantic League Attendance". South Atlantic League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  8. ↑ "BlueClaws: New owners Shore Town Baseball has local ties and big ideas". Asbury Park Press.
  9. ↑ "About the BlueClaws - Lakewood BlueClaws About Us". Lakewood BlueClaws.
  10. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.