Sumter Braves

Sumter Braves
1985 – 1990 Sumter, South Carolina
Minor league affiliations
Class	Class A
League	South Atlantic League (1985–1990)
Major league affiliations
Team	Atlanta Braves (1985-1990)
Minor league titles
League titles	None
Team data
Name	Sumter Braves (1985-1990)
Ballpark	Riley Park (1985–1990)

The Sumter Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Sumter, South Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League, and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. Their home stadium was Riley Park.

History

In 1984, the Anderson Braves relocated to Sumter. In 1991, the affiliate shifted to Macon, Georgia and became known as the Macon Braves, ^{[1] [2]} eventually becoming today's Rome Emperors of Rome, Georgia. An expansion team was awarded to Sumter right after the Sumter Braves relocated, which was known as the Sumter Flyers. ^[3] Notably, 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tom Glavine pitched for Sumter in 1985.

The ballpark

Sumter teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks (1949–1950) of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians (1970) and Sumter Astros (1971) of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves (1985–1990) and Sumter Flyers (1991) of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

• Tom Glavine (1985) Inducted, 2014

Notable alumni

• Shane Andrews (1991)
• Jeff Blauser (1985) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Jolbert Cabrera (1991)
• Vinny Castilla (1990) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Kevin Foster (1991)
• Ron Gant (1985, 1989) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Ryan Klesko (1989-1990) MLB All-Star
• Mark Lemke (1985)
• Al Martin (1986-1987)
• Carlos Perez (1991) MLB All-Star
• Eddie Perez (1989-1990) NLCS Most Valuable Player
• Kirk Rueter (1991)
• Brian Snitker (1986, MGR)
• Rondell White (1991) MLB All-Star
• Mark Wohlers (1989-1990) MLB All-Star
• Ned Yost (1988-1990, MGR) Manager: 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals

Year-by-year record

Sumter Braves

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1985	72-63	6th	Buddy Bailey	Lost in 1st round
1986	77-60	3rd	Brian Snitker
1987	75-62	3rd	Buddy Bailey
1988	64-73	9th	Ned Yost
1989	60-81	11th	Ned Yost
1990	73-69	7th	Ned Yost

References

1. Article title Sumter Braves become Macon Braves, Digitalballparks.com
2. Article title Sumter Braves relocate to Macon and Sumter gets a new franchise, Digitalballparks.com
3. Article title New Sumter team is Sumter Flyers
4. "Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
5. "USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter". uscfireants.com.
6. "Sports - Morris College". www.morris.edu.