Rocket City Trash Pandas
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| Rocket City Trash Pandas | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Double-A (2020–present) |
| League | Southern League (2022–present) |
| Division | North Division |
Previous leagues |
|
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Los Angeles Angels (2020–present) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | none |
| Division titles (0) | none |
| First-half titles (1) |
|
| Second-half titles (1) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Rocket City Trash Pandas (2020–present) |
| Colors | Red, blue, gray, white, black |
| Mascot | Sprocket |
| Ballpark | Toyota Field (2020–present) |
| General manager | Garrett Fahrmann[2] |
| Manager | Andy Schatzley[1] |
The Rocket City Trash Pandas are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. They are located in Madison, Alabama, and play their home games at Toyota Field.[3]
History[edit]
In November 2017, BallCorps LLC purchased the Southern League's Mobile BayBears from owners Michael Savit and HWS Group for the purpose of relocating the team to Madison, Alabama, in 2020.[4][5] Upon relocation, the team was renamed the Rocket City Trash Pandas.[6] The name is a reference to both the area's association with the space industry, namely from Huntsville, and the determination and ingenuity of raccoons (which are native to the Huntsville area; "trash panda" is a slang nickname for the animal due to their facial resemblance to the panda and their tendency to dig through trash).[6] In December 2019, Rocket City announced that it had sold more than $2 million in merchandise in just over 13 months since announcing its branding.[7]
The Trash Pandas were to begin their inaugural season on the road playing against the Birmingham Barons on April 9, 2020, and play their first home game on April 15;[3] however, the start of the 2020 season was postponed before getting canceled on June 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] pushing back their inaugural season by a year.
In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Southern League disbanded and the Trash Pandas were organized into the eight-team Double-A South.[9] Their scheduled May 4, 2021, road opener was postponed due to inclement weather,[10] so they played their first game the next night against the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee, losing 6–1.[11]
In 2022, the Double-A South became known as the Southern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[12] In June, the Trash Pandas won the first half North Division title to clinch a postseason playoff berth.[13] Their first postseason appearance, the Trash Pandas fell to the Tennessee Smokies, 2–1, in the first round of the 2022 Southern League playoffs.[14] Manager Andy Schatzley was chosen for the Southern League Manager of the Year Award,[15] and Chase Silseth won the Southern League Pitcher of the Year Award.[16]
Season-by-season results[edit]
| Season | Record | Win % | League | Division | GB | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54–56 | .491 | 6th | 3rd | 4 | Jay Bell | — |
| 2022 | 81–57 | .587 | 1st | 1st | — | Andy Schatzley | Lost to Tennessee Smokies, 2–1, in semifinals |
| 2023 | 58–80 | .420 | 7th | 3rd | 17+1⁄2 | Andy Schatzley | — |
| Totals | 193–193 | .500 | — | — | — | — | — |
Roster[edit]
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
| Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
| Manager
Coaches
| ||
References[edit]
- ^ Montgomery, Charles (February 25, 2022). "Trash Pandas announce Andy Schatzley as manager for 2022 season". WAFF (TV). Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Name Garrett Fahrmann VP & General Manager". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. August 8, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ a b Gattis, Paul (August 1, 2019). "Trash Pandas release 2020 schedule, opening vs. Braves". AL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
- ^ Stephenson, Creg (November 9, 2017). "Mobile BayBears confirm sale, will play 2018 season at Hank Aaron Stadium". AL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "MiLB Approves Mobile BayBears Move to Madison". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- ^ a b Ary, Patrick (September 5, 2018). "Rocket City Trash Pandas chosen as new Madison baseball team's name". WHNT-TV. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- ^ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Pass $2M Mark in Licensed Merchandise Sales". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. December 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Trash Pandas Season Opener Rained Out". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Trash Pandas vs. Lookouts Box Score 05/05/21". Minor League Baseball. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Chakamian, Claudia (June 19, 2022). "Rocket City Trash Pandas clinch playoff berth with first half division title". WHNT-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "Trash Pandas Eliminated With 3-1 Loss". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Andy Schatzley, Eric Torres Earn Southern League Honors". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- ^ Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
