Salem Red Sox

Minor league baseball team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Salem Red Sox

The Salem Red Sox are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB), based in Salem, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia.[a] The team competes at the Single-A level in the Carolina League. Home games are played at Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, a 6,300-seat facility opened in 1995.

Quick Facts Team logo, Cap insignia ...
Salem Red Sox
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Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2021–present)
Previous classes
  • Class A-Advanced (1990–2020)
  • Class A (1968–1989)
  • Rookie (1963–1967)
  • Class D (1955, 1957–1962)
LeagueCarolina League (1968–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Appalachian League (1955, 1957–1967)
Major league affiliations
TeamBoston Red Sox (2009–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (7)
  • 1955
  • 1965
  • 1972
  • 1974
  • 1987
  • 2001
  • 2013
Division titles (13)
  • 1968
  • 1969
  • 1972
  • 1974
  • 1981
  • 1987
  • 1988
  • 2006
  • 2009
  • 2013
  • 2016
  • 2019
  • 2021
Team data
NameSalem Red Sox (2009–present)
Previous names
  • Salem Avalanche (1995–2008)
  • Salem Buccaneers (1987–1994)
  • Salem Redbirds (1981–1986)
  • Salem Pirates (1972–1980)
  • Salem Rebels (1955, 1957–1971)
MascotsMuggsy and Misty
BallparkSalem Memorial Ballpark (1995–present)
Previous parks
Kiwanis Field (1955, 1957–1994)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Diamond Baseball Holdings[1]
General managerAllen Lawrence
ManagerLiam Carroll[2]
Websitemilb.com/salem
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Exterior of Salem Memorial Ballpark in 2017

The team first played in 1955, and then from 1957 to 1967, in the Appalachian League, initially at the now-defunct Class D level and then at the Rookie level starting in 1963. From 1968 through 2020, the team competed in the Carolina League, initially Class A and then Class A-Advanced starting in 1990.

Prior to adopting the Red Sox name in 2009, the team was known as the Salem Avalanche from 1995 through 2008, when it was affiliated with the Colorado Rockies (1995–2002) and Houston Astros (2003–2008). Prior to 1995, the franchise played under several other names and affiliations.

History

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The franchise debuted in 1955 and was initially known as the Salem Rebels, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The franchise was owned from 1986 until 2006 by Kelvin Bowles, a cable television executive and scout in Major League Baseball. Bowles, who scouted for the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2005, bought the team when it was in danger of moving from Salem. In 2006, the team was sold to a pair of businessmen from Atlanta who also owned the Fort Wayne Wizards. In December 2007, this group sold the team to Fenway Sports Group, a subsidiary of the Boston Red Sox ownership group, preparing the team for an affiliation change after its Player Development Contract with the Houston Astros ended in 2008. As such, the Salem Red Sox are owned by the same parent company that manages Liverpool F.C. and the Boston Red Sox.

In 2006, Salem Memorial Ballpark hosted the All Star Game between the Carolina League and California League.

Since switching affiliation to Boston in 2009, the team has claimed four division titles (2009, 2013, 2016, 2019), has made five playoff appearances (each division title season, plus 2014 as a wild card), and has won one league championship (2013). League and divisional titles are commemorated on the press box and sky boxes overlooking the Carilion Clinic Field Grandstand.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the team moved from being the Red Sox' Class A-Advanced affiliate to being their Low-A affiliate, and became a member of the Low-A East; in a corresponding move, the Greenville Drive moved from Class A to High-A.[4][5] At the time of the restructuring, the website Ballpark Digest speculated that the Red Sox could look to move the Salem franchise to Lowell, Massachusetts in time for the 2022 season.[6] In May 2021, Rick White, president of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, announced that Salem, along with Staten Island, New York, was "on board for 2022" as an expansion franchise location, further fueling speculation that Salem would lose their affiliation status to Lowell.[7][8] 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.[9]

On the 17th of March 2023, it was announced that their owners, FSG, sold them to Diamond Baseball Holdings who also own the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs.[1]

Location and rivalry games

While the team is located in a relatively small city (population circa 25,000) when compared to other teams of its classification, the Red Sox are strongly identified with the Roanoke Valley as a whole, drawing fans from neighboring cities and counties within the roughly 300,000-person metropolitan area. The connection with neighboring Roanoke was emphasized during the 2017 Carolina League All-Star Classic, hosted by Salem, that was represented by a logo featuring the iconic Mill Mountain Star. Salem is also located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are featured prominently on the team's logo and are clearly visible over Carilion Clinic Field's outfield walls. This mountain view includes the aforementioned star, visible on clear nights over the left field wall.

Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark is located roughly 2 miles (3.2 km) from downtown Salem and is part of the James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex, which also includes the Salem Civic Center and Salem Football Stadium (former location of the annual Stagg Bowl). The Red Sox share their stadium with the NCAA Division III Roanoke Maroons and have previously hosted the "Hokie-Smokey Classic" baseball series between the Tennessee Volunteers and the nearby Virginia Tech Hokies.

Given the teams' close proximity, their long-time histories in the league, and both competing in the Carolina League's North Division, Salem's chief rival is the Lynchburg Hillcats. The regular matchups of these teams, known as the "460 Series", named for U.S. Route 460 which connects the cities, has occasionally feature day/night doubleheaders during which two games will be split between the two cities over the course of the same day.

Season-by-season records

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Note that while records in the below table are for entire seasons, the Carolina League has played a split-season schedule since 1970, except for 2020, when minor-league seasons were canceled, and 2021, when it operated as Low-A East. In years when a split-season was played, a team may have earned a division title by finishing first in either half of the season, despite not having the best overall record for the entire season. Alternately, a team may have had the best overall record for the entire season, but did not finish first in either half of the season, thus did not earn a division title.

More information Season, Nickname ...
Season Nickname Affiliation Record (win %) Finish Manager Playoffs (games) Attendance Ref.
1955RebelsPittsburgh84–38 (.689)1st of 8Jack Crosswhitedefeated Kingsport Cherokees (2–0)
no contest vs. Johnson City Cardinals[b]
31,213[12]
1956no team
1957RebelsPittsburgh38–30 (.559)3rd of 6Lamar Dortonnone held18,007[13]
1958RebelsPittsburgh42–29 (.592)3rd of 6Lamar Dortonnone held21,351[14]
1959RebelsPittsburgh38–29 (.567)2nd of 6Lamar Dortonnone held36,128[15]
1960RebelsSan Francisco28–39 (.418)6th of 6Jodie Phippsnone held38,929[16]
1961RebelsSan Francisco31–35 (.470)7th of 8Jodie Phippsnone held34,125[17]
1962RebelsSan Francisco31–39 (.443)5th of 6Alex Cosmidisnone held40,913[18]
1963RebelsSan Francisco36–34 (.514)2nd of 6Alex Cosmidisnone held34,061[19]
1964RebelsPittsburgh30–41 (.423)3rd of 4George Detorenone held36,184[20][11]:527
1965RebelsPittsburgh43–27 (.614)1st of 6George Detore(champions, no playoff)44,254[21][22]
1966RebelsPittsburgh25–43 (.368)5th of 5George Detorenone held34,884[23][11]:535
1967RebelsPittsburgh28–38 (.424)5th of 6Bob Pritchardnone held34,822[24][11]:539
1968RebelsPittsburgh85–55 (.607)1st of 6 (West)Don Hoaklost to Lynchburg White Sox (0–1)64,532[25]
1969RebelsPittsburgh78–66 (.542)1st of 5 (West)Chuck Hillerdefeated High Point-Thomasville Royals (2–0)
lost to Burlington Senators (0–2)
63,248[26]
1970RebelsPittsburgh60–80 (.429)7th of 8Billy Klausdid not qualify50,076[27]
1971RebelsPittsburgh65–71 (.478)6th of 8Tim Murtaughdid not qualify37,872[28]
1972PiratesPittsburgh79–58 (.577)1st of 6[c]Tim Murtaughdefeated Burlington Rangers (2–1)43,910[29]
1973PiratesPittsburgh66–72 (.478)5th of 6Steve Demeterdid not qualify45,915[30]
1974PiratesPittsburgh87–50 (.635)1st of 6[d]Johnny Lipon(champions, no playoff)41,379[31]
1975PiratesPittsburgh74–66 (.529)3rd of 4Johnny Lipondid not qualify39,007[32]
1976PiratesPittsburgh68–69 (.496)3rd of 4Steve Demeterdid not qualify30,387[33]
1977PiratesPittsburgh66–72 (.478)3rd of 4Steve Demeterdid not qualify32,744[34]
1978PiratesPittsburgh72–63 (.533)3rd of 6Jim Mahoneydid not qualify51,096[35]
1979PiratesPittsburgh54–82 (.397)6th of 6Jim Mahoneydid not qualify43,036[36]
1980PiratesPittsburgh79–60 (.568)2nd of 4 (Virginia)Johnny Lipondid not qualify102,456[37]
1981RedbirdsSan Diego66–74 (.471)3rd of 4 (North)[e]Glenn Ezelllost to Hagerstown Suns (0–1)72,125[38]
1982RedbirdsSan Diego39–101 (.279)4th of 4 (North)Jim Zerilladid not qualify47,202[39]
1983RedbirdsSan Diego50–89 (.360)4th of 4 (North)Steve Smithdid not qualify56,451[40]
1984RedbirdsTexas64–74 (.464)3rd of 4 (North)Bill Stearnsdid not qualify61,623[41]
1985RedbirdsTexas72–65 (.526)2nd of 4 (North)Bill Stearnsdid not qualify71,788[42]
1986RedbirdsTexas45–93 (.326)4th of 4 (North)Mike Buccidid not qualify87,047[43]
1987BuccaneersPittsburgh80–59 (.576)1st of 4 (North)[f]Steve Demeterdefeated Hagerstown Suns (2–0)
defeated Kinston Indians (3–1)
111,661[44]
1988BuccaneersPittsburgh73–66 (.525)2nd of 4 (North)[g]Jay Wardlost to Lynchburg Red Sox (1–2)119,966[45]
1989BuccaneersPittsburgh63–75 (.457)4th of 4 (North)Rocky Bridgesdid not qualify121,581[46]
1990BuccaneersPittsburgh55–84 (.396)4th of 4 (North)Stan Cliburndid not qualify126,121[47]
1991BuccaneersPittsburgh63–77 (.450)3rd of 4 (North)Stan Cliburndid not qualify131,582[48]
1992BuccaneersPittsburgh64–76 (.457)4th of 4 (North)John Wockenfussdid not qualify159,316[49]
1993BuccaneersPittsburgh61–79 (.436)4th of 4 (South)Scott Littledid not qualify145,657[50]
1994BuccaneersPittsburgh64–75 (.460)3rd of 4 (South)Trent Jewettdid not qualify153,575[51]
1995AvalancheColorado68–72 (.486)3rd of 4 (South)Bill Hayesdid not qualify140,111[52]
1996AvalancheColorado62–76 (.449)4th of 4 (South)Bill McGuiredid not qualify173,703[53]
1997AvalancheColorado63–75 (.457)2nd of 4 (South)Bill McGuiredid not qualify188,023[54]
1998AvalancheColorado62–78 (.443)3rd of 4 (South)Jay Lovigliodid not qualify189,069[55]
1999AvalancheColorado69–69 (.500)3rd of 4 (South)Ron Gideondid not qualify206,012[56]
2000AvalancheColorado73–67 (.521)2nd of 4 (South)Alan Cockrelldid not qualify200,863[57]
2001AvalancheColorado70–68 (.507)3rd of 4 (South)[h]Dave Collinsdefeated Kinston Indians (2–1)
defeated Frederick Keys (3–2)
203,375[59]
2002AvalancheColorado74–66 (.529)3rd of 4 (South)Stu Coledid not qualify196,347[60]
2003AvalancheHouston73–65 (.529)1st of 4 (South)[i]John Massarellidid not qualify175,155[61]
2004AvalancheHouston65–74 (.468)4th of 4 (South)Russ Nixondid not qualify224,991[62]
2005AvalancheHouston67–74 (.475)3rd of 4 (South)Iván DeJesúsdid not qualify255,225[63]
2006AvalancheHouston76–61 (.555)2nd of 4 (South)[j]Jim Pankovitslost to Kinston Indians (0–2)237,724[64]
2007AvalancheHouston79–60 (.568)2nd of 4 (South)[k]Jim Pankovitsdefeated Kinston Indians (2–1)
lost to Frederick Keys (1–3)
258,469[66]
2008AvalancheHouston56–84 (.400)4th of 4 (South)Jim Pankovitsdid not qualify235,823[67]
2009Red SoxBoston67–72 (.482)2nd of 4 (South)[l]Chad Eppersondefeated Winston-Salem Dash (3–0)
lost to Lynchburg Hillcats (0–3)
231,186[69]
2010Red SoxBoston73–65 (.529)2nd of 4 (South)Kevin Bolesdid not qualify211,527[70]
2011Red SoxBoston64–75 (.460)4th of 4 (South)Bruce Crabbedid not qualify226,337[71]
2012Red SoxBoston68–69 (.496)3rd of 4 (South)Billy McMillondid not qualify178,730[72]
2013Red SoxBoston76–64 (.543)2nd of 4 (South)[m]Billy McMillondefeated Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2–0)
defeated Potomac Nationals (3–0)
172,293[74]
2014Red SoxBoston68–68 (.500)2nd of 4 (South)[n]Carlos Febleslost to Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1–2)220,782[76]
2015Red SoxBoston66–73 (.475)4th of 4 (South)Carlos Feblesdid not qualify228,120[77]
2016Red SoxBoston87–52 (.626)1st of 4 (South)[o]Joe Oliverlost to Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1–2)200,478[80]
2017Red SoxBoston87–52 (.626)2nd of 5 (North)Joe Oliverdid not qualify215,244[81]
2018Red SoxBoston63–75 (.457)5th of 5 (North)Joe Oliverdid not qualify192,621[82]
2019Red SoxBoston67–70 (.489)3rd of 5 (North)[p]Corey Wimberlylost to Wilmington Blue Rocks (2–3)171,866[84]
2020Red SoxBostonseason canceled, COVID-19 pandemicCorey Wimberly 
2021Red SoxBoston71–49 (.592)1st of 4 (North)[q]Luke Montzdid not qualify128,769[85]
2022Red SoxBoston64–66 (.492)4th of 6 (North)Luke Montzdid not qualify181,287[86]
2023Red SoxBoston55–72 (.433)5th of 6 (North)Liam Carrolldid not qualify177,083[87]
2024 Red Sox Boston 70-62 (.530) 3rd of 6 (North) Liam Carroll did not qualify 185,784 [88]
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Source:[11]

Notable former players

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Orlando Cepeda

At least two inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame played for Salem; Orlando Cepeda, who played 26 games for the Rebels in 1955,[89] and Larry Walker, who played two rehabilitation games with the Avalanche in 1996.[90]

Tim Murtaugh was a player, manager, and player-manager for Salem; he played 38 games for the 1965 Rebels, he managed the 1971 Rebels, and he appeared in 10 games while managing the 1972 Pirates.[91]

Mario Mendoza played 136 games for Salem in 1972, registering a .221 batting average,[92] slightly above the Mendoza Line that is named for him.

Daisuke Matsuzaka made a rehabilitation start for Salem in September 2009, in a Carolina League playoff game against the Winston-Salem Dash,[93] and later made a regular-season rehabilitation start for Salem in 2012.[94]

For notable players who made appearances with Salem, see:

Club records

  • Batting: .370 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
  • Hits: 208 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
  • Doubles: 43 – Garrett Atkins, 2001
  • Triples: 17 – David Arrington, 1968
  • Home Runs: 34 – Gerald Davis, 1981
  • Total Bases: 280 – Oswaldo Olivares, 1977
  • Runs Batted In: 103 – Gerald Davis, 1981
  • Stolen Bases: 84 – Miguel Diloné, 1975
  • Wins: 16 – Jim Minshall 1972
  • Losses: 15 – Frank Brosious, 1983; James McKee, 1970
  • Strikeouts: 186 – Ed Whitson, 1976; Doug Bair, 1972
  • Walks: 127 – Benjamin Willbank, 1978
  • Innings Pitched: 203 – Ed Whitson, 1976
  • Earned Run Average: 2.11 – Josh Kalinowski, 1999
  • Saves: 27 – Travis Thompson, 1999

Media information

More information Season(s), Broadcaster ...
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In 2019, Melanie Newman joined Suzie Cool as part of the first all-female broadcast team in professional baseball when she served as play-by-play broadcaster for the Salem Red Sox.[95]

Team mascots

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Mugsy

Lefty and Righty, the team's newest mascots; two person-sized red socks, each wearing a Boston Red Sox hat; one has an "L" on its back, the other has an "R". These mascots were discontinued, leaving Mugsy as the team's lone mascot as of 2024.

Mugsy, a St. Bernard mascot who made his rookie debut in professional baseball in 1997 with the Avalanche. According to the team's website, Mugsy descended from the passing Hale-Bopp comet that raced across the Roanoke Valley sky on April 4, 1997.

Misty, a female saint bernard mascot who joined the team in 2005. As of 2021, Misty is no longer appearing at Red Sox games.

Big Mo, the Salem Avalanche's Kid's Club mascot; a giant abominable snowman.

The Baseball Nut, the Avalanche's first mascot, which resembled an almond. While the idea was original, the Baseball Nut proved to be unpopular. Lacking a cute or friendly appearance, the mascot intimidated children and was an object of derision by adult fans. Mugsy was developed as a replacement.

Roster

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Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 48 Calvin Bickerstaff
  • 27 Luis Cohen
  • 39 Nathanael Cruz
  • 24 Matt Duffy
  • -- Austin Ehrlicher
  •  3 Jojo Ingrassia
  • 10 Nicholas Judice
  • 49 Griffin Kilander
  • 26 Danny Kirwin
  • 34 Trennor O'Donnell
  • 29 Denis Reguillo
  • 21 Eduardo Rivera
  •  8 Michael Sansone
  • 45 Conor Steinbaugh
  • 41 Luis Talavera
  • 37 Cole Tolbert
  • 31 Juan Valera

Catchers

  •  5 Brooks Brannon
  • -- Johanfran Garcia
  • 44 Daniel McElveny
  • 36 Andruw Musett
  • 28 Diego Viloria

Infielders

  •  6 Marvin Alcantara
  • 11 Antonio Anderson
  • 23 Franklin Arias
  • -- Yoeilin Cespedes
  • 18 Freili Encarnacion
  • 14 Albert Feliz
  • 20 Andy Lugo
  • 10 Stanley Tucker
  •  2 Nazzan Zanetello

Outfielders

  • 12 Karim Ayubi
  • 13 Kelvin Diaz
  • 28 Caden Rose
  • 22 Natanael Yuten


Manager

  • -- Ozzie Chavez

Coaches

  • -- Brendan Argomaniz (assistant pitching)
  • 33 Nelson Paulino (hitting coach)
  • -- Alex Reynolds (pitching)
  • 40 Kyle Schmidt (coach)
  • -- Jack Simonetty (assistant hitting)


7-day injured list
* On Boston Red Sox 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated February 9, 2025
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB  Carolina League
Boston Red Sox minor league players

Notes

  1. Salem is 677 miles (1,090 km) from Fenway Park in Boston.[3]
  2. In 1955, Salem and the Johnson City Cardinals were declared league co-champions when the final playoff series was canceled due to rain.[10][11]:485
  3. In 1972, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[11]:558
  4. In 1974, Salem finished first in both halves of the split-season.[11]:566
  5. In 1981, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[11]:596
  6. In 1987, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[11]:620
  7. In 1988, Salem finished first in the 1st half of the split-season.[11]:624
  8. In 2001, the Kinston Indians finished first in both halves of the split-season; Salem qualified as a wild card by finishing second in the 2nd half of the split-season.[58]
  9. In 2003, Salem did not win either half of the split-season, despite finishing with the best overall record in their division.[11]:707
  10. In 2006, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[11]:725
  11. In 2007, the Kinston Indians finished first in both halves of the split-season; Salem qualified as a wild card by finishing second in the 2nd half of the split-season.[65]
  12. In 2009, the Winston-Salem Dash won the 1st half of the split-season, while for the 2nd half of the split-season, Salem and Winston-Salem tied for first place; both teams advanced to the playoffs.[68]
  13. In 2013, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[73]
  14. In 2014, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans finished first in both halves of the split-season; Salem qualified as a wild card by finishing second in the 2nd half of the split-season.[75]
  15. In 2016, Salem finished first in the 1st half of the split-season.[78][79]
  16. In 2019, Salem finished first in the 2nd half of the split-season.[83]
  17. In 2021, Salem finished first in their division, but did not qualify for the postseason. The league did not play a split season, and only the top two teams with the best overall records, regardless of division, advanced to the playoffs.

References

Further reading

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