Reno Aces

MiLB infobox
name = Reno Aces
founded = 1998
city = Reno, Nevada
misc =

uniform
class level = Triple-A (1998–present)
past class level=
current league = Pacific Coast League (1998–present)
conference = Pacific Conference
division = Southern Division
past league =
majorleague = Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present)
uniform =
nickname = Reno Aces (2009–future)
pastnames = Tucson Sidewinders (1998–2008)
ballpark = Sierra Nevada Stadium (2009–future)
pastparks = Tucson Electric Park (1998–2008)
classchamps = 2006
leaguechamps = 2006
conferencechamps= 2006
divisionchamps = 2006
misc6 =
owner = Stevens Baseball Group
manager = Bill Plummer
gm = Rick ParrThe Reno Aces are a minor league baseball franchise based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. [ [http://rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/SPORTS/80923056&OAS_sitepage=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews Reno's "Triple-A baseball team to be called Aces."] ("Reno Gazette-Journal", September 23, 2008)] The team is a member of the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The franchise is owned by SK Baseball, LLC and will begin play at its new home ballpark, Sierra Nevada Stadium in spring 2009. They will be a part of the Pacific Conference's South Division along with the Fresno Grizzlies, Las Vegas 51s, and Sacramento River Cats.

History

Team origins

The Aces were originally known as the Tucson Sidewinders from 1998 to 2008. Before that, the team was first known as the Tucson Toros. They were Tucson's Triple-A baseball club, playing at Hi Corbett Field in midtown Tucson from 1969 to 1997. Part of the old 10-team configuration of the Pacific Coast League, the Toros won the PCL Championship in 1991 and 1993. The Toros were preceded by a number of other Tucson teams between 1915 and 1958, such as the Tucson Cowboys and the Tucson Lizards.

After the MLB expansion that added the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toros moved to Fresno, California as the Fresno Grizzlies. The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Tucson, briefly became the Tucson Toros (1997), and then became the Sidewinders (1998), the Triple-A affiliate of the new Diamondbacks. This was accomplished by what amounted to a "swap" in ownership in 1997, with Firebirds owner Martin Stone purchasing the Toros and Toros owner Rick Holtzman receiving interest in the Firebirds. The Tucson team retained management and staff primarily from the Toros, and traces its history from the Toros rather than the Firebirds. [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/ballpark/page.jsp?ymd=20060125&content_id=39224&vkey=ballpark_t549&fext=.jsp&sid=t549 "Team History."] Tucson Sidewinders. 2006. Retrieved on 9 April 2007.]

The Phoenix Firebirds had played from 1958 through 1997 as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The franchise joined the Pacific Coast League as a charter member in 1903 as the San Francisco Seals, relocating to Phoenix when the major league New York Giants moved to San Francisco. Seals alumni include Joe DiMaggio.

The Tucson Toros have been affiliated with the Chicago White Sox (1969–1972), the Oakland Athletics (1973–1976), the Texas Rangers (1977–1979), the Houston Astros (1980–1996), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1997 only, with one Diamondbacks prospect, Travis Lee, playing with them by special arrangement). At the time of the change in venue and affiliations (1998), a new Tucson team name, the "Sidewinders" was chosen after a name the team contest was held.

The Toros have since become a member of the independent Golden Baseball League, adopting their previous Triple-A history from 1969 to 1997.

A new era - Reno Aces

In late 2006, it was formally announced that the Tucson Sidewinders, the Toros' successor, would be moving to Reno, Nevada after the 2008 season. The team would have a new stadium built to accommodate them called Sierra Nevada Stadium. They will remain a Triple-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks as they prepare for their move to Reno.

The move will essentially force out another professional team that played in Reno since 2006, the Reno Silver Sox of the independent Golden Baseball League. [Brodesky, Josh. [http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/211061 "Toros could return in new incarnation."] "The Arizona Daily Star". 11 November 2007. 26 December 2007.] Despite being a D'backs farm team, the franchise dropped the name "Sidewinders" in place of a new identity. Some fans suggested that the team should adopt or purchase the rights to the Silver Sox name from the GBL for the new PCL club, but that was ruled out as that team is likely to relocate to Carson City, Nevada. [ [http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809160357 "Silver Sox could be headed down the highway."] ("Reno Gazette-Journal", September 16, 2008)] The Reno Aces introduced their new team name and logo at a press conference on September 23, 2008. [ [http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/SPORTS/809160358 "Triple-A team gets a name."] ("Reno Gazette-Journal", September 16, 2008)]

Logo gallery

Roster

References

External links

* [http://www.renoaces.com Reno Aces official website]
* [http://www.renoballparkupdate.com Reno Ballpark Update]