Queens Kings

The Queens Kings were the Toronto Blue Jays' Short-Season A classification team in the New York-Penn League in the 2000 season. The team was formerly the St. Catharines Stompers and was sold by the Blue Jays and relocated to Queens, New York and played at The Ballpark at St. Johns. The following season (2001), the team moved to Brooklyn, New York and became the Brooklyn Cyclones, an affiliate of the New York Mets. Of note, Alex Rios, who earned a spot on the 2007 American League All Star Roster, played his first season in professional baseball with the Queens Kings. Other former Queens Kings to reach the majors include Baltimore Orioles Catcher Guillermo Quiroz and Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon. Queens Kings alumni with brief MLB stints include Rich Thompson and Joe Orloski.