Oklahoma City RedHawks

Oklahoma City RedHawks Founded in 1962 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Class-level
Triple-A (1962–present)
Minor league affiliations
Pacific Coast League (1963–1968, 1998–present) American Conference - South Division American Association (1962, 1969–1997)
Major league affiliations
Houston Astros (2011–present) Texas Rangers (1983–2010) Philadelphia Phillies (1976–1982) Cleveland Indians (1973–1975) Houston Colt .45's / Houston Astros (1962–1972)
Name
Oklahoma City RedHawks (2009–present) Oklahoma RedHawks (1998–2008) Oklahoma City 89ers (1962–1997)
Ballpark
RedHawks Field at Bricktown (1998–present) All Sports Stadium (1962–1997)
Minor league titles
League titles	1985, 1992, 1996
Conference titles	1999
Division titles	1963, 1965, 1979, 1985, 1992, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010
Owner(s)/Operated by: Mandalay Sports Entertainment
Manager: Tony DeFrancesco
General Manager:

The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The RedHawks play in Bricktown Ballpark, located in the Bricktown Entertainment District in downtown Oklahoma City.

The team was originally known as the Oklahoma City 89ers from 1962 to 1997 when the team played at All Sports Stadium (now demolished) at the state fairgrounds. The original name made reference to the Land Run of 1889, which led to the founding of Oklahoma City. Following the 1997 season, they became the Oklahoma RedHawks. After the 2008 season, the team added "City" to their name. The minor renaming was accompanied by new logos and a new color scheme.^[1]

History

Oklahoma City previously had a different minor league team, the Oklahoma City Indians. The Oklahoma City 89ers began play in 1962 as a minor league affiliate of the Houston Colt .45's (later the Houston Astros). In 1973, a three-year connection with the Cleveland Indians was established. A later affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies lasted from 1976 until 1982.

In 1983, the Texas Rangers became the parent club, a relationship that would continue as the 89ers adopted new colors and uniforms along with the nickname "RedHawks" in 1998 in connection with the move to the newly-built RedHawks Ballpark. Crowds are consistently large at the park and the RedHawks have been very competitive with the exception of a couple of seasons.

On September 14, 2010, the Texas Rangers ownership announced that they were moving their Triple-A affiliation to the Round Rock Express (formerly the Astros' AAA affiliate).^[2] On September 15 the Redhawks were sold to Mandalay Baseball Properties, which also owns or operates five other minor league baseball teams, and is part of the Mandalay Entertainment conglomerate chaired by entertainment industry executive Peter Guber. On September 20, Mandalay entered into a formal agreement for the Redhawks to become the Astros' new AAA affiliate.^[3][4]

Notable former players

• Hank Blalock, third-baseman/first-baseman
• Francisco Cordero, pitcher
• Nelson Cruz, outfielder
• Doug Davis, pitcher
• R.A. Dickey, pitcher
• Justin Duchscherer, pitcher
• Scott Feldman, pitcher
• Travis Hafner, first-baseman/designated hitter
• Gabe Kapler, outfielder
• Ian Kinsler, second-baseman
• Mitch Moreland, first-baseman/outfielder
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia, catcher
• Justin Smoak, first-baseman
• Edinson Volquez, pitcher

Roster

Gabe Kapler

Oklahoma City RedHawks rosterview · talk · edit
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 30 Fernando Abad * 37 Xavier Cedeno 45 Jeff Fulchino * 41 Sammy Gervacio 16 Lucas Harrell 27 Dallas Keuchel 28 Jordan Lyles * 25 Sergio Perez 55 Ryan Rowland-Smith 29 Mickey Storey 32 José Valdez * 22 Andy Van Hekken 15 Ross Wolf		Catchers 49 Robinson Cancel 10 J. R. Towles * Infielders 21 Koby Clemens 12 Anderson Hernández 40 Chris Johnson *  9 Oswaldo Navarro  2 José Vallejo 39 Brett Wallace * Outfielders  5 Collin DeLome  3 Luis Durango  8 Jacob Goebbert 24 Drew Locke		Manager 11 Tony DeFrancesco Coaches -- Keith Bodie (hitting) -- Burt Hooton (pitching) 7-day disabled list * On Houston Astros 40-man roster ∞ Reserve list § Suspended list ‡ Restricted list # Rehab assignment Roster updated August 25, 2011 Transactions → More rosters

See also

Ian Kinsler

Baseball portal

• Current and former players (2009—)
• Former players (1998—2008)
• Former players (1962—1997)

References

1. ^ Patterson, Matt. "RedHawks to unveil new logos and colors." NewsOK. August 22, 2008. Retrieved on September 26, 2008.
2. ^ Cohn, Alex. "Nolan Ryan And Rangers Nab Round Rock, Houston May Relocate Triple-A Team To Nashville." SB Nation. September 14, 2010. Retrieved on September 14, 2010.
3. ^ Zachary Levine, "Astros cultivate farm system: Oklahoma City signs 2-year deal as AAA affiliate", Houston Chronicle, September 21, 2010.
4. ^ David Falcheck, "Mandalay buys Oklahoma RedHawks franchise", The Times-Tribune (Scranton), September 23, 2010.

External links

• Oklahoma City RedHawks official site
• Justin Smoak named 2009 International Senior Athlete of the Year. Cassandra Sedgman, "Paul Hyham IBAF 2009 Umpire of the Year". Baseball Australia, 7 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-07. See: International Baseball Federation#Awards and Texas Rangers award winners and league leaders#Minor-league system.

Preceded by San Diego Padres San Diego Padres	Pacific Coast League champions 1963 1965	Succeeded by San Diego Padres Seattle Angels
Preceded by Denver Zephyrs Louisville Redbirds	American Association champions 1992 1996	Succeeded by Iowa Cubs Buffalo Bisons