Edinburg Roadrunners
Independent baseball team from Edinburg, Texas, active 2001–2013.
The Edinburg Roadrunners were a professional baseball team based in Edinburg, Texas, that played in independent leagues unaffiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. The team competed in United League Baseball from 2006 to 2010 and the North American League from 2011 to 2012, and later played a final season in 2013. The franchise shut down after the city refused to extend a lease for the 2014 season.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2001
- Disbanded
- 2013
- City
- Edinburg, Texas
- Ballpark
- Edinburg Stadium
- League
- United League Baseball (2013)
- Former names
- Edinburg Roadrunners (2009–13)
- Edinburg Coyotes (2006–08)
- Edinburg Roadrunners (2001–05)
- Owner
- Reunion Sports Group
- Media
- McAllen Monitor
Facts from the source article.
History
The Edinburg Roadrunners began play in the Texas–Louisiana League in 2001, an independent league, with all games at Edinburg Stadium. They won the league title that year, the last before the league rebranded as the Central Baseball League. The team won the 2004 title in a sweep. The Central Baseball League disbanded in 2005; half of its teams joined the American Association of Professional Baseball, while the other half formed United League Baseball. However, the Roadrunners had folded before the league closed, and a new team called the Edinburg Coyotes replaced them. The Coyotes won a historic 17 consecutive games without a loss, a minor league record, before losing to the San Angelo Colts. They won the inaugural United League regular season title but lost the championship to the Alexandria Aces. On April 30, 2009, United League Baseball announced the franchise would become the Edinburg Roadrunners again, with the same name, logo, and mascot. The Roadrunners played in the ULB in 2009 and 2010, then moved to the North American League for 2011 and 2012. They returned to the United League for one final season in 2013, winning the championship in a six-team league where two teams folded.
Major League players
Notable players who appeared for the Roadrunners include Edwar Ramírez (RHP, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics), Robinson Cancel (C, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Houston Astros), and Randy Williams (LHP, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies). Other players include Chad Tredaway (2001–04), Vince Moore (2004–05), and Steve Maddock (2011). In 2001, Scott Fowler was named Rookie of the Year, Sergio Guerrero played second base, Ryan Harris pitched, and Chad Tredaway was Manager of the Year. In 2002, Pedro Cervantes (RP), Scott Green (RHP), and Steve Shirley (3B, Rookie of the Year) were on the team, with Tredaway again Manager of the Year. Ryan Harris pitched in 2003. The 2004 roster included Anthony Angel (2B), Pedro Flores (LHP), Ryan Harris (RHP), Ryan Lehr (IF), Eric Montoya (RHP), and Ryan Webb (OF). In 2005, Matt Spencer (OF) and Steve Wilkerson (P) played. Connections between the original and current Roadrunners include the same name, logo, colors, mascot Rowdy the Roadrunner, manager Vince Moore, CBL/ULB All-Star Eric Gonzalez, pitcher Pedro Flores, and Edinburg Baseball Stadium. The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings were a rival of both teams.
More in Defunct Independent Baseball League Teams
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