Richmond Flying Squirrels
Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants based in Richmond.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. They are a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants and play in the Eastern League at CarMax Park, a newly developed stadium adjacent to their former home, the Diamond. The team marked affiliated baseball's return to Richmond after a one-year absence following the relocation of the Richmond Braves after the 2008 season.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1995
- City
- Richmond, Virginia
- Class Level
- Double-A (1995–present)
- Current League
- Eastern League (1995–present)
- Division
- Southwest Division
- Majorleague
- San Francisco Giants (2003–present)
- Pastmajorleague
- New York Yankees (1995–2002)
- Nickname
- Richmond Flying Squirrels (2010–present)
- Pastnames
- Connecticut Defenders (2006–2009) / Norwich Navigators (1995–2005)
- Mascots
- Nutzy and Nutasha
- Ballpark
- CarMax Park
- Pastparks
- Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium (1995–2009) / The Diamond (2010–2025)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The franchise originated as the Norwich Navigators in 1995, later becoming the Connecticut Defenders. On September 23, 2009, it was announced the team would relocate to Richmond, Virginia, and the name was changed to the Flying Squirrels through a readers' contest held by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The winning name was submitted by Brad Mead of Prince George, Virginia; other finalists included the Rock Hoppers, Hambones, Rhinos, Flatheads, and Hush Puppies. The Hambones name was ruled out after an uproar and the NAACP found it could be seen as derogatory toward the African-American community.
The Flying Squirrels logo, unveiled on December 1, 2009, was designed by San Diego-based sports branding firm Brandiose. It depicts a black, red, and grey flying squirrel shaped like the outline of Virginia, with a patch in the shape of an 'R' over an acorn on its chest, roughly where Richmond is located. The logo was named logo of the year by Ballpark Digest in 2010 and best minor-league logo by Baseball America in 2015.
Reader's Guide
The Richmond Flying Squirrels represent the return of affiliated baseball to Richmond after the departure of the Triple-A Richmond Braves in 2009. As the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants since 2010, they hold the longest-running active affiliation in the Giants organization among teams not owned by the Giants. The team also holds the current record for the longest distance from their major league affiliate, at 2,872.5 miles from Oracle Park. Their history includes a 2002 Eastern League championship won as the Norwich Navigators, and playoff appearances in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2014, 2022, and 2023. The franchise's relocation and rebranding, including the distinctive state-shaped logo, have made the Flying Squirrels a notable minor-league team with a strong local identity.
Did You Know?
- The Flying Squirrels hold the record for the longest distance from their major league affiliate, at 2,450 miles from Oracle Park.
- The franchise's only Eastern League title was won in 2002, when the team was known as the Norwich Navigators.
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