Myrtle Beach Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays affiliate that won a title in its first season.
The Myrtle Beach Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that began play in the South Atlantic League in 1987 after relocating from Florence, South Carolina. They played at Charles Watson Stadium and served as a Toronto Blue Jays affiliate, featuring future major leaguers such as Carlos Delgado, Pat Hentgen, and Derek Bell. The club was renamed the Myrtle Beach Hurricanes in 1991 and moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, after the 1992 season.
Quick Facts
- City
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Class level
- Class A (1987–1992)
- League
- South Atlantic League (1987–1992)
- Majorleague
- Toronto Blue Jays (1987-1992)
- Nickname
- Myrtle Beach Hurricanes (1991-1992); Myrtle Beach Blue Jays (1987-1990)
- Ballpark
- Charles Watson Stadium (1987–1992)
Facts from the source article.
Seasons synopsis
In their inaugural 1987 season, the Blue Jays won both halves of the South Division under manager Barry Foote, posting records of 42-28 and 41-28. The team led the league with a 3.13 ERA and ranked third in runs scored (660). Despite being underdogs to the Asheville Tourists, Myrtle Beach captured the league championship by winning a five-game series, taking the decisive game 3-2. Mark Whiten was voted the top prospect in the league by managers, while Junior Felix ranked third and catcher Francisco Cabrera ninth. Shortstop Eric Yelding stole 73 bases.
The 1988 team, managed by Richie Hebner, won the first half (46-24) but slipped to 37-32 in the second half and lost in the playoffs. Five players were named All-Stars. Derek Bell was voted the league's top prospect, Jimmy Rogers was Most Outstanding Pitcher and fifth-best prospect, first baseman Greg Vella ranked fourth, and pitcher Xavier Hernandez tenth.
In 1989, under new manager Mike Fischlin, the club fell to a 59-83 record, worst in the South Atlantic League, with a 4.07 ERA that was second-worst. Dave Weathers (11-13, 3.86) was the staff workhorse.
Fischlin's 1990 squad improved to 77-63, fourth in the league, with no All-Stars. The team ERA rose to third place (3.12), led by Rob Blumberg (2.16, fourth in the league), Mike Ogliaruso (2.52, fifth and ranked eighth prospect), and Aaron Small (2.80, eighth). Outfielder Nigel Wilson was the club's top offensive threat.
Move to Hagerstown
The club was owned by Baltimore oxygen salesman Winston Blenckstone, who had purchased the Florence Blue Jays for $200,000 in October 1986 and moved them to Myrtle Beach. The home debut on April 8, 1987 drew a standing-room-only crowd of 4,030, but attendance quickly fell below 1,000 per night, among the worst in the league. By April 1989, Blenckstone threatened to move the team unless a new two-million-dollar stadium was built. Rebranding as the Myrtle Beach Hurricanes in 1991 did not improve attendance, and in late 1992 he moved the franchise to Hagerstown, Maryland, renaming it the Hagerstown Suns.
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