Charlotte Knights

The first professional baseball team in Charlotte was the Charlotte Hornets, who played only a single season. In 1900, the city was home to the Charlotte Presbyterians. A year later, a new Hornets team formed. The Hornets competed in various leagues for 66 seasons through 1972.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Charlotte&state=NC&country=US|title=Charlotte, North Carolina Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 14, 2021}} In 1937, the Washington Senators, later the Minnesota Twins, purchased the team. The Hornets remained a minor league affiliate of the Senators/Twins for 35 years. In 1940, Calvin Griffith, the son of Senators owner Clark Griffith and future owner of the Senators/Twins, built an approximately 5,000-seat park in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood, Clark Griffith Park. It would be the home of Charlotte baseball for the next half-century.{{cite web|last=Foster|first=Jason|url=https://charlotte.axios.com/4406/charlottes-baseball-parks-have-reflected-citys-identity/|title=Charlotte's Baseball Parks Have Reflected City's Identity|work=Axios Charlotte|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2021}}

The Hornets spent most of the first half of the 20th century in the low minors (in some years, as low as Class D–equivalent to a Rookie-level team today). However, for much of that time they were the Senators' second-highest affiliate. The Hornets joined the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) in 1954. They had previously been members of the SAL in the 1920s. The league became a Double-A circuit in 1963, and was reorganized as the Southern League in 1964. In 1972, Charlotte was home to two teams: the Hornets and Minnesota's Class A affiliate in the Western Carolinas League, the Charlotte Twins. After a lackluster season, however, the Twins were moved to Orlando, Florida, as the Orlando Twins. The Hornets also disbanded after the 1972 season, leaving the city without professional baseball.

In 1976, professional wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. and his family bought the Asheville Orioles, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and relocated the club from Asheville, North Carolina, to Charlotte as the Charlotte Orioles.{{sfn|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019|p=110}} Crockett renovated Griffith Park and renamed it Jim Crockett Memorial Park. Popularly known as the O's, the club joined the Southern League and inherited the Asheville team's status as the Orioles' Double-A affiliate.

The Southern League used a split-season schedule wherein the division winners from each half qualified for the postseason championship playoffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/southern/events/playoff-procedures|title=Playoff Procedures|work=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 4, 2020}} Charlotte won the First Half Eastern Division title in their inaugural 1976 season, but they lost the Eastern Division title versus the Orlando Twins in a one-game playoff.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1976|title=1976 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} The team featured pitcher Dave Ford, who won the Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award,{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/southern/history/league-award-winners|title=Southern League Award Winners|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 13, 2021}} and future Baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Murray at first base.{{sfn|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019|p=110}} Charlotte won another first half title in 1979 but were again eliminated in the Eastern Division series by the Columbus Astros, 2–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1979|title=1979 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}}

File:Cal Ripken Jr. in 1993.jpg, inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, played for the Charlotte O's in 1979 and 1980.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ripken001cal|title=Cal Ripken Jr. Minor Leagues Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 16, 2021}}]]

Manager Jimmy Williams led the 1980 O's to end the season with an even 72–72 record and the first half title.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1980|title=1980 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} They then swept the Savannah Braves in a three-game series for the Eastern Division title and defeated the Memphis Chicks, 3–1, to win their first Southern League championship. The 1980 team included future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. at third base.{{sfn|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019|p=110}} The Orioles returned to the postseason four years later when managers Grady Little and John Hart led them to a 75–72 record and the second half title. They defeated the Greenville Braves, 3–1, for the Eastern Division title before winning their second league championship over the Knoxville Blue Jays, 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1984|title=1984 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Ken Dixon was selected as the league's Most Outstanding Pitcher.

In March 1985, the mostly wood-framed Crockett Park was destroyed by fire.{{sfn|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019|p=110}} An investigation revealed arson as the cause. The Crockett family built a 3,000-seat makeshift stadium immediately afterward, which served as the O's home for two years. However, unlike its predecessor, it was completely exposed to the elements, causing a steep decline in attendance. The 1985 O's won a second half title and the Eastern Division over Columbus, 3–1, but lost the Southern League title to the Huntsville Stars, 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1985|title=1985 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Similarly, the 1987 first-half champion O's won the division title versus the Jacksonville Expos, 3–2, but lost the league crown to the Birmingham Barons, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1987|title=1987 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Third baseman Tom Dodd was selected for the 1987 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award.

Following the 1987 season, George Shinn, founder of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Hornets, bought the team from the Crockett family and committed to building a permanent ballpark. In 1988, the team was renamed the Charlotte Knights in a naming contest, and Crockett Park was renamed Knights Park.Sorensen, Tom (December 9, 1987). "Out With the O's, In With the New: Team Is Knighted". The Charlotte Observer.{{cite news|last=Gault|first=Earl|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rzktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RL4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2815,3688836&dq=knights+park|via=Google News|title=Some Win, Some Lose If Knights Move to S. C.|work=The Herald|location=Rock Hill|date=May 22, 1988|page=|url-status=}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}} The team's 13-year affiliation with Baltimore ended after the 1988 season.

In 1989, Shinn moved the Knights to Knights Castle, a temporary 8,000-seat stadium located just over the state line in Fort Mill, South Carolina, near the construction site of their permanent home, Knights Stadium. The stadium was built solely for the 1989 season and was demolished following the final game that year to make room for the completion of the 10,000-seat Knights Stadium. Along with a new ballpark, the Knights also had a new major league affiliate in the Chicago Cubs. Laddie Renfroe won the 1989 Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award. Charlotte returned to the playoffs in 1992, but they lost the Eastern Division title to Greenville, who had won both halves of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUL/y-1992|title=1992 Southern League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}}

In conjunction with the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion, team owner George Shinn was granted an expansion franchise in the Triple-A International League (IL), which would begin playing in Charlotte in 1993.{{cite news |last=Wiseman|first=Steve|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45346385/knights_and_visitors_will_step_up_a/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Knights — and Visitors — Will Step Up a Class|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=April 22, 1992|page=1A}} Shinn, who had applied for Charlotte to receive one of two available Triple-A expansion teams, was recommended by the expansion committee after their visit to evaluate the city.{{cite news |last=Olson|first=Stan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49594822/charlotte-awaits-official-nod/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Charlotte Awaits 'Official' Nod|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=December 12, 1991|page=2B}}{{cite news |last=Posnanski|first=Joe|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49593061/charlotte-shows-class-to-panel/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Charlotte Shows Class to Panel|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=June 21, 1991|page=6C}} Of the nine applicant cities, Charlotte had the newest stadium, the only major league sports franchise (Shinn's Charlotte Hornets), and the largest metro area population. It would be the first time that a Carolinas-based team would play at the highest level of minor league baseball.

Gaining a Triple-A team meant Shinn would need to relocate, or sell, his existing Southern League team as the higher classification team held the rights to the territory.{{cite news |last=Olson|first=Stan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45349338/aaa_vote_still_isnt_a_sure_thing/|via=Newspapers.com|title=AAA Vote Still Isn't a Sure Thing|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=December 5, 1991|page=8B}}{{cite news |last=Taft|first=Larry|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45220911/before_team_can_come_owner_must_be/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Before Team Can Come, Owner Must Be Decided|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=January 23, 1993|page=3-C}} He solicited offers to purchase the club to help defray a US$5 million International League enfranchisement cost.{{cite news |last=Chandler|first=Charles|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45350084/class_aaa_cost_may_push_shinn_to_sell_2/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Class AAA Cost May Push Shinn to Sell 2 Teams|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=January 14, 1992|page=1B}} Shinn initially sold the Double-A franchise to Tom Benson, owner of the National Football League's New Orleans Saints, who sought to relocate the club to New Orleans,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45354803/baseball_shinnbenson_sale/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Baseball|work=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte|date=October 9, 1992|page=6B}} but the move was blocked when Minor League Baseball granted territorial rights to the higher-classification Triple-A Denver Zephyrs, who wanted to move to New Orleans after being uprooted by the Colorado Rockies National League expansion team. Benson eventually opted out of the purchase. Without a ballpark for the 1994 season, Larry Schmittou, president and owner of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, offered Herschel Greer Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, as a temporary ballpark for the displaced team until Shinn could find a permanent location.{{cite news |last=Taft|first=Larry|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45221479/one_ballpark_two_teams_xpress_rolls/|via=Newspapers.com|title=One Ballpark, Two Teams: Xpress Rolls Into Town|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=January 29, 1993|page=1-C}} So, the team relocated there in 1993 as the Nashville Xpress.{{cite web|last=Traughber |first=Bill |title=Looking Back: The Nashville Express |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-75207452 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=April 16, 2021}}

File:Jim Thome (18421174923).jpg of the 1993 Knights was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=thome-001jam|title=Jim Thome Minor Leagues Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 17, 2021}}]]

The Triple-A Charlotte Knights carried on the history and identity of the preceding Double-A team and became the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. In 1993, Charlie Manuel managed the Knights to win the Western Division title with an 86–55 record. They then defeated the Richmond Braves, 3–1, in the semifinals to advance to the Governors' Cup finals for the International League championship. In the best-of-five series, Charlotte won their first IL championship over the Rochester Red Wings, 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1993|title=1993 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Third baseman Jim Thome, who was later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame, won the 1993 International League Most Valuable Player Award with the Knights.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/international/history/award-winners|title=International League Award Winners|website=International League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 13, 2021}} The 1994 squad made a push for a second IL title, but lost the semifinals versus Richmond, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1994|title=1994 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Much of the core of the 1993–94 Knights, including Manuel, would help lead the Indians to the World Series in 1995 and 1997.

In 1995, the Knights switched their affiliation to the Florida Marlins. Over four years with Florida, Charlotte's only postseason appearance occurred in 1997. As in their previous playoff run, they were eliminated in the semifinals by the Columbus Clippers, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1997|title=1997 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} In 1996, left fielder Billy McMillon was selected as the IL Rookie of the Year.

Before the 1997 season, Shinn sold the Knights to North Carolina businessman Don Beaver,{{cite web |last=Washburn |first=Mark |title=Charlotte Knights: Long Road to a New Uptown Ballpark |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/mark-washburn/article9110192.html |work=Charlotte Observer |date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=April 17, 2021}} who negotiated a Triple-A affiliation with the Chicago White Sox, which began in 1999. Manager Tom Spencer led the Knights to win the IL Wild Card that season with an 82–62 record. They defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, 3–2, in the semifinals before winning their second IL championship against the Durham Bulls, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1999|title=1999 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} This win earned the team a spot in the Triple-A World Series, a postseason interleague championship series between the league champions of the IL and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Charlotte lost the Triple-A World Series versus the Vancouver Canadians, 3–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.triple-abaseball.com/PostSeasonOthers.jsp|title=Triple-A Baseball Interleague Post-Season Play Results|website=Triple-A Baseball|access-date=April 13, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415031051/https://www.triple-abaseball.com/PostSeasonOthers.jsp|url-status=dead}} Spencer was recognized as the IL Manager of the Year.

Jon Garland, later of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox, won the IL Most Valuable Pitcher Award in 2000 with the Knights. In 2003, second baseman Aaron Miles was the Rookie of the Year. Charlotte next qualified for the Governors' Cup playoffs in 2006 having won the Southern Division title, but they lost the semifinals to the Toledo Mud Hens, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2006|title=2006 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Despite the early postseason exit, a pair of Knights were selected for IL awards. Heath Phillips was the Most Valuable Pitcher, and third baseman Josh Fields was the Rookie of the Year. The club's next playoff appearance came in 2012 after winning another Southern Division title. The defeated the Indianapolis Indians, 3–1, to reach the finals but were swept out of the championship round by the Pawtucket Red Sox in three games.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2012|title=2012 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=April 13, 2021}}

File:Third Ward, Charlotte, NC, USA - panoramio (2).jpg since 2014.]]

The Knights' attendance sagged after the turn of the millennium, in part because Knights Stadium was almost half an hour south of Charlotte. Many fans were unwilling to brave Interstate 77's infamous congestion in order to go to the stadium.{{cite web|last=Spanberg|first=Erik|title=City to Study Funding Charlotte Knights Uptown Ballpark |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2012/01/city-could-invest-in-ballpark.html| website=Charlotte Business Journal|date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=April 17, 2021}} In 2011, the Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission approved a land-swap agreement which opened the door for the construction of a new 10,200-seat stadium in downtown Charlotte. The $54 million park, BB&T Ballpark, now Truist Field, opened in time for the 2014 season. It is located one block from Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. To go along with the move, the Knights dropped the navy blue and dark green color scheme they had been using for the previous 15 years in favor of a new black-gold-silver palette, modeled on the color scheme of the White Sox. They also adopted new logos that focused more on the knight rather than his horse.{{cite web|last=Reichard|first=Kevin|title=Charlotte Knights Unveil New Look for 2014|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201310256729/at-the-ballpark/the-front-office/charlotte-knights-unveil-new-look| website= Ballpark Digest|date=October 25, 2013 |access-date=April 17, 2021}}

Charlotte hosted the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game in which a team of International League All-Stars defeated the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, 4–2.{{Cite web|url=http://www.triple-abaseball.com/ASGSummaries6.jsp|title=Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2013–2017)|publisher=Triple-A Baseball|accessdate=July 7, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423141214/https://www.triple-abaseball.com/ASGSummaries6.jsp|url-status=dead}} The Knights narrowly missed the 2016 playoffs, finishing a half game behind the first-place Gwinnett Stripers.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d43c241c|title=2016 International League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 13, 2021}} The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being cancelled on June 30.{{cite news |title=A Message From Pat O'Conner|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/message-from-minor-league-baseball-president-ceo-pat-o-conner-313052288|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}{{cite news |title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved|url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|website=Minor League Baseball|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}

Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel. The Chicago White Sox retained Charlotte as their Triple-A affiliate, but the International League disbanded, and the Knights followed the other IL teams into the Triple-A East.{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}} Charlotte ended the season in seventh place in the Southeastern Division with a 45–75 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|title=2021 Triple-A East Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}} No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/triple-a-classification-to-add-10-games-to-2021-schedule |title=MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=July 14, 2021 |accessdate=July 16, 2021}} However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Charlotte finished the tournament in 26th place with a 2–6 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/|title=2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}} In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}}

Prior to the 2023 season, the Knights debuted redesigned logos and uniforms. They retained their gold, silver, and black colors with the addition of blue, which is used by the city's other teams, the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, and Charlotte Hornets. The knight's helmet was redesigned, as was the "C" featured in their cap logo.{{cite web|last=Viola|first=Tommy|url=https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/news/it-s-all-charlotte-knights-go-cltblue-with-exciting-brand-refresh|title=It's All Charlotte! Knights Go #CLTBlue with Exciting Brand Refresh|website=Charlotte Knights|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=November 1, 2022|access-date=November 2, 2022}}

Matt Swierad has been the play-by-play announcer for Knights radio broadcasts since 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/ballpark/contact|title=Contract Us|website=Charlotte Knights|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 17, 2021}} Live audio broadcasts are available online through the team's website and the MiLB First Pitch app. Games can be viewed through the MiLB.TV subscription feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball, with audio provided by a radio simulcast.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe |title=MiLB.tv |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 11, 2021}}

{{Charlotte Knights roster}}

File:Ken Dixon Orioles.jpg won the Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award in 1984.]]

File:00063533 Josh Fields.jpg won the International League Rookie of the Year Award in 2006.]]

Eleven players, one manager, and three executives have won league awards in recognition for their performance with Charlotte.

Charlotte has had 27 managers since their inaugural 1976 season.{{sfn|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019|p=83}}

;Specific

{{reflist}}

;General

• {{cite web|url=https://milb.bamcontent.com/documents/1/2/2/305857122/2019_Charlotte_Knights_Media_Guide.pdf|title=2019 Charlotte Knights Media Guide|website=Charlotte Knights|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=2019|access-date=April 16, 2021|ref={{harvid|Charlotte Knights Media Guide|2019}} }}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights}}
• [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Charlotte&state=NC&country=US Statistics from Baseball-Reference]

{{Chicago White Sox}}

{{Diamond Baseball Holdings}}

{{International League}}

{{North Carolina Sports}}

{{Charlotte, North Carolina}}

Category:1976 establishments in North Carolina

Category:Baseball teams established in 1976

Category:Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates

Category:Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates

Category:Chicago White Sox minor league affiliates

Category:Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates

Category:International League teams

Category:Southern League (1964–present) teams

Category:Miami Marlins minor league affiliates

Category:Professional baseball teams in North Carolina

Category:Professional baseball teams in South Carolina

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Charlotte, North Carolina

Category:Triple-A East teams