Sumter Braves
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name = Sumter Braves
| firstseason = 1985
| lastseason = 1990
| allyears =
| city = Sumter, South Carolina
| logo =
| caplogo =
| past class level = {{plainlist|
- Class A
}}
| pastmajorleague = {{plainlist|
- Atlanta Braves (1985-1990)
- Montreal Expos (1991)
}}
| conference =
| colors =
| division =
| past league = South Atlantic League (1985-1991)
| pastparks = {{plainlist|
}}
| pastnames = {{plainlist|
- Sumter Chicks (1949-1950)
- Sumter Braves (1985-1990)
- Sumter Flyers (1991)
- Sumter Indians (1970)
- Sumter Astros (1971)
- Anderson Braves (1980-1984)
}}
| leaguenum = 0
| leaguechamps = None
}}
The Sumter Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Sumter, South Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League, and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. Their home stadium was Riley Park.
History
In 1984, the Anderson Braves relocated to Sumter. In 1991, the affiliate shifted to Macon, Georgia and became known as the Macon Braves,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091118161100/http://www.digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Macon22.html Article title]}} Sumter Braves become Macon Braves, Digitalballparks.com{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160911165106/http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Sumter17.html Article title]}} Sumter Braves relocate to Macon and Sumter gets a new franchise, Digitalballparks.com eventually becoming today's Rome Emperors of Rome, Georgia. An expansion team was awarded to Sumter right after the Sumter Braves relocated and as an affiliate of the Montreal Expos, and Sumter became known as the Sumter Flyers.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160911164938/http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Sumter18.html Article title]}} New Sumter team is Sumter Flyers In 1992, the franchise relocated to Albany, Georgia as the Albany Polecats, eventually becoming today's Delmarva Shorebirds of Salisbury, Maryland.{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Kent|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1995/09/21/south-atlantic-league-will-have-delmarva-shorebirds-next-season-kirk-group-buying-team-will-move-it-to-salisbury/|title=South Atlantic League will have Delmarva Shorebirds next season|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=September 21, 1995}}
Notably, 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tom Glavine pitched for Sumter in 1985.
The ballpark
Sumter teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks (1949–1950) of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians (1970) and Sumter Astros (1971) of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves (1985–1990) and Sumter Flyers (1991) of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{cite web|url=https://uscfireants.com/|title=USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter|website=uscfireants.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.morris.edu/athletics/sports|title=Sports - Morris College|website=www.morris.edu}}
Notable alumni
=[[Baseball Hall of Fame]] alumni=
- Tom Glavine (1985) Inducted, 2014
=Notable alumni=
- Shane Andrews (1991)
- Jeff Blauser (1985) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Jolbert Cabrera (1991)
- Vinny Castilla (1990) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Kevin Foster (1991)
- Ron Gant (1985, 1989) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Ryan Klesko (1989-1990) MLB All-Star
- Mark Lemke (1985)
- Al Martin (1986-1987)
- Carlos Perez (1991) MLB All-Star
- Eddie Perez (1989-1990) NLCS Most Valuable Player
- Kirk Rueter (1991)
- Brian Snitker (1986, MGR)
- Rondell White (1991) MLB All-Star
- Mark Wohlers (1989-1990) MLB All-Star
- Ned Yost (1988-1990, MGR) Manager: 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals
Year-by-year record
=Sumter Braves=
{{unref-section|date=July 2022}}
class="wikitable" | ||||
Year
! Record ! Finish ! Manager ! Playoffs | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | 72-63 | 6th | Buddy Bailey | Lost in 1st round |
1986 | 77-60 | 3rd | Brian Snitker | |
1987 | 75-62 | 3rd | Buddy Bailey | |
1988 | 64-73 | 9th | Ned Yost | |
1989 | 60-81 | 11th | Ned Yost | |
1990 | 73-69 | 7th | Ned Yost |
=Sumter Flyers=
{{unref-section|date=July 2022}}
class="wikitable" | ||||
Year
! Record ! Finish ! Manager ! Playoffs | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 64-75 | 10th | Lorenzo Bundy |
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Defunct South Atlantic League teams
Category:Professional baseball teams in South Carolina
Category:Atlanta Braves minor league affiliates
Category:Montreal Expos minor league affiliates
Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams
Category:Baseball teams established in 1985
Category:1985 establishments in South Carolina
Category:1991 disestablishments in South Carolina
Category:Defunct baseball teams in South Carolina
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1991
Category:Sumter, South Carolina
{{SouthCarolina-baseball-team-stub}}