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Savannah Sand Gnats
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes Class A
Previous leagues
 South Atlantic League (1984–2015)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1996
  • 2013
Division titles (2)
  • 1993
  • 2013
Team data
Previous names
  • Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995)
ColorsDark green, burgundy, tan, black, white
         
MascotGnate the Gnat (2005-2015)
Gnic the Gnat (1996-2004)
Previous parks
 Grayson Stadium (1984–2015)

The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons. [1] The team relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, in 2016 where they are now known as the Columbia Fireflies. [2]

History

Formerly known as the Savannah Cardinals, the team played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats, and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002 and the Montreal Expos/ Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.

The Sand Gnats played their home games at Grayson Stadium. Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seated 4,700 fans during its time as the home of the Sand Gnats. The Sand Gnats won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1996, 2013).

On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.

On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation. [3]

On March 20, 2008, Atlanta-based Hardball Capital purchased the Savannah Sand Gnats. [4]

Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré, Jacob DeGrom, Éric Gagné, Edwin Encarnación, Michael Fulmer, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Steven Matz, Collin McHugh, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Whitesell, Josh Satin, and Ryan Zimmerman.

Season-by-season records

Former Sand Gnats, Josh Whitesell and Ryan Zimmerman (left)

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses

Season W L Finish Postseason
1984 78 61 3rd, Southern Lost in semi-finals
1985 57 78 4th, Southern Did not qualify
1986 75 60 2nd, Southern Did not qualify
1987 69 69 4th, Southern Did not qualify
1988 68 67 5th, Southern Did not qualify
1989 69 70 4th, Southern Did not qualify
1990 73 68 6th, Southern Lost League Finals
1991 61 77 7th, Southern Did not qualify
1992 62 78 5th, Southern Did not qualify
1993 94 48 1st, Southern League Champions
1994 82 55 2nd, Southern League Champions
1995 56 83 6th, Southern Did not qualify
1996 72 69 2nd, Southern League Champions
1997 63 77 3rd, Southern Did not qualify
1998 66 76 3rd, Southern Did not qualify
1999 62 78 4th, Southern Did not qualify
2000 74 65 4th, Southern Did not qualify
2001 54 82 8th, Southern Did not qualify
2002 49 89 8th, Southern Did not qualify
2003 58 80 7th, Southern Did not qualify
2004 58 80 7th, Southern Did not qualify
2005 62 76 7th, Southern Did not qualify
2006 56 83 7th, Southern Did not qualify
2007 41 94 8th, Southern Did not qualify
2008 61 76 7th, Southern Did not qualify
2009 65 72 Southern Did not qualify
2010 75 64 Southern Lost in semi-finals
2011 79 60 Southern Lost League Finals [5]
2012 69 67 Southern Did not qualify
2013 77 61 Southern League Champions
2014 85 51 Southern Lost in semi-finals
2015 83 54 1st, Southern Lost in League Finals

1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals

Rivals

Augusta GreenJackets

The Sand Gnats had a in-state rivalry with the Augusta GreenJackets, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Charleston RiverDogs

The Sand Gnats had a rivalry with the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees.

References

  1. ^ "Affiliate Dance: 2006". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
  2. ^ Connolly, Matt (September 19, 2015). "Goodbye Sand Gnats, hello Fireflies". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games". ESPN. Associated Press. May 8, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  4. ^ Manasso, John (March 20, 2008). "Savannah Sand Gnats sold to Hardball Capital". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "2011 Savannah Sand Gnats Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
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