Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Location: Richmond, VA
- League: Eastern League 2010-2019; Double-A Northeast 2021; Eastern League 2022-
- Affiliation: San Francisco Giants 2010-present
- Ballpark: The Diamond
Team History[edit]
The Richmond Flying Squirrels, of the Eastern League and briefly in Double-A Northeast, attract not only large crowds but some of the highest-energy fans in minor league baseball - to an outdated stadium. The San Francisco Giants farmhands play their home games at The Diamond in Richmond, VA.
Although the Giants have expressed concern about The Diamond, they did not take a perfect opportunity to leave it to get a geographically closer Double-A club. Proximity was a major focus of MLB's 2021 Minor League Reorganization, but the Giants stood pat with the Squirrels.
However, a new stadium could indirectly end the partnership. In a good playpen, Richmond had proven itself as a Triple-A market - and lost that distinction solely because of what The Diamond had become. If no new stadium is built, Richmond might lose the team - but a large enough, high-quality enough stadium could bring renewed interest from Triple-A.
The Connecticut Defenders moved to Richmond in 2009. The Flying Squirrels nickname was chosen in a "Name the Team" contest. The other finalists were Rock Hoppers, Flatheads, Rhinos and Hush Puppies. A sixth option, Hambones, was eliminated after the NAACP raised some negative connotations. The team intended it as an homage to the famous Virginia Hams.
The Squirrels play Copa de la Diversión Hispanic engagement campaign games as Ardillas Voladoras de Richmond, a straight translation of their name.
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs | Hitting coach | Pitching coach | Coach |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 68-73 | 9th | Andy Skeels | Russ Morman | Ross Grimsley | ||
2011 | 76-66 | 3rd | Dave Machemer | Lost League Finals | Ken Joyce | Ross Grimsley | |
2012 | 70-71 | 7th | Dave Machemer | Ken Joyce | Ross Grimsley | ||
2013 | 70-72 | 6th | Dave Machemer | Ken Joyce | Ross Grimsley | ||
2014 | 79-63 | 3rd | Russ Morman | Lost League Finals | Ken Joyce | Ross Grimsley | Jerry Cram |
2015 | 72-68 | 5th(t) | José Alguacil | Ken Joyce | Steve Kline | ||
2016 | 62-79 | 9th (t) | Miguel Ojeda | Steve Kline | |||
2017 | 63-77 | 9th | Kyle Haines | Lipso Nava | Steve Kline | ||
2018 | 62-76 | 12th | Willie Harris | Francisco Morales | Glenn Dishman | Eliezer Zambrano | |
2019 | 55-84 | 12th | Willie Harris | Francisco Morales | Glenn Dishman | Lipso Nava Eliezer Zambrano | |
2020 | Season cancelled | ||||||
2021 | 57-56 | 6th | José Alguacil | Doug Clark | Steve Kline | Gary Davenport | |
2022 | Dennis Pelfrey | Danny Santin | Paul Oseguera | Gary Davenport |
Related Sites[edit]
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