Savannah Sand Gnats

Savannah Sand Gnats
Savannah Sand Gnats
1984–2015; Savannah, Georgia ;
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes	Class A
Previous leagues	South Atlantic League (1984–2015)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams	New York Mets (2007–2015); Washington Nationals (2005–2006); Montreal Expos (2003–2004); Texas Rangers (1998–2002); Los Angeles Dodgers (1996–1997); St. Louis Cardinals (1984–1995);
Minor league titles
League titles (4)	1993; 1994; 1996; 2013;
Division titles (2)	1993; 2013;
Team data
Previous names	Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995);
Colors	Dark green, burgundy, tan, black, white;
Mascot	Gnate 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

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

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

[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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Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States