Savannah Sand Gnats

Savannah Sand Gnats 1984–2015 Savannah, Georgia
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Previous	Single-A (1984–2015)
Minor league affiliations
Previous leagues	South Atlantic League (1984–2015)
Major league affiliations
Previous	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 Sand Gnats (1996–2015) Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995)
Colors	Dark green, burgundy, tan, black, white
Previous parks	Grayson Stadium (1984–2015)

The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and 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 became known as the Columbia Fireflies.

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 seats 4,700 fans. The Sand Gnats won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1997, 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.^[2]

Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré, Éric Gagné, Edwin Encarnación, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, 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[3]
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

In popular culture

• The team was featured in the first season of Da Ali G Show, when the character Borat sang his national anthem, and then ventured into the locker room.^[4]
• The Gnats were featured on the Food Network show Paula's Home Cooking during the episode "Ball Game", when Paula Deen threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a game and wore a team jersey while cooking.^[5]
• They were featured on the television sitcom George Lopez, when the character Jason McNamara is drafted by the Nationals, and is going to play for the Sand Gnats.
• In June 2013, the Royal Pains episode "Lawson Translation" features two main characters attending Sand Gnats games and taking a (fictional) veteran player on as a medical patient.

References

1. BallParkDigest.com
2. "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games". Associated Press. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
3. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=7cb66084
4. "Borat's Guide to the USA, Episode Five: Baseball". The Unofficial Borat Homepage. May 24, 2002. Retrieved January 7, 2007.
5. "Food Network synopsis of the Paula's Home Cooking episode". Food Network. 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2007.