Vero Beach Devil Rays
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Vero Beach Devil Rays 1980–2008 Vero Beach, Florida | |
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| Minor league affiliations | |
| League | Florida State League (1980–2008) |
| Division | South Division |
| Major league affiliations | |
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| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (2) |
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| Division titles (2) |
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| Team data | |
Previous names |
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Previous parks | Holman Stadium (1980–2008) |
The Vero Beach Devil Rays, originally the Vero Beach Dodgers, were a minor league baseball team based in Vero Beach, Florida. They played in the Class A-Advanced Florida State League from 1980–2008, at which point they relocated to Port Charlotte, Florida as the Charlotte Stone Crabs. They played their home games at Holman Stadium.
As their names imply, Vero Beach was affiliated with two different Major League Baseball teams during their existence: the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980–2006 and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 2007–2008. As the Vero Beach Devil Rays, they won the Florida State League championship in 2007.
History
Founded in 1980 as the Vero Beach Dodgers, the team was affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball team from 1980–2006. They played their home games at Holman Stadium, which had served as Los Angeles' spring training facility since 1953.
In 2007 the franchise's affiliation changed to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; they were then renamed the Vero Beach Devil Rays. After the 2008 season Tampa Bay moved their Class A-Advanced affiliate to Port Charlotte, where they became known as the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
History
On August 25, 2008, it was announced that the Vero Beach franchise was sold to Ripken Baseball, which resulted in a relocation of the franchise to Port Charlotte, Florida to become the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Notable alumni
- Rocco Baldelli (2007–2008)
- Matt Kemp (2005)
- David Price (2008)
- Wesley Wright