Augusta GreenJackets explained

Augusta GreenJackets
Founded:1988
City:North Augusta, South Carolina
Uniformlogo:GreenJackets cap.PNG
Class Level:Single-A (2021–present)
Past Class Level:Class A (1980–2020)
Current League:Carolina League (2021–present)
Division:South Division
Past League:South Atlantic League (1980–2020)
Majorleague:Atlanta Braves (2021–present)
Nickname:Augusta GreenJackets (1994–present)
Colors:Dark green, green, gold, black, white
Mascot:Auggie
Ballpark:SRP Park (2018–present)
Leaguenum:4
Divnum:1
Divisionchamps:2008
Owner:Diamond Baseball Holdings
Gm:Brandon Greene
Manager:Wynsten Sawyer

The Augusta GreenJackets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina.[1]

History

Augusta was a member of the South Atlantic League from 1980 to 2020. Before the San Francisco Giants took over the club's affiliation after the 2004 season, the GreenJackets were a part of the Boston Red Sox organization. Prior to that, the Red Sox replaced the Pittsburgh Pirates in Augusta. The GreenJackets boast third baseman Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia as the only prospects to make the Red Sox roster, although knuckle baller Tim Wakefield pitched there in 1989 with the Pirates organization. The Red Sox' relationship with Augusta met with immediate success when the GreenJackets won the South Atlantic League championship in their first year as an affiliate team.

The 2020 season was postponed and later cancelled for Augusta and all of MiLB due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the MiLB Reorganization of 2021, the Braves invited Augusta to be their new Low-A affiliate in the Low-A East.[2] In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[3]

The team is named after The Masters golf tournament held across the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia, where the winner receives a green jacket. The team logo features a yellowjacket wasp colored green, wearing a tam o' shanter cap, associated with golf.

One week a year the GreenJackets assume the name of their alter ego and become the Pimento Cheese. This name also pays homage to the Masters tournament with the iconic pimento cheese sandwich, a popular concession item sold at the tournament, featured prominently as the team's logo on caps, jerseys, and all team branding.

Stadium

The GreenJackets play in SRP Park, a 4,782-seat stadium which opened on April 12, 2018.[4] SRP Park is part of Riverside Village at Hammond's Ferry, which overlooks the Savannah River and the city of Augusta, featuring apartments, a hotel, office space, and multiple restaurants and shops.[5] The North Augusta-based SRP Federal Credit Union purchased the naming rights to the ballpark.[6]

SRP Park replaced Lake Olmstead Stadium as the home of the GreenJackets. Lake Olmstead Stadium was built primarily as a baseball facility between 1994 and 1995. The stadium seated 4,400 with nearly 1,000 box seats, 830 reserved seats, over 2,000 general admission seats.

Awards

In 2008, the team was voted by fans as the best minor league team in the Minor League Baseball Yearly (MiLBY) Awards.[7]

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Zach . Spedden . SRP Park Playing Field Takes Shape . Ballpark Digest . August Publications . March 12, 2018 . March 12, 2018.
  2. Web site: Mayo. Jonathan. MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues. Major League Baseball. February 12, 2021. June 29, 2024.
  3. Web site: Historical League Names to Return in 2022. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. June 29, 2024.
  4. Web site: Ballpark Update . Joe . Mock . Baseball Parks . January 27, 2018 . February 28, 2018.
  5. News: North Augusta Baseball Stadium Suites Sell Out . Michael . Smith . . May 19, 2017 . August 26, 2017.
  6. News: New for 2018: SRP Park . Kevin . Reichard . Ballpark Digest . August Publications . August 22, 2017 . September 4, 2017.
  7. Web site: 2008 MiLBY Awards . . Major League Baseball . April 8, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100311050836/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/milbys.jsp?season=2008 . March 11, 2010.