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The Connecticut Defenders are a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club. The Defenders play in Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, located in Norwich; opened in 1995, it seats 6,275 fans. The Defenders were known as the Norwich Navigators from 1995 until October 2005. Prior to the 2003 season, the Navigators were an affiliate of the New York Yankees.
The Defenders are currently managed by Dave Machemer.
History
On June 3, 1994, the Yankees announced they would move their double-A franchise from Albany, New York, where it had been known as the Albany-Colonie Yankees since 1985. Ground was broken for a new stadium in Norwich on November 3 of that same year, and the team began play on April 6, 1995, with a win over Bowie. The home opener occurred 11 days later, and was another Navigators victory (this time over Reading).
Norwich reached the Eastern League playoffs four times in six years, with many current or former New York Yankees leading the way. On September 14, 2002, the Navigators won their first and only Eastern League championship with a five-game series victory at home over Harrisburg.
Within weeks, the Yankees announced that they were ending their affiliation with the Navigators and joining with the Trenton Thunder. Later that fall, the Giants signed on as the new parent club, effective for the 2003 season.
In 2005, the team was bought by a group led by boxing promoter Lou DiBella. With attendance figures declining, management announced an overhaul of the franchise's image, and held a contest during the season allowing the public to select a new name and logo for the franchise. These were unveiled on November 14, and a new mascot (a bald eagle) debuted eight days later. Another contest was held to name the mascot, and on February 11, 2006, "Cutter" was christened.
The "Defenders" name, and the bald eagle mascot, are a reference to the United States Coast Guard Academy located a short drive away in New London, and also to the U.S. submarine base also located nearby in Groton. The sub base had been on the Base Realignment and Closure list during 2005, but the team helped sponsor several community rallies which eventually kept the base open.
As part of the ownership and name changes, the Defenders also signed a lease extension on Dodd Stadium which will keep the franchise in place through at least the 2009 season. The team holds an option for an additional three-year extension after that.
Alumni
Notable players to pass through the franchise include...
- From years as a Yankees affiliate:
- catcher Mike Figga (1995)
- pitcher Randy Flores (1999-2001)
- first baseman Nick Johnson (1999)
- outfielder Ricky Ledee (1996)
- third baseman Mike Lowell (1997)
- pitcher Ramiro Mendoza (1995)
- shortstop Alfonso Soriano (1999)
- outfielder Shane Spencer (1996)
- infielder Andy Phillips (2000-02)
- From years as a Giants affiliate:
- pitcher Matt Cain (2004)
- catcher Justin Knoedler (2004-2005)
- pitcher Brad Hennessey (2004)
Season records
(Place indicates finish in Northern Division)
- 1995: 70-71 (3rd), manager Jimmy Johnson
- 1996: 71-70 (3rd), manager Jim Essian
- 1997: 73-69 (2nd), manager Trey Hillman
- 1998: 66-76 (4th), manager Trey Hillman
- 1999: 78-64 (2nd), manager Lee Mazzilli
- 2000: 76-66 (3rd), manager Dan Radison
- 2001: 83-59 (2nd), manager Stump Merrill
- 2002: 76-64 (1st), manager Stump Merrill
- 2003: 62-79 (6th), manager Shane Turner
- 2004: 69-74 (5th), manager Shane Turner
- 2005: 71-72 (3rd), manager Dave Machemer
Playoffs
- 1997 season: Lost to Portland, 3-2, in first round
- 1999 season: Defeated Trenton 3-2 in first round; lost to Harrisburg 3-2 in championship round.
- 2001 season: Lost to New Britain, 3-1, in first round
- 2002 season: Defeated New Haven, 3-0, in first round; defeated Harrisburg 3-2 to win Eastern League title.
External Links
"Connecticut Defenders"