The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Savannah Sand Gnats

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

"Time can tear down a building, or destroy a woman's face..." - Rolling Stones

NEW YORK METS: The Savannah Sand Gnats and 89-year old Grayson Stadium left an indelible impression upon the greater Mets organization.

In May 2015, Savannah Sand Gnats' ownership announced the club's plans to move, and re-brand in South Carolina, citing a lack of municipal cooperation with regards to upgrading their outdated Georgian minor league facility.

Old Municipal Stadium was originally built in 1926. After sustaining extensive damage in 1940, a major reconstruction was completed the following season. By then, the park affectionately became known as "historic" Grayson Stadium - named after a military veteran instrumental in raising the necessary funds for its restoration.

Despite another renovation effort completed between 2007-2009, ownership ultimately determined the antiquated park was no longer a viable venue for their enterprise.

Prior to their affiliation with the Mets, the Sand Gnats had called Grayson Stadium home since 1984, although from 1984 through 1995, they were known as the Savannah Cardinals.

Throughout their time playing in Grayson, they won three Sally League titles. However, following their third flag in 1996, the Gnats then endured a full decade without making the playoffs until reemerging under then Mets overseer Omar Minaya.

During Savannah's nine year affiliation with the Mets, the Sand Gnats made five post-season appearances, but as noted just once under Omar Minaya. In contrast, Savannah qualified for the playoffs in 4 of last 5 seasons during Sandy Alderson's regime, and captured the South Atlantic League championship in 2013.

Enter the Columbia Fireflies whom step into their first season of affiliation with the Mets (albeit the organization's tenth season of affiliation). Their player development agreement (PDA) remains unchanged.

The Fireflies will continue playing in the South Atlantic League Southern Division. Their new home field will be named Spirit Communications Park. It is city owned, said to seat roughly 8,500 patrons, and will be located within a skip from the University of South Carolina.

This season's field manager is once again slated to be Jose Leger. He managed the Gnats last season after spending three seasons at Kingsport.

Once the regular season starts, I'm sure the eyes of Columbia baseball fans will fix their sights on outfield prospect Wuilmer Bucerra.

Recent Savannah Sand Gnats whom now own N.L. Championship rings:

Wilmer Flores - Juan Lagares - Jacob deGrom

Kevin Plawecki - Steven Matz

Honorable Mention > Michael Fulmer

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2012 SEASON

JANUARY 2013

January 6, 2013 - Mets Money: New Year, New Financing - Same Problems
January 9, 2013 - Voters Close Hall Of Fame Doors On Mike Piazza; My Reaction
January 13, 2013 - Trade Bait: Trolling The Mets System For Prospects
January 16, 2013 - A Look Back At Carlos Delgado
January 17, 2013 - Sandy Alderson Places 50/50 Odds On Pulling Off A Big Deal
January 20, 2013 - Mets, Ike Davis Agree On 2013 Salary - And Other Amazin' Money Musings
January 21, 2013 - David Wright Headed To 2nd World Baseball Classic - Johan Santana Sill Ineligible
January 25, 2013 - Sandy Alderson And Paul DePodesta: Rebuilding From The Bottom, Up
January 27, 2013 - Sandy Alderson Giving Relief Pitcher Brian Wilson A Second Look
January 31, 2013 - Mets 40-Man Roster - Caribbean Winter Leagues Update

FEBRUARY 2013
February 2, 2013 - Another Look At Frank Francisco And The 2012 Season
February 8, 2013 - Jon Niese; Ace Pitcher Wanted - Inquire Within
February 12, 2013 - How Much Power Can John Buck And Anthony Recker Provide Behind The Plate?
February 13, 2013 - Still Technically A Rookie, Josh Edgin Is Already Indispensable
February 19, 2013 - Was Sandy Alderson's Struggle To Save A Number One Draft Pick Worth It?
February 20, 2013 - Rising Apple Podcast; Episode Eight
February 22, 2013 - The New York Mets Are Building A New AGE In Flushing
February 25, 2013 - 10th Anniversary Season - David Wright And Angel Pagan Help Port St. Lucie Mets Win Florida State Title
February 27, 2013 - Rising Apple Podcast; Episode Nine

MARCH 2013
March 4, 2013 - New York Mets - Grapefruit League Week One Review
March 11, 2013 - 2013 Preview: A.L. East
March 12, 2013 - Lost In Vegas; The Mets Recent Struggles With AAA Affiliates
March 13, 2013 - Rising Apple Podcast; Episode Eleven - WBC
March 16, 2013 - Johan Santana, Sandy Alderson, And Jeremy Hefner: Out With The Old, In With The New
March 19, 2013 - 25-Man Roster Predictions
March 20, 2013 - Rising Apple Podcast; Episode Twelve - N.L. East
March 22, 2013 - N.Y. Mets Final Record Prediction
March 26, 2013 - 40th Anniversary of "You Gotta Believe!" - Season Preview; 1973 New York Mets
March 30, 2013 - College Baseball; The Kids Of Spring
March 31, 2013 - Paul DePodesta's Handling Of Zack Wheeler's Purpose Pitch Demonstrates A Break From The Past, And Is A Reminder As Well

APRIL 2013
April 1, 2013 - Opening Day Recap - Jon Niese Leads On The Mound And At The Plate As Mets Roll Over Padres
April 3, 2013 - 2013 Season Preview: Las Vegas 51's - Zach Wheeler Set To Open AAA Regular Season
April 4, 2013 - 2013 Season Preview: Binghamton Mets
April 5, 2013 - Las Vegas 51's Win Season Opener Over Sacramento River Cats
April 6, 2013 - Jeremy Hefner Starts Climb Up Mound Of Opportunity
April 7, 2013 - Ruben Tejada Begging For A Call Into Terry Collins' Office
April 8, 2013 - Las Vegas 51's Drop Sunday's Game 8-4 From Sacramento River Cats; Start Season 3-1
April 9, 2013 - Josh Satin leads Las Vegas Over Fresno Grizzlies; Zack Wheeler Goes Tonight
April 9, 2013 - Binghamton's Bats Quieted In 2-1 Loss To Erie SeaWolves; Rubber Game Wednesday

April 11, 2013 - Las Vegas Roundup - 51's Lose Rubber Game To Fresno; Sale Of Club Imminent; Opening Day At Cashman Field
April 11, 2013 - Binghamton Mets Drop Home Opener To New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 3-1
April 17, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back; April 17, 1973 - Fergie Jenkins Outduels Tom Seaver; Mets Fall To Cubs 1-0
April 17, 2013 - Savannah Sand Gnats Squash Greensboro Grasshoppers 9-1; Brandon Nimmo And Kevin Plawecki Off To Hot Starts
April 18, 2013 - Frank Francisco And Pedro Feliciano Pitch Well In Losing Effort - Port St. Lucie Mets Fall To Charolette
April 19, 2013 - Binghamton Mets Begin Road Trip With 4-3 Comeback Victory Over New Hampshire Fisher Cats
April 19, 2013 - 4/19 Game Recap: "Harvey's Better!" - Matt Harvey Outpitches Stephen Strasburg In Early Season Showdown; Mets Win 7-1 Over Nats
April 20, 2013 - Las Vegas 51's Updates: d'Arnaud Does Not Need Surgery; Zack Wheeler Struggles Again; 51's Defeat Sacramento
April 21, 2013 - Rafael Montero Continues Stellar Pitching Against New Hampshire; Binghamton Shuts Out Fisher Cats 3-0
April 22, 2013 - Port St. Lucie Mets: Hansel Robles Tosses Six Shutout Innings In 1-0 Win Over Charlotte Stone Crabs
April 23, 2013 - Collin McHugh Deserves First Chance Over Zack Wheeler If Mets Come Calling
April 24, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: April 24, 1973 - Jon Matlack Loses Third Consecutive Start; Mets Bow To Houston 4-2
April 25, 2013 - On Zack Wheeler - Being In Las Vegas Tonight Would Have Been Fun
April 26, 2013 - Las Vegas 51's Lose 13-12 Debacle - Bullpen Blows Zack Wheeler's Opportunity For First Win Of Season
April 27, 2013 - 4/26 Game Recap: Philadelphia's Kyle Kendrick Tosses Three Hit, Complete Game Shoutout Over Mets
April 27, 2013 - 4/26 Binghamton Recap: Mets Shutout 4-0, By Akron Aeros - Plus Commentary On The Growing Predilection To Promote Zack Wheeler And Rafael Montero
April 27, 2013 - Savannah Sand Gnats Roundup - Plus, The 2012 Brooklyn Cyclones' Sensational Six; How Are They Doing Now
April 28, 2013 - Binghamton Mets Hurler Logan Verrett Putting Himself On The Radar
April 28, 2013 - 4/28 Game Recap: Game Turns In Seventh Inning, But Not Before Jon Niese And Cole Hamels Duel Through Six - Mets Fall 5-1; Phillies Sweep Series
April 30, 2013 - Zack Wheeler Pitches Impressively To Earn First Victory Of Season - Las Vegas 51's Bury Reno Aces, 10-2

MAY 2013
May 1, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: April 1973 - Jerry Koosman Named N.L. Pitcher Of The Month; Cleon Jones' Injury Under Scrutiny; Time For Yogi To Show Jim Fregosi The Bench
May 3, 2013 - 5/3 Game Recap: Terry Collins, Four Home Runs, Solid Defense, And A Comeback Spirit, All Help Chop Down Atlanta Braves, 7-5 In 10 Innings
May 5, 2013 - The Battery Of Catcher Kevin Plawecki And Pitcher Rainy Lara Continue To Power The First Place Savannah Sand Gnats
May 5, 2013 - Zack Wheeler Finding His Groove; Wins Second Straight - Las Vegas 51's Down Sacramento River Cats, 6-2
May 6, 2013 - Frank Francisco Makes Return To Mound As PSL Mets Shut Out Daytona Cubs, 1-0
May 7, 2013 - What Are Sandy Alderson's Remaining Organizational Options For Improving The Bullpen?
May 9, 2013 - Noah Syndergaard Dominates As Mets Thump Palm Beach Cardinals
May 10, 2013 - Harrisburg Senators Toss Combined No Hitter Over Binghamton; Mets Lose 6-1 - Spoil Feat With Unearned Run
May 10, 2013 - 5/10 Game Recap: Shaun Marcum Too Inconsistent; Doesn't Last Five- Mets Bow To Pirates 7-3
May 11, 2013 - Minor League Round Up: Friday Recaps For Savannah, Port St. Lucie and Binghamton
May 12, 2013 - Zack Wheeler Turning His Fortunes Around In Vegas
May 15, 2013 - Amazin'Look Back: May 15, 1973 - Cubs Outlast Mets 4-3 At Wrigley
May 17, 2013 - Rainy Lara Continues Mastery Over South Atlantic League - Savannah Sand Gnats Blank Augusta GreenJackets In Eleven 6-0
May 17, 2013 - 5/17 Game Recap: Matt Harvey Earns Fifth Victory And Delivers Game Winning RBI As Mets Edge Cubs 3-2
May 20, 2013 - Previewing The Mets 2013 June Amateur Draft
May 22, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: May 22, 2013 - Cardinals' Rick Wise Pitches and Bats Way To 5-3 Victory Over Mets, Jerry Koosman Drops Second Straight
May 22, 2013 - Zack Wheeler Returns From Sore Shoulder To Gain Third Victory Of Season - Las Vegas Thumps Iowa Cubs, 9-4
May 25, 2013 - Jeurys Familia and Scott Atchison Preserve Angel Cuan's Gem - PSL Mets Outlast Bradenton, 1-0

May 26, 2013 - Logan Verrett And Binghamton Mets Topple First Place Sea Dogs in Tenth, 3-2
May 26, 2013 - Getting Zack Wheeler In A New York State Of Mind
May 29, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: May 29, 1973 - In The Land Of Giants, Tom Seaver Was A Titan; Fans Sixteen In 5-2 Win
May 29, 2013 - 5/29 Game Recap: Mets Hand Yanks 9-4 Thumping In The Bronx
May 31, 2013 - 5/31 Game Recap: Mets Suffer letdown Against Fish - Marcum's Six Inning Gem Goes Awry In Seventh

JUNE 2013
June 2, 2013 - Rafael Montero And Binghamton White Wash New Hampshire 6-0 - Gain Sole Possession Of First Place
June 2, 2013 - Zack Wheeler: Hurry Up And Wait
June 2, 2013 - Binghamton Mets Taking Two Game lead Into Showdown Against Trenton Thunder
June 4, 2013 - Carlos Torres Hurls Three Hit Complete Game Shutout - Las Vegas Downs Fresno Grizzlies, 8-0
June 5, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: June 5, 1973 - Johnny Bench Powers Big Red Machine In Ten Inning 6-5 Victory Over Mets
June 5, 2013 - Rainy Lara Making Strong Case For promotion To Binghamton
June 6, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back: 1973 Amateur Draft - Mets Select OF-Lee Mazzilli With Fourteenth Overall Pick
June 6, 2013 - Cory Mazzoni and Cesar Puello Rumble Over trenton Thunder; Binghamton Takes Rubber Game, 5-4
June 7, 2013 - 6/7 Game Recap: Special Rain Out Retro Edition
June 8, 2013 - Tacoma Rainiers Give Zack Wheeler A Rude Send Off
June 9, 2013 - Carlos Torres Tosses Complete Game Two Hitter; Las Vegas To Welcome Latest Arrivals
June 10, 2013 - Should The Mets Trade Daniel Murphy?
June 11, 2013 - Noah Syndergaard Fends Off Threshers; PSL Mets Best Clearwater 9-4
June 12, 2013 - Savannah Sand Gnats Outlast Ashville Tourists; Win Eleven Inning Pitcher's Duel
June 12, 2013 - Las Vegas Wins Thriller Despite Four Horsemen Of The METropolis
June 12, 2013 - Amazin' Look Back; June 12, 1973 - Ed Kranepool's HR Helps Mets Slip By Giants, 5-4
June 12, 2013 - Ya Gotta Believe 40th Anniversary Player Profile: George Stone
June 17, 2013 - Savannah Sand Gnats At The Break
June 17, 2013 - Setting Zack Wheeler And The Mets Rebuilding Process In Motion

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