RIVERDOGS RUNDOWN
Even though less than 100 miles separate the two cities, the Charleston and Myrtle Beach franchises had never been members of the same league until Major League Baseball’s reorganization of the minor leagues this winter. The two organizations did play an exhibition game against one another on an annual basis from 2016-19, but that was the extent of the rivalry. The Pelicans played in the Carolina League since their inception in 1999. Meanwhile, the RiverDogs had been members of the South Atlantic League since 1980. Beginning in 2021, the two teams are now grouped together in the Southern Division of the newly created Low-A East League. Following a 12-year partnership with the Atlanta Braves in the early 2000s and a shorter stint with the Texas Rangers from 2011-14, Myrtle Beach became part of the Chicago Cubs farm system in 2015. The first five years of that relationship were spent as the High-A affiliate for Chicago’s National League team. Transitioning to the Low-A level has brought about the return of a familiar face for the Pelicans, as longtime minor league skipper Buddy Bailey returns to the helm. Bailey previously managed in Myrtle Beach from 2016-18, guiding the team to a Carolina League championship in his first season. In 2017, he became the 11th manager to reach 2,000 wins in the minor leagues. The RiverDogs have rejoined Tampa Bay’s farm system following a 16-year run with the New York Yankees as their parent club. Charleston was previously a Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliate from 1997-2004. Blake Butera will open the season managing a roster that is stocked with high draft picks and talent acquired in various trades. 2018 first round draft choice Nick Schnell will roam the outfield at The Joe along with the versatile Heriberto Hernandez who was part of the Blake Snell trade. Fans in the Holy City will also be witness to the professional debuts of 2020 draft choices and former collegiate stars Alika Williams and Cole Wilcox.
Tuesday, May 4, 7:05 p.m.: Opening Night/Dog Day: The lid-lifter, presented by REV Federal Credit Union, will feature all the pomp and circumstance fans typically expect from the first game of the season along with some surprises along the way. Those in attendance will be treated to Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg performing the national anthem and delivering the ceremonial first pitch as well as a pre-game flyover from a C-17 piloted by the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston. Following the game, fans will want to remain in their seats for a light show courtesy of the new state-of-the-art LED ballpark lights at The Joe. Our day dedicated to man’s best friend has moved from Mondays to Tuesdays this season. Feel free to bring along your four-legged pal for each and every Tuesday contest thanks to Island Coastal Lager, who encourage you to #TakeItEasy. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 the Wolf.
Wednesday, May 5, 12:05 p.m.: Wicked Wednesday/Perros Santos de Charleston: There is only one way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at The Joe…with the first of five games suiting up as Los Perros Santos de Charleston as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative. Along with MUSC Health and Berkeley Electric Cooperative, we’ll celebrate the local Latin American culture with special uniforms, music and much more. Our opponents from Myrtle Beach will join in on the fun, playing as Los Pelicanos de Myrtle Beach. As is the case for every Wednesday at the ballpark, we will celebrate craft beer and throw in some wicked good fun thanks to Wicked Weed.
Thursday, May 6, 7:05 p.m.: Thirsty Thursday: One sign that everything is starting to get back to normal at The Joe is the return of this weekly tradition. $1 beers will be available throughout the ballpark on the first Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of 2021. Thursday games are presented by 95SX.
Friday, May 7, 7:05 p.m.: Fireworks/Red Shirt Friday/PGA Night: The RiverDogs will signal the start of the first home weekend of the 2021 season with a fireworks spectacular presented by REV Federal Credit Union. The show will be set to a different musical theme each Friday night. It’s also a Boeing Red Shirt Friday where we invite you to wear red in support of those who serve our country. The team will wear special red jerseys on the field as well. If that wasn’t enough, we’ll set the stage for the upcoming 2021 PGA Championship at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The Wanamaker Trophy will be in the ballpark, giving fans the opportunity to take a picture with one of golf’s most coveted prizes. Friday games are presented by 103.5 WEZL.
Saturday, May 8, 6:05 p.m.: Tyler Glasnow Bobblehead Giveaway/Rays Welcome Party/Post-Game Light Show We are fired up to be part of the #1 farm system in baseball and we’ll celebrate by throwing a gigantic party welcoming our new parent club, the Tampa Bay Rays! Also, it’s our lone bobblehead night of the season so make sure to be here when the gates open! The first 1,500 fans into the ballpark will receive a bobblehead version of Tampa Bay Rays ace and opening day starter Tyler Glasnow. Speaking of our new affiliation, if you are one of the first 50 fans to turn in Yankees apparel you will walk away with a brand new RiverDogs/Rays t-shirt. Be sure to stick around until the game is over to witness a light show courtesy of our new, state-of-the-art LED ballpark lights. Saturdays are presented by ABCNews4 and MyTV Charleston.
Sunday, May 9, 5:05 p.m.: Family Sunday/Holy City Jerseys: It’s Mother’s Day and what kind of children would we be if we didn’t dedicate our first MUSC Health Family Sunday to all of the mothers in attendance. We’ll have fun activities for children throughout the game as well! On the field, the team will pay homage to Charleston’s nickname as “The Holy City” by wearing special uniforms featuring an interlocking “HC” logo with a halo above the “H”. Sundays are presented by Charleston Radio Group.
Minor League Baseball is Back with Major Changes
By Jason Kempf
Professional baseball is back in Charleston. After the final out was recorded on September 1, 2019 nobody in attendance would have guessed that it would be over 600 days until the next time that phrase could be uttered. The fact that the RiverDogs are back on the field and, with them, traditions such as Dog Days, Thirsty Thursdays and Friday Fireworks should signify a return to normal. However, a closer look will reveal that despite some familiar elements, much has changed around Minor League Baseball and the RiverDogs. A new Major League affiliate, a new league and new rules await during the 2021 season. This is the new normal.
During the hectic time between the cancellation of the 2020 MiLB season and the start of this campaign, seismic changes came to the sport. Major League Baseball took over control of the minor league system and brought sweeping changes to the landscape. The most noteworthy change was the elimination of short-season leagues and thus, a reduction from 160 teams to 120. The teams that remained standing were realigned into leagues that reduced travel considerably and several teams saw longstanding partnerships with MLB clubs go away in favor of new relationships. The RiverDogs were affected in several ways.
Most notably, this winter brought about the end of a 16-year run in which the RiverDogs roster was filled by New York Yankees prospects. Instead, the team signed a 10-year Player Development License with the Tampa Rays. The RiverDogs are not completely unfamiliar with Tampa Bay, having been previously affiliated with the Devil Rays from 1997-2004. The agreement with the Rays comes on the heels of the team winning the 2020 American League Championship. In addition, Tampa Bay is regarded as possessing the best farm system in baseball by several publications including Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. The RiverDogs open the season with five players who are rated as top 30 Rays prospects by the latter.
The 2021 season will also bring several new opponents to the Lowcountry, including this week’s adversary from Myrtle Beach. In fact, the first three teams to enter the visiting dugout at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park this year will be unfamiliar to RiverDogs fans. The reason for these new matchups is the creation of the Low-A East league as part of the reshuffling of several leagues around the country. The new league was formed by blending seven teams that formerly called the High-A Carolina League home and five teams, Charleston included, that played in the Low-A South Atlantic League. The 12-team circuit is divided into three geographical divisions. The North Division features teams located in Maryland and Virginia. The
Central Division is filled by North Carolina-based squads and the entire South Division is made up of teams in South Carolina. Only 5 of the other 11 teams in the Low-A East league will visit Charleston this season. Those teams are Myrtle Beach, Down East, Fayetteville, Columbia and Augusta.
The most astute baseball fans will notice a few other changes this season. The schedule in 2021 consists of six-game series with every Monday designated as a league-wide off day. In previous seasons, the schedule was broken up into three and four-game series with irregular days off. Also, the amount of players allowed to be on the active roster per team has increased from 25 to 30 at the Low-A level.
There are a series of experimental rules that have been implemented at varying levels of Minor League Baseball this season as well. The rule that will impact RiverDogs games revolves around a pitcher’s ability to hold baserunners. In 2021, a pitcher will be limited to two “stepoffs or pickoff” attempts per plate appearance while there is at least one runner on base. A pitcher is allowed to attempt a third pickoff in the same plate appearance, however, if runner safely returns to the occupied base, a balk will be charged to the pitcher.
All of the changes outlined above should make for an interesting and unpredictable season. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn on the concourse mixed with the sound of the ball hitting the bat should signify a sense of normalcy returning to summer nights in Charleston….well, maybe not.
Hit Hard. Run Fast. Turn
Charleston RiverDogs 2021 Roster
Pronunciation Guide
John Doxakis (dox-ACK-iss) Angel Felipe (like guardian angel) Heriberto Hernandez (hair -ee-BAIR-toh) Luis Leon (LOO-ees lee-OWN) Alexander Ovalles (oh-VYE-ace) Abiezel Ramirez (AH-bee-us-zell) Wuarnner Rincones (WAR-nur rin-CONE-ays) Brayden Theriot (TAIR-ee-oh) Luis Trevino (triv-EEN-yo)
Charleston RiverDogs 360 Fishburne St. • Charleston, SC 29403 Phone: 843.723.7241 • Fax: 843-723-2641 Email: admin@riverdogs.com www.riverdogs.com
With a rain-out on their last official home game in 2019, it has been 611 days since The Joe has hosted a RiverDogs ball game.
611 RIVERDOGS BY THE NUMB3RS
Before becoming an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, the RiverDogs spent 7 years as a Devil Rays affiliate from 1997-2004.
May 4th will mark the official start of the RiverDogs’ 2021 season where 60 home games will be played over the course of 5 months. While the end of the Milb season is usually marked with playoffs, the 2021 season will end in September with no playoff opportunities due to Covid policies.
