Millions of words were written about the 2013 Trenton Thunder, but we can summarize the memorable season with just ten:
World Famous. New York Yankees. Historic. The Future. Championship. Fun. World Famous: Not many Minor League Baseball teams are ever the talk of the entire sports world, but for Trenton it happened a few times this season. The first was in July when news spread around the world that beloved Golden Retriever Chase was officially retiring from bat dog duties. When he passed away just days later, news went viral and the outpouring of support was felt from around the globe. In early August, Alex Rodriguez was returning to the Yankees in the midst of controversy. It was ARM & HAMMER Park and the Trenton Thunder that served as host for his rehab, providing the backdrop for hundreds of news outlets that took stories and images from Trenton around the world. New York Yankees: As injuries ravaged the New York lineup this season, Trenton fans were fortunate to see nine different Yankees appear in Trenton on rehab assignments. With A-Rod, Curtis Granderson, David Phelps, Eduardo Nunez, Michael Pineda, Kevin Youkilis, Mark Teixeira, Zoilo Almonte and Cesar Cabral suiting up for Trenton, Thunder fans saw five different Major League All-Stars and other big leaguers play in 16% of home games (12 out of 75). The New York Yankees and Trenton Thunder was on display for more than just rehabs in 2013. Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, visited Trenton on numerous occasions to work with the players and be a special guest at Thunder events. Yankee great Hideki Matsui came to Trenton following his "official" retirement as a member of the Yankees and threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Yankees reliever David
Robertson made a return to Trenton on behalf of his High Socks For Hope Foundation and the MVP Foundation and helped give a special night of baseball to sick children. Historic: 2013 was the Thunder's 20th Season in Trenton. The team's history was celebrated all year long but was highlighted in May when former World Series MVP David Eckstein returned to Trenton to have his number “2” retired. It was only fitting that the Thunder passed a major attendance milestone during the 20th season celebration. The 8 millionth fan to visit ARM & HAMMER Park passed through the turnstiles on July 23. The total attendance now stands at 8,121,521, good for 406,076 per season. The Future: While the Thunder had a record number of Major Leaguers who played in Thunder pinstripes this year, fans got to see future big leaguers at every single game. With top ranked prospects JR Murphy, Tyler Austin, Slade Heathcott, Ramon Flores, Mason Williams, Jose Ramirez and Gary Sanchez on the field this year, Thunder fans saw Yankee stars of the future up close and personal. Championship: The Thunder were counted out for much of the season but came together when they needed it most. The team won nine straight games to end the year (6-0 in playoffs) to become the first team to sweep both rounds of the EL playoffs since 1991. The title was Trenton’s third in franchise history. Fun: It's well known that the Trenton Thunder experience is about far more than baseball and that was certainly evident this year. Fans in Trenton were treated to special visits from Spider-Man from the Broadway show Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, Tom Guiry who starred as "Smalls" in the film "The Sandlot", NY Giants Star Steve Weatherford, Major League All-Star and MLB Network personality Sean Casey, Rutgers Men's Basketball Coach Eddie Jordan, an 80's night appearance by Pete Carter, the foremost Michael Jackson Impersonator, and even New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
2013 SEASON RECAP
September 20, 2013
Congratulations to the Trenton Thunder for another sterling year that ended in post-season play. After stunning the Eastern Division champion Binghamton Mets, the Thunder went on to sweep the Harrisburg Senators last week to become the Eastern League champions. The title is the third for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, all in the seven years in which Tony Franklin has been the manager. It’s been pointed out on the sports pages of The Times that, in the half-century since Minor League Baseball reorganized its class designations to the multi-A levels of today, no manager had won three Eastern League titles until Franklin did so last week. During 20 years in Trenton, the Thunder’s winning ways are not the only constant. The franchise has brought a taste of professional baseball to the city. With reasonably priced tickets and parking, as well as easy access to the ballpark, thousands of fans have discovered they prefer spending an evening at Arm & Hammer Park to dealing with the cost and distance of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia or Citi Field in New York. (That’s particularly so this year when the Phillies and the Mets have been banging around in the basement of the NL)
Yankees fans, of course, relish the chance to see major stars and some of the best future prospects play — without having to use their binoculars. They may also see a few Thunder players called up to New York as the Yankees continue their pursuit of a wild card spot in the playoffs. Some fans liken a trip to the ballpark on the river as a jaunt back to a simpler time. Going to a game does not involve an extravaganza of planning or a scalping by online ticket brokers and stadium-side hawkers. It can be a spur-of-the-moment activity, family entertainment that unites the generations in the 6,300-seat park. The Thunder organization is also firmly meshed in the community, lending a hand with such fundraisers as the recent raffle to benefit the Trenton detectives shot in the line of duty and other charity work. The team’s can-do attitude is an inspiration in a city that’s been counted out so many times. “They don’t quit. They just keep playing,” Franklin said during the Thunder’s championship chase. “That is the trademark of this team.” We thank the Thunder for the positive reflections on Trenton – and the longterm deal that will keep the team here.
The Thunder welcomed a total of 370,935 fans in 2013, averaging 5,373 fans per game during the season. An additional 30,000+ people visited ARM & HAMMER Park for non-Thunder game events. Trenton climbed two positions in the league attendance rankings to finish third in the Eastern League in both total and average attendance. Of the 390 non-Major League teams in North America, Trenton ranked in the top 10.5% in average attendance (No. 41). The Thunder hosted 20 crowds over 6,000 fans with 10 of them over 7,000 people (seating capacity is 6,150). ARM & HAMMER Park was filled to 87.4% capacity in 2013. By comparison, only 4 Major League Baseball teams filled their stadiums to a higher capacity last year (SF, St. Louis, Boston and Detroit. As of 9/17). Nine New York Yankee players suited up for Trenton on rehab assignments including five Major League All-Stars. The Thunder won the third EL Championship in franchise history after reaching the Eastern League Championship Series for the fifth time in the last seven years. Since 1994, 285 players & coaches have worn the Thunder uniform and a Major League uniform in their careers. Fifteen former Thunder stars made their Major League debuts this season. The number of people who "like" the Thunder Facebook page doubled from April to Sept. as over 23,000 people now follow the Thunder. The team’s Twitter page boasts more than 12,500 followers. The Thunder website ranked 21st in page views and 22nd in total visitors out of all of Minor League Baseball for the 2013 season. Fans who watched Thunder home games live on MiLB.tv increased by 53% compared to 2012. Listeners to Thunder game broadcasts online and on mobile devices increased by 16% this season.
THE THUNDER MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE GLOBE LAST SEASON . . . . . . .
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Celebrity_Sightings
2013 Special Guests at ARM & HAMMER Park
Reggie Jackson Brian Cashman
Gov. Chris Christie
Sean Casey
David Eckstein
Coach Eddie Jordan Writer David Mickey Evans & “Smalls” Tom Guiry
Hideki Matsui
David Robertson Steve Weatherford
Mr. Met & Phillie Phanatic
Foremost Michael Jackson Impersonator Pete Carter
THE YANKEES & THE THUNDER 27 World Series Championships 3 Eastern League Championships Partners Since 2003
Derek Jeter
Robinson Cano
Andy Pettitte
Alex Rodriguez
Over the 11 years that the Trenton Thunder and New York Yankees have been affiliates, some of the biggest names in baseball have worn the Thunder uniform‌either as a prospect on their way to the Yankees‌or as a proven Major League star on a rehabilitation assignment. This has given the Thunder incredible media coverage and visibility not only in the New York/New Jersey region, but worldwide.
Curtis Granderson
Brett Gardner
Mark Teixeira
David Robertson
Player Development Updates: 25 players on the Yankees 40-man Major League roster (as of 10/2) had played for Trenton in their careers. Seven members of the 2012 Thunder debuted for the Yankees last season. According to Forbes Magazine, the Yankees are recognized as the number one team sports brand in the world and the Trenton Thunder bring that brand to the highest level of Minor League Baseball in this region.
Player Memories In Game Video In Game Video Feature Highlighting Player Rehab Stories
Top: New 68’ wide HD screen in Right Field Right: New Left Field Screen
June 23: Safe Kids Day Presented By St. Lawrence
Water Bottle Giveaway provided by St. Lawrence and ceremonial first pitch
June 23: Safe Kids Day Presented By St. Lawrence 100 kids/parents from the Roselle Public Schools Safe Kids Program enjoyed the game. St. Lawrence donated 30 tickets, the Thunder donated 20 through its Tickets For Kids program and the rest were purchased at a special rate. One lucky student was chosen as the “Smile of the Game� and received a prize pack and was shown on the big screen.
June 23: Safe Kids Day Presented By St. Lawrence
Top Left: Logo with “water bottle thank you” announcements Top Right: Safe Kids Day ‘thank you partners” announcements Bottom Left: Safe Kids Banner at Main Entrance
June 23: Safe Kids Day Presented By St. Lawrence Partner Display Tables