Florida State League (2005-2009)
Tombstone
Born: 2005 – Affiliation change from Sarasota Red Sox
Moved: November 2009 (Bradenton Marauders)
First Game: April 8, 2005 (L 4-0, L 8-2 vs. Fort Myers Miracle)
Last Game: September 6, 2009 (W 4-0 @ Charlotte Stone Crabs)
Florida State League Championships: None
Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium (7,500)
Opened: 1989
Ownership & Affiliation
Owner: Cincinnati Reds LLP
Major League Affiliation: Cincinnati Reds
Background
The Sarasota Reds were a Class A farm club of the Cincinnati Reds in the Florida State League for five season from 2005 to 2009. Cincinnati’s connection with Sarasota dated back to 1998, when Gulf Coast city became the Reds spring training home.
Notable players that came up through Sarasota during the Reds era included future Major League All-Stars Jay Bruce and Joey Votto and pitcher Johnny Cueto.
Move to Bradenton
Following the 2009 season, the Reds shifted their spring training operations to Goodyear, Arizona and lost interest in maintaining a farm club in Sarasota. In November 2009, the Reds sold their Florida State League affiliate to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates immediately moved the ball club to Bradenton, ending 20 continuous years of FSL baseball in Sarasota. The former Sarasota franchise is known today as the Bradenton Marauders.
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