Category: Florida State League

1963 Sarasota Sun Sox Baseball Program from the Florida State League

Sarasota Sun Sox

February 1, 2020

In 1958, the Boston Red Sox announced they would pull their spring training operations out of Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota’s Chamber of Commerce went hunting for a new Major League tenant. The following year, Sarasota persuaded the Chicago White Sox, winners of the 1959 American League pennant, to move their spring training operations from Tampa. The Chi Sox opened their first spring training in Sarasota in March 1960. The following year, Sarasota added a Class D minor league baseball team in the Florida State League to the city’s pro baseball portfolio.

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1975 Orlando Twins baseball program from the Southern League

Orlando Twins

January 21, 2020

In 1963, the Minnesota Twins placed a Class A Florida State League farm club in Orlando, continuing the organization’s presence at Tinker Field through the summer months, going back to the parent club’s time as the Washington Senators.

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Tampa Tarpons Florida State League

Tampa Tarpons (1957-1988)

November 24, 2019

Dating back to 1919, Tampa’s various minor league baseball teams were traditionally known as the ‘Smokers’. The last edition of the Smokers closed for business midway through the 1954 season. In 1956, the Tarpons were born and played at Al Lopez field until 1988.

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Sarasota Red Sox Florida State League Baseball

Sarasota Red Sox

January 20, 2019

Florida State League (1994-2004) Born: Affiliation change from Sarasota White Sox Affiliation Change: 2005 (Sarasota Reds) First Game: Last Game: FSL Championships: None Ed Smith Stadium (7,500) Dimensions

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Daytona Beach Astros Florida State League

Daytona Beach Astros

December 23, 2018

The Daytona Beach Astros were a Class A farm club of the Houston Astros from 1978 until 1984. The team was one of the most popular draws in the Florida State League in the early 1980’s under the management of General Manager Don Miers and out-of-town owner Harry Valentine of New York. Daytona Beach had a long history in the Florida State League dating back to 1920. The Astros became the city’s first team to draw 100,000 fans in a season, peaking at 102,510 for their final campaign in the summer of 1984.

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