The Sumter Braves were the Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the South Atlantic League during the late 1980’s. Atlanta’s farm system was an embarrassment of riches at the time. Future stars of Atlanta’s National League dynasty of the 1990’s such as Ron Gant, Tom Glavine, David Justice and Ryan Klesko all came through Sumter on their way up the ladder.
When South Atlantic League franchise owner Richard Holtzman moved his Sumter Flyers ball club to Albany in late 1991 it marked the return of pro baseball to the Georgia city for the first time since 1958. Several future stars came through Albany during the Polecats era, particularly during the two seasons the club was part of the fertile Montreal Expos farm system. Cliff Floyd and Ugueth Urbina (1992) and Vladimir Guerrero (1995) all became future Major League All-Stars. Guerrero would develop into a Hall-of-Famer.
South Atlantic League (1991) Born: 1991 – South Atlantic League expansion franchise Moved: November 1991 (Albany Polecats) First Game: April 12, 1991 (W 7-5 @
The Fayetteville Generals were a Class A farm club of the Detroit Tigers in the South Atlantic League from 1987 through 1996. When the club formed it marked the return of pro baseball to the North Carolina city after a 31-year absence. Notable future Major Leaguers from the Generals era included Milt Cuyler, Travis Fryman and Jose Lima. Change was afoot in 1997, when the Montreal Expos replaced the Detroit Tigers as Fayetteville’s parent club and the franchise changed its name to the Cape Fear Crocs.
This Class A farm club of the Toronto Blue Jays marked the first time that minor league baseball came to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Or, at least, near Myrtle Beach. The Blue Jays played on the campus of Coastal Carolina University about 12 miles away from the Grand Strand.
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