Rome Emperors

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Rome Braves
)

Rome Emperors
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class
Class A (2003–2020)
LeagueSouth Atlantic League (2022–present)
DivisionSouth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamAtlanta Braves (2003–present)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 2003
  • 2016
Division titles (2)
  • 2003
  • 2016
Second-half titles (1)
  • 2022
Team data
NameRome Emperors (2024–present)
Previous names
Rome Braves (2003–2023)
MascotRomey, Roxie, and Roman
BallparkAdventHealth Stadium (2003–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Diamond Baseball Holdings / Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc.[citation needed]
General managerDavid Lane
ManagerCody Gabella

The Rome Emperors are a

Class A
affiliate before being elevated to High-A with the restructuring of the minor league system in 2021. Rome is the longest-tenured partner club of the Atlanta Braves.

History

Organization's historical beginnings

A longstanding member of the current iteration

Greensboro Hornets
in 2 games.

The Macon Braves

In 1991, the low league Braves saw themselves on the move once more when they transplanted the team to

. The Macon Braves would serve as the last time the city would host a major-league affiliated minor league team.

Moving to Rome

AdventHealth Stadium, home of the Rome Emperors since 2003

Following failed attempts to get the city of Macon to build a new ballpark for the team, as their home at

SPLOST tax, the city of Rome, Georgia, managed to entice the Braves organization, and as a result they became the new home of the Single-A affiliate starting with the 2003 season. The SPLOST tax helped with entirely building their home, AdventHealth Stadium
, and a high level of optimism followed the team to Rome.

2003 Inaugural season and championship

Rocket Wheeler would be named the manager for the first season in Rome, and the start of his tenure in the Braves organization after previously serving the past three seasons as the manager for the AA then-Toronto Blue Jays affiliate Tennessee Smokies. During their inaugural season in Rome, the team started the first half of the 2003 South Atlantic League season with a 36–33 record, finishing foutth in the Southern Division and well outside the playoff spot won by Hickory. The second half featured a much better effort, with help from two future Braves fan-favorites in Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur, and Rome got to a 42–38 record to win the Southern Division in the second half of the season and advance to the Playoffs for the time ever in Rome, and the sixth time overall since the original inception of the team in Anderson in 1980. Not only was it a historic first season in Rome by just making it to the playoffs, but the Rome Braves followed this with 2–1 series win over Hickory to advance to their first-ever South Atlantic League Championship, where they met the Lake County Captains. The series went to four games, and in their inaugural season, the Rome Braves won the 2003 South Atlantic League with a 3–1 series win over Lake County.

Beginning of Ingle era

After their first team championship in 2003, the following two seasons under Rocket Wheeler saw the team finish with a 70–70 record in 2004, and a 72–65 record in 2005, though neither were able to replicate the similar success of either a Championship or even a divisional crown. Rome went for a managerial change for the 2006 season, calling on Randy Ingle. Ingle served in the Braves organization for his entire 14 seasons prior to joining Rome, including two stops in 1993 and 2001 with Macon. He was also coming off of 4 years as the manager for the then Advanced-A affiliate

Rick Albert
who led the team to a 35–35 finish. Ingle's 2012 return started off much poorer than the 2011 Rome start, with Rome compiling an 18–52 record in the 1st half. The 2nd half of the season fared much better for Rome, going 44–24 and securing their first divisional crown in 6 seasons, even despite the overall season finish of 62–72 which would be worst in the Southern Division. The Braves would lose to the eventual 2012 Champion Asheville Tourists 2 games to 1 in their playoff series.

Leadup to 2016 championship

Ingle would serve another season with Rome in 2013, finishing just shy of a 2nd straight trip to the SAL Playoffs during the 2nd half of the season, and finishing with a 73–66 overall record. Jon Schuerholz would take over the team in 2014, swapping managerial duties with Ingle who would return to Danville for 2014. Rome would finish 2014 with a 56–84 record, their 3rd time in the last 5 seasons that the Braves would finish at the bottom of the South Division in overall record. Ingle again returned to the team in 2015, producing a just as disappointing 58–82 record with Rome unable to escape the bottom of the division once again. Sporting one of the youngest clubs in full-season baseball, 2016 looked to be starting the same way under Ingle, with a 27–42 having them at 6th in the division heading into the midseason break. Things got much better though in what would turn out to be another historic season for Rome. Thanks to a pitching room featuring

Lakewood BlueClaws
.

Ingle's retirement, Rocket's return, start of Tuiasosopo era

Following their second championship season, Ingle would serve one last year as manager for the Rome Braves in 2017, end with his best overall record finish during his time in Rome at 74–65, but unfortunately coming up short of a return to postseason play. 2018 saw Rome return to their past by bringing back Rocket Wheeler, their manager from the 2003 Championship season and the two seasons following. Wheeler had spent his time since leaving Rome in the Braves organization, taking over the Pelicans for 5 seasons following his original departure, getting 1 season as the manager for the AA Mississippi Braves, and 4 seasons on the rookie level before managing the Braves Advanced A ball for the Carolina Mudcats in 2016 and Florida Fire Frogs in 2017. Wheeler's return in 2018 would show quick results with Rome finishing at the top of the South Division in the 1st half with a 40–29 record, though a slight slump in the 2nd half gave them a 31–36 record and 71–65 overall on the season. Rome would be eliminated in the playoffs by the 2nd half division champion, and eventual SAL Champion, Lexington Legends in a 2–0 series loss. For 2019 and into the modern day, Matt Tuiasosopo would be named the Rome Braves manager, and he would lead Rome to a 65–74 overall record while missing the playoffs.

2020 Season cancellation and High-A promotion

Like the entirety of the

MiLB, the 2020 season was postponed and later cancelled for Rome following the COVID-19 pandemic. This also came following an off-season of rumors regarding the complete reorganization of the minor leagues, which would come into fruition following the cancellation of the 2020 season. On December 9, 2020, many of the major league clubs announced their new affiliations, totaling at 120 with each team sporting a Low-A, High-A, AA, and AAA team for 2021 and beyond. Rome was invited, and subsequently accepted said invite, back into the Braves organization as the new High-A affiliate, ending their run since the team's inception as the Low-A affiliate and replacing the Fire Frogs in their new spot. Their fellow South Atlantic League team, the Augusta GreenJackets, would be named the new Low-A affiliate, while the Mississippi Braves and Gwinnett Stripers
would retain their status as AA and AAA affiliates for the Braves respectively.

As part of the announcement on February 12, 2021, announcement of the new Professional Development League alignment, Rome accepted their invitation as the High-A affiliate, and signed a new contract with the organization to continue their tenure together through the 2030 season. The announcement also included Rome's new league location, the newly created

High-A East, with the Rome Braves joining former South Atlantic League opponents Asheville Tourists, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Greenville Drive, Hickory Crawdads, and Jersey Shore (formerly Lakewood) BlueClaws; alongside new opponents Aberdeen IronBirds, Brooklyn Cyclones, Hudson Valley Renegades, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Bowling Green Hot Rods, and Winston-Salem Dash.[1] In 2022, the High-A East became known as the South Atlantic League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[2]

Emperors

After the 20 years of donning the Braves tomahawk across the chest, the Rome Braves announced on August 11, 2023, that they would be dropping Braves' moniker in 2024.[3][4] On November 16, 2023, the team was renamed the Rome Emperors, with a cap insignia and logo that featured an emperor penguin.[5]

Team mascots

Rome mascot Romey

Rome has three mascots, Romey, Roxie, and introduced for the 2015 season their "son" Roman. Romey is a tall (6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m)), blue, furry humanoid male mascot with yellow hair, while Roxie, who was added to the team after the 2005 season, is 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) tall, humanoid, a lighter blue, and has a large yellow ponytail. Roman is also a furry blue humanoid male, his blue more matching that of Romey, with the added detail of his head being that of a baseball wearing a Roman soldier helmet.

Season-by-season records

South Atlantic League champions
(2003–present) *
Division champions
(2003–present) ^
Season Level League Division Finish
Wins
Losses
Pct. GB Postseason Awards Ref.
2003
A
SAL * Southern ^ 2nd 78 61 .561 Won First Round (Hickory) 2–1 ^
Won Championship Series (Lake County) 3–1 *
[6]
2004 A SAL South 4th 70 70 .500 21 [7]
2005 A SAL South 4th 72 65 .526 [8]
2006 A SAL South 5th 71 68 .511 21 Lost First Round (Augusta) 0–2 [9]
2007 A SAL South 6th 66 74 .471 15 [10]
2008 A SAL South 8th 56 81 .409 26 [11]
2009 A SAL Southern 6th 66 73 .475 [12]
2010 A SAL Southern 7th 59 80 .424 18 [13]
2011 A SAL Southern 5th 60 80 .429 19½ [14]
2012 A SAL Southern 7th 62 76 .449 25 Lost First Round (Asheville) 1–2 [15]
2013 A SAL Southern 4th 73 66 .525 10 [16]
2014 A SAL Southern 7th 56 84 .400 34 [17]
2015 A SAL Southern 7th 58 82 .414 27½ [18]
2016 A SAL * Southern ^ 4th 70 69 .504 6 Won First Round (Charleston) 2–1 ^
Won Championship Series (Lakewood) 3–1 *
[19]
2017 A SAL Southern 3rd 74 65 .532 5 [20]
2018 A SAL Southern 2nd 71 65 .522 5 Lost First Round (Lexington) 0–2 [21]
2019 A SAL Southern 5th 65 74 .468 12½ [22]
2020 A SAL Southern Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 A+
High-A East
South 4th 56 60 .483 25 [23]
2022 A+ SAL South 2nd 74 54 .578 3 [24]
2023 A+ SAL South 3rd 64 68 .485 9.5 [25]

Roster

Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 32 Cedric De Grandpre
  • 45 Benjamin Dum
  • 33 Rob Griswold
  • 19 Patrick Halligan
  • 15 Jonathan Hughes
  • 49 Ryder Jones
  • 55 Daniel Martinez
  • 27 Ian Mejia
  • 80 Jose Montilla
  • 46 Rolddy Munoz
  • 36 J.J. Niekro
  • 28 Tyler Owens
  • 26 Miguel Pena
  • 30 Hunter Riggins
  • 54 Luis Vargas
  • 43 Peyton Williams
  • 52 Brooks Wilson #

Catchers

  • 39 Drake Baldwin
  • 20 Wiston Cerrato
  • 34 Adam Zebrowski

Infielders

  • 13 Ignacio Alvarez
  •  9 Bryson Horne
  • 38 David McCabe
  • 14 Keshawn Ogans
  •  4 Geraldo Quintero
  • 12 Eliezel Stevens

Outfielders

  •  7 Kevin Kilpatrick Jr.
  • 25 Brandol Mezquita
  •  2 Kadon Morton
  • 11 Stephen Paolini
  • 24 Brandon Parker


Manager

  • -- Cody Gabella

Coaches

  •  1 Bobby Moore (coach)
  • 22 Mike Steed (pitching)
  • -- Danny Santiesteban (hitting)

60-day injured list

  • 86 Blake Burkhalter

7-day injured list
* On Atlanta Braves 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated January 28, 2024
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • South Atlantic League
Atlanta Braves minor league players

Notable alumni

Max Fried
Jason Marquis

Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Notes

  1. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. ^ George, Evelyn (August 11, 2023). "Rome Braves plan to change team name in 2024 season, accepting fan suggestions". News Now Georgia. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Jackson, Josh (August 14, 2023). "Rome announces name change for 2024 season". MILB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Hill, Benjamin (November 16, 2023). "Black and white and Rome all over: Braves affiliate unveils new name, logos". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e "2003 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e "2004 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "2005 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "2006 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "2007 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "2008 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  12. ^ "2009 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "2010 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "2011 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "2012 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  16. ^ "2013 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  17. ^ "2014 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  18. ^ "2015 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  19. ^ "2016 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  20. ^ "2017 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  21. ^ "2018 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  22. ^ "2019 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  23. ^ "2021 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  24. ^ "2022 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "2023 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "Chipper Jones Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  27. ^ Dawson, David (May 31, 2008). "Smoltz effective in loss: Atlanta pitcher makes last appearance with Rome". Rome News-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008.
  28. ^ "Brandon Jones Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  29. ^ "Phil Niekro Award: Braves Outstanding Minor League Pitcher". Braves 400 Club. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved July 20, 2009.

External links