Rome Emperors
Rome Emperors | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
Class | Class A (2003–2020) | ||||
League | South Atlantic League (2022–present) | ||||
Division | South Division | ||||
Previous leagues |
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Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | Atlanta Braves (2003–present) | ||||
Minor league titles | |||||
League titles (2) |
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Division titles (2) |
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Second-half titles (1) |
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Team data | |||||
Name | Rome Emperors (2024–present) | ||||
Previous names | Rome Braves (2003–2023) | ||||
Mascot | Romey, Roxie, and Roman | ||||
Ballpark | AdventHealth Stadium (2003–present) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Diamond Baseball Holdings / Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc.[citation needed] | ||||
General manager | David Lane | ||||
Manager | Cody Gabella |
The Rome Emperors are a
History
Organization's historical beginnings
A longstanding member of the current iteration
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
Following failed attempts to get the city of Macon to build a new ballpark for the team, as their home at
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
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
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
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
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 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
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Losses
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Pct. | GB | Postseason | Awards | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | A
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SAL * | Southern ^ | 2nd | 78 | 61 | .561 | 5½ | 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 | 7½ | [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 | 7½ | [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
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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
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
60-day injured list
7-day injured list |
Notable alumni
Hall of Fame alumni
- Tom Glavine (Played 1 game for the team in 2009)
- Chipper Jones (Played 1 game for the team in 2004,[7] 3 games in 2005,[8] 2 games in 2011, and 2 games in 2012[26])
- John Smoltz (2008) Inducted, 2016[27]
Notable alumni
- Blaine Boyer[6]
- Kyle Davies[6]
- Yunel Escobar[8]
- Julio Franco (Played 4 games for the team in 2007[10])
- Jeff Francoeur[6]
- Freddie Freeman
- Max Fried
- Tommy Hanson
- Jason Heyward
- Omar Infante (Played 3 games for the team in 2009)
- Chuck James[7]
- Kelly Johnson (Played 5 games for the team in 2006[9])
- Brandon Jones[28]
- Brian Jordan (Played 1 game for the team in 2006[9])
- Jason Marquis (1997)[29]
- Brian McCann[6]
- Martín Prado[7]
- David Ross (Played 2 games for the team in 2009)
- Jo-Jo Reyes[9]
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia[7]
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (2016)
Notes
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jackson, Josh (August 14, 2023). "Rome announces name change for 2024 season". MILB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Hill, Benjamin (November 16, 2023). "Black and white and Rome all over: Braves affiliate unveils new name, logos". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "2003 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "2004 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c "2005 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "2006 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b "2007 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2008 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2009 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "2010 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2011 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2012 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2013 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2014 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2015 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2016 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2017 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2018 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2019 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Rome Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Chipper Jones Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Brandon Jones Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Phil Niekro Award: Braves Outstanding Minor League Pitcher". Braves 400 Club. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved July 20, 2009.