Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
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The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were an affiliate of the
Team history
In September 2004, the New York Yankees announced a four-year player development contract with the Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League, dropping their contract with the Battle Creek Yankees.[1] A few days later, Battle Creek signed a two-year player development contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; the Devil Rays' previous low-A affiliate had been Charleston. With the announcement, it was obvious that the team's name would need to change.[2] In December, Fun Entertainment, LLC announced that it had purchased the Battle Creek team and renamed it as the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays.[3]
In 2005, the Midwest League comprised 14 teams in two divisions. Its championship was determined by a three-round playoff among eight teams, including the first- and second-half leaders from each division and several wild card teams. In the first half, the Devil Rays finished in fourth place of the six teams in the Eastern Division with a 33–36 record. In the second half they improved to third place with a 39–31 records, four games behind. They qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to the
In January 2006, the owners of the Devil Rays announced a deal to sell the team to an investment group in Midland, Michigan, with plans to relocate the team there for the 2007 season. A foundation was formed in Midland to build a new stadium with 80 percent private funding.[6]
In the first half of 2006, the Devil Rays tied for fifth place in the Eastern Division with a 32—37 record. In the second half they had last place to themselves, as their record fell to 30–40. Their strength was pitching;
Year-by-year record
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | 72–67 | 4th (t) | Joe Szekely | Lost in 1st round |
2006 | 62–77 | 12th | Skeeter Barnes |
References
- ^ Sapakoff, Gene (2004-09-15). "RiverDogs to announce Yankees deal AH: 4-year partnership begins in '05 season". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Battle Creek, Tampa Bay Devil Rays sign 2-year PDC". OSC: OurSports Central. 2004-09-22. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Meet the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays". OSC: OurSports Central. 2004-12-20. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Midwest League 2005". MWLguide.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "2005 Southwest Michigan Devil Rays". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Midland gets Battle Creek baseball team". Ludington Daily News. 2006-01-13. pp. B1. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Midwest League 2006: Summary". MWLguide.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Midwest League 2006: Season Highlights". MWLguide.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "2006 Southwest Michigan Devil Rays". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.