Hickory Crawdads

The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hickory, North Carolina. They are a member of the South Atlantic League (SAL) and are the Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They play their home games at L. P. Frans Stadium, which opened in 1993 and has roughly 4,000 fixed seats.

Hickory Crawdads
Founded in 1993
Hickory, North Carolina
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A
LeagueSouth Atlantic League
DivisionNorthern Division
Major league affiliations
TeamTexas Rangers (2009–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (3)
  • 2002
  • 2004
  • 2015
Division titles (4)
  • 2002
  • 2004
  • 2015
  • 2019
First half titles (4)
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2011
  • 2015
Second half titles (4)
  • 1994
  • 2004
  • 2007
  • 2019
Team data
NicknameHickory Crawdads (1993–present)
ColorsRed, black, Crawdad blue, white
                   
BallparkL. P. Frans Stadium (1993–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Texas Rangers/Hickory Baseball, LLC
ManagerCarlos Cardoza
General ManagerDouglas Locascio

Established in 1993, the Crawdads were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox through 1998. They became a farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999 and won the South Atlantic League championship in 2002 and 2004. Hickory has been affiliated with the Texas Rangers since 2009. The Crawdads won a third SAL championship in 2015.

Through the 2019 season, Hickory has played in 3,743 regular season games and compiled a win–loss record of 1,898–1,845. In 11 postseason appearances, they have won four division titles and three league championships. The team has an overall postseason record of 23–20.

History

Several minor league baseball teams known as the Hickory Rebels played in Hickory, North Carolina, intermittently from 1936 to 1960.[1] Local businessman Don Beaver purchased the Gastonia Rangers and relocated them from Gastonia, North Carolina, to Hickory for the 1993 season.[2] Fans were invited to submit suggestions for the team's name. Among the finalists were "Woodchucks", "River Rats", "Valley Cats", and "Hound Dogs".[3] The chosen name, "Crawdads", was selected because of the animals' strength and presence in local waterways.[3]

The Crawdads played in the South Atlantic League as the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in their inaugural 1993 season. The six-year affiliation regularly saw Hickory at or near the bottom of the standings, though they did qualify for the playoffs twice. On both occasions, however, they were eliminated without winning any games. The affiliation ended after the 1998 season with team accumulating a 374–464 record over that period.[1]

Hickory entered into a new affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999. The Crawdads reached the postseason in five of ten seasons with Pittsburgh. They won two South Atlantic League championships, the first in 2002 and the second in 2004.[4] The affiliation ended after the 2008 season with Hickory going 705–677 over a span of 10 years.[1]

The Crawdads became an affiliate of the Texas Rangers in 2009.[1] Since then, they have reached the SAL finals on two occasions and won the championship in 2015.[4] Following the 2017 season, the Rangers purchased the team from Beaver.

Season-by-season results
Season Regular season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
1993 52–88.37113th6th​32 1⁄2———Chicago White Sox[5]
1994 86–54.6142nd1st—0–2.000Won Second Half Northern Division title
Lost Northern Division title vs. Hagerstown Suns, 2–0[6]		Chicago White Sox[7]
1995 49–89.35514th7th​35 1⁄2———Chicago White Sox[8]
1996 55–85.39314th6th31———Chicago White Sox[9]
1997 76–64.5434th2nd10–2.000Lost quarterfinals vs. Delmarva Shorebirds, 2–0[10]Chicago White Sox[11]
1998 56–84.40013th6th​33 1⁄2———Chicago White Sox[12]
1999 70–70.5006th3rd​12 1⁄23–2.600Won quarterfinals vs. Macon Braves, 2–0
Lost semifinals vs. Augusta GreenJackets, 2–1[13]		Pittsburgh Pirates[14]
2000 75–66.5324th (tie)3rd17———Pittsburgh Pirates[15]
2001 67–73.47910th5th25———Pittsburgh Pirates[16]
2002 83–56.5971st1st—5–2.714Won First Half Northern Division title
Won Northern Division title vs. Delmarva Shorebirds, 2–0
Won SAL championship vs. Columbus RedStixx, 3–2[17]		Pittsburgh Pirates[18]
2003 82–54.6032nd1st—1–2.333Won First Half Southern Division title
Lost Southern Division title vs. Rome Braves, 2–1[19]		Pittsburgh Pirates[20]
2004 85–55.6072nd1st—5–01.000Won Second Half Northern Division title
Won Northern Division title vs. Charleston Alley Cats, 2–0
Won SAL championship vs. Capital City Bombers, 3–0[21]		Pittsburgh Pirates[22]
2005 54–80.40315th (tie)7th (tie)​24 1⁄2———Pittsburgh Pirates[23]
2006 67–70.48910th5th16———Pittsburgh Pirates[24]
2007 70–66.5156th2nd121–2.333Won Second Half Northern Division title
Lost Northern Division title vs. West Virginia Power, 2–1[25]		Pittsburgh Pirates[26]
2008 52–87.37415th7th​27 1⁄2———Pittsburgh Pirates[27]
2009 63–76.45315th7th19———Texas Rangers[28]
2010 75–64.5404th (tie)2nd90–2.000Lost Northern Division title vs. Lakewood BlueClaws, 2–0[29]Texas Rangers[30]
2011 79–58.5771st1st—0–2.000Won First Half Northern Division title
Lost Northern Division title vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers, 2–0[31]		Texas Rangers[32]
2012 74–65.5325th3rd9———Texas Rangers[33]
2013 76–63.5475th3rd​5 1⁄2———Texas Rangers[34]
2014 80–59.5765th3rd​6 1⁄2———Texas Rangers[35]
2015 81–57.5873rd2nd​5 1⁄25–1.833Won First Half Northern Division title
Won Northern Division title vs. West Virginia Power, 2–1
Won SAL championship vs. Asheville Tourists, 3–0[36]		Texas Rangers[37]
2016 74–66.5295th3rd9———Texas Rangers[38]
2017 64–76.45711th6th13———Texas Rangers[39]
2018 70–68.5076th (tie)4th (tie)17———Texas Rangers[40]
2019 83–52.6152nd2nd​5 1⁄23–3.500Won Second Half Northern Division title
Won Northern Division title vs. Delmarva Shorebirds, 2–0
Lost SAL championship vs. Lexington Legends, 3–1[41]		Texas Rangers[42]
Totals 1,898–1,845 .507 — — — 23–20 .535 3 League titles, 4 Division titles, 8 Half Division titles — –
Franchise totals by affiliation
Affiliation Regular season Postseason
Record Win % Appearances Record Win %
Chicago White Sox (1993–1999) 374–464.44620–4.000
Pittsburgh Pirates (1999–2008) 705–677.510515–8.652
Texas Rangers (2009–present) 819–704.53848—8.500
All-time 1,898–1,845.5071123–20.535

Roster
Hickory Crawdads roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Grant Anderson
  • -- Hans Crouse
  • -- Ryan Dease
  • -- Mason Englert
  • -- Eris Filpo
  • -- Kelvin Gonzalez
  • -- Ronny Henriquez
  • -- Werner Leal
  • -- Jesus Linarez
  • -- Andriu Marin
  • -- Abdiel Mendoza
  • -- Sergio Pacheco
  • -- Triston Polley
  • -- Cole Ragans
  • -- Daniel Robert
  • -- Yerry Rodriguez
  • -- Nick Snyder
  • -- Alex Speas
  • -- Tyree Thompson
  • -- Ricky Vanasco
  • -- Cole Winn
  • -- Grant Wolfram

Catchers

Infielders

  • -- Jax Biggers
  • -- Frainyer Chavez
  • -- Kole Enright
  • -- Josh Jung
  • -- Jonathan Ornelas
  • -- Shea Patterson
  • -- Tyreque Reed
  • -- Chris Seise

Outfielders

  • -- Ryan Anderson

Manager

  • -- Carlos Cardoza

Coaches

  • -- Jason Hart (hitting)
  • -- Jose Jaimes (pitching)
  • -- Jay Sullenger


7-day injured list
* On Texas Rangers 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated June 2, 2020
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • South Atlantic League
 → Texas Rangers minor league players

Awards
Jurickson Profar won the SAL Most Valuable Player Award in 2011.

Four players and two managers have won South Atlantic League awards in recognition for their performance with the Crawdads.

Award Recipient Season Ref.
SAL Most Valuable Player J. R. House 2000[43]
SAL Most Valuable Player Walter Young 2002[44]
SAL Most Valuable Player Jorge Cortes 2003[43]
SAL Most Valuable Player Jurickson Profar 2011[45]
SAL Most Outstanding Prospect Walter Young 2002[44]
SAL Manager of the Year Fred Kendall 1994[46]
SAL Manager of the Year Tony Beasley 2002[44]

Notable alumni
Joey Gallo batting for the Crawdads in 2013

Mascot

Conrad the Crawdad has been the official mascot of the Crawdads since 1993. Conrad, along with his wife Candy, entertain fans during games. The two got engaged on Mother's Day weekend in 2018 and were married in an on-field ceremony on June 24, 2018.

References
  1. "Hickory, North Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  2. "Conrad & The Hickory Crawdads" (PDF). At the Yard. January 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  3. Pollack, Lisa (December 3, 1992). "Fans Cheer, Cry Foul Over Baseball Team's Name". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Playoff Champions". South Atlantic League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  5. "1993 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  6. "1994 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  7. "1994 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  8. "1995 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  9. "1996 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  10. "1997 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  11. "1997 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  12. "1998 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  13. "1999 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  14. "1999 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  15. "2000 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  16. "2001 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  17. "2002 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  18. "2002 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  19. "2003 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  20. "2003 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  21. "2004 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  22. "2004 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  23. "2005 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  24. "2006 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  25. "2007 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  26. "2007 South Atlantic League (A)". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  27. "2008 South Atlantic League (A)". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  28. "2009 South Atlantic League (A)". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  29. "2010 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  30. "2010 South Atlantic League (A)". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  31. "2011 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  32. "2011 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  33. "2012 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  34. "2013 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  35. "2014 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  36. "2015 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  37. "2015 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  38. "2016 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  39. "2017 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  40. "2018 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  41. "2019 South Atlantic League (SAL) Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  42. "2019 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  43. Parker, Mark (June 27, 2017). "25th Anniversary All-Crawdads Team: A Look Back at Players' Success in Hickory". Hickory Record. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  44. Cichalski, Dan (August 24, 2002). "Righty Floyd Left Off All-Star Team". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. C5. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  45. "Profar Voted Sal MVP, 'Dads Have Three All-Stars". Hickory Crawdads. Minor League Baseball. August 30, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  46. "Crawdads Alumni Report February 4". Hickory Crawdads. Minor League Baseball. January 29, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
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