Texas AirHogs

The Texas AirHogs are a professional baseball team based in Grand Prairie, Texas, in the United States. The AirHogs are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Beginning in the 2008 season as the Grand Prairie AirHogs, the team plays their home games at AirHogs Stadium.

Texas AirHogs
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueAmerican Association (South Division)
LocationGrand Prairie, Texas
BallparkAirHogs Stadium
Year founded2007
League championships(1) 2011
Division championships(3) 2008, 2011, 2013
ColorsBlack, red, white, silver
                   
OwnershipNeltex Sports (Donnie Nelson)
ManagerChris Bando
General ManagerNathan Gutierrez
Websiteairhogsbaseball.com

The name "AirHogs"' is a slang term used by U.S. military pilots, and refers to the city's aviation industry[1] (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is headquartered in Grand Prairie, and Vought Corporation once had a major plant in Dallas adjacent to Grand Prairie before the company was sold and the plant closed).

For the 2016 season, the AirHogs merged with the Amarillo Thunderheads, taking their current name and splitting games between both home ballparks; since the 2017 season, the team has been based solely in Grand Prairie again.

History

On October 22, 2007, the AirHogs named former Major Leaguer Pete Incaviglia as their first manager.

2008 season

The AirHogs played their first game in franchise history on May 8 against the St. Paul Saints, losing the contest 10-3. The first home game ever played by the AirHogs ended on a sour note as they were defeated 4-2 by the Wichita Wingnuts on May 16. On July 25, Scot Drucker's contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. He was the first ever Grand Prairie player to be signed by a team affiliated to a Major League club. On July 28, starting pitcher Kieran Mattison's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was sent to the Dodgers Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League.

2009 All-Star Game

The AirHogs played host to the 2009 American Association All-Star Game at their home field, the Ballpark in Grand Prairie, on July 21, 2009.

2011 season

The AirHogs won their first American Association championship by winning a decisive game 5 in the championship series.

2015–2016

On November 19, 2015, American Association commissioner Miles Wolff announced that there would no longer be interleague play between the AA and the Can-Am League (for which he was also commissioner) and that for the 2016 season the Amarillo Thunderheads and the AirHogs would operate as a joint team with 25 games in Amarillo and 25 games in Grand Prairie to make a 12 team league.[2] On November 27, 2015 James Frisbie was named the team's manager.[3] Following the season the team announced that they would not be returning to Amarillo, and would play all games in Grand Prairie for 2017.[4]

2018–present

On May 18, 2018, the American Association announced that AirHogs have developed a partnership with the Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) and Shougang Sports for the 2018-20 seasons. Thirty members of the Chinese National Baseball Team (known as the Beijing Shougang Eagles) will train at AirHogs Stadium and rotate as players on the Texas AirHogs roster. New manager John McLaren serves as the manager of the China national baseball team.[5]

On June 12, 2020, it was announced that the AirHogs were one of six teams that would not be participating in the 2020 American Assocation season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [6]

Year-by-year
Year Record

W\L

 Pct Finish Playoffs
200856–40.6222ndLost in Finals to Sioux Falls Canaries
200948–48.500T–3rdDid not qualify
201043–52.4533rdDid not qualify
201164–36.6401stWon Championship Series over St. Paul Saints
201253–47.6402ndDid not qualify
201354–46.5401stLost 1st Round to Wichita Wingnuts
201440–60.4003rdDid not qualify
201529–71.2905thDid not qualify
201634–65.3434thDid not qualify
201743–57.4303rdDid not qualify
201825–75.2505thDid not qualify
201928–71.2836thDid not qualify
2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Current roster
Texas AirHogs roster
Active (22-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers
N/A

  

Catchers
N/A

Infielders
N/A

Outfielders
N/A

  

Manager

Coaches


Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated June 17, 2020
Transactions

References
  1. AirHogs takes root as Grand Prairie baseball team's name Archived 23 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/american-association-releases-2016-schedule/
  3. http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/texas-names-james-frisbie-as-clubs-manager/
  4. Lahnert, Lance; Winslow, Donald R. (October 13, 2016). "Going, going, gone: Amarillo loses its minor league team". Amarillo Globe-News.
  5. http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/the-chinese-national-baseball-teamnow-in-north/
  6. "Independent American Association to start baseball season July 3 with limited fans". ESPN. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
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