Texas AirHogs

Texas AirHogs
League American Association (South Division)
Location Grand Prairie, Texas
Ballpark AirHogs Stadium
Year founded 2007
League championships 2011
Division championships 2008, 2011, 2013
Colors Crimson red, black, silver, white
                   
Ownership Southern Independent Baseball
Manager James Frisbie
General Manager John Bilbow
Website www.airhogsbaseball.com

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.

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 has a major plant just next to the city, though the plant is technically in Dallas).

For the 2016 season, the AirHogs merged with the Amarillo Thunderheads, taking their current name and splitting games between both home ballparks. For 2017 season, the team will be 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 is 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]

Year-by-year

Year Record

W\L

 Pct Finish Playoffs
2008 56–40 .622 2nd Lost in Finals to Sioux Falls Canaries
2009 48–48 .500 T-3rd Did not qualify
2010 43–52 .453 3rd Did not qualify
2011 64–36 .640 1st Won Championship Series over St. Paul Saints
2012 53–47 .640 2nd Did not qualify
2013 54–46 .540 1st Lost 1st Round to Wichita Wingnuts
2014 40–60 .400 3rd Did not qualify
2015 29–71 .290 5th Did not qualify
2016 34–65 .343 4th Did not qualify

Roster

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

Pitchers

  • 37 Ryan Atwood
  • 21 Palmer Betts
  • 24 Ethan Carnes
  •  3 Cody Hebner
  • 26 Sam Martin
  •  8 Carlos Misell
  • 49 Alan Oaks
  • 19 Mark Pope
  •  9 Griffin Russell
  • 10 David Russo
  • 35 Richard Suniga
  

Catchers

  • 16 K. J. Alexander
  •  5 Michael Miller

Infielders

  •  2 Brian Bistagne
  •  6 Will DuPont
  • 15 Austin Gallagher
  •   Anderson Hidalgo
  • 13 Cody Lenahan
  • 12 Devon Rodriguez
  •  1 Juan Sanchez

Outfielders

  •  7 Michael Hur
  •   Teo Martinez
  • 97 Kenny Peoples-Walls
  • 23 Burt Reynolds
  

Manager

  • 20 James Frisbie

Coaches

  • 30 Jeff Brooks (hitting)
  •   Jeff Russell (pitching)
  • 4 Lincoln Gumbs (bench coach)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated May 20, 2016
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.
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