Hartford Yard Goats

Minor League Baseball team in Hartford, Connecticut

Minor league baseball team

Hartford Yard Goats

* Founded in 2016
* Hartford, Connecticut

|  |

|

Team logo | Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class| Double-A (1983–present)
League| Eastern League (1983–present)
Division| Northeast Division
Major league affiliations
Team| Colorado Rockies (2015–present)
Previous teams|

* Minnesota Twins (1995–2014)
* Boston Red Sox (1973–1994)

Minor league titles
League titles (5)|

* 1975
* 1978
* 1981
* 1983
* 2001 (Co-Champion)

Division titles (2)|

* 1998
* 2001

First-half titles (1)| 2024
Team data
Name| Hartford Yard Goats

Previous names

* New Britain Rock Cats (1997–2015)
* Hardware City Rock Cats (1995–1996)
* New Britain Red Sox (1983–1994)
* Bristol Red Sox (1973–1982)
* Pawtucket Red Sox (1970–1972)
* Pittsfield Red Sox (1965–1969)
* Reading Red Sox (1935–1968)

Colors| Royal blue, kelly green, tan, white[1][2]

Mascot| Chompers and Chew Chew
Ballpark| Dunkin' Park (2017–present)

Previous parks

* Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium (2016)
* New Britain Stadium (1996–2015)
* Beehive Field (1983–1995)
* Muzzy Field (1973–1982)

Owner(s)/
Operator(s)

| Josh Solomon
General manager| Mike Abramson
Manager| Bobby Meacham
Website| milb.com/hartford

The Hartford Yard Goats are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The Yard Goats, which play in the Eastern League, are the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The team was founded in 2016 when the New Britain Rock Cats relocated to Hartford. The Yard Goats' home stadium is Dunkin' Park.

## History

[edit]

The franchise's timeline can be traced back to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where they were a Boston Red Sox Double-A affiliate from 1965 to 1969. The franchise then moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 1970, where they spent three years. The Pawtucket Red Sox became a Triple-A team in 1973, and the Red Sox moved their Double-A franchise to Bristol, Connecticut. Known as the Bristol Red Sox, the team played at Muzzy Field for ten seasons from 1973 to 1982. Starting with the 1983 season, the team was moved 7 miles (11 km) east to New Britain, Connecticut. Then known as the New Britain Red Sox, the team played its home games at Beehive Field, which stood next to New Britain Stadium. Renamed the Rock Cats in 1997, the team remained in New Britain through the 2015 season. In 2016, the team moved to Hartford and became the Yard Goats.[1]

The Yard Goats were unable to play any games in Hartford in 2016 due to construction delays at Dunkin' Park, and instead played all of their home games on the road.[3] These delays resulted in a lawsuit between the city of Hartford and Centerplan, the park's developer. Both sides later agreed to mediation.[4] After the city called an insurance bond with Arch Insurance, the firm replaced Centerplan with Whiting-Turner which resumed construction in October 2016.[5] The new developer completed the ballpark for the team's 2017 home opener on April 13, which they lost to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 7-2.[6]

The name "Yard Goats" was selected as part of a "Name the Team" contest which drew over 6,000 submissions. "Yard goat" is a railroad term for a switcher, a locomotive that moves rolling stock within a yard. The stadium is adjacent to Hartford Yard. The logo features a goat chomping on a baseball bat and the team makes heavy use of animal imagery and symbolism.[7] The blue and green colors are a nod to the Hartford Whalers team that played in the National Hockey League from 1979 to 1997.[8] The team stages an annual Whalers Reunion weekend, with special uniforms resembling the hockey club's and the logo has the goat chomping a hockey stick. The logo font replicates that used by the former New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.[1]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Yard Goats were organized into the Double-A Northeast.[9] In 2022, the Double-A Northeast became known as the Eastern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[10]

In 2024, the Yard Goats clinched their first playoff berth since relocating to Hartford in 2016. The Yard Goats are set to play one game in the 2025 season as the "Hartford Leaf Peepers".[11]

## Mascots

[edit]

The team has two mascots, a green male goat named Chompers and a blue female goat named Chew Chew. The names were selected as part of a "Name the Mascot" contest. Chew Chew's name is designed to reflect both the railroad meaning of the nickname (as in choo choo train) and the goat logo, which is chewing on a baseball bat.[12]

On April 21, 2016, Hartford Police reported that an individual had tackled Chompers outside the Connecticut Science Center after an event there. The man inside the costume, who was not named, was uninjured. Police are unsure whether it was an intentional assault or a prank that went too far.[13]

## Broadcasts

[edit]

Hartford Yard Goats games are heard on AM 1410 WPOP in English and were formerly heard on AM 1120 WPRX in Spanish.

## Season records

[edit]

(Place indicates finish in Eastern/Northeast Division)

* 2016: 74–67 (3rd), manager Darin Everson
* 2017: 62–77 (5th), manager Jerry Weinstein
* 2018: 65–71 (3rd), manager Warren Schaeffer
* 2019: 73–66 (3rd), manager Warren Schaeffer
* 2020: Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
* 2021: 39–79 (6th), manager Chris Denorfia
* 2022: 77–60 (2nd), manager Chris Denorfia
* 2023: 57–76 (6th), manager Chris Denorfia
* 2024: 76–60 (2nd), manager Bobby Meacham

### Playoffs

[edit]

* 2024: Lost to Somerset Patriots in Divisional Round, 0-2

## Roster

[edit]

Hartford Yard Goats roster

* v
* t
* e

Players | Coaches/Other

|

Pitchers

* 15 Blake Adams
* 51 McCade Brown
* 39 Mason Green
* 54 Welinton Herrera
* 20 Victor Juarez
* 23 Jack Mahoney
* 35 Bryce McGowan
* 25 Michael Prosecky
* 32 Evan Shawver
* \-- Ben Shields
* 40 Carson Skipper
* 11 Austin Smith
* 16 Connor Staine
* 24 Sean Sullivan
* 12 Carlos Torres
* 22 Sam Weatherly

|  |

Catchers

*  9 Bryant Betancourt
*  4 Cole Carrigg
* 19 Jose Cordova
* 39 Ronaiker Palma

Infielders

* 53 Julio Carreras
* 13 Juan Guerrero
*  6 Dyan Jorge
*  7 Nic Kent
* \-- Roc Riggio
* 14 Jared Thomas
*  2 Braylen Wimmer

Outfielders

*  8 Charlie Condon
* 18 Zach Kokoska
* 26 Benny Montgomery

|  |

Manager

* 10 Bobby Meacham

Coaches

*  1 Luis Lopez (bench)
* \-- Jacob Mathis (performance)
* 36 Dan Meyer (pitching)
*  5 Zach Osborne (hitting)

60-day injured list

* \-- Tyler Burch
* \-- Chris McMahon
* \-- Case Williams (full season)

7-day injured list
* On Colorado Rockies 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated July 31, 2025
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Eastern League
→ Colorado Rockies minor league players

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "In Training: The Story Behind the Hartford Yard Goats". sportslogos.net. May 28, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
2. ^ "Hartford Yard Goats Release Logo and Colors". YardGoatsBaseball.com. MLB Advanced Media. July 8, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2019. "Royal Blue and Kelly Green make up the club's new official colors, paying tribute to Hartford's rich sports history."
3. ^ "Courant Community". www.courant.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
4. ^ "Dunkin Donuts Park Architect Back On The Job". www.courant.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
5. ^ Spedden, Zach (December 21, 2016). "Dunkin' Donuts Park Aims for April 13 Debut". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
6. ^ Hartford Yard Goats (April 13, 2017). "Cats Walk All Over Yard Goats in Park Opener". MILB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
7. ^ Doyle, Paul (March 18, 2015). "What's a Yard Goat? It's a baseball team coming to Hartford". Hartford Courant.
8. ^ Doyle, Paul (July 8, 2015). "Hartford Yard Goats Unveil Logo, Pay Tribute To Whalers With Colors". Hartford Courant.
9. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
10. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
11. ^ Caputo, Paul (February 7, 2025). "Hartford Yard Goats to play as Leaf Peepers". SportsLogos.net. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
12. ^ Polansky, Rob; Dixon, Mark (October 30, 2015). "'Chew Chew' and 'Chompers' unveiled as Yard Goats mascots". WFSB-TV.
13. ^ "Hartford Police Investigating Incident Involving Yard Goats Mascot". NBC Connecticut. April 21, 2016.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hartford Yard Goats.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Hartford Yard Goats

* Founded in 1973
* Based in Hartford, Connecticut

Club|

* Bristol Red Sox (1973–1982)
* New Britain Red Sox (1983–1994)
* Hardware City Rock Cats (1995–1996)
* New Britain Rock Cats (1997–2015)

Venues|

* Muzzy Field
* Beehive Field
* New Britain Stadium
* Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium
* Dunkin' Park

Culture|

* Chew Chew
* Chompers
* Twirly
* Thomas Hooker Brewery

* v
* t
* e

Colorado Rockies

* Established in 1993
* Based in Denver, Colorado

Franchise|

* History
* Expansion
* Expansion draft
* Seasons
* Records
* Players
* First-round draft picks
* Managers
* Owners and executives
* Broadcasters
* Opening Day starting pitchers

Ballparks|

* Mile High Stadium
* Coors Field

Spring training
Hi Corbett Field
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Culture|

* Dinger
* Blake Street Bombers
* "Hey! Baby" (DJ Ötzi song)
* "Rocky Mountain Way"
* Continental League
* Mike Coolbaugh
* "The Losing Edge" (South Park episode)
* "We Like to Party!" (Vengaboys song)
* Alan Roach

Lore|

* Rocktober
* 2007 NL Wild Card tie-breaker game
* 2018 NL West tie-breaker game
* MLB Mexico City Series

Retired numbers|

* 17
* 33
* 42

Key personnel|

* Owners: Charlie and Dick Monfort
* President: vacant
* General Manager: Bill Schmidt
* Manager: Bud Black

National League pennants (1)|

* 2007

Wild card berths (5)|

* 1995
* 2007
* 2009
* 2017
* 2018

Minor league affiliates|

* Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A)
* Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A)
* Spokane Indians (High-A)
* Fresno Grizzlies (Single-A)
* ACL Rockies (Rookie)
* DSL Rockies (Rookie)

Broadcasting|

| Television|

* SportsNet Rocky Mountain (defunct)

|

Radio|

* KOA (AM)
* Radio network affiliates

Broadcasters|

* Drew Goodman
* Jeff Huson
* Ryan Spilborghs
* Jack Corrigan
* Jerry Schemmel

Seasons (33)

1990s|

* 1990 · 1991 · 1992 ·  1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

2000s|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

2010s|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

2020s|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Eastern League

Northeast Division|

* Binghamton Rumble Ponies
* Hartford Yard Goats
* New Hampshire Fisher Cats
* Portland Sea Dogs
* Reading Fightin Phils
* Somerset Patriots

Southwest Division|

* Akron RubberDucks
* Altoona Curve
* Chesapeake Baysox
* Erie SeaWolves
* Harrisburg Senators
* Richmond Flying Squirrels

* Champions
* Manager of the Year Award
* MVP Award
* Pitcher of the Year Award
* Rosters
* Stadiums
* Top MLB Prospect Award
* Teams

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Connecticut

Baseball|

Hartford Yard Goats
FCBL
New Britain Bees
Norwich Sea Unicorns
NECBL
Bristol Blues
Danbury Westerners
Mystic Schooners

Basketball|

WNBA
Connecticut Sun

Football|

WFA
Connecticut Hawks
Northern Connecticut Nightmare
NEFL
Connecticut Reapers

Gaelic games|

USGAA: Northeast Division
Hartford

Ice hockey|

AHL
Bridgeport Islanders
Hartford Wolf Pack
FPHL
Danbury Hat Tricks
NAHL
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks

Soccer|

USLC
Hartford Athletic
MLSNP
Connecticut United FC (2026)
USL2
AC Connecticut
NPSL
Hartford City FC
USASA
Newtown Pride FC

Roller derby|

WFTDA
Connecticut Roller Derby
Hartford Area Roller Derby
MRDA
Connecticut Death Quads

Rugby union|

NERFU
Fairfield Yankees RFC
Hartford Wanderers RFC
New Haven Old Black RFC
New London County RFC

Softball|

ASA
Connecticut Brakettes

College athletics|

| NCAA
Division I|

Bridgeport Purple Knights (women's gymnastics)
Central Connecticut Blue Devils
Fairfield Stags
New Haven Chargers
Post Eagles (women's bowling and women's ice hockey)
Quinnipiac Bobcats
Sacred Heart Pioneers
Southern Connecticut Owls (women's gymnastics)
UConn Huskies
Yale Bulldogs

|

NCAA
Division II|

Bridgeport Purple Knights
Post Eagles
Southern Connecticut Owls

NCAA
Division III|

Albertus Magnus Falcons
Coast Guard Bears
Connecticut College Camels
Eastern Connecticut Warriors
Hartford Hawks
Mitchell Mariners
Saint Joseph Blue Jays
Trinity Bantams
Wesleyan Cardinals
Western Connecticut Colonials

NJCAA Division III|

Gateway Lions
Lincoln Wildcats
UConn-Avery Point Pointers
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