Richmond Flying Squirrels

Minor league baseball team

Richmond Flying Squirrels

* Founded in 1995
* Richmond, Virginia

|  |

|

Team logo | Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class| Double-A (1995–present)
League| Eastern League (1995–present)
Division| Southwest Division
Major league affiliations
Team| San Francisco Giants (2003–present)
Previous teams|

* New York Yankees (1995–2002)

Minor league titles
League titles (1)|

* 2002

Division titles (3)|

* 2002, 2009, 2014

First-half titles (1)|

* 2022

Second-half titles (1)|

* 2023

Team data
Name|

* Richmond Flying Squirrels (2010–present)

Previous names

* Connecticut Defenders (2006–2009)
* Norwich Navigators (1995–2005)

Colors| Red, black, gray, white

Mascots| Nutzy and Nutasha
Ballpark| The Diamond (2010–2025), CarMax Park (Beginning 2026)

Previous parks

* Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium (1995–2009)

Owner(s)/
Operator(s)

| Lou DiBella
General manager| Todd Parnell
Manager| Dennis Pelfrey
Website| milb.com/richmond

The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels have been affiliated with the Giants since 2010, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the Giants organization among teams not owned by the Giants.[1] The Squirrels were previously known as the Connecticut Defenders.

The Flying Squirrels mark affiliated baseball's return to Richmond after a one-year absence prompted by the relocation of the former Triple-A International League's Richmond Braves to Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 2009, where they are now called the Gwinnett Stripers. The Squirrels hold the current record for the longest distance from their major league affiliate, at 2,872.5 miles from Oracle Park.

## History

[edit]

On September 23, 2009, it was announced that the Connecticut Defenders would leave Norwich for their current home at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia, where they will continue seeking proposals for a new ballpark in the Richmond metropolitan area. The team name was changed to the "Flying Squirrels".[2]

The name the Richmond Flying Squirrels was chosen through a Richmond Times-Dispatch readers' "name-the-team-contest," which ended on October 15, 2009.[2] The name was submitted by Brad Mead of Prince George, Virginia. Other finalists were the Rock Hoppers, Hambones, Rhinos, Flatheads, and Hush Puppies. (The name Hambones was later ruled out of the contest after the city's uproar and the NAACP finding that "the Hambones" could be seen as a derogatory term directed towards the African-American community.)

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Flying Squirrels were organized into the Double-A Northeast.[3] 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.[4]

## Logo

[edit]

The new Flying Squirrels logo was unveiled on December 1, 2009.[5] It is a black, red, and grey flying squirrel meant to look like the outline of Virginia with a patch in the shape of an "R" (for Richmond) on top of an acorn over its heart, roughly where Richmond is located in Virginia. The logo was designed by San Diego-based sports branding firm Brandiose. It was named the logo of the year by Ballpark Digest in 2010[6] and the best minor-league logo by Baseball America in 2015.[7]

## Season records

[edit]

* As Norwich Navigators
* 1995: 70–71 (3rd), manager Jimmy Johnson
* 1996: 71–70 (3rd), manager Jim Essian
* 1997: 73–69 (2nd), manager Trey Hillman
* 1998: 66–76 (4th), manager Trey Hillman
* 1999: 78–64 (2nd), manager Lee Mazzilli
* 2000: 76–66 (3rd), manager Dan Radison
* 2001: 83–59 (2nd), manager Stump Merrill
* 2002: 76–64 (1st), manager Luis Sojo
* 2003: 62–79 (6th), manager Shane Turner
* 2004: 69–74 (5th), manager Shane Turner
* 2005: 71–72 (3rd), manager Dave Machemer
* As Connecticut Defenders
* 2006: 64–77 (5th), manager Dave Machemer
* 2007: 63–78 (5th), managers Dave Machemer (through July 21) and Shane Turner
* 2008: 68–73 (4th), manager Bien Figueroa
* 2009: 83–59 (1st), manager Steve Decker
* As Richmond Flying Squirrels
* 2010: 68–73 (5th), manager Andy Skeels
* 2011: 76–66 (2nd), manager Dave Machemer
* 2012: 70–71 (4th), manager Dave Machemer
* 2013: 70–72 (4th), manager Dave Machemer
* 2014: 79–63 (1st), manager Russ Morman
* 2015: 72–68 (3rd), manager José Alguacil
* 2016: 62–79 (5th), manager Miguel Ojeda
* 2017: 63–77 (5th), manager Kyle Haines
* 2018: 62–76 (6th), manager Willie Harris
* 2019: 55–84 (6th), manager Willie Harris[8]
* 2020: Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
* 2021: 57–56 (4th), manager Jose Alguacil
* 2022: 66–71 (5th), manager Jose Alguacil
* 2023: 74–64 (2nd), manager Dennis Pelfrey
* 2024: 64–74 (4th), manager Dennis Pelfrey

## Playoffs

[edit]

* 1997 season: Lost to Portland, 3–2, in first round
* 1999 season: Defeated Trenton 3–2, in first round; lost to Harrisburg 3–2, in championship round.
* 2001 season: Lost to New Britain, 3–1, in first round
* 2002 season: Defeated New Haven, 3–0, in first round; defeated Harrisburg 3–2 to win Eastern League title.
* 2009 season: Defeated New Britain, 3–1, in first round; lost to Akron 3–1, in championship round.
* 2014 season: Defeated Akron, 3–1, in first round; lost to Binghamton 3–0, in championship round.
* 2022 season: Lost to Erie SeaWolves 2–0 in first round
* 2023 season: Lost to Erie SeaWolves 2–0 in first round

## Roster

[edit]

Richmond Flying Squirrels roster

* v
* t
* e

Players | Coaches/Other

|

Pitchers

* 32 Will Bednar
* 40 John Michael Bertrand
* 48 Jack Choate
* 29 Sadrac Franco
* 33 Evan Gates
* 29 Dylan Hecht
* 60 Marques Johnson
* 57 Manuel Mercedes
* 62 Tyler Myrick
* 46 Cameron Pferrer
* 54 Shane Rademacher
* 55 Nick Sinacola
* 56 Ian Villers
* 18 Trystan Vrieling
* 28 Tyler Vogel
* 49 Joe Whitman
* 56 Chris Wright
* 50 Nick Zwack

|  |

Catchers

* 35 Onil Perez
* 37 Adrián Sugastey

Infielders

* 13 Aeverson Arteaga
* 8 Sabin Ceballos
* 15 Dayson Croes
* 1 Diego Velasquez
* 2 Justin Wishkowski

Outfielders

* 5 Scott Bandura
* 6 Victor Bericoto
* 23 Bo Davidson
* 7 Turner Hill
* 10 Carter Howell

|  |

Manager

* 12 Dennis Pelfrey

Coaches

* 21 Cory Elasik (hitting)
* 17 Lipso Nava (fundamentals)
* 58 Paul Oseguera (pitching)

60-day injured list

* \-- Nate Furman
* \-- Ryan Murphy

7-day injured list
* On San Francisco Giants 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated August 5, 2025
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Eastern League
→ San Francisco Giants minor league players

## References

[edit]

Notes

1. ^ "San Francisco Giants Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
2. ^ a b O'connor, John (October 15, 2009). "Flying Squirrels picked as new baseball team name". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, VA: Media General Communications Holdings. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
3. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
4. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
5. ^ "Flying Squirrels unveil logos". Richmond Times-Dispatch. December 1, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
6. ^ "Logo of the Year: Richmond Flying Squirrels". BallparkDigest.com. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
7. ^ "Flying Squirrels No. 1 minor league logo according to Baseball America". Richmond.com. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
8. ^ "2019 Richmond Flying Squirrels". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.

Sources

* Eastern League Announces Relocation to Richmond for the 2010 Season – Official Eastern League Press Release[dead link]
* Defenders relocating to Richmond – Minor League Baseball news story

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Richmond Flying Squirrels.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

San Francisco Giants

* Established in 1883
* Formerly the New York Gothams and the New York Giants
* Based in San Francisco, California (Bay Area)

Franchise|

* History
* in New York
* Seasons
* Records
* No-hitters
* Players
* Managers
* Owners and executives
* Opening Day starting pitchers
* First-round draft picks
* Broadcasters

Ballparks|

* Polo Grounds
* Oakland Park
* St. George Grounds
* Hilltop Park
* Seals Stadium
* Candlestick Park
* Oracle Park

Spring training:|

* Bolton Street Park
* Payne Park
* Flamingo Field
* LSU Varsity Baseball Field
* Denison Field
* Al Lang Stadium
* Phoenix Municipal Stadium
* Scottsdale Stadium

Culture|

* 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
* Big Leaguer
* Curse of Coogan's Bluff
* "Don't Stop Believin'"
* GiantsVision
* "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (Tony Bennett song)
* "Lights" (Journey song)
* McCovey Cove
* New York Brickley Giants
* The Fan
* The Franchise (Showtime TV series)
* The Echoing Green
* White Flag Trade
* Willie Mac Award

Lore|

* 1894 Temple Cup
* "Battle of Candlestick"
* Matt Cain's perfect game
* Merkle's Boner
* NL tie-breakers
* 1951 tie-breaker series
* 1962 tie-breaker series
* 1998 Wild Card tie-breaker game
* NL Wild Card Games
* 2014
* 2016
* "Shot Heard 'Round the World"
* The Catch
* Tri-Cornered Baseball Game
* MLB Mexico City Series
* MLB game at Rickwood Field

Rivalries|

* Athletics
* Los Angeles Dodgers
* New York Yankees
* Subway Series (historically)

Retired numbers|

* NY
* NY
* 3
* 4
* 11
* 20
* 22
* 24
* 25
* 27
* 30
* 36
* 44
* 42

Pre-World Series Champions (2)|

* 1888
* 1889

Temple Cup Champions (1)|

* 1894

World Series Champions (8)|

* 1905
* 1921
* 1922
* 1933
* 1954
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014

National League
Championships (23)|

* 1888
* 1889
* 1904
* 1905
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1917
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1933
* 1936
* 1937
* 1951
* 1954
* 1962
* 1989
* 2002
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014

Division titles (9)|

* 1971
* 1987
* 1989
* 1997
* 2000
* 2003
* 2010
* 2012
* 2021

Wild card (3)|

* 2002
* 2014
* 2016

Minor league affiliates|

Triple-A

Sacramento River Cats
Double-A

Richmond Flying Squirrels
High-A

Eugene Emeralds
Single-A

San Jose Giants
Rookie

ACL Giants
DSL Giants Black
DSL Giants Orange

Seasons (143)

1880s|

* 1880 · 1881 · 1882 ·  1883
* 1884
* 1885
* 1886
* 1887
* 1888
* 1889

1890s|

* 1890
* 1891
* 1892
* 1893
* 1894
* 1895
* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899

1900s|

* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909

1910s|

* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919

1920s|

* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929

1930s|

* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939

1940s|

* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949

1950s|

* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959

1960s|

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969

1970s|

* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

1980s|

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

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 in Richmond, Virginia

Baseball|

Richmond Flying Squirrels

Basketball|

ABA
Richmond Elite

Roller derby|

WFTDA
River City Rollergirls

Running|

* Monument Avenue 10K
* Richmond Marathon

Soccer|

USL 1
Richmond Kickers
Others
Richmond Strikers
Jefferson Cup

College athletics|

NCAA Div. I
Richmond Spiders
VCU Rams
NCAA Div. II
Virginia Union Panthers

Venues
(NCAA Div. I)|

* Arthur Ashe Athletic Center
* Belgian Building
* City Stadium
* The Diamond
* E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
* Hovey Field
* Malcolm U. Pitt Field
* Richmond Coliseum
* Richmond Raceway
* Robins Center
* Siegel Center
* Sports Backers Stadium

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Virginia

Baseball|

Norfolk Tides

Richmond Flying Squirrels

Fredericksburg Nationals
Lynchburg Hillcats
Salem Red Sox
ApL
Danville Otterbots
Pulaski River Turtles
CPL
Martinsville Mustangs
Peninsula Pilots
Tri-City Chili Peppers
VBL
Charlottesville Tom Sox
Covington Lumberjacks
Front Royal Cardinals
Harrisonburg Turks
New Market Rebels
Purcellville Cannons
Staunton Braves
Strasburg Express
Waynesboro Generals
Winchester Royals
Woodstock River Bandits

Basketball|

ABA
Richmond Elite

Football|

WFA
Richmond Black Widows

Ice hockey|

ECHL
Norfolk Admirals
SPHL
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
FPHL
Blue Ridge Bobcats

Roller derby|

WFTDA
Charlottesville Derby Dames
Dominion Derby Girls
NRV Rollergirls
River City Rollergirls
Rocktown Rollers
Star City Roller Girls

Rugby league|

USARL
Northern Virginia Eagles

Rugby union|

MLR
Old Glory DC

Soccer|

USLC
Loudoun United FC
USL1
Richmond Kickers
USL2
Northern Virginia FC
Lionsbridge FC
Virginia Beach United FC
NPSL
Charlottesville Alliance FC
Northern Virginia United FC
Virginia Beach City FC
Virginia Dream FC

College athletics|

| NCAA
Division I|

FBS
James Madison
Liberty
Old Dominion
Virginia
Virginia Tech
FCS
Hampton
Norfolk State
Richmond
VMI
William & Mary
Non-football
George Mason
Longwood
Radford
VCU

|

NCAA
Division II|

Emory and Henry
UVA Wise
Virginia State
Virginia Union

NCAA
Division III|

Bridgewater
Christopher Newport
Eastern Mennonite
Hampden–Sydney
Lynchburg
Mary Washington
Randolph–Macon
Roanoke
Shenandoah
Southern Virginia
Virginia Wesleyan
Washington and Lee

NAIA|

Bluefield

USCAA|

Apprentice
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template