Clearwater Threshers
The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2009, the team competes in the North Division.
The team plays its home games at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida, which opened in 2004. Spectrum Field seats more than 7,000 fans. A single-game attendance record of 9,090 was set on July 3, 2008.
The team is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team has always been affiliated with the Phillies since 1985, the franchise's first season. From 1985 to 2003, the Clearwater Threshers were called the Clearwater Phillies. While as the Clearwater Phillies, the team played at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium from 1985 to 2003. When the team moved to the new Spectrum Field, it changed its name from Phillies to Threshers.
Clearwater Phillies
Clearwater city officials approached the Philadelphia Phillies as early as 1981 about locating a Phillies minor league affiliate at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater. In July 1982, in a visit to Philadelphia, Clearwater city officials and the president of the Florida State League again asked the Philadelphia Phillies about affiliating with a team to be based in Clearwater. The Amateur Softball Association Clearwater Bombers had long used Jack Russell Stadium during the summer months when the field would be reconfigured for softball. The placement of a minor league baseball team would mean the relocation of the Bombers.The Florida State League granted the city of Clearwater a franchise on September 26, 1984. The Clearwater Phillies began play in 1985 after the Philadelphia Phillies ended their affiliation with their High Class A minor league team, the Carolina League Peninsula Pilots, based in Hampton, Virginia, and placed their new team at Jack Russell Stadium. The Philadelphia Phillies owned the franchise and named the club the Clearwater Phillies. The Clearwater Phillies played their first game on April 12, 1985, at home, against the Tampa Tarpons.
The club played as the Clearwater Phillies through the 2003 season. The Phillies planned to leave Jack Russell Memorial Stadium after the 2003 season to move into a new ballpark, Spectrum Field, adjacent to the Carpenter Complex, the Phillies' minor league training facility. With the move to the new ballpark, the Clearwater Phillies were renamed the "Threshers" and adopted a new team logo and colors.
Threshers and Spectrum Field
In 2004, the Clearwater Threshers were managed by former Phillies player and Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt. Greg Legg managed the team in 2005 and 2006. Dave Huppert was the manager in 2007, and Razor Shines in 2008. Ernie Whitt was named the manager for the 2009 season after Shines was promoted to base coach for the New York Mets.In 2007, the Threshers won the second half in the FSL West Division. They defeated the Sarasota Reds in the FSL West Division Playoffs, then defeated the Brevard County Manatees 3 games to 1 in the FSL Championship Series to win the FSL title. The Threshers were named MiLB.com's Class A Advanced Team of the Year.
On July 26, 2009, Pedro Martínez made a rehab start for the Threshers against the St. Lucie Mets at Spectrum Field. Martinez pitched 1 innings before rain caused the game to be canceled, wiping out the official record of his start. Martinez subsequently moved to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for his next start.
On May 23, 2011, The Threshers gained national attention after playing in a 23-inning game against the Jupiter Hammerheads.
Season-by-season
These statistics are current through the 2018 season.Full season
Split season
Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win % |
Regular season record | 2,316 | 2,329 | |
Postseason record | 18 | 18 | |
All-time regular and postseason record | 2,334 | 2,347 |
Roster
Notable Clearwater Phillies & Threshers alumni
alumni- Pedro Martinez Inducted, 2015
- Mike Schmidt Inducted, 1995
- Jim Thome Inducted, 2018
- Philippe Aumont
- Ricky Bottalico MLB All-Star
- Jeff Brantley MLB All-Star
- Pat Burrell
- Paul Byrd MLB All-Star
- Drew Carpenter
- Carlos Carrasco
- Danny Cox
- Darren Daulton 3 x MLB All-Star
- Johnny Estrada MLB All-Star
- Tom Gordon 3 x MLB All-Star
- Jason Grimsley
- Cole Hamels 4 x MLB All-Star; 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player
- J. A. Happ
- Von Hayes MLB All-Star
- Ryan Howard 3 x MLB All-Star; 2005 NL Rookie of the Year; 2006 NL Most Valuable Player
- Kyle Kendrick
- Scott Kingery
- Cliff Lee 4 x MLB All-Star; 2008 Cy Young Award
- Mike Lieberthal 2 x MLB All-Star
- Chuck McElroy
- Scott Mathieson
- Mickey Morandini MLB All-Star
- Nick Punto
- Elizardo Ramirez
- Chris Roberson
- Scott Rolen 7 x MLB All-Star; 8 x Gold Glove; 1997 NL Rookie of the Year
- Jimmy Rollins 3 x MLB All-Star; 2007 NL Most Valuable Player
- Curt Schilling 6 x MLB All-Star; 2001 World Series Most Valuable Player
- Michael Schwimer
- Carlos Silva
- Alfredo Simón MLB All-Star
- Chase Utley 6 x MLB All-Star
- Jayson Werth MLB All-Star
- Mitch Williams MLB All-Star
- Randy Wolf MLB All-Star
- Mike Zagurski
Former coaches & trainers
- Mike Schmidt W-L: 55–81
- Greg Legg W-L: 108–167
- Dave Huppert W-L: 83–57 / League Champions
- Razor Shines W-L: 64–76
- Manny Amador
- Ken Dominguez
- Dan Roberts
- Greg Gross
- Brad Komminsk
- Scott Lovekamp
- Steve Schrenk
- Shawn Fcasni
- Jason Kirkman
- Ichiro Kitano
- Chris Mudd