Savannah Sand Gnats Founded in 1984 Savannah, Georgia
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Class-level
Single-A
Minor league affiliations
South Atlantic League Southern Division
Major league affiliations
New York Mets (2007-present) Washington Nationals (2005-2006) Montreal Expos (2003-2004) Texas Rangers (1998-2002) Los Angeles Dodgers (1996-1997) St. Louis Cardinals (1984-1995)
Name
Savannah Sand Gnats (1996-present) Savannah Cardinals (1984-1995)
Ballpark
Grayson Stadium
Minor league titles
League titles	3 (1993, 1994, 1996)
Division titles	1 (1993)
Owner(s)/Operated by: Hardball Capital LLC
Manager: Edgar Alfonzo
General Manager: John Katz

The Savannah Sand Gnats are a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and are a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. Since the 2007 season, the Sand Gnats have been an affiliate of the New York Mets.^[1]

The Savannah Cardinals played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats, and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002, and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.

The Sand Gnats play their home games at Grayson Stadium. Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seats 4,700 fans. The team was featured in the first Season of Da Ali G Show, when Borat sang his national anthem, and then ventured into the locker room.^[2] The Gnats were also featured on the Food Network show Paula's Home Cooking during the episode "Ball Game," when Paula Deen threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a game and wore a team jersey while cooking.^[3] They were also featured to the television show George Lopez, when the character Jason McNamara is drafted by the Nationals, and is going to play for the Sand Gnats.

The Sand Gnats have won three SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1997).

On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.

On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation.^[4]

Among their notable alumni are Edwin Encarnacion, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Josh Whitesell, and Ryan Zimmerman.

[edit] Season-by-season records

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses

1984-1995: Savannah Cardinals

[edit] Roster

[edit] References

1. ^ BallParkDigest.com
2. ^ "Borat's Guide to the USA, Episode Five: Baseball". The Unofficial Borat Homepage. 24 May 2002. http://www.webgeordie.co.uk/borat/usa_baseball.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-07. 
3. ^ "Food Network synopsis of the Paula's Home Cooking episode". Food Network. 2004. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_pa/episode/0,1976,FOOD_10234_34780,00.html. Retrieved 2007-04-27. 
4. ^ "Mets minor league pitcher suspended 100 games". Associated Press. 8 May 2007. http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=2864036. Retrieved 2007-05-08. 

[edit] External links

• Savannah Sand Gnats Official Site

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