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Charlotte Knights

Charlotte Knights

FieldValue
nameCharlotte Knights
founded1976
cityCharlotte, North Carolina
logoCharlotte Knights logo.png
uniformlogoCharlotte Knights Cap.png
colorsBlack, blue, gold, silver, white
class levelTriple-A (1993–present)
past class levelDouble-A (1976–1992)
current leagueInternational League (1993–present)
divisionEast Division
past leagueSouthern League (1976–1992)
majorleagueChicago White Sox (1999–present)
pastmajorleague{{plainlist
nicknameCharlotte Knights (1988–present)
pastnamesCharlotte Orioles (1976–1987)
ballparkTruist Field (2014–present)
pastparks{{plainlist
mascotHomer the Dragon
leaguenum4
leaguechamps
divnum7
divisionchamps
firsthalfnum4
firsthalfchamps
secondhalfnum2
secondhalfchamps
wildcardnum1
wildcardberths
ownerDiamond Baseball Holdings
gmRob Egan
managerSergio Santos
website
  • Florida Marlins (1995–1998)
  • Cleveland Indians (1993–1994)
  • Chicago Cubs (1989–1992)
  • Baltimore Orioles (1976–1988)
  • Knights Stadium (1990–2013)
  • Knights Castle (1989)
  • Knights Park (1976–1988)

The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field, which opened in 2014 and is located in Uptown Charlotte. The team previously played at Knights Park (1976–1988), Knights Castle (1989), and Knights Stadium (1990–2013).

Established as a Double-A franchise of the Southern League in 1976, the team was known as the Charlotte Orioles, or Charlotte O's, through 1987. The O's won the Southern League championship twice: in 1980 and 1984 as the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They were rebranded as the Charlotte Knights in 1988.

The Knights were replaced by a Triple-A International League team in conjunction with the 1993 Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion. The Triple-A Knights carried on the history of the Double-A team that preceded them. In conjunction with MLB's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, Charlotte shifted to the Triple-A East, which was renamed the International League in 2022. The Knights have won two International League championships: in 1993 as the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and again in 1999 as the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

History

Prior professional baseball in Charlotte

The first professional baseball team in Charlotte was the Charlotte Hornets, which played only a single season. In 1900, the city was home to the Charlotte Presbyterians. A year later, a new Hornets team formed. The Hornets competed in various leagues for 66 seasons through 1972. In 1937, the Washington Senators, later the Minnesota Twins, purchased the team. The Hornets remained a minor league affiliate of the Senators/Twins for 35 years. In 1940, Calvin Griffith, the son of Senators owner Clark Griffith and future owner of the Senators/Twins, built an approximately 5,000-seat park in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood, Clark Griffith Park. It would be the home of Charlotte baseball for the next half-century.

The Hornets spent most of the first half of the 20th century in the low minors (in some years, as low as Class D–equivalent to a Rookie-level team today). However, they were the Senators' second-highest affiliate for much of that time. The Hornets joined the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) in 1954. They had previously been members of the SAL in the 1920s. The league became a Double-A circuit in 1963 and was reorganized as the Southern League in 1964. In 1972, Charlotte was home to two teams: the Hornets and Minnesota's Class A affiliate in the Western Carolinas League, the Charlotte Twins. After a lackluster season, however, the Twins were moved to Orlando, Florida, as the Orlando Twins. The Hornets also disbanded after the 1972 season, leaving the city without professional baseball.

Southern League (1976–1992)

In 1976, professional wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. and his family bought the Asheville Orioles, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They relocated the club from Asheville, North Carolina, to Charlotte as the Charlotte Orioles. Crockett renovated Griffith Park and renamed it Jim Crockett Memorial Park. Popularly known as the O's, the club joined the Southern League and inherited the Asheville team's status as the Orioles' Double-A affiliate.

The Southern League used a split-season schedule wherein the division winners from each half qualified for the postseason championship playoffs. Charlotte won the First Half Eastern Division title in their inaugural 1976 season, but lost the Eastern Division title to the Orlando Twins in a one-game playoff. The team featured pitcher Dave Ford, who won the Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award, and future Baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Murray at first base. Charlotte won another first half title in 1979 but was again eliminated in the Eastern Division series by the Columbus Astros, 2–0.

A baseball player in a black jersey
access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>

Manager Jimmy Williams led the 1980 O's to end the season with an even 72–72 record and the first half title. They then swept the Savannah Braves in a three-game series for the Eastern Division title and defeated the Memphis Chicks, 3–1, to win their first Southern League championship. Ken Dixon was selected as the league's Most Outstanding Pitcher.

In March 1985, the mostly wood-framed Crockett Park was destroyed by fire. An investigation revealed arson as the cause. Similarly, the 1987 first-half champion O's won the division title versus the Jacksonville Expos, 3–2, but lost the league crown to the Birmingham Barons, 3–1. Third baseman Tom Dodd was selected for the 1987 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award.

Following the 1987 season, George Shinn, founder of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Hornets, bought the team from the Crockett family and committed to building a permanent ballpark. In 1988, the team was renamed the Charlotte Knights in a naming contest, and Crockett Park was renamed Knights Park. The team's 13-year affiliation with Baltimore ended after the 1988 season.

In 1989, Shinn moved the Knights to Knights Castle, a temporary 8,000-seat stadium located just over the state line in Fort Mill, South Carolina, near the construction site of their permanent home, Knights Stadium.

International League (1993–2020)

In conjunction with the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion, team owner George Shinn was granted an expansion franchise in the Triple-A International League (IL), which would begin playing in Charlotte in 1993. Shinn, who had applied for Charlotte to receive one of two available Triple-A expansion teams, was recommended by the expansion committee after their visit to evaluate the city. Of the nine applicant cities, Charlotte had the newest stadium, the only major league sports franchise (Shinn's Charlotte Hornets), and the largest metro area population. It would be the first time a Carolinas-based team would play at the highest level of minor league baseball.

Gaining a Triple-A team meant Shinn would need to relocate, or sell, his existing Southern League team as the higher classification team held the rights to the territory. He solicited offers to purchase the club to help defray a US$5 million International League enfranchisement cost. Shinn initially sold the Double-A franchise to Tom Benson, owner of the National Football League's New Orleans Saints, who sought to relocate the club to New Orleans. Still, the move was blocked when Minor League Baseball granted territorial rights to the higher-classification Triple-A Denver Zephyrs, who wanted to move to New Orleans after being uprooted by the Colorado Rockies National League expansion team. Benson eventually opted out of the purchase. Without a ballpark for the 1994 season, Larry Schmittou, president and owner of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, offered Herschel Greer Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, as a temporary ballpark for the displaced team until Shinn could find a permanent location. So, the team relocated there in 1993 as the Nashville Xpress.

A baseball player in a white jersey
access-date=April 17, 2021}}</ref>

The Triple-A Charlotte Knights carried on the history and identity of the preceding Double-A team and became the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Third baseman Jim Thome, later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, won the 1993 International League Most Valuable Player Award with the Knights. The 1994 squad pushed for a second IL title, but lost the semifinals versus Richmond, 3–1. Much of the core of the 1993–94 Knights, including Manuel, would help lead the Indians to the World Series in 1995 and 1997.

In 1995, the Knights switched their affiliation to the Florida Marlins. Over four years with Florida, Charlotte's only postseason appearance occurred in 1997. As in their previous playoff run, they were eliminated in the semifinals by the Columbus Clippers, 3–1. In 1996, left fielder Billy McMillon was selected as the IL Rookie of the Year.

Before the 1997 season, Shinn sold the Knights to North Carolina businessman Don Beaver, who negotiated a Triple-A affiliation with the Chicago White Sox, which began in 1999. Manager Tom Spencer led the Knights to win the IL Wild Card that season with an 82–62 record. In the semifinals, they defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, 3–2, before winning their second IL championship against the Durham Bulls, 3–1. This win earned the team a spot in the Triple-A World Series, a postseason interleague championship series between the league champions of the IL and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Charlotte lost the Triple-A World Series versus the Vancouver Canadians, 3–2. Spencer was recognized as the IL Manager of the Year.

Jon Garland, later of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox, won the IL Most Valuable Pitcher Award in 2000 with the Knights. Despite the early postseason exit, a pair of Knights were selected for IL awards. Heath Phillips was the Most Valuable Pitcher, and third baseman Josh Fields was the Rookie of the Year.

The Knights' attendance sagged after the turn of the millennium, partly because Knights Stadium was almost half an hour south of Charlotte. Many fans were unwilling to brave Interstate 77's infamous congestion to go to the stadium. In 2011, the Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission approved a land-swap agreement which opened the door for constructing a new 10,200-seat stadium in downtown Charlotte. The $54 million park, BB&T Ballpark, now Truist Field, opened in time for the 2014 season.

Charlotte hosted the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game in which a team of International League All-Stars defeated the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, 4–2. The Knights narrowly missed the 2016 playoffs, finishing a half game behind the first-place Gwinnett Stripers. The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being cancelled on June 30.

Triple-A East / International League (2021–present)

Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel. The Chicago White Sox retained Charlotte as their Triple-A affiliate, but the International League disbanded, and the Knights followed the other IL teams into the Triple-A East. Charlotte ended the season in seventh place in the Southeastern Division with a 45–75 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch, in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit before the 2021 reorganization.

Before the 2023 season, the Knights debuted redesigned logos and uniforms. They retained their gold, silver, and black colors with the addition of blue, which is used by the city's other teams, the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, and Charlotte Hornets. The knight's helmet, as was the "C" featured in their cap logo, was redesigned.

Season-by-season records

LeagueDivisionGB*^
The team's final position in the league standings
The team's final position in the divisional standings
Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
Class champions (1998–present)
League champions (1976–present)
Division champions (1976–2022)
Postseason berth (1976–present)
SeasonLeagueRegular-seasonPostseasonMLB affiliateRef.RecordWin %LeagueDivisionGBRecordWin %Result1976
^197719781979
^1980
^ *1981198219831984
^ *1985
^ *19861987
^ *19881989199019911992
^1993
*1994
^199519961997
^19981999
^2000200120022003200420052006
*200720082009201020112012
*2013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025Totals3,378–3,62343–45
SL74–66.529Won First-Half Eastern Division title
Lost Eastern Division title vs. Orlando Twins, 1–0Baltimore Orioles
SL69–71.493Baltimore Orioles
SL66–78.458Baltimore Orioles
SL73–69.514Won First-Half Eastern Division title
Lost Eastern Division title vs. Columbus Astros, 2–0Baltimore Orioles
SL72–72.5006–1Won First-Half Eastern Division title
Won Eastern Division title vs. Savannah Braves, 3–0
Won SL championship vs. Memphis Chicks, 3–1Baltimore Orioles
SL74–69.517Baltimore Orioles
SL66–77.462Baltimore Orioles
SL69–77.473Baltimore Orioles
SL75–72.5106–1Won Second-Half Eastern Division title
Won Eastern Division title vs. Greenville Braves, 3–1
Won SL championship vs. Knoxville Blue Jays, 3–0Baltimore Orioles
SL78–65.5455–4Won Second-Half Eastern Division title
Won Eastern Division title vs. Columbus Astros, 3–1
Lost SL championship vs. Huntsville Stars, 3–2Baltimore Orioles
SL71–73.493Baltimore Orioles
SL85–60.5864–5Won First-Half Eastern Division title
Won Eastern Division title vs. Jacksonville Expos, 3–2
Lost SL championship vs. Birmingham Barons, 3–1Baltimore Orioles
SL69–75.479Baltimore Orioles
SL70–73.490Chicago Cubs
SL65–79.451Chicago Cubs
SL74–70.514Chicago Cubs
SL70–73.490Lost Eastern Division title vs. Greenville Braves, 3–0Chicago Cubs
IL86–55.6106–3Won Western Division title
Won semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–1
Won IL championship vs. Rochester Red Wings, 3–2Cleveland Indians
IL77–65.5421–3Lost semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–1Cleveland Indians
IL59–81.421Florida Marlins
IL62–79.440Florida Marlins
IL76–65.5391–3Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–1Florida Marlins
IL70–73.490Florida Marlins
IL82–62.5698–6Won wild card berth
Won semifinals vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, 3–2
Won IL championship vs. Durham Bulls, 3–1
Lost Triple-A World Series vs. Vancouver Canadians, 3–2Chicago White Sox
IL78–65.545Chicago White Sox
IL67–77.465Chicago White Sox
IL55–88.385Chicago White Sox
IL74–70.514Chicago White Sox
IL68–74.479Chicago White Sox
IL57–87.396Chicago White Sox
IL79–62.5601–3Won Southern Division title
Lost semifinals vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 3–1Chicago White Sox
IL63–80.441Chicago White Sox
IL63–78.447Chicago White Sox
IL67–76.469Chicago White Sox
IL67–77.465Chicago White Sox
IL69–74.483Chicago White Sox
IL83–61.5763–4Won Southern Division title
Won semifinals vs. Indianapolis Indians, 3–1
Lost IL championship vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 3–0Chicago White Sox
IL65–78.455Chicago White Sox
IL63–81.438Chicago White Sox
IL74–70.514Chicago White Sox
IL65–79.451Chicago White Sox
IL61–81.430Chicago White Sox
IL64–75.460Chicago White Sox
IL75–64.540Chicago White Sox
ILSeason cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)Chicago White Sox
AAAE45–75.3752–6Lost series vs. Norfolk Tides, 3–2
Lost series vs. Memphis Redbirds, 3–0
Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final StretchChicago White Sox
IL58–92.387Chicago White Sox
IL53–96.356Chicago White Soxurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e94f4b04title=2023 International Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 25, 2023archive-date=September 25, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925124946/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e94f4b04url-status=live}}
IL68–79.463Chicago White Soxurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1bc2d5aatitle=2024 International Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 24, 2024archive-date=September 23, 2024archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923131145/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1bc2d5aaurl-status=live}}
IL65–85.433Chicago White Soxurl=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=6eda1325title=2025 International Leaguework=Baseball-Referencepublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 22, 2025archive-date=September 22, 2025archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922123032/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=6eda1325url-status=live}}

Radio and television

Matt Swierad has been the play-by-play announcer for Knights radio broadcasts since 1998. Live audio broadcasts are available online through the team's website and the MiLB First Pitch app. Games can be viewed through the MiLB.TV subscription feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball, with audio provided by a radio simulcast.

Roster

Awards

Eleven players, one manager, and three executives have won league awards in recognition for their performance with Charlotte.

AwardRecipientSeasonRef.
Most Valuable Player1987
Most Outstanding Pitcher1976
Most Outstanding Pitcher1984
Most Outstanding Pitcher1989
Executive of the Year1980
Executive of the Year1985
Executive of the Year1991
AwardRecipientSeasonRef.
Most Valuable Player1993
Most Valuable Pitcher2000
Most Valuable Pitcher2006
Most Valuable Pitcher2015
Rookie of the Year1996
Rookie of the Year2003
Rookie of the Year2006
Manager of the Year1999
Executive of the Year2014

Managers

Charlotte has had 27 managers since their inaugural 1976 season.

ManagerSeason(s)
1976–1977
1978
1979–1980
1981–1982
1983–1984
1984–1985
1986–1988
1989
1990
1990–1991
1992
1993
1994
1995–1996
1997
1998
1999
2000–2005
2005
2006
2007–2008
2009–2010
2011
2012–2015
2016
2017–2019
2020–present

References

;Specific

;General

References

  1. (June 25, 2024). "Charlotte Knights Announce Sale, Welcome Diamond Baseball Holdings as New Owner". Minor League Baseball.
  2. "Charlotte, North Carolina Encyclopedia". Sports Reference.
  3. Foster, Jason. (May 22, 2015). "Charlotte's Baseball Parks Have Reflected City's Identity". Axios Charlotte.
  4. "Playoff Procedures". Minor League Baseball.
  5. "1976 Southern League".
  6. "Southern League Award Winners". Minor League Baseball.
  7. "1979 Southern League".
  8. "Cal Ripken Jr. Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Sports Reference.
  9. "1980 Southern League".
  10. "1984 Southern League".
  11. "1985 Southern League".
  12. "1987 Southern League".
  13. Sorensen, Tom (December 9, 1987). "Out With the O's, In With the New: Team Is Knighted". ''The Charlotte Observer''.
  14. Gault, Earl. (May 22, 1988). "Some Win, Some Lose If Knights Move to S. C.". The Herald.
  15. Wiseman, Steve. (April 22, 1992). "Knights — and Visitors — Will Step Up a Class". The Charlotte Observer.
  16. Olson, Stan. (December 12, 1991). "Charlotte Awaits 'Official' Nod". The Charlotte Observer.
  17. Posnanski, Joe. (June 21, 1991). "Charlotte Shows Class to Panel". The Charlotte Observer.
  18. Olson, Stan. (December 5, 1991). "AAA Vote Still Isn't a Sure Thing". The Charlotte Observer.
  19. Taft, Larry. (January 23, 1993). "Before Team Can Come, Owner Must Be Decided". The Tennessean.
  20. Chandler, Charles. (January 14, 1992). "Class AAA Cost May Push Shinn to Sell 2 Teams". The Charlotte Observer.
  21. (October 9, 1992). "Baseball". The Charlotte Observer.
  22. Taft, Larry. (January 29, 1993). "One Ballpark, Two Teams: Xpress Rolls Into Town". The Tennessean.
  23. Traughber, Bill. (May 12, 2014). "Looking Back: The Nashville Express".
  24. "Jim Thome Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Sports Reference.
  25. "1993 International League".
  26. "International League Award Winners". Minor League Baseball.
  27. "1994 International League".
  28. "1997 International League".
  29. Washburn, Mark. (April 5, 2014). "Charlotte Knights: Long Road to a New Uptown Ballpark". Charlotte Observer.
  30. "1999 International League".
  31. "Triple-A Baseball Interleague Post-Season Play Results".
  32. "2006 International League".
  33. Spanberg, Erik. (January 31, 2012). "City to Study Funding Charlotte Knights Uptown Ballpark".
  34. "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2013–2017)". Triple-A Baseball.
  35. "2016 International League". Sports Reference.
  36. (March 13, 2020). "A Message From Pat O'Conner".
  37. (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".
  38. Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
  39. "2021 Triple-A East Standings".
  40. (July 14, 2021). "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021".
  41. "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings".
  42. (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
  43. Viola, Tommy. (November 1, 2022). "It's All Charlotte! Knights Go #CLTBlue with Exciting Brand Refresh". Minor League Baseball.
  44. "1976 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  45. "1977 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  46. "1978 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  47. "1979 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  48. "1980 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  49. "1981 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  50. "1982 Southern League".
  51. "1983 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  52. "1984 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  53. "1985 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  54. "1986 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  55. "1987 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  56. "1988 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  57. "1989 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  58. "1990 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  59. "1991 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  60. "1992 Southern League". Sports Reference.
  61. "1993 International League". Sports Reference.
  62. "1994 International League". Sports Reference.
  63. "1995 International League". Sports Reference.
  64. "1996 International League". Sports Reference.
  65. "1997 International League". Sports Reference.
  66. "1998 International League". Sports Reference.
  67. "1999 International League". Sports Reference.
  68. "2000 International League". Sports Reference.
  69. "2001 International League". Sports Reference.
  70. "2002 International League". Sports Reference.
  71. "2003 International League". Sports Reference.
  72. "2004 International League". Sports Reference.
  73. "2005 International League". Sports Reference.
  74. "2006 International League". Sports Reference.
  75. "2007 International League". Sports Reference.
  76. "2008 International League". Sports Reference.
  77. "2009 International League". Sports Reference.
  78. "2010 International League". Sports Reference.
  79. "2011 International League". Sports Reference.
  80. "2012 International League". Sports Reference.
  81. "2013 International League". Sports Reference.
  82. "2014 International League". Sports Reference.
  83. "2015 International League". Sports Reference.
  84. "2017 International League". Sports Reference.
  85. "2018 International League". Sports Reference.
  86. "2019 International League". Sports Reference.
  87. Bonnell, Rick. (June 30, 2020). "Charlotte Knights, Durham Bulls Seasons Canceled, Along With All of Minor-League Baseball". The Charlotte Observer.
  88. "2022 International League". Sports Reference.
  89. "2023 International League". Sports Reference.
  90. "2024 International League". Sports Reference.
  91. "2025 International League". Sports Reference.
  92. "Contract Us". Minor League Baseball.
  93. "MiLB.tv".
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