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Charlotte Knights
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| name | Charlotte Knights | |
| founded | 1976 | |
| city | Charlotte, North Carolina | |
| logo | Charlotte Knights logo.png | |
| uniformlogo | Charlotte Knights Cap.png | |
| colors | Black, blue, gold, silver, white | |
| class level | Triple-A (1993–present) | |
| past class level | Double-A (1976–1992) | |
| current league | International League (1993–present) | |
| division | East Division | |
| past league | Southern League (1976–1992) | |
| majorleague | Chicago White Sox (1999–present) | |
| pastmajorleague | {{plainlist | |
| nickname | Charlotte Knights (1988–present) | |
| pastnames | Charlotte Orioles (1976–1987) | |
| ballpark | Truist Field (2014–present) | |
| pastparks | {{plainlist | |
| mascot | Homer the Dragon | |
| leaguenum | 4 | |
| leaguechamps | ||
| divnum | 7 | |
| divisionchamps | ||
| firsthalfnum | 4 | |
| firsthalfchamps | ||
| secondhalfnum | 2 | |
| secondhalfchamps | ||
| wildcardnum | 1 | |
| wildcardberths | ||
| owner | Diamond Baseball Holdings | |
| gm | Rob Egan | |
| manager | Sergio 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.

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.
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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
| League | Division | GB | * | ^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Season | League | Regular-season | Postseason | MLB affiliate | Ref. | Record | Win % | League | Division | GB | Record | Win % | Result | 1976 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ^ | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ | 1980 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ * | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ * | 1985 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ * | 1986 | 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ * | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ | 1993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | 1994 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ | 1998 | 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ^ | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Totals | — | 3,378–3,623 | — | — | — | 43–45 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 74–66 | .529 | Won First-Half Eastern Division title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Eastern Division title vs. Orlando Twins, 1–0 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 69–71 | .493 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 66–78 | .458 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 73–69 | .514 | Won First-Half Eastern Division title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Eastern Division title vs. Columbus Astros, 2–0 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 72–72 | .500 | 6–1 | Won First-Half Eastern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won Eastern Division title vs. Savannah Braves, 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won SL championship vs. Memphis Chicks, 3–1 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 74–69 | .517 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 66–77 | .462 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 69–77 | .473 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 75–72 | .510 | 6–1 | Won Second-Half Eastern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won Eastern Division title vs. Greenville Braves, 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won SL championship vs. Knoxville Blue Jays, 3–0 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 78–65 | .545 | 5–4 | Won Second-Half Eastern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won Eastern Division title vs. Columbus Astros, 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost SL championship vs. Huntsville Stars, 3–2 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 71–73 | .493 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 85–60 | .586 | 4–5 | Won First-Half Eastern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won Eastern Division title vs. Jacksonville Expos, 3–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost SL championship vs. Birmingham Barons, 3–1 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 69–75 | .479 | Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 70–73 | .490 | Chicago Cubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 65–79 | .451 | Chicago Cubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 74–70 | .514 | Chicago Cubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | 70–73 | .490 | Lost Eastern Division title vs. Greenville Braves, 3–0 | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 86–55 | .610 | 6–3 | Won Western Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won IL championship vs. Rochester Red Wings, 3–2 | Cleveland Indians | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 77–65 | .542 | 1–3 | Lost semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–1 | Cleveland Indians | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 59–81 | .421 | Florida Marlins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 62–79 | .440 | Florida Marlins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 76–65 | .539 | 1–3 | Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–1 | Florida Marlins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 70–73 | .490 | Florida Marlins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 82–62 | .569 | 8–6 | Won 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, 3–2 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 78–65 | .545 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 67–77 | .465 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 55–88 | .385 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 74–70 | .514 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 68–74 | .479 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 57–87 | .396 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 79–62 | .560 | 1–3 | Won Southern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost semifinals vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 3–1 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 63–80 | .441 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 63–78 | .447 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 67–76 | .469 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 67–77 | .465 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 69–74 | .483 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 83–61 | .576 | 3–4 | Won Southern Division title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Won semifinals vs. Indianapolis Indians, 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost IL championship vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 3–0 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 65–78 | .455 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 63–81 | .438 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 74–70 | .514 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 65–79 | .451 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 61–81 | .430 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 64–75 | .460 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 75–64 | .540 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic) | Chicago White Sox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAAE | 45–75 | .375 | 2–6 | Lost series vs. Norfolk Tides, 3–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost series vs. Memphis Redbirds, 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 58–92 | .387 | Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 53–96 | .356 | Chicago White Sox | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e94f4b04 | title=2023 International League | work=Baseball-Reference | publisher=Sports Reference | access-date=September 25, 2023 | archive-date=September 25, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925124946/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e94f4b04 | url-status=live}} | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 68–79 | .463 | Chicago White Sox | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1bc2d5aa | title=2024 International League | work=Baseball-Reference | publisher=Sports Reference | access-date=September 24, 2024 | archive-date=September 23, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923131145/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1bc2d5aa | url-status=live}} | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IL | 65–85 | .433 | Chicago White Sox | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=6eda1325 | title=2025 International League | work=Baseball-Reference | publisher=Sports Reference | access-date=September 22, 2025 | archive-date=September 22, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922123032/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=6eda1325 | url-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.
| Award | Recipient | Season | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | 1987 | ||
| Most Outstanding Pitcher | 1976 | ||
| Most Outstanding Pitcher | 1984 | ||
| Most Outstanding Pitcher | 1989 | ||
| Executive of the Year | 1980 | ||
| Executive of the Year | 1985 | ||
| Executive of the Year | 1991 |
| Award | Recipient | Season | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | 1993 | ||
| Most Valuable Pitcher | 2000 | ||
| Most Valuable Pitcher | 2006 | ||
| Most Valuable Pitcher | 2015 | ||
| Rookie of the Year | 1996 | ||
| Rookie of the Year | 2003 | ||
| Rookie of the Year | 2006 | ||
| Manager of the Year | 1999 | ||
| Executive of the Year | 2014 |
Managers
Charlotte has had 27 managers since their inaugural 1976 season.
| Manager | Season(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
- (June 25, 2024). "Charlotte Knights Announce Sale, Welcome Diamond Baseball Holdings as New Owner". Minor League Baseball.
- "Charlotte, North Carolina Encyclopedia". Sports Reference.
- Foster, Jason. (May 22, 2015). "Charlotte's Baseball Parks Have Reflected City's Identity". Axios Charlotte.
- "Playoff Procedures". Minor League Baseball.
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- "1980 Southern League".
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- "1987 Southern League".
- Sorensen, Tom (December 9, 1987). "Out With the O's, In With the New: Team Is Knighted". ''The Charlotte Observer''.
- Gault, Earl. (May 22, 1988). "Some Win, Some Lose If Knights Move to S. C.". The Herald.
- Wiseman, Steve. (April 22, 1992). "Knights — and Visitors — Will Step Up a Class". The Charlotte Observer.
- Olson, Stan. (December 12, 1991). "Charlotte Awaits 'Official' Nod". The Charlotte Observer.
- Posnanski, Joe. (June 21, 1991). "Charlotte Shows Class to Panel". The Charlotte Observer.
- Olson, Stan. (December 5, 1991). "AAA Vote Still Isn't a Sure Thing". The Charlotte Observer.
- Taft, Larry. (January 23, 1993). "Before Team Can Come, Owner Must Be Decided". The Tennessean.
- Chandler, Charles. (January 14, 1992). "Class AAA Cost May Push Shinn to Sell 2 Teams". The Charlotte Observer.
- (October 9, 1992). "Baseball". The Charlotte Observer.
- Taft, Larry. (January 29, 1993). "One Ballpark, Two Teams: Xpress Rolls Into Town". The Tennessean.
- Traughber, Bill. (May 12, 2014). "Looking Back: The Nashville Express".
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- Washburn, Mark. (April 5, 2014). "Charlotte Knights: Long Road to a New Uptown Ballpark". Charlotte Observer.
- "1999 International League".
- "Triple-A Baseball Interleague Post-Season Play Results".
- "2006 International League".
- Spanberg, Erik. (January 31, 2012). "City to Study Funding Charlotte Knights Uptown Ballpark".
- "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2013–2017)". Triple-A Baseball.
- "2016 International League". Sports Reference.
- (March 13, 2020). "A Message From Pat O'Conner".
- (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".
- Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
- "2021 Triple-A East Standings".
- (July 14, 2021). "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021".
- "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings".
- (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
- Viola, Tommy. (November 1, 2022). "It's All Charlotte! Knights Go #CLTBlue with Exciting Brand Refresh". Minor League Baseball.
- "1976 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1977 Southern League". Sports Reference.
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- "1979 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1980 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1981 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1982 Southern League".
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- "1984 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1985 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1986 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1987 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1988 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1989 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1990 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1991 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1992 Southern League". Sports Reference.
- "1993 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1994 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1995 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1996 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1997 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1998 International League". Sports Reference.
- "1999 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2000 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2001 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2002 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2003 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2004 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2005 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2006 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2007 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2008 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2009 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2010 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2011 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2012 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2013 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2014 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2015 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2017 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2018 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2019 International League". Sports Reference.
- Bonnell, Rick. (June 30, 2020). "Charlotte Knights, Durham Bulls Seasons Canceled, Along With All of Minor-League Baseball". The Charlotte Observer.
- "2022 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2023 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2024 International League". Sports Reference.
- "2025 International League". Sports Reference.
- "Contract Us". Minor League Baseball.
- "MiLB.tv".
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