Grapefruit league history
August Wiese
Baseball has been in existence in the winter months in Florida since the late 19th century. Teams began traveling south to train as early as 1888. Florida was the go-to spot for spring training throughout the first half of the 20th century until the late 1940’s when two teams traveled to Arizona and ultimately started what would become the Cactus league. There are 15 major league teams that call Florida and the Grapefruit League home during February and March of each year to get the major and minor league squads ready for the regular season. Here is a look at the teams and the tie to Florida.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Heading into the 138th season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have had a strong history most notably in the 1970’s when the team won two World Series one in 1971 another in 1979. Overall the Pirates have five World Series wins and nine pennants and have made the playoffs a total of 17 times. Some of the more notable players in Pirates history include Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Barry Bonds. The Pirates have been playing in PNC park since 2001 and in 2006 hosted the All-Star game. The Pirates play spring training ball in LEMCOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. Opened in 1923, LEMCOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) park has been the spring training home to the Pirates since 1969.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins started playing Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1993. Formerly the Florida Marlins, the team had early success, winning two World Series (1997 and 2003). The Marlins won those two World Series without winning the division, winning as a wild-card team. They are one of only two teams that have never won the division (NL East) The Marlins have had some solid players in the teams history like Garry Sheffield, Jeff Conine (nicknamed Mr. Marlin for his significant ties to the ballclub including being a member of the first world series team in 1997, and for his South Florida roots), and Giancarlo Stanton who won the NL MVP in 2017 his final season with the Marlins, who has since been traded to the NY Yankees. The Marlins have played in two different stadiums; Hard Rock Stadium (shared with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins from 1993-2011) and the current stadium Marlins Park which has been home since 2012. The Marlins have been playing spring training ball at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida since 1998 sharing the ballpark with the St. Louis Cardinals.
New York Yankees
One of the most storied teams in all of baseball, the New York Yankees have won the most World Series (27) in the history of Major League Baseball, winning the most recent in 2009. The Yankees have had a plethora of notable players throughout the teams 116-year history including players like the great Babe Ruth, Red Ruffing, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle, as well as more recent players like Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Aaron Judge. The Yankees have been playing in the relatively new Yankee Stadium since 2009 which was built on public parkland adjacent to the former Yankee Stadium where the team played from 1923-2008. The Yankees play spring training ball at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, the largest spring training stadium in Florida.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have had a proud history since the team’s inception in 1894 as a member of the American League. The Tigers have won four World Series (the last in 1984), along with 11 AL pennants, four AL Central Division Championships (most recently in 2014), and three AL East Division Championships. Some notable Tigers in the teams 125-year history include Ty Cobb, Ernie Harwell, Willie Horton, Hal Newhouser, Sparky Anderson, Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, and Charlie Gehringer. The Tigers play in Comerica Park in downtown Detroit, Michigan after previously playing on the same plot of land at the corner of Michigan and Trumball in Detroit, since 1896. While the ballpark changed and changed names, the location didn’t until Comerica was constructed and the Tigers began playing there in 2000. The Tigers have played spring training ball in Lakeland, Florida in 1934 and moved to Joker Marchant Stadium in 1966.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox were founded in 1901 as one of eight charter teams that began the American League. Since then the Boston Red Sox have boasted one of the more successful franchises in Major League Baseball history winning nine World Series (most recently in 2018), despite fighting “the curse of the Great Bambino” which legend has, was placed on the Red Sox when the team traded Babe Ruth to the archrival New York Yankees in 1920. The Red Sox then went on an 84-year streak without winning at World Series. The curse was finally broken in 2004 when the team won the World ironically after beating the Yankees in the American League Championship series, and becoming the first Major League Baseball team to come back from a 0-3 hole to win a playoff series. They then went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for the World Championship. Some notable players the Red Sox have had in history include Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Dennis Eckersley, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, and David Ortiz. The Red Sox have played in historic Fenway Park for 107 years making it the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. One unique feature about Fenway is the tall 37-foot green wall standing in left field dubbed the “Green Monster”. Standing since 1934, the imposing “Green Monster” has been robbing hitters of home runs for 85 years. The Red Sox have played spring training ball in JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida since 2012. This ball park has its own 37-foot Green Monster.
Toronto Bluejays
The Toronto Blue Jays have been in existence since 1977 when they entered the league as an expansion team. The Blue Jays won back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993. The only Major League Baseball team located outside of the United States, the Blue Jays have boasted some pretty impressive players during the team’s history including Roy Halladay, Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Jack Morris, Jose Bautista, and Josh Donaldson. The Blue Jays play in Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario after previously playing in Exhibition Stadium. The Blue Jays have played spring training ball at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, Florida since the team’s inception in 1977 making them the only team that has never changed spring training cities.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have called Atlanta home since 1966. The Braves have won 17 pennants and three World Series, one as the Boston Braves, one as the Milwaukee Braves and the most recent in 1995 as the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have had some solid players in the teams 148-year history including Warren Spahn, Henry Aaron, Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones. Hank Aaron was a member of the Braves in 1974 when he hit his 715th home run which at the time set the all-time home run record, taking over the spot from Babe Ruth. One interesting fact about the Braves is that they are the only team to have the same manager ejected from two different World Series games when former skipper Bobby Cox was ejected in the 1992 World Series as well as the 1996 World Series. The Braves play in SunTrust Park and just recently moved to a new spring training home in North Port, Florida, after spending many springs at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals began Major League Baseball play as the expansion Montreal Expos in 1969, but the franchise moved to Washington D.C. in 2005. The franchise has made the playoffs only five times in the teams50 year history, once as the Montreal Expos and four times as the Nationals. Some of the more well-known players to play for this franchise include Tony Perez, Gary Carter, Vladimir Guerrero, and the recently traded Bryce Harper. The Nationals have played in Nationals Park since 2008 previously playing in RFK Stadium. The Nationals play spring training ball in FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. This ballpark is part of a growing trend where two teams share a park. The Nationals share this ballpark with the Houston AstrosBoth teams have separate practice facilities each with two major-league sized practice fields and four minor league sized practice fields.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros won the teams only World Series Championship in 2017 when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. That win came 45 years after joining the league as a team. The Houston Colts 45’s started play in 1962 and became the Astros in 1965. In addition to that one World Series, the Astros have hoisted 12 pennants and made the playoffs 12 times. The Astros have had some impressive players in history including the likes of Joe Morgan, Nolan Ryan, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, and Jose Altuve. The Astros have played Minute Maid Park since 2000 and before that called the Astrodome home.
The Astros share a Spring Training ballpark FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida with the Washington Nationals. The Astros and Nationals share the stadium and each have a separate training facility on the grounds with each team having two major league sized practice fields and four minor league sized practice fields.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have won the World Series title 11 times in the teams 138 Major League Baseball history. In addition to those titles, the Cardinals have 23 pennants in 28 playoff appearances. The most recent World Championship came in 2011 when they beat the Texas Rangers. Some of the greats to put on a Cardinals uniform include Cy Young, Rogers Hornsby, Enos Slaughter, Red Schoendienst, Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, and Albert Pujols. The Cardinals have played in the current incarnation of Busch Stadium since 2006 and previously played at Busch Stadium 2. The Cardinals share a spring training complex with the Miami Marlins. Both teams play at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium was the first complex and stadium specifically designed to host two teams for spring training ball.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays, formerly the Devil Rays, joined the league in 1998. As the Devil Rays the team had a record of 645-972 but as the Rays the franchise has seen a turn of fortunes boasting a record of 963-847. The Rays have won one pennant and have appeared in one World Series in 2008. That came after a notable worst to first season which included a 3-1 ALDS win over the Chicago White Sox and a 4-3 ALCS win over the Red Sox. The Rays eventually lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1. The Rays have boasted some solid players in a 22-year history including Wade Boggs, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, David Price, and the recently traded Chris Archer. The Rays have been playing home games at the domed Tropicana Field since the inception of the Rays in 1998. The Rays have played spring training ball at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida since 2009.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a storied franchise and at 137 years old, one of the oldest. Since beginning play in 1883, they have been to the playoffs 14 times, winning seven pennants, and two World Series championships, most recently in 2008 when they beat the Rays 4-1.
The Phillies have had some solid players throughout history including the likes of Grover Alexander, Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, Roy Halladay, Brandon Phillips, and Shane Victorino. The Phillies just signed Bryce Harper to one of the largest deals in MLB history totaling $330 million over 13 years. The Phillies play in Citizens Bank Park and have since 2004. The Phillies have played spring training ball at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida since 2004 but have been in Clearwater since 1948.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles organization has been in existence since 1901. In 119 years in Major League Baseball, the team boasts 14 playoff appearances, seven pennants, and three World Series Championships most recently defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in 1983. Some notable Baltimore Orioles include Cal Ripken Jr. Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Paul Blair, and Mike Mussina. The Orioles play in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. One interesting fact about Camden Yards is that it is only two blocks away from the birthplace of Babe Ruth. The Orioles have played spring training ball at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida since 2010.
Minnesota Twins
It has been more than 25 years since the Minnesota Twins won the World Series. As part of the “worst to first” matchup because both teams finished in last place the year before, the Twins beat the Atlanta Braves. The Twins have won the World Series title three times in 119 seasons of professional ball. With 15 playoff appearances and six pennants in addition to the team’s titles, the Twins have had some stars in the lineup over the years including Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, Bert Blyleven, Tom Kelly, Kirby Puckett, Chuck Knoblauch, Johan Santana, and Joe Mauer. The Twins play at Target Field after many years of playing in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, and Metropolitan Stadium. The Twins play spring training ball in Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers, Florida and have been there since 1991.
New York Mets
Often dubbed New York’s second team, the New York Mets have been in existence since 1962. In 58 years of Major League Baseball, the team has made the playoffs eight times, winning fi e pennants and two World Series titles, the last in 1986. That series is best known not for what the Mets did, but for what their opponent, the Red Sox did, when in game six Red Sox First Baseman Bill Buckner let a routine ground ball through giving the Mets the win. The Mets went on to take game seven and win the series. The Mets have one of the more interesting stories in the history of baseball when the 1969 New York “Miracle Mets” who not only had the franchise’s first winning season after years of futility but also shocked the nation and won the franchise’s first World Series defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles 4-1. Despite the lack of postseason success, the Mets have had some outstanding talent including Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez, Keith Hernandez, Howard Johnson, Mike Piazza, David Wright, Edgardo Alfonzo, Jose Reyes, and Jacob deGroom. The Mets have played in Citi Field since 2009 after previously playing at Shea Stadium, and the Polo Grounds. The Mets play spring training ball at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie Florida.
Baseball has been in existence in the winter months in Florida since the late 19th century. Teams began traveling south to train as early as 1888. Florida was the go-to spot for spring training throughout the first half of the 20th century until the late 1940’s when two teams traveled to Arizona and ultimately started what would become the Cactus league. There are 15 major league teams that call Florida and the Grapefruit League home during February and March of each year to get the major and minor league squads ready for the regular season. Here is a look at the teams and the tie to Florida.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Heading into the 138th season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have had a strong history most notably in the 1970’s when the team won two World Series one in 1971 another in 1979. Overall the Pirates have five World Series wins and nine pennants and have made the playoffs a total of 17 times. Some of the more notable players in Pirates history include Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Barry Bonds. The Pirates have been playing in PNC park since 2001 and in 2006 hosted the All-Star game. The Pirates play spring training ball in LEMCOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. Opened in 1923, LEMCOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) park has been the spring training home to the Pirates since 1969.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins started playing Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1993. Formerly the Florida Marlins, the team had early success, winning two World Series (1997 and 2003). The Marlins won those two World Series without winning the division, winning as a wild-card team. They are one of only two teams that have never won the division (NL East) The Marlins have had some solid players in the teams history like Garry Sheffield, Jeff Conine (nicknamed Mr. Marlin for his significant ties to the ballclub including being a member of the first world series team in 1997, and for his South Florida roots), and Giancarlo Stanton who won the NL MVP in 2017 his final season with the Marlins, who has since been traded to the NY Yankees. The Marlins have played in two different stadiums; Hard Rock Stadium (shared with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins from 1993-2011) and the current stadium Marlins Park which has been home since 2012. The Marlins have been playing spring training ball at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida since 1998 sharing the ballpark with the St. Louis Cardinals.
New York Yankees
One of the most storied teams in all of baseball, the New York Yankees have won the most World Series (27) in the history of Major League Baseball, winning the most recent in 2009. The Yankees have had a plethora of notable players throughout the teams 116-year history including players like the great Babe Ruth, Red Ruffing, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle, as well as more recent players like Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Aaron Judge. The Yankees have been playing in the relatively new Yankee Stadium since 2009 which was built on public parkland adjacent to the former Yankee Stadium where the team played from 1923-2008. The Yankees play spring training ball at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, the largest spring training stadium in Florida.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have had a proud history since the team’s inception in 1894 as a member of the American League. The Tigers have won four World Series (the last in 1984), along with 11 AL pennants, four AL Central Division Championships (most recently in 2014), and three AL East Division Championships. Some notable Tigers in the teams 125-year history include Ty Cobb, Ernie Harwell, Willie Horton, Hal Newhouser, Sparky Anderson, Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, and Charlie Gehringer. The Tigers play in Comerica Park in downtown Detroit, Michigan after previously playing on the same plot of land at the corner of Michigan and Trumball in Detroit, since 1896. While the ballpark changed and changed names, the location didn’t until Comerica was constructed and the Tigers began playing there in 2000. The Tigers have played spring training ball in Lakeland, Florida in 1934 and moved to Joker Marchant Stadium in 1966.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox were founded in 1901 as one of eight charter teams that began the American League. Since then the Boston Red Sox have boasted one of the more successful franchises in Major League Baseball history winning nine World Series (most recently in 2018), despite fighting “the curse of the Great Bambino” which legend has, was placed on the Red Sox when the team traded Babe Ruth to the archrival New York Yankees in 1920. The Red Sox then went on an 84-year streak without winning at World Series. The curse was finally broken in 2004 when the team won the World ironically after beating the Yankees in the American League Championship series, and becoming the first Major League Baseball team to come back from a 0-3 hole to win a playoff series. They then went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for the World Championship. Some notable players the Red Sox have had in history include Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Dennis Eckersley, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, and David Ortiz. The Red Sox have played in historic Fenway Park for 107 years making it the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. One unique feature about Fenway is the tall 37-foot green wall standing in left field dubbed the “Green Monster”. Standing since 1934, the imposing “Green Monster” has been robbing hitters of home runs for 85 years. The Red Sox have played spring training ball in JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida since 2012. This ball park has its own 37-foot Green Monster.
Toronto Bluejays
The Toronto Blue Jays have been in existence since 1977 when they entered the league as an expansion team. The Blue Jays won back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993. The only Major League Baseball team located outside of the United States, the Blue Jays have boasted some pretty impressive players during the team’s history including Roy Halladay, Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Jack Morris, Jose Bautista, and Josh Donaldson. The Blue Jays play in Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario after previously playing in Exhibition Stadium. The Blue Jays have played spring training ball at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, Florida since the team’s inception in 1977 making them the only team that has never changed spring training cities.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have called Atlanta home since 1966. The Braves have won 17 pennants and three World Series, one as the Boston Braves, one as the Milwaukee Braves and the most recent in 1995 as the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have had some solid players in the teams 148-year history including Warren Spahn, Henry Aaron, Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones. Hank Aaron was a member of the Braves in 1974 when he hit his 715th home run which at the time set the all-time home run record, taking over the spot from Babe Ruth. One interesting fact about the Braves is that they are the only team to have the same manager ejected from two different World Series games when former skipper Bobby Cox was ejected in the 1992 World Series as well as the 1996 World Series. The Braves play in SunTrust Park and just recently moved to a new spring training home in North Port, Florida, after spending many springs at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals began Major League Baseball play as the expansion Montreal Expos in 1969, but the franchise moved to Washington D.C. in 2005. The franchise has made the playoffs only five times in the teams50 year history, once as the Montreal Expos and four times as the Nationals. Some of the more well-known players to play for this franchise include Tony Perez, Gary Carter, Vladimir Guerrero, and the recently traded Bryce Harper. The Nationals have played in Nationals Park since 2008 previously playing in RFK Stadium. The Nationals play spring training ball in FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. This ballpark is part of a growing trend where two teams share a park. The Nationals share this ballpark with the Houston AstrosBoth teams have separate practice facilities each with two major-league sized practice fields and four minor league sized practice fields.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros won the teams only World Series Championship in 2017 when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. That win came 45 years after joining the league as a team. The Houston Colts 45’s started play in 1962 and became the Astros in 1965. In addition to that one World Series, the Astros have hoisted 12 pennants and made the playoffs 12 times. The Astros have had some impressive players in history including the likes of Joe Morgan, Nolan Ryan, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, and Jose Altuve. The Astros have played Minute Maid Park since 2000 and before that called the Astrodome home.
The Astros share a Spring Training ballpark FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida with the Washington Nationals. The Astros and Nationals share the stadium and each have a separate training facility on the grounds with each team having two major league sized practice fields and four minor league sized practice fields.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have won the World Series title 11 times in the teams 138 Major League Baseball history. In addition to those titles, the Cardinals have 23 pennants in 28 playoff appearances. The most recent World Championship came in 2011 when they beat the Texas Rangers. Some of the greats to put on a Cardinals uniform include Cy Young, Rogers Hornsby, Enos Slaughter, Red Schoendienst, Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, and Albert Pujols. The Cardinals have played in the current incarnation of Busch Stadium since 2006 and previously played at Busch Stadium 2. The Cardinals share a spring training complex with the Miami Marlins. Both teams play at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium was the first complex and stadium specifically designed to host two teams for spring training ball.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays, formerly the Devil Rays, joined the league in 1998. As the Devil Rays the team had a record of 645-972 but as the Rays the franchise has seen a turn of fortunes boasting a record of 963-847. The Rays have won one pennant and have appeared in one World Series in 2008. That came after a notable worst to first season which included a 3-1 ALDS win over the Chicago White Sox and a 4-3 ALCS win over the Red Sox. The Rays eventually lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1. The Rays have boasted some solid players in a 22-year history including Wade Boggs, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, David Price, and the recently traded Chris Archer. The Rays have been playing home games at the domed Tropicana Field since the inception of the Rays in 1998. The Rays have played spring training ball at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida since 2009.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a storied franchise and at 137 years old, one of the oldest. Since beginning play in 1883, they have been to the playoffs 14 times, winning seven pennants, and two World Series championships, most recently in 2008 when they beat the Rays 4-1.
The Phillies have had some solid players throughout history including the likes of Grover Alexander, Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, Roy Halladay, Brandon Phillips, and Shane Victorino. The Phillies just signed Bryce Harper to one of the largest deals in MLB history totaling $330 million over 13 years. The Phillies play in Citizens Bank Park and have since 2004. The Phillies have played spring training ball at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida since 2004 but have been in Clearwater since 1948.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles organization has been in existence since 1901. In 119 years in Major League Baseball, the team boasts 14 playoff appearances, seven pennants, and three World Series Championships most recently defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in 1983. Some notable Baltimore Orioles include Cal Ripken Jr. Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Paul Blair, and Mike Mussina. The Orioles play in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. One interesting fact about Camden Yards is that it is only two blocks away from the birthplace of Babe Ruth. The Orioles have played spring training ball at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida since 2010.
Minnesota Twins
It has been more than 25 years since the Minnesota Twins won the World Series. As part of the “worst to first” matchup because both teams finished in last place the year before, the Twins beat the Atlanta Braves. The Twins have won the World Series title three times in 119 seasons of professional ball. With 15 playoff appearances and six pennants in addition to the team’s titles, the Twins have had some stars in the lineup over the years including Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, Bert Blyleven, Tom Kelly, Kirby Puckett, Chuck Knoblauch, Johan Santana, and Joe Mauer. The Twins play at Target Field after many years of playing in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, and Metropolitan Stadium. The Twins play spring training ball in Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers, Florida and have been there since 1991.
New York Mets
Often dubbed New York’s second team, the New York Mets have been in existence since 1962. In 58 years of Major League Baseball, the team has made the playoffs eight times, winning fi e pennants and two World Series titles, the last in 1986. That series is best known not for what the Mets did, but for what their opponent, the Red Sox did, when in game six Red Sox First Baseman Bill Buckner let a routine ground ball through giving the Mets the win. The Mets went on to take game seven and win the series. The Mets have one of the more interesting stories in the history of baseball when the 1969 New York “Miracle Mets” who not only had the franchise’s first winning season after years of futility but also shocked the nation and won the franchise’s first World Series defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles 4-1. Despite the lack of postseason success, the Mets have had some outstanding talent including Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez, Keith Hernandez, Howard Johnson, Mike Piazza, David Wright, Edgardo Alfonzo, Jose Reyes, and Jacob deGroom. The Mets have played in Citi Field since 2009 after previously playing at Shea Stadium, and the Polo Grounds. The Mets play spring training ball at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie Florida.
