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The Greeneville Reds were a Minor League Baseball team of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. They represented the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, though Pioneer Park, their home stadium, was located in the nearby city of Tusculum on the campus of Tusculum College. They were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.[1] The Greeneville Reds replaced the Greeneville Astros (2004–2017) as the city's entry in the league.[2]

History

Professional baseball was first played in Greeneville, Tennessee, by the Greeneville Burley Cubs in the Appalachian League in 1921.[3] They remained in the league through 1925 and returned for a second stretch from 1938 to 1942.[3] The Burley Cubs were followed in the same league by the Greeneville Astros, who played in the city from 2004 to 2017.[3] The Houston Astros, parent club of Greeneville, withdrew their affiliate from the Appalachian League after the 2017 season.[4] The circuit's vacancy was filled by the Cincinnati Reds, who placed a Rookie-level affiliate in Greeneville known as the Greeneville Reds.[3]

The Reds played their inaugural game on June 19, 2018, against the Bristol Pirates at Pioneer Park.[5] The 10–2 loss was attended by 2,388 fans.[5] Their first win came two nights later when they defeated the Pirates, 13–12, before 813 in attendance.[6] Led by manager Gookie Dawkins,[7] Greeneville concluded their first season with a 28–40 record, placing fifth in the West Division, 15 games back.[8] The Reds finished last again in 2019 after compiling a 26–41 season, 8+12 games out of first place.[9]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[10][11] In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Reds were replaced by a new franchise in the revamped league designed for rising college freshmen and sophomores.[12]

Season-by-season results

Season Regular season Postseason Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
2018 28–40 .412 9th 5th 12 [8]
2019 26–41 .388 10th 5th 8+12 [9]
2020 Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[11] [13]
Totals 54–81 .400

Major league alumni

As of the completion of the 2020 season, one Greeneville Reds player had also played in at least one game for a Major League Baseball team. Blake Trahan played four games on a minor league rehab assignment with Greeneville in 2019.[14]

References

  1. ^ Reneau, Michael (January 26, 2018). "Reds Country". Greeneville Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  2. ^ "Greeneville, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Greeneville, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Cutshall, Brian (September 9, 2017). "Astros Cut Ties With Greeneville". The Greenville Sun. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Rocke, Justin (June 20, 2018). "Pirates Push Past G-Reds in Opener, 10–2". Greeneville Reds. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Rocke, Justin (June 22, 2018). "Reds Hang on to Earn First Win in Franchise History, 13-12". Greeneville Reds. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "Travis Dawkins Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "2018 Appalachian League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "2019 Appalachian League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  10. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  12. ^ "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  13. ^ "2020 Appalachian League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  14. ^ "2019 Greeneville Reds Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 22, 2020.

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