How did the Minor League Baseball franchises come up with their unique names? Top 10 Craziest Triple-A Team Names!
#10-Salt Lake Bees
The Angel’s Triple-A partner was created as a tribute to Utah’s “Beehive State” reputation. Throughout the Salt Lake franchise’s 32-year history, the team names were bees-themed starting with the Buzz (1994-2000) and Stingers (2001-2005). In 2006, the Bees became the official moniker in honor of the first incarnation that lasted from 1911 until 1970.
#9-Omaha Storm Chasers
The Minor League affiliate for the Royals became the Storm Chasers in 2011 following a fan voting contest. The name originates from people who actively seek stormy weather in Nebraska’s tornado alley. Before the Storm Chasers, the Omaha team was simply known as the Royals 2002 until 2010.
#8-Norfolk Tides
The Orioles’ Triple-A farm affiliate received its name due to its close location with the Elizabeth River. Speaking of Elizabeth River, it is a part of the Tidewater Region that spans beyond Virginia and into other states like Delaware, North Carolina, and Maryland. The baseball club was previously known as the Tidewater Tides from 1963 until reverting to the city’s name nearly 30 years later.
#7-Scranton/WB RailRiders
The Minor League partner for the Yankees was formerly known as the Barons (1989-2006) and Yankees (2007-2012). In 2013, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre held a team naming contest ranging from Porcupines to Fireflies and Black Diamond Bears. Eventually, RailRiders was the top-winner because of Northern Pennsylvania creating the first ever trolley. Another interesting fact: the porcupine makes an appearance on the franchise’s logo since it was a runner-up in the naming competition.
#6-Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The Marlins’ Triple-A club didn’t always start with the Jumbo Shrimp. From 1991 until 2016, Jacksonville was known as the Suns. That previous moniker was created to honor the Sunshine State. All that changed when new ownership took over in 2017 and came up with Jumbo Shrimp due to the shrimping industry on the city’s St. John’s River.
#5-Sacramento River Cats
The Minor League affiliate for the Giants first started off as the first incarnation of the Vancouver Canadiens from 1978 until 1999. When the franchise decided to move to Sacramento. The ownership wanted a name that represents the city’s surroundings. Therefore, the group went with River Cats because of the ballpark’s close location to the Sacramento River.
#4-El Paso Chihuahuas
The Texas city received a Minor League franchise via the Tucson Padres’ relocation in 2014. Local fans got to take part in the name-the-team competition for the Padres’ Triple-A partner. After debating between the Sun Dogs and Aardvarks, the Chihuahuas turned out to be a popular selection. El Paso actually resides in the Chihuahuan Desert, which likely played a role in the team’s new name.
#3-Lehigh Valley IronPigs
When the Ottawa Lynx relocated to Pennsylvania in 2008, fans were given multiple team names to choose from. Options included the Woodchucks, Keystones, Vulcans, and even the Phantastics. Ultimately, the majority of the fan polls showed IronPigs due to Lehigh Valley’s history of steel manufacturing and pig iron production.
#2-Toledo Mud Hens
The Tigers’ top farm team originated when Toledo’s now defunct Bay View Park was populated by the American Coots birds. They lived in a marshland not far from the stadium and were nicknamed Mud Hens because of the muddy environment. There are two incarnations for the franchise: the original (1986-1952) and the current (1965-present).
#1-Albuquerque Isoptopes
The Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate was inspired by the baseball-themed Simpsons™ episode from the 1990s. When the Calgary Canons moved to Albuquerque in 2003, they became the Isotopes when the name received the majority of the fan votes. Also, New Mexico is known for operating many nuclear technology facilities and plants. Other name finalists were Atoms, Dukes, and 66ers.
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