Connecticut Defenders
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225879202
2008-07-15T20:49:36Z
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{{current sport-related|image=Baseball current event.png|mini=1|2008 Connecticut Defenders season}}
{{MiLB infobox
|name = Connecticut Defenders
|founded = 1995
|city = Norwich, Connecticut
|misc =
|logo = ConnecticutDefenders 100.png
|uniformlogo = CT Defenders cap.PNG
|class level = Double-A (1995-Present)
|past class level=
|current league = [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] (1995-Present)
|conference =
|division = Northern Division
|past league =
|majorleague = [[San Francisco Giants]] (2003-present)
|pastmajorleague = [[New York Yankees]] (1995-2002)
|uniform =
|nickname = Connecticut Defenders (2006-present)
|pastnames = Norwich Navigators (1995-2005)
|ballpark = [[Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]] (1995-Present)
|pastparks =
|leaguechamps = 2002
|divisionchamps = 2002
|misc6 =
|owner = Lou DiBella
|manager = Bien Figueroa
|gm =
}}
The '''Connecticut Defenders''' are a [[minor league baseball]] team based in [[Norwich, Connecticut]]. The team, which plays in the [[Eastern League (U.S. baseball)|Eastern League]], is the Double-A affiliate of the [[San Francisco Giants]] major-league club. The Defenders play in [[Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]], located in Norwich; opened in 1995, it seats 6,275 fans. The Defenders were known as the '''Norwich Navigators''' from 1995 until [[October 2005]]. Prior to the 2003 season, the Navigators were an affiliate of the [[New York Yankees]].
The Defenders are currently managed by Bien Figueroa, who was announced as the team's new skipper on [[January 11]], [[2008]].[http://www.ctdefenders.com/news/team/index.html?article_id=490] Figueroa was most recently the bench coach for one of the Defenders' rivals, the [[Bowie Baysox]].
The Defenders were scheduled to host the Eastern League All-Star Game at Dodd Stadium on [[July 11]], [[2007]], but the game was ultimately canceled due to [[fog]]. The fan activities and home run derby went on as scheduled, with over 6500 fans attending events throughout the day.
==History==
On [[June 3]], [[1994]], the Yankees announced they would move their double-A franchise from [[Albany, New York]], where it had been known as the Albany-Colonie Yankees since [[1985]], to Norwich, Connecticut, and would be known as the Norwich Navigators. Ground was broken for a new stadium in Norwich on [[November 3]] of that year, and the team began play on [[April 6]], [[1995]], with a win over [[Bowie Baysox|Bowie]]. The home opener occurred 11 days later and was another Navigators victory (this time over [[Reading Phillies|Reading]]).
Norwich reached the Eastern League playoffs four times in six years, with many current or former New York Yankees leading the way. On [[September 14]], [[2002]], the Navigators won their first and only Eastern League championship with a five-game series victory at home over [[Harrisburg Senators|Harrisburg]], under the direction of rookie manager [[Luis Sojo]].
Within weeks, the Yankees announced that they were ending their affiliation with the Navigators and beginning one with the [[Trenton Thunder]]. Later that fall, the Giants signed on as the new parent club, effective for the [[2003]] season.
In [[2005]], the team was bought by a group led by [[boxing]] promoter [[Lou DiBella]]. With attendance figures declining, management announced an overhaul of the franchise's image and held a contest during the season allowing the public to select a new name submitted by Robert Schaub of East Hampton, Ct. and logo for the franchise. These were unveiled on [[November 14]], and a new mascot (a [[bald eagle]]) debuted eight days later. Another contest was held to name the mascot, and on [[February 11]], [[2006]], "Cutter" was christened.
The "Defenders" name, and the bald eagle mascot, are a reference to the [[United States Coast Guard Academy]] located a short drive away in [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], and also to the [[Naval Submarine Base New London|U.S. submarine base]] also located nearby in [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]]. In 2005, the team sponsored several rallies in support of the sub base after it was placed on the [[Base Realignment and Closure]] list. The base was eventually removed from the list.
As part of the ownership and name changes, the Defenders also signed a lease extension on Dodd Stadium which will keep the franchise in place through at least the [[2009]] season. The team holds an option for an additional three-year extension after that.
==Alumni==
Notable players to pass through the franchise include...
* From years as a Yankees affiliate:
** [[outfielder]] [[Bernie Williams]] (1989-90)
** [[shortstop]] [[Derek Jeter]] (1994)
** [[catcher]] [[Mike Figga]] (1995)
** [[pitcher]] [[Ramiro Mendoza]] (1995)
** [[outfielder]] [[Ricky Ledee]] (1996)
** [[outfielder]] [[Shane Spencer]] (1996)
** [[outfielder]] [[Tim Raines]] (1996, 1997)
** [[pitcher]] [[David Cone]] (1996)
** [[pitcher]] [[Doc Gooden]] (1996)
** [[outfielder]] [[Darryl Strawberry]] (1996)
** [[third baseman]] [[Mike Lowell]] (1997)
** [[pitcher]] [[Randy Flores]] (1999-2001)
** [[first baseman]] [[Nick Johnson]] (1999)
** [[shortstop]] [[Alfonso Soriano]] (1999)
** [[outfielder]] [[Marcus Thames]] (1999-2001)
** [[infielder]] [[Andy Phillips]] (2000-02)
** [[pitcher]] [[Roger Clemens]] (2002)
* From years as a Giants affiliate:
** [[pitcher]] [[Matt Cain]] (2004)
** [[catcher]] [[Justin Knoedler]] (2004-05)
** [[pitcher]] [[Brad Hennessey]] (2004)
** [[outfielder]] [[Dan Ortmeier]] (2004-06)
** [[outfielder]] [[Fred Lewis]] (2005)
** [[infielder]] [[Eugenio Velez]] (2007)
** [[outfielder]] [[Nate Schierholtz]]
==2008 roster==
{{Connecticut Defenders roster}}
==Season records==
(Place indicates finish in Northern Division)
*As Norwich Navigators
**[[1995]]: 70-71 (3rd), manager Jimmy Johnson
**[[1996]]: 71-70 (3rd), manager [[Jim Essian]]
**[[1997]]: 73-69 (2nd), manager [[Trey Hillman]]
**[[1998]]: 66-76 (4th), manager [[Trey Hillman]]
**[[1999]]: 78-64 (2nd), manager [[Lee Mazzilli]]
**[[2000]]: 76-66 (3rd), manager [[Dan Radison]]
**[[2001]]: 83-59 (2nd), manager [[Stump Merrill]]
**[[2002]]: 76-64 (1st), manager [[Stump Merrill]]
**[[2003]]: 62-79 (6th), manager [[Shane Turner]]
**[[2004]]: 69-74 (5th), manager [[Shane Turner]]
**[[2005]]: 71-72 (3rd), manager [[Dave Machemer]]
*As Connecticut Defenders
**[[2006]]: 64-77 (5th), manager [[Dave Machemer]]
**[[2007]]: 63-78 (5th), managers [[Dave Machemer]] (through July 21) and [[Shane Turner]]
==Playoffs==
*[[1997]] season: Lost to [[Portland Sea Dogs|Portland]], 3-2, in first round
*[[1999]] season: Defeated [[Trenton Thunder|Trenton]] 3-2, in first round; lost to [[Harrisburg Senators|Harrisburg]] 3-2, in championship round.
*[[2001]] season: Lost to [[New Britain Rock Cats|New Britain]], 3-1, in first round
*[[2002]] season: Defeated [[New Hampshire Fisher Cats|New Haven]], 3-0, in first round; defeated [[Harrisburg Senators|Harrisburg]] 3-2 to win Eastern League title.
==External links==
* [http://www.ctdefenders.com/ Connecticut Defenders official site]
* [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t514 Connecticut Defenders MiLB Page]
{{Connecticut Defenders}}
{{MLB Team San Francisco Giants}}
{{US Eastern League}}
{{Newenglandsports}}
[[Category:Eastern League baseball teams]]
[[Category:Sports in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Norwich, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Baseball teams in Connecticut]]