Charlotte Co. Redfish

The Charlotte County Redfish were based in Port Charlotte, FL (see video below):

The Redfish were initially managed by former Major Leaguer Jackie Hernandez. Later in the season, Hernandez was replaced by another, more recognizable former player – Cecil Fielder.

The Redfish played their games at Charlotte County Stadium (aka Charlotte Sports Park and Rangers Stadium) (see video below):

The stadium was built in 1987 and served as the spring training home of the Texas Rangers from 1987-2002. During that time, the stadium was also home to the Charlotte Rangers (Class A, Florida State League). The ballpark was vacated when the Rangers moved their spring home to Arizona. It would remain vacant until the South Coast League and the Redfish began play there in 2007.

Beginning in 2009, stadium will be home to the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Class A, Devil Rays).

Related Images:

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The ballpark has hosted some interesting events:

• In the Spring of 1993, Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan announced his retirement from the clubhouse at the stadium. (source: Wikipedia)
• During 1994 spring training, the Rangers played host to the White Sox. The Sox lineup included Michael Jordan. (source: Wikipedia)
• After signing an unprecedented 10 year deal worth $252 million with the Texas Rangers, in 2000, slugger Alex Rodriguez held a press conference with the sports media at the stadium. The stadium, which was being vacated by the club at the end of the 2001 Spring Training, was unable to accommodate the significant number of news reporters. In an effort to allow enough room for reporters to speak to Rodriguez, the press conference was held on the roof of the Rangers’ dugout — a clear sign that the Rangers had outgrown the facility. (source: Wikipedia)
• The stadium was used as a staging area during Hurrican Charley (2004). See the video below for an idea of how hard Port Charlotte was hit by the hurricane:

Related Links:

• Charlotte County Redfish on Wikipedia
• Charlotte County Stadium at BR Bullpen
• Charlotte Stone Crabs Official Website