The Sumter Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Sumter, South Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League, and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. Their home stadium was Riley Park.
History In 1984, the Anderson Braves relocated to Sumter. In 1991, the affiliate shifted to Macon, Georgia and became known as the Macon Braves, Sumter Braves become Macon Braves, Digitalballparks.com Sumter Braves relocate to Macon and Sumter gets a new franchise, Digitalballparks.com eventually becoming today's Rome Emperors of Rome, Georgia. An expansion team was awarded to Sumter right after the Sumter Braves relocated, which was known as the Sumter Flyers. New Sumter team is Sumter Flyers Notably, 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tom Glavine pitched for Sumter in 1985.
The ballpark Sumter teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks (1949–1950) of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians (1970) and Sumter Astros (1971) of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves (1985–1990) and Sumter Flyers (1991) of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park.
Notable alumni Baseball Hall of Fame alumni Tom Glavine (1985) Inducted, 2014
Notable alumni Shane Andrews (1991) Jeff Blauser (1985) 2 x MLB All-Star Jolbert Cabrera (1991) Vinny Castilla (1990) 2 x MLB All-Star Kevin Foster (1991) Ron Gant (1985, 1989) 2 x MLB All-Star Ryan Klesko (1989-1990) MLB All-Star Mark Lemke (1985) Al Martin (1986-1987) Carlos Perez (1991) MLB All-Star Eddie Perez (1989-1990) NLCS Most Valuable Player Kirk Rueter (1991) Brian Snitker (1986, MGR) Rondell White (1991) MLB All-Star Mark Wohlers (1989-1990) MLB All-Star Ned Yost (1988-1990, MGR) Manager: 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals
Year-by-year record
Sumter Braves
Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs 1985 72-63 6th Buddy Bailey Lost in 1st round1986 77-60 3rd Brian Snitker 1987 75-62 3rd Buddy Bailey 1988 64-73 9th Ned Yost 1989 60-81 11th Ned Yost 1990 73-69 7th Ned Yost
References