The Charlotte Rangers, based in Port Charlotte, Florida, were an American minor league baseball team that existed from 1987 through 2002. The team played at Charlotte County Stadium as a Class A Florida State League affiliate of the Texas Rangers, who at the time made their spring training base in Port Charlotte.
During their 16-year history, the Charlotte Rangers won two FSL championships (1989 and 2002) and sent players such as Juan González, Iván Rodríguez, Kenny Rogers, Kevin Brown and Carlos Peña to Major League Baseball.
When the parent Rangers moved their spring training operation to Arizona in 2003, the Charlotte franchise was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals and moved across the state to Jupiter, Florida, where it plays as the Palm Beach Cardinals.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs, FSL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, eventually replaced the Rangers, moving from Vero Beach in 2009.
Notable alumni
Baseball Hall of Fame alumni
Ivan Rodriguez (1989) Inducted, 2017
Notable alumni
Wilson Alvarez (1989) MLB All-Star Rich Aurilia (1992) MLB All-Star Joaquin Benoit (1999) Hank Blalock (2001) 2 x MLB All-Star Brian Bohanon (1989) Kevin Brown (1987) 6 x MLB All-Star; 2 x AL ERA Title (1996, 2000) Mark Clark (1999) Doug Davis (1997-1998) R. A. Dickey (1997-1998) MLB All-Star; 2012 NL Cy Young Award Juan Gonzalez (1988, 2002) 3 x MLB All-Star; 2 x AL Most Valuable Player (1996, 1998) Rusty Greer (1991) Tom Goodwin (1999) Travis Hafner (2000) Aaron Harang (2000) Bill Haselman (1988) Rick Helling (1992) Jose Hernandez (1990) MLB All-Star Bruce Hurst (1994) MLB All-Star Danny Kolb (2001) MLB All-Star Chad Kreuter (1987) Mike Lamb (1998) Colby Lewis (2000-2001) Rob Nen (1990) 3 x MLB All-Star; 2001 NL Saves Leader Lance Nix (2001-2002) Darren Oliver (1991-1992, 1996) Dean Palmer (1988) MLB All-Star Roger Pavlik (1989, 1994) MLB All-Star Carlos Pena (1998-1999) MLB All-Star Kenny Rogers (1987-1988) 4 x MLB All-Star Jeff Russell (1987, 1996) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1989 AL Saves Leader Rey Sanchez (1988) Mike Scioscia (1994) 2 x MLB All-Star; 2 x AL Manager of the Year; Manager: 2002 World Champion Anaheim Angels Sammy Sosa (1988) 6 x MLB All-Star; 1998 NL Most Valuable Player Fernando Tatis (1996) Mark Teixeria (2002) 5 x Gold Glove; 3 x MLB All-Star Todd Van Poppel (1997) Bump Wills (1992) C.J. Wilson (2002) 2 x MLB All-Star Butch Wynegar (1995-1997, MGR) 2 x MLB All-Star Jeff Zimmerman (1998) MLB All-Star
See also Charlotte Stone Crabs
References
External links Baseball Reference