The Columbus RedStixx were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and a farm team of the Cleveland Indians. They were known as the Columbus Indians for the 1991 season.
The RedStixx played home games at Golden Park, except during 1996. The team's home games were moved to Ragsdale Field on the campus of Columbus State University, while Golden Park was renovated to accommodate softball events for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The name "RedStixx" refers to the Red Sticks, a faction of the Muscogee tribe of the area.
History After the 1990 season, the Columbus Mudcats of the Southern League relocated to Zebulon, North Carolina, becoming the Carolina Mudcats and leaving Columbus without a team. The South Atlantic League was required to expand due to its contract with Major League Baseball, and in January of 1991 placed expansion teams in Sumter, South Carolina and Columbus.
The team was affiliated with the Cleveland Indians, and for their first season carried their nickname as well, being known as the Columbus Indians. This was purely for practical reasons - with Opening Day ten weeks from when the team was established, there was no time to create new uniforms. The next year, the team held a name-the-team contest, which overwhelmingly voted to keep the name Indians. Despite this, the team chose the new name of the Columbus RedStixx, in an attempt to create an identity separate from their parent club. The name RedStixx was derived from Red Sticks, an early 19th century faction of the Muscogee tribe from the Southeastern United States.
In 2002, the team announced their intention to move to Eastlake, Ohio following that year's regular season. The team renamed themselves the Lake County Captains. Although the Redstixx left Columbus, the South Georgia Waves arrived in town the next year.
Venues The RedStixx played at Golden Park (1991–1995, 1997–2002) and for one season (1996) at Ragsdale Field, of Columbus State University. Golden Park, opened in 1951, is still in use and is located at 100 4th Street, Columbus, Georgia 31901.
Notable alumni C.C. Sabathia (1999) Elected Baseball Hall of Fame, 2025
David Bell (1991) Russell Branyan (1995–1996) Einar Diaz (1993–1994) Ricky Gutierrez (2000, MGR) Maicer Izturis (1999–2000) Damian Jackson (1993) Steve Kline (1994) Ted Kubiak (2001, MGR) Albie Lopez (1992) Torey Lovullo (2002, manager), 2017 NL Manager of the Year Victor Martinez (2000) 5x MLB All-Star Jhonny Peralta (2000) 3x MLB All-Star Luke Scott (2002) Marco Scutaro (1996) MLB All-Star Richie Sexson (1994) 2x MLB All-Star Joel Skinner (1996, MGR) Eric Wedge (1998, MGR) 2007 AL Manager of the Year Enrique Wilson (1994) Jaret Wright (1995)
Season-by-season records Year Parent club League Division W–L Win % Place Manager Postseason Attendance SourceColumbus Indians1991 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 73–69 3rd Mike Brown - 96,736 Columbus RedStixx1992 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 77–62 1st Mike Brown Lost 1st round vs. Myrtle Beach 0–2 118,238 1993 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 86–56 2nd Mike Brown - 122,137 1994 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 87–51 1st Mike Young Lost 1st round vs. Savannah 0–2 133,351 1995 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 80–62 1st Jeff Datz Lost 1st round vs. Augusta 0–2 128,816 1996 Cleveland Indians SAL South 79–63 1st Joel Skinner Won 1st round vs. Augusta 2-1Lost 2nd round vs. Savannah 0–2 45,110 1997 Cleveland Indians SAL South 62–76 4th Harry SpilmanJack MullBoyd Coffie - 119,646 1998 Cleveland Indians SAL South 59–81 4th Eric Wedge - 94,241 1999 Cleveland Indians SAL South 70–71 3rd Brad Komminsk - 104,153 2000 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 67–70 6th Ricky Gutiérrez Won 1st round vs Augusta 2–1Lost finals vs. Delmarva 0–3 113,856 2001 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 77–59 1st Ted Kubiak - 115,569 2002 Cleveland Indians SAL Southern 79–60 1st Torey Lovullo Won 1st round vs Columbia 2–1Lost finals vs. Hickory 2–3 52,103 Totals 896–780 1,243,956
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