New Orleans Zephyrs
From SoSH
| Location: | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Established: | 1900 |
| MLB Affiliation: | Florida Marlins |
| League: | Pacific Coast League |
| Level: | AAA |
| Ballpark: | Zephyr Field |
| Championships: | 10 |
| Division Titles: | 3 (1998, 2001, 2007) |
| Wild Card: |
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a Minor League Baseball team based in New Orleans, LA. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the AAA affiliate of the Florida Marlins.
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Franchise History
Louisiana lawyer/business promoter Robert E. Couhig, Jr. led the effort to relocate the team to New Orleans from Denver. Oddly, the "Zephyr" name was appropriate for New Orleans, too, as the Zephyr Roller Coaster was a popular ride at the Pontchartrain Beach amusement park.
The Zephyrs won the 1998 Pacific Coast League championship and went on to win the Triple-A World Series against the Buffalo Bisons, 3–1. The Zephyrs were also slated to participate in the 2001 championship series with the Tacoma Rainiers, but the season was cancelled in the wake of the September 11 attacks, and the teams were named co-champions.
The Zephyrs finished the 2005 season three days before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and though Zephyr Field sustained moderate damage, the team was able to open the 2006 season at home, making them the first professional team in New Orleans to do so after the hurricane.
On May 5th and 6th, 2006 in a game that became known as the "Music City Marathon," the Zephyrs played 24 innings in Nashville, ultimately defeating the Sounds 5-4 the next day on a Wiki Gonzalez RBI single. The Z’s scored once in the eighth and once in the ninth, and the teams remained tied through 18 innings before curfew was called. The 24 innings matches the longest game in PCL history, set in 1909, and the Z’s set 12 franchise records, including striking out a league-record 29 times.
In 2008, the Zephyrs' season ended three days early due to the approach of Hurricane Gustav. When it became apparent that Gustav would hit the Gulf Coast on September 1, the Zephyrs cancelled their games of August 30 through September 1.
On September 22, 2008, the Zephyrs became the AAA affiliate of the Florida Marlins. In October of 2009, The Zephyrs unveiled a new logo that embraced their hometown. The team employed the "Fleur de Z" as its new look.
Major League Affiliations
- Florida Marlins (2009–Present)
- New York Mets (2007–2008)
- Washington Nationals (2005–2006)
- Houston Astros (1997–2004)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1987–1996)
- Cincinnati Reds (1985–1986)
- Chicago White Sox (1983–1984)
- Texas Rangers (1982)
- Montreal Expos (1976–1981)
- Chicago White Sox (1975)
- Houston Astros (1973–1974)
- Texas Rangers (1972)
- Washington Senators (1970–1971)
- Minnesota Twins (1965–1969)
- Milwaukee Braves (1963–1964)
- Detroit Tigers (1960–1962)
- New York Yankees (1955–1958)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1952–1954)
- Boston Braves (1949–1951)
Franchise Names
- New Orleans Zephyrs (1993–Present)
- Denver Zephyrs (1985–1992)
- Denver Bears (1955–1984)
- Kansas City Blues (1901–1954)
