Norfolk Tides
From SoSH
| Location: | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Established: | 1962 |
| MLB Affiliation: | Baltimore Orioles (August 2006-present) |
| League: | International League |
| Level: | AAA |
| Ballpark: | Harbor Park |
| Championships: | 1 |
| Division Titles: | |
| Wild Card: |
Contents |
Franchise History
The franchise began business in 1962 in Portsmouth, Virginia as the Tidewater Tides of the South Atlantic League. In 1964 the Sally League moved out of Virginia and the Tides transferred to the Carolina League. When the major leagues expanded in 1969, the New York Mets bought the franchise and elevated it to the expanded International League. The Tides the Mets' AAA affiliate until August 2006 when the franchise affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.
The Tides moved from Portsmouth to Norfolk in 1970. In 1993, when the Tides moved to Harbor Park, they changed their name from "Tidewater Tides" to "Norfolk Tides".
In 1992 the Mets sold the Tides to a group headed Ken Young. In the summer of 2006, Young began negotiations with Comcast to buy three Baltimore Orioles affiliates, the Bowie Baysox (Eastern League), Frederick Keys (Carolina League) and Delmarva Shorebirds (Sally League). This, along with the impending demise of the Ottawa Lynx, led to the end of their 38 year affiliation with the Mets.
Major League Affiliations
- New York Mets (1969 - August 2006)
- Baltimore Orioles (August 2006 - Present)
Notable Alumni
- Darryl Strawberry
- Sid Fernandez
- Lenny Dykstra
- David Wright
- Melvin Mora
- Jeromy Burnitz
- Jason Isringhausen
Three current major league managers played for the Tides -- Clint Hurdle (Colorado Rockies), Ron Gardenhire (Minnesota Twins), and John Gibbons (Toronto Blue Jays). Hurdle and Gibbons also managed here.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, father of Thom Brennaman of Fox fame, was the Tidewater Tides' radio play-by-play announcer from 1971-73.
