Since 2004 I am addicted to Minor League baseball. Not that it is easy to attend a game when you live in the Netherlands, but I love the way those clubs are more focused on families, children and the related entertainment.
In 2008 I attended my first Minor League game at Adelanto, CA. The High Desert Mavericks (A Advanced affiliate of the Mariners) hosted the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (then an Angels affiliate, now part of the Dodgers organization) in a California League matchup. Since then I am in love.
I thought it would be nice to post the explanations of how teams got their names. Something that I have done for a couple of baseball forums already. I hope you like it.
This time the letter:
D
Danville Braves:
Since the Braves call almost all their minor league teams after themselves, there is no need for further explanation.
Dayton Dragons:
The name “Dayton Dragons” was selected by the team ownership group based on alliteration, uniqueness, logo visualization, etc. The announcement of the name was done through a “guess the name” contest through the Dayton Daily News. A local child correctly guessed the name and was given a prize package. Quite the other way around. A big thanks goes out to Tom Nichols, director of media relations of the Dayton Dragons.
Daytona Cubs:
The Daytona team decided to adopt the name of the parent club when it moved to Daytona from Davenport in 1993.
Delmarva Shorebirds:
The “Shorebirds” name refers to the marine waterfowl of the Delmarva Peninsula.
Dunedin Blue Jays:
Like more teams in the Florida State League (see Daytona Cubs f.e.) this team also adopted the name of the parent club.
Durham Bulls:
The Bulls (AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays) were named after the original Durham Bulls of the A Carolina League, that played a big role in the movie Bull Durham. This Carolina League team, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, moved to Danville (to become the Danville 97s) and moved to Myrtle Beach after only one season to become the Pelicans.So this Durham Bulls club has nothing to do with the original Durham Bulls.