The Omaha Storm Chasers are a minor league baseball team, based in Papillion, Nebraska, a suburb southwest of Omaha. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997, Omaha played in the now-dissolved American Association. Omaha has been the only Triple-A affiliate of Kansas City since their inception as an expansion team in 1969.
The team played in Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, home to the College World Series for over 60 years. The Royals moved to their new home, Werner Park in Sarpy County, and changed their name from Royals to Storm Chasers in 2011.
Team history
After having been known as the Royals from their inaugural 1969 season through 1998, the team nickname was changed to the Omaha Golden Spikes in 1999. The name change was a reference to the Golden Spike driven at Promontory Summit, Utah, to celebrate the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. It was intended to celebrate the rich railroad tradition in Omaha, headquarters of the Union Pacific Railroad. The well-intentioned name change proved unpopular with many fans; after three seasons as the Golden Spikes, the Union Pacific sold their majority ownership and the nickname was returned to "Royals" for 2002.
Following the 2010 season, the Omaha Royals began the process of changing their nickname. Fans had the opportunity to submit their choice of nicknames, as well as vote on the finalists. The list of 24 fan-submitted names was whittled down to nine finalists through voting at the team's website, and the new name, "Storm Chasers," was revealed on November 15.
The first game under the Storm Chasers name was played on April 7, 2011, in Albuquerque, New Mexico against the Albuquerque Isotopes. Mike Montgomery started the game for the Storm Chasers and Clint Robinson hit a homerun in the top of the second inning, giving him the first hit, homerun, and RBI in the team's history as the Storm Chasers. The first win for the team came two days later when they took the third game of the series against the Isotopes, 10â€"4. Pitcher Kevin Pucetas got the win.
The home opener at Werner Park was to be on April 15, but was postponed due to rain. As such, the first Storm Chasers home game was on April 16 against the Nashville Sounds. David Lough recorded the first Chasers home hit and Mike Moustakas doubled in Eric Hosmer for the first RBI. The Storm Chasers won their home debut, 2â€"1. Danny Duffy started the game, but the win went to reliever Jesse Chavez. The first homerun at Werner wasn't hit until April 20, a two run shot by Mike Moustakas that again brought Eric Hosmer around to score.
In July 2015, the Storm Chasers hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, the first time the events had been held in Omaha. The International League defeated the PCL 4â€"3 and Norfolk's Dariel Ãlvarez won the Home Run Derby. The Storm Chasers were well represented at the game with three All-Star players in Cheslor Cutbert, Louis Coleman, and John Lamb as well as trainer Dave Innicca and manager Brian Poldberg, who skippered the PCL team. Another Omaha All-Star in 2015, outfielder José MartÃnez, led the league in on-base percentage (OBP, .461) that year and broke the PCL batting record with a .384 average.
Year-by-year record
Uniforms
The Storm Chasers have four uniform tops and three hats that they wear during the season. The uniforms are manufactured by Russell Athletic and the hats are made by New Era. Blue or black socks are worn high with all uniforms, per team policy. Player names are worn on the backs of the home white jerseys only.
Jerseys
The home white has "Storm Chasers" across the chest with Royal blue piping around the neck, down the center of the jersey, and around the two sleeves. The player's number appears on the left in split blue/gold written in Storm Chaser font. A Kansas City Royals patch adorns the left sleeve, boasting an affiliation that has gone unbroken since 1969. The number on the back is a larger version of the one of the front with the player's name arching above it in standard blue. The white pants have a thin blue line running up both legs and are capped off with a blue belt. Blue socks are worn with this jersey.
The road grays have "Omaha" written across the chest in split black/gold written in Storm Chaser font with the "O bolt" logo standing in for the "O" in Omaha. The player's number appears in the same split colors and font on the left side of the jersey. Black piping runs around the neck, down the center of the jersey, and around the two sleeves. There is also a thick black line down both gray pant legs. The number on the back is a larger version of the one on the front. A black belt and socks complete the road uniform.
The alternate uniform is black with the interlocking "SC" logo on the left side of the chest and has gold piping around the neck, down the center of the jersey, and around the two sleeves. The number on the back is gold, written in Storm Chaser font. These jerseys are worn with both the home white and road gray pants, but are always accompanied by a black belt and black socks.
The fourth jersey is completely Royal blue with the Vortex logo on the left side of the chest. The numbers on the back are white, written in Storm Chaser font.
Hats
The primary hat is Royal blue with a matching brim and button, the Vortex logo on the front, and a black New Era flag logo on the left side.
The road hat is black with a matching brim and button, the "O bolt" logo on the front, and a gold New Era flag logo on the left side.
The alternate hat is black with a matching brim and button, the interlocking "SC" logo on the front, and a white New Era flag logo on the left side.
Retired numbers
The franchise has four retired numbers, three of which are also retired by the parent Kansas City Royals.
5 â€" George Brett: Played for the Omaha Royals in 1973â€"74, but is remembered most for his 21-year Hall of Fame Major League Baseball career, all with the Kansas City Royals. Brett was a 13-time all-star and 3-time batting champion as well as a Gold Glover, MVP, and World Series Champion.
10 â€" Dick Howser: Managed the Kansas City Royals from 1981â€"86, including guiding the team to two Western Division titles and the 1985 World Series title
20 â€" Frank White: Spent the first half of 1973 in Omaha, then got called up to the majors. He went on to spend his entire 18-year career with the Kansas City Royals, picking up 8 Gold Gloves and 5 all-star selections. He was part of the 1985 World Series team and was named the MVP of the 1980 ALCS.
23 â€" Mike Jirschele: Not only managed Omaha from 1995â€"97 and 2003â€"13, he also played for the team in 1988â€"89. His tenure as manager was the most successful in team history with five playoff berths, two Pacific Coast League titles, and a National Championship. He accumulated 995 wins during his 14 seasons in Omaha.
Awards and league leaders
The franchise has had several American Association (1969â€"1997) and Pacific Coast League (1998â€"present) award winners.
Most Valuable Player
- George Spriggs, 1970
- E. Manuel Castillo, 1981
- Luis De Los Santos, 1988
- Dwyane Hosey, 1994
- Chris Hatcher, 1998
Rookie of the Year
- James Wohlford, 1972
- Clint Hurdle, 1977
- Joe Vitiello, 1994
- Jeremy Giambi, 1998
- Mark Quinn, 1999
Most Valuable Pitcher
- Mark Littell, 1973
- Mark Huismann, 1985
- Luis Mendoza, 2011
Manager of the Year
- Jack McKeon, 1969
- Jack McKeon, 1970
- Joe Sparks, 1981
- Sal Rende, 1990
PCL ERA Champions
- Les Walrond, 2004, 3.06 ERA (123.2 IP)
- Anthony Lerew, 2010, 2.55 ERA (123.1 IP)
- Luis Mendoza, 2011, 2.18 ERA (144.1 IP)
PCL Batting Champion
- Jeremy Giambi, 1998, .372
- Mark Quinn, 1999, .360
- Jose Martinez, 2015, .384 (PCL modern era record)
PCL Homerun Champion
- Chris Hatcher, 1998, 46
Single-season team records
Offensive
- Hits: 182, Manny Castillo, 1981
- Doubles: 37, Steve Hammond 1983; Clint Robinson 2012
- Triples: 20, Fred Rico, 1969
- Homeruns: 46, Chris Hatcher, 1998
- RBIs: 106, Chris Hatcher, 1998
- Walks: 128, Ken Phelps, 1980
- Stolen Bases: 75, German Barranca 1979
Pitching
- Wins: 16, Mark Littell, 1973, Gary Lance, 1977
- Strikeouts: 221, Steve Busby, 1972
- Saves: 33, Mark Huismann, 1985
Triple-A All-Stars
The following players were named to the Triple-A All-Star team as Storm Chasers.
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Roster
Team affiliations
Ownership history
- 1969â€"1985 â€" Kansas City Royals
- 1986â€"1991 â€" Irving "Gus" Cherry
- 1991â€"2001 â€" Union Pacific Railroad (majority owner), with Warren Buffett and Walter Scott as minority owners
- 2001â€"2006 â€" Matt Minker (majority owner), with Warren Buffett and Walter Scott as minority owners
- 2006â€"2012 â€" William (Bill) Shea (majority owner), with Warren Buffett and Walter Scott as minority owners
- 2012â€"present â€" Alliance Baseball LLC.; principal owners include Gary Green (Chief Executive Officer/Managing Owner), Larry Botel, Eric Foss, Brian Callaghan, Peter Huff, Evan Friend, Steve Alepa and Mark Spring.
References
External links
- Official site
- Nebraska Minor League Baseball website
- Werner Park: official site