Aberdeen IronBirds

Aberdeen IronBirds
Aberdeen IronBirds
Founded in 1977 ; Aberdeen, Maryland ;
File:IronBirds.PNG	File:IronBirds cap.PNG
Minor league affiliations
Class	High-A (2021–present)
Previous classes	Class A-Short Season (2002–2020)
League	South Atlantic League (2022)
Division	North Division
Previous leagues	High-A East (2021); New York–Penn League (1977–2020);
Major league affiliations
Team	Baltimore Orioles (2002–present); Florida Marlins (1996–2001); Boston Red Sox (1993–1995); Chicago White Sox (1988–1992); Philadelphia Phillies (1986–1987); Independent (1981–1985); Toronto Blue Jays (1977–1980);
Minor league titles
League titles (1)	1983
Division titles (1)	2022;
First-half titles (1)	2022;
Team data
Name	Aberdeen IronBirds (2002–present); Utica Blue Sox (1981–2001); Utica Blue Jays (1977–1980);
Colors	Royal blue, light blue, orange, white;
Ballpark	Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium (2002–present)
Previous parks	Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field (1977–2001)
Owner(s)/; Operator(s)	Cal Ripken Jr.
General manager	Jack Graham
Manager	Roberto Mercado

The Aberdeen IronBirds are a Minor League Baseball team based in the city of Aberdeen in Harford County, Maryland. They are the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and compete in the South Atlantic League. They were previously members of the New York–Penn League from 1977 to 2020, and of the High-A East in 2021.

The team is currently owned by retired Oriole player Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken Jr. purchased the team, then known as the Utica Blue Sox, and moved them to his hometown of Aberdeen in time for the 2002 season. The IronBirds play their home games at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, which is visible from I-95. On August 16, 2006, the IronBirds played host to the New York–Penn League All-Star Game. They also hosted the New York-Penn League All-Star Game on August 18, 2015.^[2] Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium was also used for the Cal Ripken World Series in 2003 and 2004, forcing the team to go on extended road trips, 20 or more games, during the youth competition. The Cal Ripken World Series moved across the street to Cal Sr.'s Yard in 2005.

The name "IronBirds" was chosen for two reasons: Cal Ripken's "Ironman" streak of 2,632 consecutive baseball games played and the team's affiliation with the Orioles (the Baltimore team is often referred to as "The Birds").^[3] The former team logo featured a silver airplane marked with Ripken's number 8, which also refers to the nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground U.S. Army installation. The team mascots are gray birds named Ferrous and Ripcord.

The record of most RBIs in a single month was set by Robbie Widlansky in July 2008. On August 26, 2013, Conor Bierfeldt hit his 12th home run of the season, setting a new IronBirds single-season record. He broke the previous record held by David Anderson set in the 2010 season. On September 2, 2013, The IronBirds clinched their first McNamara Division Title.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the IronBirds were organized into the 12-team High-A East.^[4]

The IronBirds' 2012 and 2013 seasons were the subject of a book written by the team's former clubhouse attendant, Greg Larson. Clubbie: A Minor League Baseball Memoir was released in 2021.^[5]

Playoffs

2013 season: Lost to Tri-City 2–0 in semifinals.

2022 Season: Won against Brooklyn Cyclones 2-1 in Division Series. Lost to Bowling Green Hot Rods 2-1 in Championship Series.

Notable franchise alumni

Andy Ashby (1987) 2x MLB All-Star
James Baldwin (1991) MLB All-Star
Jesse Barfield (1977) MLB All-Star
Zack Britton (2007)
Ken Brett (1985, MGR) MLB All-Star
Mike Cameron (1992) MLB All-Star
Ray Durham (1991) 2x MLB All-Star
Jason Grimsley (1986)
David Hernandez (2005)
Fred Kendall (1992, MGR)
Manny Machado (2010) 4x MLB All-Star
Trey Mancini (2013)
Nick Markakis (2003) MLB All-Star
Chuck McElroy (1986)
Tony Taylor (1986–1987, MGR)
Larry Walker (1985) 5x MLB All-Star; 1997 NL Most Valuable Player

Roster

Aberdeen IronBirds roster
v
t
e
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 35 Carson Carter 46 Daniel Federman 53 Ignacio Feliz 24 Connor Gillispie 6 Thomas Girard 26 Dan Hammer 39 Daniel Lloyd 50 Jake Lyons 38 Xavier Moore 51 Alex Pham 54 Jean Pinto 43 Rickey Ramirez 49 Nick Richmond 44 Wes Robertson 40 Houston Roth 31 Nick Roth -- Kade Strowd 16 Carlos Tavera 32 Peter Van Loon 59 Gregori Vasquez		Catchers 28 Andres Angulo 51 Wilkin Grullon 41 Connor Pavolony 13 Ramon Rodriguez Infielders 34 TT Bowens 36 Collin Burns 55 Chris Givin 29 Darell Hernáiz 21 Ryan Higgins 27 Jacob Teter Outfielders 62 Isaac Bellony 9 Billy Cook 1 Heston Kjerstad 2 John Rhodes 14 Davis Tavarez 23 Donta' Williams		Manager 12 Roberto Mercado Coaches 11 Zach Cole (hitting) 11 Ryan Goll (development) 15 Forrest Herrmann (pitching) 25 Isaiah Paige (fundamentals) 7-day injured list * On Baltimore Orioles 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated July 25, 2022 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • South Atlantic League → Baltimore Orioles minor league players

Notes

^ "Jack Graham Named Aberdeen IronBirds GM". Ballpark Digest. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
^ http://www.milb.com/milb/events/asg/y2015/index.jsp^{[bare URL]}
^ http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20020411&content_id=7629&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Mayo, Jonathan (May 2, 2021). "Minors return with new look, structure". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
^ Leighton, Aram (May 30, 2021). "He Watched Minor Leaguers Struggle. His New Book Could Change the Game". Boardroom.TV. Archived from the original on 2021-05-31. Retrieved June 22, 2021.

External links

Official website

[1] "Jack Graham Named Aberdeen IronBirds GM". Ballpark Digest. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.

[2] ttp://www.milb.com/milb/events/asg/y2015/index.jsp^{[bare URL]}

[3] ttp://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20020411&content_id=7629&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp^{[permanent dead link]}

[JMayo2-12-2021-4] Mayo, Jonathan (May 2, 2021). "Minors return with new look, structure". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved May 2, 2021.

[5] Leighton, Aram (May 30, 2021). "He Watched Minor Leaguers Struggle. His New Book Could Change the Game". Boardroom.TV. Archived from the original on 2021-05-31. Retrieved June 22, 2021.

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v t e South Atlantic League
North Division	Aberdeen IronBirds Brooklyn Cyclones Greensboro Grasshoppers Hudson Valley Renegades Jersey Shore BlueClaws Wilmington Blue Rocks
South Division	Asheville Tourists Bowling Green Hot Rods Greenville Drive Hickory Crawdads Rome Braves Winston-Salem Dash
Champions Hall of Fame Rosters Stadiums

Aberdeen IronBirds

Contents

Playoffs

Notable franchise alumni

Roster

See also

Notes

External links

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