Dayton Dragons: Early History
It's been 18 years since the Dayton Dragons began their record-setting run at 5/3 Field. During that span, a consistent setting span of sell outs have seen future Major League Baseball stars such as Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, and Joey Votto hone their craft with the Dragons. Below are brief factoids about the team, it's composition, and ownership - all of which have come together to make a great professional franchise.
Dayton Dragons Stadium: The Class-A Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds plays its home games at 5/3 Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton. The stadium open in April 2000 and saw it's first game on April 27, 2000.
Lighting: "In late2002, we installed 250' of LED lights, which was just starting to become popular as home and commercial lighting technology.", EVP Eric Deutsch said. "Ownership will consistently be looking to improve 5/3 Field and in our community."
Before Dayton: Before moving to Dayton, Ohio, the franchise was located in Rockford, IL and was called the Reds (1999 ), Prior to this name the franchise had the following names: Cubbies (1994-98), the Royals (1992-94) and the Expos (1988-91).
Owners: Palisades Arcadia Baseball purchased the Dayton Dragons from Mandalay Baseball Properties. "The area management organization has done a fantastic job with supporting and promoting the team," Nick Sakellariadis said
when describing the ownership company.
Dayton Dragons Stadium: The Class-A Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds plays its home games at 5/3 Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton. The stadium open in April 2000 and saw it's first game on April 27, 2000.
Lighting: "In late2002, we installed 250' of LED lights, which was just starting to become popular as home and commercial lighting technology.", EVP Eric Deutsch said. "Ownership will consistently be looking to improve 5/3 Field and in our community."
Before Dayton: Before moving to Dayton, Ohio, the franchise was located in Rockford, IL and was called the Reds (1999 ), Prior to this name the franchise had the following names: Cubbies (1994-98), the Royals (1992-94) and the Expos (1988-91).
Owners: Palisades Arcadia Baseball purchased the Dayton Dragons from Mandalay Baseball Properties. "The area management organization has done a fantastic job with supporting and promoting the team," Nick Sakellariadis said
when describing the ownership company.
Dayton Dragons' People and Facts
Coaching: José Nieves starts his 4rd season as Dragons skipper. He's joined by 3nd year hitting coach Luis Bolivar, Reds former Reds' player Corky Miller and Hall of Famer Tom Browning, who returns as pitching coach.
Past Managers: Delino DeShields, the team's skipper from 2010 - 12, is the current manager with the Red's AAA group located in Louisville. Freddie Benavides, the Dayton Dragons' very first manager, is now an infield coach for the MLB Reds.
Past Players Now in the MLB: To date, 71 past Dayton Dragons have advanced to the MLB, these include Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Billy Hamilton, and Zack Cozart.
Singing Praises for the Dayton Dragons: Joey Votto, who was with the Dayton Dragons in 2003-4, as well as in 2012 and 2009 for injury rehabilitation says "5/3 Field in Dayton, Ohio is one of the most unique venues for baseball and even in all of professional sports.
Record Sell-Outs: The 1,071 games going into this year's season have all sold out. This gives the Dayton Dragons the distinction of holding the longest sell-out streak in professional sports. Season tickets are generally always sold out, however individual game tickets are usually available.
Past Managers: Delino DeShields, the team's skipper from 2010 - 12, is the current manager with the Red's AAA group located in Louisville. Freddie Benavides, the Dayton Dragons' very first manager, is now an infield coach for the MLB Reds.
Past Players Now in the MLB: To date, 71 past Dayton Dragons have advanced to the MLB, these include Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Billy Hamilton, and Zack Cozart.
Singing Praises for the Dayton Dragons: Joey Votto, who was with the Dayton Dragons in 2003-4, as well as in 2012 and 2009 for injury rehabilitation says "5/3 Field in Dayton, Ohio is one of the most unique venues for baseball and even in all of professional sports.
Record Sell-Outs: The 1,071 games going into this year's season have all sold out. This gives the Dayton Dragons the distinction of holding the longest sell-out streak in professional sports. Season tickets are generally always sold out, however individual game tickets are usually available.