Black History Month: Five of the Top Black Players in Clearwater History

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for Clearwater.

Ron Jones (1986)

After turning down draft offers in 1982 and 1983, Ron Jones signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent in 1984.

During his 108-game stint with Clearwater in 1986, the outfielder led the team in every offensive category aside from home runs and led the Florida State League in batting average (.371), hits (153), slugging percentage (.524), on-base percentage (.423) and triples (12). His stand-out numbers led to Jones being voted FSL MVP. It would have been a unanimous decision, but since teams are not allowed to vote for their own player, Jones did not get the two votes from Clearwater representatives.

Jones was part of the first duo of players to win a Paul Owens Award, an honor given out annually since 1986 to the best position player and pitcher in the Phillies minor league system.

The left-handed hitter had thirteen game-winning RBIs for the Single-A team before skipping Double-A and being promoted straight to the Triple-A club (Portland).

Jones made his major league debut on August 26, 1988, for the Philadelphia Phillies. In just 33 games to finish out the 1988 season, Jones drove in 26 runs including eight home runs for the big-league club. However, Jones’ major league career was plagued with injuries to both knees that ultimately ended his flourishing career. After retiring from the game in 2000, Jones turned to coaching and eventually opened the Big League Batting Academy in Houston, Texas, along with former teammate Charlie Hayes.

Jimmy Rollins (1998)

Jimmy Rollins was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the 1996 June Amateur Draft out of Encinal High School (Alameda, CA).

At 18 years old, Rollins was the youngest member of the 1998 Clearwater (A+) team. The switch hitter totaled a .244 batting average with six home runs in 119 games with the Florida State League club. As a shortstop with Clearwater, Rollins carried a league-best .952 fielding percentage. His top-notch fielding earned Rollins a spot on the mid-season FSL All-Star Team.

He made his big-league debut with the Phillies on September 17, 2000. During his sixteen-year career, he led the National League in triples four times. He is a three-time All-Star (2001, 2002, 2005), was named the National League MVP in 2007, won the Gold Glove award four times (2007 – 2009, 2012), and garnered a Silver Slugger award in 2007. The shortstop played an important role in the Phillies’ 2008 World Series Championship and was honored at the end of the season with a Fielding Bible Award as the top shortstop that season. Rollins was inducted into both the Clearwater Phillies and Threshers Wall of Fame and the Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a co-recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2014.

After he retired from playing in 2017, Rollins returned to the Phillies as a special advisor for the team and acted as an on-air commentator for television broadcasts.

Ryan Howard (2003)

Ryan Howard was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Missouri State University.

Howard spent the entirety of the 2003 season with the Clearwater Phillies. He was voted Florida State League MVP, named Best Power Prospect in the FSL, and led the league in three categories: average (.304), home runs (23), and slugging percentage (.514). He was the 2003 and 2004 recipient of the Paul Owens award and played in the 2003 All-Star Futures game.

The first baseman was a September call-up for the Phillies on September 1, 2004. Howard was named National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 after leading all rookies with 22 home runs and posting a .288 average and 63 RBI in just 88 games. Nicknamed “The Big Piece”, Howard is known for being the player to reach 100 home runs and 200 home runs the quickest. He spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Phillies.

The lefty was awarded National League MVP in 2006, finishing the season with a .313 batting average 58 home runs, and 149 RBI. He was part of the 2008 Phillies World Series Championship team contributing six RBI including three home runs during the series. Howard was inducted into the Clearwater Phillies and Threshers Wall of Fame in 2016.

Greg Golson (2006)

Greg Golson was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft out of John B. Connally High School (Austin, TX).

Golson made his professional debut that summer with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, hitting .295 in 47 games. After continuing to show power and speed in Lakewood with a .264 average and 25 stolen bases, Golson was added to the squad in Clearwater late in 2006. He started the 2007 campaign back in Clearwater, and in 99 games with the Threshers that year, Golson hit .285 with 12 long balls and 52 RBI to land himself a spot on the Florida State League All-Star team. His 139 games with the Threshers make him the first-round pick to play in the most games with the Clearwater club.

Golson appeared in the 2008 futures game and made his major league debut the same year as a September call-up with the Philadelphia Phillies. The outfielder was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2009 and played the next two years with the New York Yankees before making his final appearance in September of 2011. Golson was later hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of their pro scouting department in 2019.

Quintin Berry (2008)

Quintin Berry was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of San Diego State University.

Berry began his career in Batavia (A) and led the club in walks. He was a Paul Owens award recipient in 2007 before joining the squad in Clearwater in 2008. The speedster had the most stolen bases (51) in the Florida State League and throughout the entire Phillies Minor League system. He was the only player to represent the Threshers on the 2008 Postseason All-Star team.

The outfielder was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres and played around the minor leagues with the Padres, Mets, Reds, and Tigers organizations. Berry made his major league debut with the Tigers on May 23, 2012. He set an American League record for most bases stolen without being caught stealing (21). Berry earned a World Series ring in 2013 as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement for the Boston Red Sox, swiping three postseason bases.

Berry transitioned into coaching after his retirement in 2018. In 2019, he became the Milwaukee Brewers outfield and base running coordinator and in 2021 he was promoted to the major league coaching staff as the first base coach.

Phillies & Threshers Job Fair on Feb. 11th

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The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark seasonal positions. A job fair will be held in-person at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater on Friday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Multiple positions in Food & Beverage are available. Interviews will be conducted on-site. Positions available include: stand lead, cook, cashier, bartender, food prep, food runner, and warehouse.

On Friday, please park in the south lot of BayCare Ballpark and enter through the suites lobby, entrance and lot located at US19 & Drew St.

For more information for Food & Beverage positions, please contact Justin Stone at [email protected].

For information about the Threshers Fun Team, our in-game and community event promo team, please email [email protected].

The first home game of Phillies Spring Training is scheduled for February 27, Threshers Opening Night is April 8.

Phillies Spring Training schedule

Threshers summer schedule

Job Fair Feb. 3 – Phillies Spring Training and Threshers Summer

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The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark seasonal positions. A job fair will be held in-person at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Multiple positions in Food & Beverage are available. Interviews will be conducted on-site. Positions available include:

The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark seasonal positions. A job fair will be held in-person at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Multiple positions in Food & Beverage are available. Interviews will be conducted on-site. Positions available include: stand lead, cook, cashier, bartender, food prep, food runner, and warehouse.

On Thursday, please park in the south lot of BayCare Ballpark and enter through the suites lobby, entrance and lot located at US19 & Drew St.

For more information for Food & Beverage positions, please contact Justin Stone at [email protected].

For information about the Threshers Fun Team, our in-game and community event promo team, please email [email protected].

The first home game of Phillies Spring Training is scheduled for February 27, Threshers Opening Night is April 8.

Phillies Spring Training schedule

Threshers summer schedule

Phillies and Threshers Hosting Job Fair on January 26.

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark seasonal positions. A job fair will be held in person at BayCare Ballpark on Wednesday, January 26 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Multiple positions in Food & Beverage are available. Interviews will be conducted on-site. Positions available include: stand lead, cook, cashier, bartender, food prep, food runner, and warehouse.

For more information for Food & Beverage positions, please contact Justin Stone at [email protected].

Please email [email protected] for information about the Threshers Fun Team, our in-game and community event promo team.

The first home game of Phillies Spring Training is scheduled for February 27, Threshers Opening Night is April 8.

BayCare Ballpark

601 Old Coachman Road

Clearwater, FL

Virtual Job Fair for Phillies and Threshers Seasons

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark. Multiple positions in Food & Beverage, Security, and the Fun Team are available to apply now.

For the Food & Beverage open positions, applications are being accepted now at Indeed.com (link), and there will be virtual interviews held beginning the week of January 17. For more information contact Justin Stone at [email protected].

Applications and interviews for Security at BayCare Ballpark are being arranged with Tim Scott at [email protected].

Please email [email protected] for information about the Threshers Fun Team, our in-game and community event promo team.

The first home game of Phillies Spring Training is scheduled for February 27, Threshers Opening Night is April 8.

Food & Beverage Job Fair on Jan. 10

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

BayCare Ballpark is hosting a Job Fair to hire food and beverage staff for the 2022 Phillies Spring Training and Clearwater Threshers season on Monday, January 10, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open interviews will be conducted with job offers made on site.

Open positions include:

  • Cashiers
  • Food Runners
  • Food Preps
  • Cooks
  • Stand Leads
  • Warehouse Runners
  • Bartenders

For more information, or if you are unable to attend the job fair on January 10, please contact Assistant Food & Beverage Manager Justin Stone at 727-712-4401 or [email protected].

BayCare Ballpark – 601 N Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765

Boo Bash Returns in 2021 to BayCare Ballpark

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CLEARWATER, Fla. – Boo Bash is back at BayCare Ballpark! The 2021 edition of the free, family-friendly Halloween event is on Sunday, October 31st. BayCare Ballpark gates will be open from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. for children to trick-or-treat on the concourse.

Kids may gather candy and goodies from the tables of local businesses around the ballpark. There will also be festive photo ops and a kids’ costume parade around the bases.

Businesses interested in being a vendor for this event may sign up for a table by October 28.

Click to view and download the vendor registration form.

Kids’ costume parade around the bases at Boo Bash

Back to School Night with Kids Backpack Giveaway is Friday, August 6th

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The Clearwater Threshers are hosting Back to School Night on Friday, August 6th at BayCare Ballpark, with a Kids Backpack giveaway, school supply drive, and recognition of National Teacher of the Year, Sarah Painter from our neighbor, Eisenhower Elementary.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. game with the Bradenton Marauders. Arrive early, as the first 1,000 kids 13 and under will receive the Threshers backpack giveaway compliments of Kelli’s Catering & Events.

Be sure to bring school supplies to donate, check the list below for a great BOGO ticket offer!

PDF Flyer – School Supplies Donation Drive – Eisenhower Elementary

Learn How to Fundraise for Your Nonprofit with the Clearwater Threshers

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Calling all Travel Baseball Teams, Band Boosters, and Nonprofit Organizations! Are you looking for an opportunity to raise funds for your group? The Clearwater Threshers are seeking NPOs and groups to work gamedays at BayCare Ballpark this summer season.

We are hosting a Zoom Information session for anyone interested in learning more about how to start earning money for your group this summer, as early as this month. The Zoom call will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 18.

To participate, email Justin at [email protected], include “NPO Information Session” in the subject line, you will receive an email invitation to the June 18 call.

We are looking for groups with a current COI and 501-3C status to work in our concession stands for the remainder of the 2021 Threshers season. Roles include, Cashiering, Food Running, Food Portable Attendant, Hot Dog Roller, and Picnic Attendants.

During the information session, we will discuss: Workload, Roles, Pay, Uniform, Length of Hours, How to sign up for particular days, Schedule, and much more.

Join the Threshers Team and raise money for your group!

Job Fair on June 17 at BayCare Ballpark for Threshers Baseball

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

The Clearwater Threshers are hosting a Job Fair to hire cooks, cashiers, and warehouse at BayCare Ballpark on Thursday, June 17, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Open interviews will be conducted with job offers made on-site.

Candidates should park and enter at the West Gate, by the fountain off of Old Coachman Rd. For more information, or if you are unable to attend the job fair on June 17, please contact Assistant Food & Beverage Manager Justin Stone at 727-712-4401 or JStone@threshersbaseball.com.
BayCare Ballpark – 601 N Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765

Threshers Food and Beverage Now Hiring

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

The Clearwater Threshers Food and Beverage department at BayCare Ballpark is now hiring for the summer season. The open positions are currently grill/fry cooks and cashiers at the concession stands.

Threshers games start on May 4 with homestands continuing through September 12. For more information or to apply, please contact Justin Stone at [email protected] or 727-712-4401.

Spectrum Field Host to Pinellas County High School Graduations

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Senior Ceremonies Continued for the Class of 2020 with Safety Protocols in Place

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Spectrum Field in Clearwater was the host for 16 Pinellas County High School Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 during the week of July 7-10. The Phillies and Threshers teamed up with the City of Clearwater, Pinellas County Schools and the Pinellas County Health Department to ensure that Pinellas County graduates were given an opportunity to walk in their cap and gown.

“We felt it was important and the right thing to do for our community. We were able to create a safe environment in which our graduates could be honored and participate in their graduation ceremonies,” said Doug Kemp, General Manager of Spectrum Field.

Four graduation ceremonies were held each day over the four-day period. To accommodate proper health guidelines, the schools and graduates were assigned specific times and locations to park and proceed into the ballpark and across the stage. Social distancing measures were in place and masks were mandatory for students, families and event staff. Although no one was allowed in the seating bowl, each graduate entered with their immediate families and walked across the stage to be recognized via the stadium’s PA and video board, serving as a photo opportunity. The ceremonies were live streamed on the Pinellas County Schools website.

“We are proud to have had such a significant role in honoring our Pinellas County graduating class,” added John Timberlake, The Phillies Director of Florida Operations. “I believe it underscores the commitment that the Phillies and the City of Clearwater maintain for our community and all of Pinellas County, even during these challenging times.”

Spectrum Field has been the site of Clearwater High School’s graduation ceremonies since 2007 and the ballpark has held as many as seven local high school graduations in previous years. The Clearwater Threshers have been playing their home games at Spectrum Field since the 2004 opening and the Philadelphia Phillies make the facility their Spring Training home.

FSL announces Covid-19 relief efforts in all cities

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Today the Florida State League announced that all its member teams will be participating in a League wide effort to support Covid-19 relief. The 12 teams have partnered with LiveSource to set up an auction site that will make bidding for auction items a simple and efficient process. The collectible memorabilia and unique FSL experiences will be offered through this online auction beginning today- Tuesday, June 9th and concluding on Tuesday, June 30th at 11:59 pm ET.

Florida State League President Terry Reynolds said “ I could not be prouder of all our FSL teams for coming together in this very worthwhile effort. The dollars earned from each team’s sold auction items will stay and be used for the Covid-19 relief efforts in that team’s area”.

The auction will offer many fun and unique items some of which are listed below:

  • Jackie Robinson specialty jersey.
  • Adam Wainright signed photo.
  • Brian Anderson signed Jupiter Hammerhead jersey.
  • Game worn Daytona Tortugas batting helmet.
  • Ceremonial First Pitch at a Fort Myers Mighty Mussels game.
  • FSL season pass allowing entrance in all 12 FSL stadiums.
  • 20 person VIP Suite at a Bradenton Marauder game.
  • Blake Snell signed July 4th Hat.
  • Dennis Martinez signed Palm Beach Cardinals jersey.
  • Wander Franco signed Jersey.
  • Lots of signed baseballs and countless “bucket list” experience items to bid on.

The Florida State League is made up of the following teams.

  • Bradenton Marauders
  • Charlotte Stone Crabs
  • Clearwater Threshers
  • Daytona Tortugas
  • Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Florida Fire Frogs
  • Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
  • Jupiter Hammerheads
  • Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Palm Beach Cardinals
  • St. Lucie Mets
  • Tampa Tarpons

For further details on this most worthwhile charitable event go to www.desktop.livesourceapp.com or you can view all the items and place a bid by downloading the LiveSource App on your Apple or Android device.

Contact Kasey Blair [email protected] or Andrew Seymour, General Manager-Palm Beach Cardinals at 561-630-1855 or [email protected] for additional questions.

Strike Out Cancer Night Goes Online with the Threshers 

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

Clearwater, Fla. – The Clearwater Threshers and the American Cancer Society teamed up in 2019 for the inaugural Strike Out Cancer Night, an evening of awareness and fundraising during a Threshers game.

Now in 2020, COVID-19 forced the American Cancer Society to suspend its popular Relay For Life events. Volunteers and survivors lost a chance to emotionally connect with the community. ACS lost a chance to extend its funding for research and patient services. Now it searches for new ways to fuel its fight against cancer.

The Threshers are providing a unique virtual opportunity and the American Cancer Society could not be more pleased. Cancer doesn’t quit, so neither will ACS. And neither will the Threshers.

Since we can’t be together in person, here are a couple ways we can help Strike Out Cancer, online. 1. Donate – visit the Clearwater Threshers Relay For Life of North Pinellas page 2. Share a photo of yourself holding a sign with the name of a loved one you are honoring. You may download a purple Threshers sign to print, or make your own and add to our Facebook and Twitter posts.

Be sure to stop by our Facebook page on Saturday night at 8 p.m. for a special Strike Out Cancer message from the Threshers and the American Cancer Society.

Support Local Clearwater Partners

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While we await a return of baseball, we look for ways to support each other. Local restaurants and caterers are currently serving much-needed meals. Many of these locations and providers are partners with your Clearwater Threshers.

Below is a list of local restaurants with links to their websites. With support from our fans, we can help these businesses continue to provide for the community.

The Threshers and our partners thank you for your support!

This page will be updated if we receive new information from the restaurant. For more hours and details, please call ahead or check the partner’s website.

Abe’s Place Tap and Grill
Amici’s Catered Cuisine
Blinker’s Beachside Steakhouse
Boston Market
Capogna’s Dugout
Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill
Cody’s Roadhouse – Belleair Bluffs
Delco’s
Dunedin Smokehouse
Frenchy’s Outpost – Dunedin
Frenchy’s Saltwater Cafe
Hooters
Iron Oak
Jamminz’ Beach Bar
Kelli’s Catering
Lenny’s
PDQ
Pete & Shorty’s
Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro
Port A Pitt Bar-B Que
The Salty Crab North Beach
Smokey Bones
Stuffed Mushroom
Tijuana Flats – Largo
Wawa
Westshore Pizza – Clearwater
Willie Jewell’s – Largo