The Lynchburg Hillcats are a

Minor League Baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team in

Lynchburg, Virginia Lynchburg is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner and Abolitionism, abolitionist John Lynch (1740–1820), J ...

that plays in the

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...

and is the

Single-A Single-A, formerly known as Class A and sometimes as Low-A, is the fourth-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A, Double-A (baseball), Double-A, and High-A. There are 30 teams cl ...

affiliate of the

Cleveland Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. Since , the team has played its home gam ...

. They were a farm team of the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

from 2011 to 2014, the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

in 2010, and the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

from 1995 to 2009. The Hillcats play home games at Bank of the James Stadium; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 fans. In May 2016, the franchise announced that they would rebrand after the season. When put to a fan vote for a new moniker with "Derechos", "Doves", "Lamb Chops", "Love Apples", and "River Runners" as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name. They did, however, unveil new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season. In conjunction with

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Hillcats were organized into the Low-A East at the Low-A classification. In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.

Division and league championships

* 1896 State League Champions, No playoffs. * 1906 Virginia League Champions, No playoffs. * 1940 Virginia League Champions, Senators over

Harrisonburg Turks The Harrisonburg Turks are a collegiate summer baseball team in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They play in the South Division of the Valley Baseball League, a collegiate wooden bat summer league consisting of 11 teams in the state of Virginia. The Turk ...

, 3–2. * 1944 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over

Portsmouth Cubs The Portsmouth Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Virginia. From 1935 to 1955, Portsmouth teams played exclusively as members of the Class B (baseball), Class B level Piedmont League, which was one of few minor leagues tha ...

, 4–3. * 1948 Piedmont League Regular Season Champions, Cardinals lose to Newport News Dodgers, 0–4. * 1949 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 4–2. * 1962

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its h ...

Regular Season Champions, White Sox lose to Macon, 0–3. * 1963 South Atlantic League 2nd-Half Champions, White Sox lose to Augusta, 2–3. * 1964 Southern League Champions, No playoffs. * 1973

1st-Half Champions, Twins lose to Winston-Salem, 2–3. * 1977 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Mets lose to Peninsula, 2–3. * 1978 Carolina League Champions, Mets over Peninsula, 3–0. * 1982 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Mets lose to Alexandria in one-game Divisional playoff. * 1983 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Winston-Salem, 3–0. * 1984 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Durham, 3–1. * 1985 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Mets sweep Division lose to Winston-Salem, 1–3. * 1988 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Salem, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 2–3, in Championship. * 1989 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox lose to Prince William, 1–2, in playoffs. * 1991 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Prince William, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 0–3, in Championship. * 1992 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Red Sox sweep Division lose to Peninsula, 2–3, in Championship. * 1997 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win 2nd-Half Northern Division, over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship. * 2000 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 0–3, in Championship. * 2002 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win Northern Division Wildcard, over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship. * 2003 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Winston-Salem, 0–3, in Championship. * 2005 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Frederick, 0–2, in playoffs. * 2009 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 3–2, in playoffs, over Salem, 3–0, in Championship. * 2012 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Winston-Salem, 3–1, in Championship. * 2013 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs. * 2014 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs. * 2015 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs. * 2016 Carolina League 1st-Half & 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Potomac, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 3–1, in Championship. * 2017 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats over Frederick in playoffs, 2–1, declared co-champions with Down East as a result of the playoffs being called off because of

Hurricane Irma Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, followed by Hurricane Maria, Maria two weeks later. At the time, it was considered ...

Roster

Notable Lynchburg alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

alumni *

Red Schoendienst Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst ( ; February 2, 1923 – June 6, 2018) was an American professional baseball second baseman, coach, and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB), and is largely known for his coaching, managing, and playing years wi ...

(1943) Inducted, 1989 Notable alumni * Eli Morgan (2018) * Neil Walker, 2005–06 * Nyjer Morgan, 2005–06 * Rajai Davis, 2004 * Henry Owens, 2004 *

Zach Duke Zachary Thomas Duke (born April 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, St. Lo ...

, 2004 * Paul Maholm, 2004 * José Bautista, 2003 *

Nate McLouth Nathan Richard McLouth (born October 28, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. He was pri ...

, 2000–02 * John Grabow, 2001 * Joe Beimel, 2000 *

Bronson Arroyo Bronson Anthony Arroyo (born February 24, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and musician. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002, the Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005, th ...

(1997) MLB All-Star * Kris Benson (1997) * Aramis Ramírez, 1997 MLB All-Star * Jose Guillen (1996) * Trot Nixon, 1994 *

Aaron Sele Aaron Helmer Sele (born June 25, 1970) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed pitcher. Sele debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 1993. He was traded to the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers after the 1997 season and wa ...

(1992) 2 x MLB All-Star * Scott Hatteberg (1991) * John Valentin (1989) * Scott Cooper (1988) 2 x MLB All-Star *

Kevin Elster Kevin Daniel Elster (born August 3, 1964) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. Known primarily for his fielding, Elster broke a 42-year-old Major League Baseball record by playing 88 consecutive games at shortstop without commit ...

(1985) *

Rick Aguilera Richard Warren Aguilera (born December 31, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1985 to 2000. Aguilera won a world championship as a member of the ...

(1984) 3 x MLB All-Star * Dave Magadan (1984) *

Randy Myers Randall Kirk Myers (born September 19, 1962) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Bl ...

(1984) 4 x MLB All-Star *

Lenny Dykstra Leonard Kyle Dykstra ( ; born February 10, 1963), nicknamed Nails and Dude, is an American former professional baseball center fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets (1985–1989) and Philadelphia Phillies (1989� ...

(1983) 3 x MLB All-Star * Dwight Gooden (1983, 1987)) 4 x MLB All-Star; 1984 NL Rookie of the Year; 1985 NL CY Young Award *

Roger McDowell Roger Alan McDowell (born December 21, 1960) is an American former professional baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1985 to 1996. He played for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Do ...

(1982) * Kevin Mitchell (1982) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1989 NL Most Valuable Player * Lloyd McClendon (1981–82) *

Darryl Strawberry Darryl Eugene Strawberry Sr. (born March 12, 1962) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Throughout his career, Strawberry was one of the most feared sluggers in the sport ...

(1981) 8 x MLB All-Star; 1983 NL Rookie of the Year *

Billy Beane William Lamar Beane III (born March 29, 1962) is an American former professional baseball player and current Front office (sports), front office executive. He is currently senior advisor to owner John Fisher (baseball owner), John Fisher and ...

(1981) * Jody Davis (1978) 2 x MLB All-Star * Greg Harris (1978) * Jeff Reardon (1977) 4 x MLB All-Star * Alex Trevino (1976) * Dave Goltz (1974) *

Al Fitzmorris Alan James Fitzmorris (March 21, 1946 – December 4, 2024) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1969 to 1978 for the Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, and California Angels. Career F ...

(1968) * Carlos May (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star * Gail Hopkins, 1967 *

Andy Etchebarren Andrew Auguste Etchebarren (June 20, 1943 – October 5, 2019) was an American people, American professional baseball player and minor league Manager (baseball), manager. He played for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher in and then ...

(1963) 2 x MLB All-Star * Don Buford (1962) MLB All-Star *

Dave DeBusschere David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 – May 14, 2003) was an American professional basketball player and coach, and professional baseball player. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pi ...

(1962) 8 x

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

All-Star * Joe Hoerner (1962) MLB All-Star *

J.C. Martin J. C. Martin may refer to: * J. C. Martin (baseball), Major League Baseball player * J. C. Martin (Texas politician), mayor of Laredo, Texas {{hndis, Martin, J. C. ...

(1962) * John McNamara (1952) *

Stan Spence Stanley Orville Spence (March 20, 1915 – January 9, 1983) was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played from through for the Boston Red Sox (1940–41, 1948–49), Washington Senators (1942–47) and St. Louis Browns (194 ...

(1951) 4 x MLB All-Star *

Ray Jablonski Raymond Leo Jablonski (December 17, 1926 – November 25, 1985) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for all or parts of eight MLB seasons between 1953 and 1960. A National League All-Star, Jablonski appeared in 812 ...

(1950) MLB All-Star * Wes Ferrell (1942, 1946) 2 x MLB All-Star * Al Orth (1909) 1906 AL Wins Leader * Andrelton Simmons (2011) 4 time gold glove winner * Tommy La Stella (2016) World Series Champion * Willi Castro (2016) * Anthony Santander (2016) * Bobby Bradley (2016) * Yu Chang (2016) * Francisco Mejia (2016) * Greg Allen (2016)

References

External links