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Hill City Howlers
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| Hill City Howlers | |||||
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Class | Single-A (2021–present) | ||||
| Previous classes |
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| League | Carolina League (1966–present) | ||||
| Division | North Division | ||||
Previous leagues |
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| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Team | Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2015–present) | ||||
| Previous teams |
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| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (9) |
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| Division titles (2) |
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| First-half titles (2) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Name | Hill City Howlers (2026–present) | ||||
Previous names |
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| Colors | Blue, red, light blue, dark gray, gray | ||||
| Mascot | Indy the Werewolf | ||||
| Ballpark | Bank of the James Stadium (1963–present) | ||||
Owner/ Operator | Hillcats Baseball LLC (Dylan Narang) (2024–present) | ||||
| General manager | Matt Ramstead | ||||
| Manager | Erlin Cerda | ||||
| Website | milb.com/hill-city | ||||
The Hill City Howlers, formerly the Lynchburg Hillcats, are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia, that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 2009. The Howlers play home games at Bank of the James Stadium; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 people.
The franchise, known as the Lynchburg Hillcats since 1995, planned to rebrand after the 2016 season.[1] However, 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.[2] The team opted instead for new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season.[3]
In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Hillcats were organized into the Low-A East at the Low-A classification.[4] 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.[5]
Lynchburg Baseball Corp. sold the team to Elmore Sports Group in 2015.[6] In 2024, Dylan Narang purchased the Hillcats from Elmore Sports Group.[7] The team rebranded as the "Hill City Howlers" on February 13, 2026.[8]
Division and league championships
[edit]- 1896 State League Champions, No playoffs.
- 1906 Virginia League Champions, No playoffs.
- 1940 Virginia League Champions, Senators over Harrisonburg Turks, 3–2.
- 1944 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 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 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 Carolina League 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.[9]
- 2025 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats over Columbia Fireflies in Championship Series, 2–1.[10]
Roster
[edit]| Players | Coaches/Other |
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Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Notable Lynchburg/Hill City alumni
[edit] | This list of "famous" or "notable" people has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help improve this article by defining clear inclusion criteria to contain only subjects that fit those criteria. (November 2021) |
Baseball Hall of Fame alumni
- Red Schoendienst (1943) Inducted, 1989
Notable alumni
- Eli Morgan (2018)
- Neil Walker, 2005–06
- Nyjer Morgan, 2005–06
- Rajai Davis, 2004
- Henry Owens, 2004
- Zach Duke, 2004
- Paul Maholm, 2004
- José Bautista, 2003
- Nate McLouth, 2000–02
- John Grabow, 2001
- Joe Beimel, 2000
- Bronson Arroyo (1997) MLB All-Star
- Kris Benson (1997)
- Aramis Ramírez, 1997 MLB All-Star
- Jose Guillen (1996)
- Trot Nixon, 1994
- Aaron Sele (1992) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Scott Hatteberg (1991)
- John Valentin (1989)
- Scott Cooper (1988) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Kevin Elster (1985)
- Rick Aguilera (1984) 3 x MLB All-Star
- Dave Magadan (1984)
- Randy Myers (1984) 4 x MLB All-Star
- Lenny Dykstra (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 (1982)
- Kevin Mitchell (1982) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1989 NL Most Valuable Player
- Lloyd McClendon (1981–82)
- Darryl Strawberry (1981) 8 x MLB All-Star; 1983 NL Rookie of the Year
- Billy Beane (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 (1968)
- Carlos May (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Gail Hopkins, 1967
- Andy Etchebarren (1963) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Don Buford (1962) MLB All-Star
- Dave DeBusschere (1962) 8 x NBA All-Star
- Joe Hoerner (1962) MLB All-Star
- J.C. Martin (1962)
- John McNamara (1952)
- Stan Spence (1951) 4 x MLB All-Star
- Ray Jablonski (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
[edit]- ^ Walls, Dave (May 24, 2016). "Lynchburg Hillcats announce contest to rename franchise". WSET.
- ^ "Lynchburg to Remain Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
- ^ "Lynchburg Hillcats Unveil New Logos". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". MLB.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (December 7, 2015). "Elmore Sports Group to buy Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ Prill, Jason (February 14, 2025). "Exciting Changes Happening at Bank of the James Stadium". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ Hill, Benjamin (February 13, 2026). "This Single-A team is permanently shapeshifting into the Hill City Howlers in 2026". MLB.com.
- ^ "Carolina League cancels Mills Cup Finals". Minor League Baseball. September 8, 2017. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
- ^ Prill, Jason (September 17, 2025). "Lynchburg wins 2025 Carolina League Championship". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
