Dayton Dragons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dayton DragonsFounded in 1988 in Rockford, Illinois Based in Dayton, Ohio since 2000 |
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| Class-level | |||||
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| Current | High-A (2021–present) | ||||
| Previous | Class A (2000–2020) | ||||
| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| League | Midwest League (1988–present) | ||||
| Division | East Division | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Current | Cincinnati Reds (1999–present) | ||||
| Previous |
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| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (0) | None | ||||
| Division titles (6) |
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| Second half titles (1) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Nickname | Dayton Dragons (2000–present) | ||||
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Previous names
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| Colors | Black, medium green, light gray, white |
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| Mascots | Heater, Gem, and Wink | ||||
| Ballpark | Day Air Ballpark (2000–present) | ||||
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Previous parks
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Marinelli Field (1988–1999) | ||||
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Owner(s)/
Operator(s) |
Palisades Arcadia Baseball LLC | ||||
| Manager | Vince Harrison Jr | ||||
| General Manager | Robert Murphy | ||||
The Dayton Dragons are a professional baseball team. They play in the Midwest League. They are linked with the Cincinnati Reds, a Major League Baseball team. The Dragons play their home games in Dayton, Ohio. Their home field is called Day Air Ballpark. They are famous for their amazing sellout streak.
The Dragons team moved to Dayton in the year 2000. Before that, the team was located in Rockford, Illinois. It had different names over the years. These names included the Rockford Expos, Royals, Cubbies, and Reds. In 2021, the team's league changed its name temporarily. It was called the High-A Central. But in 2022, it went back to being the Midwest League.
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Day Air Ballpark: Home of the Dragons
The Dragons play their home games at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton. This stadium was known as Fifth Third Field until 2020. In their first year, the Dragons set a record. They had 581,853 fans attend their games. This was the most for a Class-A Minor League team. They broke this record again in 2003, 2004, and 2010. The 2010 record of 597,433 fans still stands today.
The Dragons have had many fans over the years. They average over 8,000 fans per game. They have been number one in attendance for their league. They have also been top among all teams below the Triple-A level for many seasons. In 2022, they were first in attendance across all 120 Minor League Baseball teams.
The Amazing Sellout Streak
On July 9, 2011, the Dragons made history. They set a new record with 815 sold-out home games in a row. This was the longest sellout streak in all professional sports in the US. It broke the record held by the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team.
The streak kept going! On May 10, 2014, it reached 1,000 games. By August 26, 2023, the streak hit 1,500 games. The team's website says every home game in their first 20 years was a sellout. The streak was paused in 2020 because the season was canceled. It was also paused in 2021 due to health restrictions. As of the end of the 2024 season, the streak is 1,573 games. This is an all-time record for sports in North America!
Team Ownership
In 2014, the original owners sold the team. A group called Palisades Arcadia Baseball LLC bought the team. This group is led by Greg Rosenbaum, Nicholas Sakellariadis, and Michael Savit.
Dragons' Achievements and Awards
The Dayton Dragons have won many awards. They have set several impressive records.
- The Dragons have led their league in total attendance every year. They have also been the top team for attendance below the Triple-A level for many seasons.
- Robert Murphy, the Dragons President, won "Executive of the Year" twice. He received it in 2000 and 2012.
- In 2004, the Dragons won the Bob Freitas Award. This award is for the best Class-A team.
- Sports Illustrated magazine called the Dragons one of the "10 Hottest Tickets in Sports" in 2007.
- In 2011, Ballpark Digest named the Dragons the "Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year." That year, they set the sellout streak record. They also had their best season ever with 83 wins.
- In 2012, the Dragons were a finalist for "Professional Sports Team of the Year." This was from the Sports Business Journal.
- The Dragons won the John H. Johnson President's Trophy in 2012. This award goes to the best Minor League team. It recognizes stability, community involvement, and promoting baseball.
- In 2016, Forbes magazine said the Dragons were the third most valuable Minor League team. They were the most valuable Class A team.
- Brandy Guinaugh, a Dragons Vice President, won "Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year" in 2016.
- The Dragons have been nominated for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award multiple times. This award is for supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans.
- In 2018, the Dragons won "Customer Service Business of the Year." Robert Murphy also won "Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year" again.
Famous Players Who Played for the Dragons
Many players who later became Major League stars played for the Dayton Dragons. Here are some of them:
- Austin Kearns (2000)
- Adam Dunn (2000)
- Wily Mo Peña (2001)
- Edwin Encarnación (2001–02)
- Joey Votto (2003–04)
- Homer Bailey (2005)
- Johnny Cueto (2006)
- Jay Bruce (2006)
- Drew Stubbs (2007)
- Justin Turner (2007)
- Todd Frazier (2007–08)
- Didi Gregorius (2010)
- Billy Hamilton (2011)
- Tucker Barnhart (2011)
- Michael Lorenzen (2013)
- Jesse Winker (2013)
- Amir Garrett (2013–14)
- Tyler Mahle (2015)
- Nick Senzel (2015)
- José Siri (2016-17)
- Jonathan India (2018)
- Elly De La Cruz (2022)
Managers and Coaches
The Dragons have had 12 managers since they started. Here are some of them:
- Freddie Benavides (2000)
- Donnie Scott (2001–2003, 2007–2008)
- Alonzo Powell (2004–2005)
- Billy Gardner, Jr. (2006)
- Todd Benzinger (2009–2010)
- Delino DeShields (2011–2012)
- José Nieves (2013–2015)
- Dick Schofield (2016)
- Luis Bolivar (2017–19)
- José Moreno (2021)
- Bryan LaHair (2022-2023)
- Vince Harrison, Jr. (2024-)
Some famous former Cincinnati Reds players have also coached for the Dragons:
- Chris Sabo (hitting coach in 2005)
- Ken Griffey, Sr. (hitting coach in 2010)
- Tom Browning (pitching coach in 2012, 2015)
Dragons in the Media
You can listen to or watch Dragons games!
Radio Broadcasts
All Dragons games are on the radio. You can hear them on 980 WONE. Tom Nichols is the main announcer. You can also listen online at daytondragons.com. The games are also available on the Dragons mobile app. Tom Nichols has been the voice of the Dragons since 2008.
Television Broadcasts
The Dragons also show many games on TV each season. Since 2016, games have been on WBDT (Dayton's CW). Jack Pohl often joins Tom Nichols to announce the games. Many former baseball players have been guest announcers. These include Joe Nuxhall and Ken Griffey Sr..
Current Team Roster
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Amazing Player Moments in Dragons History
Dragons players have achieved some incredible things!
- Austin Kearns hit home runs in eight games in a row in 2000.
- In 2002, Bobby Basham pitched three complete game shutouts in a row. He allowed only 11 hits over 27 innings!
- Donald Lutz hit for the cycle on July 21, 2011. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in one game. He did it in reverse order!
- Billy Hamilton stole 103 bases in 2011. He was the first player in the Cincinnati Reds organization to steal over 100 bases in a season.
- Seth Mejias-Brean hit a "walk-off" grand slam in 2013. This means his home run won the game in the last inning. His team was losing by three runs with the bases loaded.
- On May 20, 2017, three Dragons pitchers threw a combined no-hitter. Scott Moss, Carlos Machorro, and Brian Hunter did not allow any hits.
- On July 31, 2017, José Siri had a 36-game hitting streak. He broke a Midwest League record that had stood since 1977. His streak eventually reached 39 games!
Images for kids
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Dayton Dragons team logo
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Dayton Dragons cap logo
