Charlotte Knights

1999 - 2013


99-13 knights logo timeline

 

 

The Knights won another International League title in 1999 as the White Sox' top affiliate. Notable names under the White Sox affiliation include pitcher Jon Garland and former third baseman Joe Crede, both of whom played on the White Sox' World Series championship team in 2005. As well as former A's legend Jose Canseco (left photo), and White Sox legend Frank Thomas (below right photo). Later, Beaver and the White Sox extended their affiliation agreement, ensuring that professional baseball would remain in the Charlotte area for many years to come.

 

The Knights would make it to the playoffs in the 2006 season, but lost in the first round.

On October 8, 2009 the Charlotte Knights and York County agreed in principle on a four-year lease for the team to play at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill. The agreement was to add fan related upgrades to the facility. In the 2012 season, the Knights were almost league champions, but lost in the league finals. In 2011, with the present fact of no Major League Baseball team coming to Fort Mill, the Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission approved a land-swap agreement which opened the door for the construction of a new Triple-A-sized stadium in downtown Charlotte.

 

The $54-million BB&T Ballpark opened in time for the 2014 season. The team's attendance had sagged since the start of the new millennium, and it was hoped that bringing the Knights back to the city would increase attendance. The Knights did a promotion in the 2013 season with 

"Flashback Fridays", where a former Athlete attending the game, or a  giveaway would take place, 

and the Knights would wear replica 1990 jerseys. This promotion was in a way a send off and goodbye

to the Charlotte Knights time in Fort Mill.


 

Images from left to right:

 

1999 Knights player Chad Bradford

 

2002 player Jose Canseco

 

2002 player Harold Baines

 

2005 player Frank Thomas

 

2004 Knights player wearing a Charlotte Bobcats NBA jersey

 

 

2013 Flashback Friday jersey

 


(above)

Knights say goodbye to Knights Stadium, the memorable Fort Mill SC ballpark,

known as “The Castle”. Knights Stadium opened in 1990, and closed it’s doors in 2013.