A look at Wilmington’s special connection with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Back in 2001, the Wilmington Waves were the Dodgers Low-A minor league team as a new expansion team for the South Atlantic League.
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The World Series is nearing its end as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to finish off the New York Yankees
Here in the Cape Fear, the Dodgers have a special connection with the Port City.
In 2001, the Wilmington Waves were the Dodgers’ Low-A minor league team, a new expansion team for the South Atlantic League.
The Waves played games at UNCW’s Brooks Field and finished 5th in the South Atlantic.
Robin Spinks was part of the team’s ownership group and said it was special working with an organization like the Dodgers.
“It was just the fact that they stepped up behind us,” Spinks said. “I felt a part of the organization, their attorneys were holding my hand through it all, helping us know what to do. And because they were the Dodgers, it made it easier for us to get started quickly.”
Several members of the team would end up making it to the majors, including a couple who made big impacts like 2-time World Series winner Shane Victorino and Willy Aybar.
Spinks said having players of that caliber on the team helped bring in more fans.
“And the thing that was the most fun about it along those lines was because we had 9 guys on our team that the Dodgers thought were going to make it to the major leagues, which is very unusual at Single-A level,” Spinks said. “Maury Wills, Tommy Lasorda and all of their farm team scouts were there almost every night.”
Sadly, the Waves only stayed in Wilmington for a single season before moving to Albany, Georgia due to revenue issues.
Despite that, several teams have looked at bringing a team back to the Port City, the Braves being the most recent back in 2012.
Former Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson said he hopes a new team soon calls the Port City home.
“To watch young players advance up the ladder to the major leagues for some is an exciting experience,” Peterson said. “But just going out, relaxing on an evening with your family and friends at the minor league level is special. So I would welcome a new team, regardless of their affiliation.”
The Waves have moved several more times since leaving Wilmington and are now known as the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the High-A team for the Tampa Bay Rays.
