The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons. The team relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, in 2016 where they are now known as the Columbia Fireflies.
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History
The Sand Gnats began as the Savannah Cardinals when the Macon Redbirds moved to Savannah after the 1983 season. The team played their inaugural season in 1984, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1996, the team changed its name to the Sand Gnats and became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was affiliated with the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2002 and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 2003 to 2006.
The Sand Gnats played their home games at Grayson Stadium. Opened in 1927, Grayson Stadium seated 4,700 fans during its time as the home of the Sand Gnats. The Sand Gnats won four SAL championships (1993, 1994, 1996, 2013).
On January 11, 2007, the Sand Gnats named Tim Teufel as manager for the 2007 season.
On May 8, 2007, Jorge Reyes, a pitcher for the Sand Gnats, was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Reyes was the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for his second violation.
On March 20, 2008, Atlanta-based Hardball Capital purchased the Savannah Sand Gnats.
Among their notable alumni are Adrián Beltré, Jacob DeGrom, Ian Desmond,Éric Gagné, Edwin Encarnación, Michael Fulmer, Travis Hafner, Hank Blalock, Steven Matz, Collin McHugh, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Whitesell, Josh Satin, and Ryan Zimmerman.
Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses
1984–1995: Savannah Cardinals
Rivals
The Sand Gnats had a in-state rivalry with the Augusta GreenJackets, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
The Sand Gnats had a rivalry with the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees.