Frederick Keys

MiLB infobox
name = Frederick Keys
founded = 1989
city = Frederick, Maryland
misc =

uniform
class level = A
past class level=
current league = Carolina League
conference =
division = Northern Division
past league =
majorleague = Baltimore Orioles
pastmajorleague =
uniform =
nickname = Frederick Keys (1989-present)
pastnames =
ballpark = Harry Grove Stadium
pastparks = McCurdy Field
leaguechamps = 1990, 2005, 2007
divisionchamps =
misc6 =
owner = Maryland Baseball Holding LLC
manager = Richie Hebner
gm =

The Frederick Keys minor league baseball team is the "High-A" class A baseball affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the current champions of the Carolina League. The Keys are based in Frederick, Maryland. The franchise is named for "Star Spangled Banner" poet Francis Scott Key, a native of Frederick County. The team mascot is a coyote known as "Keyote". The team is currently owned by Maryland Baseball Holding LLC, after being purchased in 2006 from Comcast-Spectacor. Home games are played at Harry Grove Stadium.

History

The team was founded in 1989 when the Baltimore Orioles decided to move their Class A affiliate from Hagerstown, Maryland. The city of Frederick convinced the owners of the then-Hagerstown Suns to move the team to Frederick and promised a 4,000-seat stadium to be built for the 1990 season. For the 1989 season, the Keys played at McCurdy Field, a Babe Ruth League stadium, while waiting for the construction of the new stadium to be completed.cite news|title=The Boys of Summers Past; Cherished Memories Resurface as Baseball Returns to Frederick|last=Duggan|first=Paul|publisher=The Washington Post|date=1989-01-12|url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=732069082&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=4807&RQT=309&VName=HNP|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-01-07] The Keys opened by losing both ends of a doubleheader (including a seven-inning perfect game by future major league all-star Steve Avery) against the Durham Bulls. [cite news|title=Perfect Game only Half of Keys' Troubles|publisher=The Washington Post|pages=C7|date=1989-04-10|url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=733598402&sid=1&Fmt=1&clientId=4807&RQT=309&VName=HNP|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-01-08] Their first win came on April 11, 1989 with a 3-1 victory over the Kinston Indians in the Keys' first-ever home game. [cite news|title=Keys Find 1st Victory in Home Opener, 3-1|publisher=The Washington Post|last=Eichelberger|first=Curtis|date=1989-04-12|pages=D4|accessdate=2007-01-08|format=PDF|url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=733606012&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=4807&RQT=309&VName=HNP]

Only two players in Keys history have been transferred directly from Frederick to the Baltimore Orioles (excluding rehab related transfers). On 3 September 1996, Eugene Kingsale's contract was purchased by the Orioles. On 11 June 2005, Jeff Fiorentino's contract was purchased by the Orioles in order to replace the injured Luis Matos.

The Keys have played in the Carolina League Championship Series, the Mills Cup Series, four times, the first three against the Kinston Indians and the most recent against the Salem Avalanche, winning three Mills Cup championships. They won their first in 1990, and their second in the 2005 season, defeating Kinston both times. In 2005, they defeated Kinston three games to two at historic Grainger Stadium in the best of five series. They were swept by the Indians in 2006, 3 games to 0. They won the 2007 series against the Salem Avalanche.

Notable former Keys

Several Keys alumni have gone on to play in the major leagues. In their inaugural season, the opening day roster featured several future major leaguers: David Segui, Francisco de la Rosa, Luis Mercedes, Jack Voigt, and Pete Rose, Jr.. [cite news|title=Keys, Cannons Ready to Play|last=Goff|first=Steve|publisher=The Washington Post|pages=D7|date=1989-04-07|url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=733577592&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=4807&RQT=309&VName=HNP|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-01-07]

Other Keys alumni include:
* Sidney Ponson: 1996
* Arthur Rhodes: 1989, 1990
* Joe Borowski: 1989, 1990
* Brian Roberts: 2000
* Nick Markakis: 2005
* Andy Van Slyke: 1995
* Eli Whiteside: 2002
* Adam Loewen: 2005

References

External links

* [http://www.frederickkeys.com/ Frederick Keys web site]
* [http://thebaseballcube.com/teams/alumni/10200.shtml Frederick Keys' former players]