| Colorado Springs Sky Sox | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Previous classes | Triple-A (1988–2018) | ||||
Previous leagues | Pacific Coast League (1988–2018) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Previous teams | Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018) Colorado Rockies (1993–2014) Cleveland Indians (1988–1992) | ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles(2) |
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| Division titles(3) |
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| Team data | |||||
Previous names | Colorado Springs Sky Sox (1988–2018) | ||||
| Colors | Red, white, navy blue | ||||
| Mascot | Sox theFox | ||||
Previous parks | Security Service Field (1988–2018) Spurgeon Stadium (1988) | ||||
TheColorado Springs Sky Sox were aMinor League Baseball team inColorado Springs, Colorado. The team played in thePacific Coast League (PCL) and was theTriple-A affiliate of theMilwaukee Brewers (2015–2018),Colorado Rockies (1993–2014), andCleveland Indians (1988–1992). The Sky Sox won the PCL title in 1992 and 1995.
From 1950 to 1958, the original incarnation of theColorado Springs Sky Sox were aClass A affiliate of theChicago White Sox in theWestern League. The Sky Sox's nickname originated with their affiliation with the White Sox. ThePikes Peak region was without professional baseball for 30 years until 1988, when theHawaii Islanders of the PCL relocated to Colorado Springs and became the second incarnation of the Sky Sox. From 1988 to 1992 the Sky Sox were the Triple-A affiliate of theCleveland Indians. WhenDenver was awarded a major league franchise for the 1993 season, the newColorado Rockies arranged for the Sky Sox to become their top farm team.[1]
During their first season, the Sky Sox moved from Spurgeon Stadium (inMemorial Park) to the brand new Sky Sox Stadium, later known asSecurity Service Field. The ballpark, on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, costUS$3.4 million[2] to build and held 8,500 spectators. In later years, the Sky Sox invested over $8 million in ballpark renovations which included a new video scoreboard, redesigned entrance plaza, new picnic facility and banquet hall. It has the highest elevation of any professional ballpark in the United States: its natural grass field sits at 6,531 feet (1,991 m)above sea level.
On June 21, 2017, team owner David G. Elmore announced the relocation of the Sky Sox Triple-A franchise toSan Antonio, Texas, in 2019, with the team continuing to compete in the Pacific Coast League as theSan Antonio Missions, who were previously members of theDouble-ATexas League.[3] Concurrent with this move, theRookieHelena Brewers of thePioneer League relocated to Colorado Springs, operating as theRocky Mountain Vibes.[4]
