| Columbus Catfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class A (2003–2008) |
| League | South Atlantic League (2003–2008) |
| Division | Southern Division |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 2007 |
| Team data | |
Previous names |
|
| Mascot | Hook/Crash (2001-2008) |
Previous parks |
|
TheColumbus Catfish were a minor league baseball team inColumbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in theSouth Atlantic League, and were an affiliate of theTampa Bay Rays for the2007 and2008 seasons.[1] The Catfish relocated toBowling Green, Kentucky for the2009 season and are now known as theBowling Green Hot Rods.
The Catfish played home games atGolden Park. The team colors were royal blue, peach, and sand. The name "Catfish" referred to thefish of the same name, which is commonly eaten in theSouth and is often harvested from theChattahoochee River. The city of Columbus and Golden Park itself lie on the Chattahoochee. The peach in the Catfish logo indicates that they are from the state ofGeorgia and not theColumbus Clippers ofColumbus, Ohio.
In 2007, the Catfish swept theWest Virginia Power in three games to win their first South Atlantic League championship.
The Catfish, then known as theWilmington Waves as one of two South Atlantic League expansion teams in 2001, played their inaugural season inWilmington, North Carolina, as an affiliate of theLos Angeles Dodgers. The team left Wilmington after one season due to the lack of a permanentstadium.[2] The Waves moved toAlbany, Georgia, for one season until settling in Columbus, which had lost theRedStixx prior to the 2003 season. The team was known as theSouth Georgia Waves during its single season in Albany and its first year in Columbus.
The team was sold toNew Hampshire Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon in April 2008.[3] Solomon would move the team toBowling Green, Kentucky, for the 2009 season, where the team would be known as theBowling Green Hot Rods.[4]
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses
| Season | W | L | Finish | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 75 | 63 | 2nd | |
| 2002 | 75 | 63 | 2nd | |
| 2003 | 64 | 72 | 11th | |
| 2004 | 69 | 69 | 7th | |
| 2005 | 57 | 79 | 14th | |
| 2006 | 72 | 68 | 7th | |
| 2007 | 82 | 53 | 2nd2 | League champions Southern Division, 2 games to 0 over Augusta. League Finals, 3 games to 0 over West Virginia. |
| 2008 | 67 | 69 | 10th |
2001: Wilmington Waves
2002: South Georgia Waves, Albany
2003: South Georgia Waves, Columbus
1- 1st half Southern division champions
2- 2nd half Southern division champions