Obscure Teams: Modesto Nuts

A friend recently attended a game in Modesto, California.  I had to look into this team.  They are called the Modesto Nuts.  Nothing nutty about it.  

The Nuts are a Class A farm team for the Seattle Mariners.  They play in the California League.

Modesto has a long history of minor league baseball as they have been in existence since 1946 when they took the field as the Reds.  They become the Colts in 1962 then the Reds again from 1966-1974.  In 1975, they became the A's which continued until 2005 when they rebranded as the Modesto Nuts.

So why name the team the Nuts?

Modesto, California is known for producing nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios.  In 2005 the team decided to recognize the industry that surrounds the Central Valley area.  

Modesto has won nine league titles - the last one in 2017.  The Nuts won their final nine games of the season including a sweep of their division series against the Stockton Ports and league championship over the Lancaster JetHawks.  

The Nuts play at John Thurman Field which is one of the older minor league ballparks and was built in 1955.

Baseball Hall of Famers Sparky Anderson, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Tony LaRussa, Joe Morgan and Ted Simmons came through Modesto.  

The Nuts are currently in 3rd place in the North Division with a record of 21-26.