Corpus Christi Hooks
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| Corpus Christi Hooks Founded in 1968 Corpus Christi, Texas |
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| League titles | 2006 | ||
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| Owner(s)/Operated by: Ryan-Sanders Baseball | |||
| Manager: Luis Pujols | |||
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The Corpus Christi Hooks are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Texas League as the Class AA affiliate of the Houston Astros. The team's ownership group is headed by Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan; the team's CEO, Reid Ryan, is Nolan's oldest son. The team's president is J.J. Gottsch.
Before the 2005 season, the Hooks played in Round Rock, Texas as the Round Rock Express. The Express name was taken over by the club formerly known as the Edmonton Trappers, a Class AAA team in the Pacific Coast League also owned by the Ryans' group. The Hooks play at Whataburger Field, a new ballpark on Corpus Christi's waterfront that opened in 2005.
The franchise began as the Memphis Blues in 1968, and was affiliated with the New York Mets. In 1974, the team moved to Texas for the first time, playing in Victoria as the Victoria Toros. The following year, the team moved yet again, this time to Jackson, Mississippi, and took the name Jackson Mets. In 1991, at the same time that the team's major-league affiliation changed to the Astros, the team became the Jackson Generals. While the team has moved twice since then, to Round Rock in 2000 and now to Corpus Christi, its affiliation has remained with the Astros.
The team's colors are navy blue and light blue, representing the ocean and sky of the popular South Texas fishing area.
A number of Hooks players have been called up to the major leagues in the two years the team has been in Corpus Christi. These include outfielder Charlton Jimerson, catchers Héctor Giménez and J.R. House, and pitchers Matt Albers, Fernando Nieve, Chris Sampson, Jason Hirsh and Philip Barzilla. Most recently Hunter Pence who was on the 2006 squad, spent a short time in Round Rock before getting the call up to the majors.
One of the most exciting moments in the team's history was an appearance by Roger Clemens on June 11, 2006, as he prepared for his return to the Astros. Clemens' start attracted nationwide attention and a record crowd of 9,022. Clemens struck out 11 batters in six innings on his way to the victory. Tickets were being sold on Ebay for up to 230 dollars.
The team store is called the Hook, Line, and Sinker. The team mascots are Sammy the Seagull and Rusty Hook, with occasional appearances from the HEB bag.
On September 14, 2006, in a wild 5 hour 14 inning marathon, the Corpus Christi Hooks eclipsed the Wichita Wranglers 8-7, clinching the 3rd and decisive game to defeat Wichita 3 games to 1 in the best of five series to win the 2006 Texas League Championship. Marking the first time a Corpus Christi franchise has won the TL Championship since the 1958 Corpus Christi Giants.
Other 2006 Accolades of note: Field Manager Dave Clark was named 2006 Texas League Manager of The Year and Pitcher Matt Albers was named 2006 Texas League Pitcher of the Year.
On June 25, 2007, Whataburger Field played host to the 2007 installment of the Texas League All-Star Game. Seven hooks players were invited to play on the squad, including fan favorite Jonny Ash.
[edit] Rivalry with Missions
Since the Hooks inaugral season they have been the chief rivals of the San Antonio Missions. The most recent game of the "I-37 Series" being a 6-4 win for the Missions. The main point of the rivalry is to determine who is the better team of South Texas. Recently the Hooks have stated on their website that they are the "Baseball Capital of South Texas"
[edit] Current roster
Active players: 22 • Players on disabled list: 0 • Updated: February 11, 2008
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Corpus Christi Hooks roster
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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[edit] External links
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| AAA | AA | A | Rookie |
| Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks |
Salem Avalanche Lexington Legends Tri-City ValleyCats |
Greeneville Astros VSL Astros |
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