South Georgia Peanuts

South Georgia Peanuts
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Independent
Previous leagues
South Coast League
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 2007
First-half titles (1)
  • 2007
Second-half titles (0)None
Team data
ColorsGold, navy
   
Previous parks
General managerKeith Michlig[1]
ManagerWally Backman

The South Georgia Peanuts were a short-lived minor league baseball team, based in Albany, Georgia in 2007. The team's home games were held at Paul Eames Sports Complex.

History

The Peanuts played in the South Coast League and won the league title with a 59–28 record. However, the notoriety of the Peanuts was largely built upon the managerial comeback of Wally Backman, who had been hired as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and fired four days later due to reported legal troubles.[2] His return to managing and the Peanuts' 2007 season were documented by the independent TV series Playing for Peanuts.

On March 4, 2008, the Peanuts announced that pitching coach Buddy York had been promoted to manager after Wally Backman departed for the Joilet Jackhammers of the Northern League.[3]

On March 31, 2008, the South Coast League office issued an announcement that it was suspending operations as of April 1, citing an inability to close on a large amount of debt. The league reportedly lost over a million dollars in each of its markets during its first year.[4] While the statement claimed that it planned to resume operations in 2009, the league never returned. As a result, the Peanuts dissolved along with the league.

2007 season

Half Record Finish GB League Standing Postseason
1st 33-11 .750 -- 1st Won 1st Half Title
2nd 26-17 .605 1.5 2nd
Total 59-28 .678 -- 1st League Champs
def. Macon Music, 2 games to 1

References

  1. ^ "South Georgia "Nuts" for Backman". Our Sports Central. December 20, 2006. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  2. ^ "Another Chance Ends Before a Season Does for Backman". New York Times. August 8, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  3. ^ "South Georgia picks Buddy York to lead title defense". OurSports Central. 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  4. ^ "A Look Back on the South Coast League, Where Baseball Went to Die". Vice. 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2018-05-07.