The Cape Fear Crocs were a minor league baseball team in Fayetteville,

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

. They were a low Class-A baseball team which played in the

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...

, and were a farm team of the

Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...

for the franchise's entire tenure as the Cape Fear Crocs. They played all of their home games at J. P. Riddle Stadium and were previously known as the Fayetteville Generals. Even though the Crocs were a perennial playoff team during their time in the SAL, poor attendance figures and problems having their existing stadium renovated and updated to league standards or even a new downtown stadium built, all proved too much to bear for the ownership of the struggling franchise. Prior to the 2001 season, the Crocs were sold and moved to

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

, where they officially became the Lakewood BlueClaws, and dropped their affiliation with the Expos in favor of becoming an affiliate of the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...

. Their mascot was the Cape Fear Croc.

List of Cape Fear Crocs players in the MLB

All players are listed in alphabetical order by their surname, with the year(s) they played for Cape Fear in parentheses. *Matt Blank (1998) * Milton Bradley (1998) *

Nate Field Nathan Patrick Field (born December 11, 1975) is an American former professional baseball scout for the Boston Red Sox, a member of Boston's professional scouting department, and a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He bats and throw ...

(1999) *Bryan Hebson (1998–1999) * Jorge Julio (1998) *

Yovanny Lara Yovanny Lara (born September 20, 1975) is a Dominican Republic former professional baseball pitcher. Lara played for the Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team bas ...

(1998) * Cliff Lee (2000) *

Henry Mateo Henry Antonio Mateo Valera (born October 14, 1976 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a professional baseball infielder. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball from 2001–06, and part of the 2010 season in Chinese Pro ...

(1998) *

Guillermo Mota Guillermo Reynoso Mota (born July 25, 1973) is a Dominican former professional baseball relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. In his career, he pitched for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Cleveland Indians, New Yor ...

(1997) *

Talmadge Nunnari Talmadge Raphael Nunnari (born April 9, 1975 in Pensacola, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball player. Nunnari played for first base and outfield for the Montreal Expos in 2000 and was the assistant coach for the Jacksonville University Dol ...

(1997–1998) *

Christian Parker Christian Michael Parker (born July 3, 1975) is an American former baseball player. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 4th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. Parker has played in one Major League Baseball (MLB) game during h ...

(1997) * Valentino Pascucci (2000) * Brandon Phillips (2000) *

Simon Pond Simon Emilio Pond (born October 27, 1976) is a former Canadian first baseman, third baseman, and outfielder in Major League Baseball. Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, he was originally selected by the Montreal Expos in the 8th round of ...

(1997) *

Wilkin Ruan Wilkin Chal Ruan (born September 18, 1978) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Career Known primarily for his speed, Ruan was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Montreal Expos on November 15, . He hit .348 with 33 stolen bases fo ...

(1999–2000) * Brian Schneider (1997–1998) *Jim Serrano (1998) *J.D. Smart (1998) *

Scott Strickland Scott Michael Strickland (born April 26, 1976) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher who played for several teams between 1999 and 2010. Amateur career A native of Houston, Texas, Strickland attended the University of ...

(1997–1998) *

Andy Tracy Andrew Michael Tracy (born December 11, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, and Philadelphia Phillies between 2000 and 2009, and is currently the manager for ...

(1997) *

Wilson Valdéz Wilson Antonio Valdez (born May 20, 1978) is a Dominican former professional baseball infielder. Playing career Early career Valdez was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Montreal Expos on February 4, 1997. He played on the Expos' Dominic ...

(2000) * Tim Young (1997)

Year-by-year record

References

Defunct South Atlantic League teams Montreal Expos minor league affiliates Sports in Fayetteville, North Carolina Professional baseball teams in North Carolina 1997 establishments in North Carolina 2000 disestablishments in North Carolina Baseball teams established in 1997 Baseball teams disestablished in 2000 Defunct baseball teams in North Carolina {{NorthCarolina-baseball-team-stub