The Shreveport–Bossier Captains were a professional baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. Following the 2011 season, the team was sold to new ownership and moved to

Laredo, Texas Laredo ( ; ) is a city in and the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Laredo has the distinction of flying seven flags (the flag of th ...

, to continue play as the

Laredo Lemurs The Laredo Lemurs were a professional baseball team based in Laredo, Texas, that played in the independent American Association from 2012 to 2016. The team played their home games at the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo, replacing the Laredo Broncos o ...

. The Captains were a member of the South Division of the

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor lea ...

, which was not affiliated with

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

at the time. From the 2003 season to the 2011 season, the Captains played their home games at Shreveport's

Fair Grounds Field Fair Grounds Field is a baseball stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, located next to Independence Stadium on the Louisiana State Fair Grounds just off Interstate 20. Fair Grounds Field opened in 1986 and underwent renovations in 1999, 2009, and ...

. The latest incarnation of the Captains was founded in 2003 as the Shreveport–Bossier Sports, after the Class-AA

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

Shreveport Swamp Dragons moved to

Frisco, Texas Frisco is a city in Collin and Denton counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and about from both Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Its population was 200,509 at the 2 ...

, to become the RoughRiders. On January 8, 2009, the Captains unveiled their new name (themed as a pirate captain rather than a tribute to Captain Henry Miller Shreve, the founder of Shreveport), logo, and color scheme; unlike prior teams, this incarnation of the Captains also encompasses neighboring

Bossier City Bossier City ( ) is a city in Bossier Parish in the northwestern region of the U.S. state of Louisiana in the United States. It is the second most populous city in the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area. In 2020, it had a ...

in its locale name. After the 2010 season, the Captains' owners were awarded an American Association team to be based in

Amarillo Amarillo ( ; Spanish for " yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall Cou ...

to replace a United League Baseball team. At first it was assumed the Captains would be relocating to Amarillo. However, the

Pensacola Pelicans The Pensacola Pelicans were a minor league baseball team based in Pensacola, Florida. In various incarnations, they played in three different independent baseball leagues (leagues unaffiliated with Major League Baseball) from 2002 to 2010. They ...

' owners later purchased the

Carolina Mudcats The Carolina Mudcats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Zebulon, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, and play their home games at Five County Stadium. ...

and folded the American Association incarnation of the team for the 2011 season so that the Mudcats could relocate to Pensacola for the 2012 baseball season. This move was expected to keep the Captains in Shreveport and in the American Association for the foreseeable future. However, the Shreveport–Bossier Captains announced on November 29, 2011, that the team had been sold to a new ownership group and would move. The team was purchased by Laredo Baseball Investors, LLC.

History of Shreveport baseball

Professional baseball has been in Shreveport at various levels since 1895, including several teams named the Shreveport Sports and one prior team named the Shreveport Captains: *1895 — Shreveport Grays ( Texas-Southern League) *1901–1903 — Shreveport Giants (

Southern Association The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A (1902–1935), Cla ...

) *1904–1907 —

Shreveport Pirates The Shreveport Pirates were a Canadian Football League team, playing at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, in 1994 and 1995. Despite a relatively strong fan base, they were one of the least successful of the CFL's A ...

(Southern Association) *1908–1910 — Shreveport Pirates (

) *1915–1924 — Shreveport Gassers (Texas League) *1925–1932 —

Shreveport Sports The Shreveport Sports were a professional Minor League Baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the United States. The Sports fielded a team from 1925 to 1935, 1938 to 1942, 1946 to 1957, and 1959 to 1961. They were affiliated with the C ...

(Texas League) *1933 — Shreveport Sports ( Dixie League) *1934 — Shreveport Sports (

East Dixie League The East Dixie League was an American professional minor league baseball league that operated for two seasons from 1934 to 1935 as a Class C level league. History The East Dixie League was created when the Dixie League split up into the East ...

) *1935 — Shreveport Sports (

West Dixie League 'The West Dixie League was an American professional minor league baseball league that operated for two seasons from 1934 to 1935 as a Class C level league. History The West Dixie League was created when the Dixie League divided into the East ...

) *1938–1942 — Shreveport Sports (Texas League) *1946–1957 — Shreveport Sports (Texas League) *1959–1961 — Shreveport Sports (Southern Association) *1968–1970 —

Shreveport Braves The Shreveport Braves were a minor-league baseball team based from Shreveport, Louisiana. The team played from 1968 to 1970 in the Texas League and was affiliated with the Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball ...

(Texas League) *1971–2000 —

Shreveport Captains The Shreveport Captains (1971–2000) and Shreveport Swamp Dragons (2001–02) were a professional minor-league baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana. They were affiliated with the California Angels (1971–72), Milwaukee Brewers (1973–74 ...

(Texas League) *2001–2002 — Shreveport Swamp Dragons (Texas League) *2003–2005 — Shreveport Sports (

Central League The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consi ...

) *2006–2008 — Shreveport Sports (

American Association American Association may refer to: Baseball * American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891 * American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997 * American Association of Profe ...

) *2009–2011 — Shreveport–Bossier Captains (American Association)

Major leaguers who played in a Shreveport uniform

Tony Peña Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla (; born June 4, 1957) is a Dominican former professional baseball player, manager and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. ...

( Pirates,

Cardinals Cardinal or The Cardinal may refer to: Animals * Cardinal (bird) or Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds **''Cardinalis'', genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae **''Cardinalis cardinalis'', or northern cardinal, the ...

Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

, Indians,

White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...

, and

Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...

) ''( Baseball Hall of Fame inductee)''-----(Captains) *

Mike Aldrete Michael Peter Aldrete (born January 29, 1961) is an American former professional baseball first baseman/outfielder and current coach. He is currently the first base coach for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). Career Aldrete w ...

(SF Giants, Montreal Expos, SD Padres, CLE Indians, Oakland Athletics, CA Angels, NY Yankees)-----''(Captains)'' *

Marvin Benard Marvin Larry Benard (born January 20, 1970) is a Nicaraguan former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants. Personal life Benard moved to Los Angeles with his mother and father wh ...

(SF Giants)-----''(Captains)'' * Pedro Feliz (SF Giants)-----''(Captains)'' *Randall Johnson (Engine 12 C) ----(SwampDragons) *

Royce Clayton Royce Spencer Clayton (born January 2, 1970) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Co ...

(SF Giants, STL Cardinals, TX Rangers, CHI White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, CO Rockies, AZ Diamondbacks, WA Nationals)-----''(Captains)'' *

Russ Ortiz Russell Reid Ortiz (born June 5, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Ortiz during his career played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodger ...

(Giants, Braves, Diamondbacks, Orioles)-----''(Captains)'' *

Yorvit Torrealba Yorvit Adolfo Torrealba (; born July 19, 1978) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Tor ...

(Giants, Rockies, Mariners)-----''(Captains)'' *

Chili Davis Charles Theodore "Chili" Davis (born January 17, 1960) is a Jamaican-American former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder and designated hitter from to for the San Francisco Giants (1981–1987), California Angels (1988–199 ...

(Giants, Angels, Yankees, Twins, Royals)-----''(Captains)'' *

Bill Mueller William Richard Mueller ( ; born March 17, 1971) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Mueller's MLB playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants (1996–2000, 2002), Chic ...

(Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers)-----''(Captains)'' *

Doug Mirabelli Douglas Anthony Mirabelli (born October 18, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants (1996–2000), Texas Rangers (2001), Boston Red Sox (2001–2005), and San Diego Padres (2006) before returning to ...

(Giants, Red Sox, Rangers, Padres)-----''(Captains)'' *

George Sisler George Harold Sisler (March 24, 1893 – March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George", was an American professional baseball first baseman and player-manager. From 1915 through 1930, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis B ...

(Browns, Braves) ''(Baseball Hall of Fame inductee)''-----''(Sports)'' *

Al Simmons Aloysius Harry Simmons (May 22, 1902 – May 26, 1956), born Alois Szymanski, was an American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Bucketfoot Al", he played for two decades in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder and had his best year ...

(Philadelphia A's, White Sox, Senators) ''(Baseball Hall of Fame inductee)''-----''(Gassers)'' *

Zack Wheat Zachariah Davis Wheat (May 23, 1888 – March 11, 1972), nicknamed "Buck", was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a left fielder from 1909 to 1927, most notably as a member of the Brooklyn Do ...

(Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia A's) ''(Baseball Hall of Fame inductee)''-----''(Sports)'' * Bill Terry (New York Giants) ''(Baseball Hall of Fame inductee)''-----''(Sports)'' *

Dusty Baker Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. (born June 15, 1949) is an American baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in the MLB for 19 seasons, most notably with the Lo ...

(Braves, Dodgers, A's)-----''(Shreveport Braves)'' *

Ralph Garr Ralph Allen Garr (born December 12, 1945), nicknamed "Road Runner", is an American former professional baseball player, scout, and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from through — most notably as a member of ...

(Braves, White Sox, Angels)-----''(Shreveport Braves)'' * Tom O'Malley (Giants, Mets, Orioles, Rangers)-----''(Captains)'' *

Rick Honeycutt Frederick Wayne Honeycutt (born June 29, 1954) is an American former professional baseball coach and pitcher. Honeycutt pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for six different teams over 21 years, from 1977 to 1997. He pitched in 30 post-season ...

(Mariners, Dodgers, A's, Rangers, Cardinals)-----''(Captains)'' *

Sixto Lezcano Sixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras (born November 28, 1953) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons (1974–1985). He played for five MLB teams and won a Gold Glove during ...

(Brewers, Padres, Phillies, Cardinals)-----''(Captains)'' * Ramón Martínez (Giants, Cubs, Tigers, Phillies, Dodgers)-----''(Captains)'' *

Calvin Murray Calvin Duane Murray (born July 30, 1971) is a former baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1999 to 2004 for the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs. He is a 1989 graduate of Dallas' W. T. White High Sc ...

(Giants, Rangers, Cubs)-----''(Captains)'' *

Aaron Fultz Richard Aaron Fultz (born September 4, 1973), is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB), in all or parts of seven seasons, for five big league teams. He also spent the season with th ...

(Giants, Rangers, Twins, Phillies)-----''(Captains)'' * Chris Singleton (White Sox, Orioles, A's, Devil Rays)-----''(Captains)'' *

Rich Aurilia Richard Santo Aurilia (; born September 2, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for several teams between 1995 and 2009. Amateur career Aurilia was born in Brooklyn, New York. Before being drafted by Texas, Aurilia was a ...

(Giants, Mariners, Reds)-----''(Captains)'' * Jay Canizaro (Giants, Twins)-----''(Captains)'' *

Keith Foulke Keith Charles Foulke ( ; born October 19, 1972) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A graduate of Hargrave High School in Huffman, Texas, Foulke attended Galveston College and Lewis–Clark State College. Between 1997 and 2008, h ...

(Giants, White Sox, Red Sox)-----''(Captains)'' *

Dennis Cook Dennis Bryan Cook (born October 4, 1962) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the San Francisco Giants (–), Philadelphia Phillies (1989–, ), Los Angeles Dodgers (1990–), Clevelan ...

(Giants, Indians, Mets, Angels)-----''(Captains)'' * Damon Minor (SF Giants)-----''(Captains)'' *

Joe Nathan Joseph Michael Nathan (born November 22, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cu ...

(Giants, Twins, Rangers)-----''(Captains, Swamp Dragons)'' *

Lance Niekro Lance William Niekro ( ; born January 29, 1979) is a baseball coach and former first baseman, who is the current head baseball coach of the Florida Southern Moccasins. He played college baseball at Florida Southern for coach Chuck Anderson from 1 ...

(SF Giants)-----''(Swamp Dragons)'' *

Jesse Foppert Jesse William Foppert (; born July 10, 1980) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. High school and collegiate career Foppert attended San Rafael High School where he was a two-time all-MCAL player as a shortstop. He then went to th ...

(SF Giants)-----''(Swamp Dragons)'' *

Scott Linebrink Scott Cameron Linebrink (born August 4, 1976) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He attended Texas State University before getting drafted, but finished his degree after his retirement at Concordia University (Texas) in Austin. ...

(Giants, Astros, Padres, Brewers, White Sox, Braves)-----''(Captains)'' * John Burkett (SF Giants, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox)-----''(Captains)'' *

Jeff Brantley Jeffrey Hoke Brantley (born September 5, 1963) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons, from to . Brantley currently is a broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds. Early care ...

(SF Giants, Reds, Cardinals, Philies, Rangers)-----''(Captains)'' *

Joey Gathright Joey Renard Gathright (born April 27, 1981) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Early life Gathright attended ...

(Devil Rays, Royals, Cubs, Red Sox)-----''(Captains)'' *

Nate Bump Nate or NATE may refer to: People and fictional characters *Nate (given name) *A nickname for Nathanael *A nickname for Nathaniel Organizations *National Association for the Teaching of English, the UK subject teacher association for all aspects ...

(Marlins)-----''(Captains)''

Championships

*1919

Championship (Gassers) *1942 Texas League Championship (Sports) *1952 Texas League Championship (Sports) *1955 Texas League Championship (Sports) *1990 Texas League Championship (Captains) *1991 Texas League Championship (Captains) *1995 Texas League Championship (Captains) *2010 American Association Championship (Captains)

Ballparks

*Gasser Park 1915–1924 *Biedenharn Park 1925–1932 *Texas League Park 1938–1942, 1946–1957 *Bonneau Peters Field 1968 *Braves Field 1968–1970 *SPAR Stadium 1971–1985 *

1986–2011

Major league affiliation

*1923–1924:

Philadelphia A's The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oakl ...

*1939, 1942, 1946:

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...

*1968–1970:

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

*1971–1972: California Angels *1973–1974: Milwaukee Brewers *1975–1978: Pittsburgh Pirates *1979–2002:

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...

Year-by-year results (bold denotes a postseason appearance)

*2011 Shreveport–Bossier Captains 45 55 .450 *2010 Shreveport–Bossier Captains 58 37 .611 *2009 Shreveport–Bossier Captains 48 48 .500 *2008 Shreveport Sports 26 68 .277 *2007 Shreveport Sports 47 48 .495 *2006 Shreveport Sports 54 39 .581 *2005 Shreveport Sports 46 48 .489 *2004 Shreveport Sports 50 45 .526 *2003 Shreveport Sports 51 44 .537 *2002 Shreveport Swamp Dragons 60 79 .432 *2001 Shreveport Swamp Dragons 54 81 .400 *2000 Shreveport Captains 58 81 .417 *1999 Shreveport Captains 71 69 .507 *1998 Shreveport Captains 57 83 .407 *1997 Shreveport Captains 76 62 .551 (Lost in TL Finals) *1996 Shreveport Captains 73 66 .525 *1995 Shreveport Captains 88 47 .652 *1994 Shreveport Captains 73 63 .537 *1993 Shreveport Captains 66 70 .485 *1992 Shreveport Captains 77 59 .566 (Lost in TL Finals) *1991 Shreveport Captains 86 50 .632 *1990 Shreveport Captains 65 68 .489 *1989 Shreveport Captains 75 61 .551 *1988 Shreveport Captains 74 62 .544 *1987 Shreveport Captains 78 57 .578 *1986 Shreveport Captains 80 56 .588 *1985 Shreveport Captains 72 64 .529 *1984 Shreveport Captains 59 77 .434 *1983 Shreveport Captains 72 64 .529 *1982 Shreveport Captains 62 73 .459 *1981 Shreveport Captains 68 67 .504 *1980 Shreveport Captains 49 87 .360 *1979 Shreveport Captains 73 62 .541 *1978 Shreveport Captains 55 81 .404 *1977 Shreveport Captains 62 68 .477 *1976 Shreveport Captains 70 66 .515 (Lost in TL Finals) *1975 Shreveport Captains 76 52 .594 *1974 Shreveport Captains 59 79 .428 *1973 Shreveport Captains 70 68 .507 *1972 Shreveport Captains 64 76 .457 *1971 Shreveport Captains 69 73 .486

References

{{Reflist Defunct American Association of Professional Baseball teams Defunct minor league baseball teams Defunct independent baseball league teams Baseball teams established in 2003 Capts Professional baseball teams in Louisiana 2003 establishments in Louisiana Baseball teams disestablished in 2011 2011 disestablishments in Louisiana Defunct baseball teams in Louisiana