Your guide to Rocket City Trash Pandas Baseball at Toyota Field!
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WHY THE TRASH PANDAS?
From the moment the Rocket City Trash Pandas stepped onto the national stage, the club’s brand recognition has extended far beyond the ballpark. What began as a Minor League Baseball team in Madison, Alabama, quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon—embraced not only by local fans, but by baseball enthusiasts across the country.
The Trash Pandas name was selected through a community-driven “Name the Team” contest and reflects two defining elements of the region: its deep connection to the space industry and the ingenuity, determination, and problem-solving nature of raccoons—affectionately known as “trash pandas.” Following a series of focus groups in Madison and Huntsville led by Brandiose, Minor League Baseball’s premier branding partner, “Trash Pandas” emerged as one of 10 finalist names, recognized for both its uniqueness and regional relevance. The ballot described the name as a tribute to a community built on engineering and innovation, paired with a creature known for its intelligence, creativity, and relentless determination. After two rounds of online voting, Trash Pandas won decisively, earning 44.75 percent of the final vote— nearly double the next closest finalist. In total, more than 28,500 nominations and votes were submitted, marking the largest community participation in a “Name the Team” contest in Minor League Baseball history, according to Brandiose. The name was officially unveiled in September 2018 at
a local microbrewery, where nearly 1,500 fans gathered to celebrate. The winning submission came from Matthew Higley of Lacey’s Spring, Alabama. Fans also selected the regional identifier, with “Rocket City” receiving more than two-thirds of the vote over North Alabama and Madison.
The brand’s reach has continued to grow well beyond North Alabama. In 2025, the Trash Pandas were featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, introducing the team to millions of viewers nationwide. The segment further cemented the Trash Pandas as one of the most recognizable and talked-about
identities in all of Minor League Baseball—transforming a bold, community-built name into a true pop- culture staple. Trash Pandas Brand continues to grow on and off the field! Our primary logo Sprocket is one of the most recognized logos in Minor League Baseball and has been spotted at many Major League Games! Fans from all over the world share pictures and experiences in Trash Pandas swag and keep the brand as a top performing leader in online sales. As fans make their way to the Rocket City, we have year-round visitors who include Toyota Field as a place to see and experience. Since Toyota Field opened the Pepsi Gates for the first time, no other Southern League Team has entertained as many fans as possible! During the 2025 season, we crossed the 1.5 million thresholds, averaging 4,305 fans per game!
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TRASH PANDAS TIMELINE
installed. The Trash Pandas surpass $2 million in merchandise sales, while home plate field box seats, foul poles, and the Kids Zone are completed. January 31, 2020: Jay Bell is named the first manager in franchise history. March 14, 2020: Toyota Field opens to the public for the first time, and single-game tickets go on sale. March 18, 2020: The Trash Pandas front office closes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. May 4, 2020: The front office returns to Toyota Field to begin planning for the summer as the season remains uncertain. June 1, 2020: The Trash Pandas host their first event after the shutdown with a week-long Kids Camp.
October 17, 2017: The Southern League approves the sale of the Mobile BayBears to BallCorps LLC, setting the stage for a future move to Madison. November 17, 2017: BallCorps LLC officially closes on the purchase of the Mobile BayBears. January 9, 2018: The Madison City Council signs an agreement with BallCorps LLC for a $46 million multi-use stadium. May 30, 2018: The Southern League approves the relocation of the Mobile BayBears to Madison, beginning with the 2020 season. June 9, 2018: Nearly 2,000 people attend the stadium’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Town Madison development site. September 5, 2018: After more than 28,000 votes in a “Name the Team” contest, BallCorps LLC announces the new identity: the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
June 6, 2020: The team hosts its first public event, a Block Party at Toyota Field, drawing approximately 1,500 fans. June 17, 2020: The first baseball games at any level are played at Toyota Field during the Rocket City Classic, featuring 15 travel teams over five days. The first game is played between Viper Baseball Academy and 43. June 30, 2020: The inaugural 2020 season is officially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. February 12, 2021: The Trash Pandas sign a Player Development License with the Los Angeles Angels, securing the affiliation through 2030. April 1, 2021: The team surpasses $4 million in merchandise sales. May 7, 2021: Orlando Martinez belts three home runs in just the fourth game in franchise history, becoming the first Trash Pandas player to accomplish the feat. May 5, 2021: T he Trash Pandas play the first game in franchise history after a rainout the previous day. David MacKinnon records the first hit and scores the first run, though Rocket City falls 6–1 to Chattanooga. May 11, 2021: A sold-out crowd of 7,500 attends the first home game at Toyota Field, a 4–3 extra- inning loss to Tennessee.
October 23, 2018: The first concrete is poured for the stadium. Hundreds of fans gather at Dublin Park in Madison for a logo reveal celebration. November 2018: The Trash Pandas open the Emporium at Bridge Street Town Centre for the holiday season, setting Minor League Baseball merchandise sales records before closing at year’s end. May 2019: The team surpasses $1 million in merchandise sales. June 29, 2019: The Trash Pandas unveil their team uniforms at Big Spring Park in Huntsville in front of several hundred fans. August 8, 2019: The Trash Pandas announce their initial front office staff, led by General Manager Garrett Fahrmann. August 2019: The Trash Pandas release their inaugural season schedule and mission logo. October 29, 2019: The first seat is installed at Toyota Field. Sod is laid for the berm, infield, and outfield, and the Toyota Field naming ceremony is held. November 2019: The final concrete pour is completed, and the team’s mascot, Sprocket, is officially named. December 2019: The center-field batter’s eye is
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May 11, 2021: Prior to the home opener, the Trash Pandas retired No. 5 in honor of Huntsville baseball legend Don Mincher. A Huntsville native, Mincher played 13 Major League seasons, earning two All-Star selections and winning a World Series with Oakland in 1972. He later served as the Huntsville Stars’ first President and General Manager and was previously honored with a retired No. 5 by the Stars. August 1, 2021: Reid Detmers, the Trash Pandas’ Opening Night starter and first ace, becomes the first former Rocket City player to reach the Major Leagues, earning a promotion to the Los Angeles Angels after just one Triple-A start. August 6, 2021: The Trash Pandas defeat Chattanooga 26–3 in one of the most dominant offensive performances in Southern League history. Izzy Wilson goes 6-for-7—just a fielding error shy of perfection—as Rocket City sets multiple franchise and league offensive marks in the rout. February 25, 2022: Andy Schatzley is named the second manager in franchise history. March 9, 2022: SEC baseball comes to Toyota Field for the first time, with Auburn defeating Tennessee Tech 4–3 in front of 6,710 fans. April 8, 2022: The Trash Pandas begin their second season with an 8–2 road win over Birmingham. June 19, 2022: Rocket City clinches the First-Half North Division title and its first playoff berth with a 7–2 win over Montgomery. Bryce Teodosio hits the franchise’s first inside-the-park home run. September 3, 2022: The first no-hitter in franchise history is thrown by Chase Silseth, Luke Murphy, and Eric Torres in an 8–0 win over Biloxi. September 15, 2022: The Trash Pandas clinch the Second-Half North Division title with a 5–2 win over Birmingham. September 20, 2022: Rocket City wins its first playoff game in franchise history, defeating Tennessee 9–5 at Smokies Stadium. September 22, 2022: The Trash Pandas drop their first home playoff game, 4–2 to Tennessee. September 23, 2022: Rocket City is eliminated from the playoffs with a 3–1 loss, dropping the series two games to one. October 15, 2022: Toyota Field hosts its first football game, as Jacksonville State defeats North Alabama 47–31 in front of 10,124 fans. April 8, 2023: The Trash Pandas record the second no-hitter in franchise history in a 7–5 loss to Chattanooga in a seven-inning Game 2 of a doubleheader at Toyota Field. Starter Coleman Crow throws six hitless innings, but Rocket City issues five walks, hits four batters, and commits a key error in the seventh, allowing seven runs without surrendering a hit—one of the rare instances in professional baseball history of a team throwing a no-hitter and losing. August 18, 2023: Angels first-round pick Nolan
Schanuel is promoted to the Major Leagues just 40 days after being drafted—the fastest promotion since 1995. May 13, 2024: The Trash Pandas welcome their one millionth fan to Toyota Field, marking a major franchise milestone. August 2, 2024: Angels first-round pick Christian Moore is promoted to Rocket City. February 19–24, 2025: Toyota Field hosts softball for the first time during the Rocket City Softball Showcase, featuring 13 NCAA programs and 12 high schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.
April 8, 2025: Cole Fontenelle hits for the first cycle in franchise history in a 4–3 win over Knoxville. May 4, 2025: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver features the Trash Pandas during a Minor League Baseball segment, praising the brand. June 4, 2025: The Trash Pandas win their first Rickwood Classic appearance, shutting out Birmingham 1–0 at historic Rickwood Field. July 3, 2025: Oscar Colás hits three home runs in a 10–8 win over Knoxville, becoming the second player in franchise history to accomplish the feat. July 13, 2025: Denzer Guzmán records the first five-hit game in franchise history, going 5-for-5 with four RBIs in an 8–2 win. December 17, 2025: The Trash Pandas are named Baseball America’s Double-A Freitas Award winner. January 12, 2026: Joe Kruzel is named the third manager in franchise history, following Andy Schatzley and Jay Bell. January 13, 2026: The Trash Pandas announce the Global Baseball Series, bringing the TOYOTA Red Cruisers industrial team to North Alabama. The event features games against the University of Alabama in Huntsville (March 31, 2026) and the Red Cruisers (April 1), while the Red Cruisers will also face Alabama A&M on March 30.
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GLOBAL BASEBALL SERIES WRAP UP
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The Rocket City Trash Pandas wrapped up their final tune-up before Opening Night with a 6-3 win over Japan’s Toyota Red Cruisers on Wednesday night at Toyota Field. Tucker Flint led the way offensively, homering twice and reaching base four times. The victory capped the three-game Global Baseball Series in front of a crowd of 4,355. The Red Cruisers opened the series with a win over Alabama A&M on Monday, while the Trash Pandas topped UAH on Tuesday before Wednesday’s finale. The day began with a ceremonial Cherry Blossom Planting outside Toyota Field with Trash Pandas and Toyota Executives, symbolizing friendship and new beginnings, followed by a pregame celebration featuring the national anthems of Japan and the United States and a presentation of both countries’ flags. On the field, Toyota struck first in the opening inning on a solo home run by Yuki Sato. Trash Pandas starter Bryce Osmond settled in from there, allowing just one run over 3.1 innings while striking out three. Rocket City responded in the second inning when David Calabrese drove in Tucker Flint with a triple, and Gustavo Campero followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Trash Pandas a 2-1 lead. Flint took over from there. He launched a two-run home run in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 3-1, then added another two-run shot in the sixth to make it 5-1. The Trash Pandas’ pitching staff was dominant in relief. Ryan Costeiu earned the win, retiring all eight batters he faced and striking out four over 2.2 innings as Rocket City set down 13 straight hitters from the fourth through the ninth. Rocket City added another run in the seventh on a Mac McCroskey groundout to push the lead to 6-1. Toyota mounted a late rally in the ninth with a two-run homer from Musashi Mitsuzuka, but the Trash Pandas held on for the 6-3 win. Flint finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored, three RBI, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Calabrese added a triple and double in a 2-for-3 night, while David Mershon reached base three times. Trash Pandas relievers Eybersson Polanco and Leonard Garcia each delivered scoreless outings, as Rocket City utilized six pitchers in the game.
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BASEBALL AMERICA'S FREITAS AWARD WINNER
Acclaimed baseball publication ‘Baseball America named the Rocket City Trash Pandas winners of the prestigious ‘Freitas Award’ for Double-A Organization of the Year for 2025. It is the first time the five-year organization has been honored with the award. “I am so proud of everyone both past and present who has made this organization what it is today,” said team Executive Vice President and General Manager Garrett Fahrmann. “Yes, we have an extremely popular logo, but to be recognized by Baseball America with the Freitas Award shows that our fans and our full-time and part-time staff are what makes this organization special.”
Trash Pandas is a nickname for raccoons, but the ‘Rocket City’ moniker also pays homage to the area’s bustling aerospace and missile and defense communities.
The Trash Pandas name received a serious liftoff just last season when HBO talk show host John Oliver donned a Trash Pandas cap during an episode of his show “Last Week Tonight” while highlighting the oddball nature of MILB brands and logos. In addition to the logo, the team has put on a quality show that has kept fans flooding into Toyota Field. The team has drawn over 1.5 million fans in its existence, which is the most of any Southern League team over the same stretch. Furthermore, the Angels Double-A affiliate has done its part in developing farmhands into Major Leaguers as over 40 Trash Pandas have gone on to make their MLB debut since 2021. Included in that group is Angels shortstop and 2022 first- round pick Zach Neto, catcher Logan O’Hoppe, and 2024 first-round choice Christian Moore. The team has also seen its share of success on the field including an 81-57 overall mark in 2022, which led to two half-season Northern Division titles and a playoff berth. Manager Andy Schatzley was also named the Southern League’s Manager of the Year for that season. Baseball America is recognized as the premier publication covering baseball at every level. Founded in 1981, the magazine focuses on up- and-coming Minor League players.
The Freitas Award is named in honor of former Minor League Baseball executive Bob Freitas and is given to a winning Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A franchise each season. The Award is given to organizations that demonstrate sustained excellence and success in the business of Minor League Baseball.
The Trash Pandas came on the scene as a juggernaut with its unique team name and logo, which spawned record-breaking merchandise sales before the team even took the field. In fact, Rocket City has sold merchandise to all 50 states as well as abroad in their five seasons on the field.
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