Texas AirHogs | |||||
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League | American Association (South Division) | ||||
Location | Grand Prairie, Texas | ||||
Ballpark | AirHogs Stadium | ||||
Year founded | 2007 | ||||
League championships | 2011 | ||||
Division championships | 2008, 2011, 2013 | ||||
Colors | Black, red, white, silver |
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Ownership | Southern Independent Baseball | ||||
Manager | James Frisbie | ||||
General Manager | John Bilbow | ||||
Website | airhogsbaseball |
The Texas AirHogs are a professional baseball team based in Grand Prairie, Texas, in the United States. The AirHogs are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Beginning in the 2008 season as the Grand Prairie AirHogs, the team plays their home games at AirHogs Stadium.
The name "AirHogs"' is a slang term used by U.S. military pilots, and refers to the city's aviation industry (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is headquartered in Grand Prairie, and Vought Corporation has a major plant just next to the city, though the plant is technically in Dallas).
For the 2016 season, the AirHogs merged with the Amarillo Thunderheads, taking their current name and splitting games between both home ballparks. For the 2017 season, the team will be based solely in Grand Prairie again.
On October 22, 2007, the AirHogs named former Major Leaguer Pete Incaviglia as their first manager.
The AirHogs played their first game in franchise history on May 8 against the St. Paul Saints, losing the contest 10-3. The first home game ever played by the AirHogs ended on a sour note as they were defeated 4-2 by the Wichita Wingnuts on May 16. On July 25, Scot Drucker's contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. He was the first ever Grand Prairie player to be signed by a team affiliated to a Major League club. On July 28, starting pitcher Kieran Mattison's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was sent to the Dodgers Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League.