It’s been a good October for the Modesto Nuts (High Class A; California League): the team garnered multiple Cal League awards, and the team released a logo in anticipation of hosting 2011 California League/Carolina League All-Star Game.
First: The Nuts was named the California League’s Organization of the Year, as announced by California League President Charlie Blaney. The Nuts were selected by the California League’s owners and general managers in a league-wide vote.
The Modesto Nuts set a franchise attendance record for the 4th consecutive season as 180,344 fans passed through the turnstile at John Thurman Field during the 2010 regular season. The impressive feat was accomplished in only 67 openings as the Nuts lost three games due to inclement weather in April. The Nuts average attendance of 2,692 was an 11 percent increase from the 2009 season, which placed the Nuts in the top-ten year-to-year attendance increases in all of Minor League Baseball.
“The entire organization is very proud to be named the California League’s Organization of the Year,” said Nuts Vice President and General Manager Mike Gorrasi. “We have an extremely talented front office staff that is committed to providing the best fan experience imaginable and we are grateful for the wonderful support of the Modesto community.”
The record-breaking season was highlighted by a franchise-high 11 sellouts. The season began with a sellout crowd of 4,427 on Opening Night and concluded with back-to-back sellouts on Fan Appreciation weekend in early September.
In addition to the Organization of the Year designation, Gorrasi was named the California League’s Executive of the Year. Gorrasi has completed his 10th season in Modesto. He joined the Modesto staff following the 2000 season and was named general manager in January 2004. He assumed his current title prior to the 2008 season.
“It’s a great honor to be selected Executive of the Year by the California League’s owners and general managers,” said Gorrasi. “I share this award with our great ownership group and an outstanding front office staff.”
The team also released a logo for the 2011 California League/Carolina League All-Star Game.
“We are very excited to host the All-Star Smash,” Gorrasi said. “We look forward to showing the baseball community the best Modesto has to offer while also providing a memorable experience for the entire Central Valley.”
The logo was created by Plan B. Branding.
The logo pays homage to the annual Graffiti month held every June in Modesto in honor of the classic film American Graffiti by filmmaker and Modesto native George Lucas. The logo features the Nuts mascots, Al the Almond and Wally the Walnut, in a classic car reminiscent of the 1950s. In addition to the game on June 21st, the Nuts will host two days of All-Star festivities highlighting the sights, sounds and food of Modesto and the surrounding community.
The All-Star Smash will be the first time Modesto has hosted the California League/Carolina League mid-summer’s classic. The Nuts were awarded the game in a vote by the California League’s general managers following the 2009 season.
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