The Fort Myers Miracle (High A; Florida State League) have unveiled a commemorative logo for their 25th anniversary, which will be celebrated this season.
The Miracle arrived to Fort Myers from Pompano Beach, where they were known as the Miami Miracle, before the 1992 season.
“We are excited to celebrate, all season long, our 25 years of providing quality baseball and affordable, family friendly entertainment to Lee county and the surrounding communities,” said Miracle owner Jason Hochberg. “The Miracle’s trajectory, along with our community, continues onward and upward. 2017 will be a great one for the Miracle and their fans.”
Designed by the Louisville-based Studio Simon, the 25th anniversary logo features the traditional silver theme that represents a quarter century commitment.
The Miracle moved to Hammond Stadium and Fort Myers in 1991 and began play in the Florida State League in 1992 as a co-op club with players from the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins. In 1993, the Miracle became a full affiliate of the Twins and remain a Minnesota farm club.
In 25 seasons, the Miracle have produced over 160 alumni that have played in the Major Leagues including superstars David Ortiz, Joe Mauer, Torii Hunter, Justin Morneau, Francisco Liriano, A.J. Pierzynski and Brian Dozier. In recent years, Miracle fans have been able to watch some of the top prospects in baseball that are now surfacing at the Major League level like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Jose Berrios and Max Kepler.
The new wave of Twins’ organizational talent led to the the first-ever Florida State League championship for the Miracle in 2014. Former Miracle player and 12-year MLB veteran Doug Mientkiewicz was the manager who guided Fort Myers to a convincing 3-1 series victory over the Daytona Cubs. Mientkiewicz returns in 2017 as field manager in his second stint with the organization.
“For over 24 years, we have been proud to be a Twins affiliate and their partner in the community,” stated Hochberg. “Over the last three years in particular, we have opened a renovated ballpark, won a championship and set an all-time franchise attendance record.”
For the upcoming season, fans can expect multiple promotions that will honor the shared history of the Twins, Miracle and fans of Southwest Florida. To celebrate this silver anniversary, the Miracle will treat fans with a special look on Saturday home games this summer and the team will wear the road gray jerseys in front of the home crowd.
In conjunction with the 25th anniversary logo, the Miracle have released the 2017 season schedule with home game times. This year, the Miracle are thrilled to bring fans Fireworks Fridays! Each and every Friday night home game will feature a postgame pyrotechnic display and fans can purchase the Fireworks Friday ticket plan to see all nine shows starting as low as $72.
“Who doesn’t like fireworks?” asked Miracle Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Hemmen. “If the Miracle are at home on a Friday in the summer, you can count on an outstanding show. That’s double last year!”
The Miracle will also light up the Southwest Florida sky for Opening Night on Saturday, April 8 after a 6:05 p.m. game against the Jupiter Hammerheads and Monday, July 3 following a 7:05 p.m. game versus the St. Lucie Mets.
April and May home games on Monday through Friday will begin at 6:35 p.m. with the exception of Education Day on Wednesday, May 10, which will start at 11:05 a.m. From June through August, Monday through Friday home games will start at 7:05 p.m. aside from Big Splash on Monday, July 3 at 11:05 a.m.
“We are all about family fun,” stated Hemmen. “We moved weekday game times up by 30 minutes so that families can enjoy more baseball while school is still in session during April and May.”
All Saturday home games are scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch while most Sunday home games will begin at 4:05 p.m. August 6 and September 3 will be 11:05 a.m. starts.