Jacksonville Suns

The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Two teams named the Suns have played in Jacksonville since 1962: a class Triple-A International League team from 1962-1968, and the current Double-A team from 1970 to the present. From 1985-1990 the team was known as the Jacksonville Expos, when they were affiliated with the Montreal Expos MLB team. The modern Suns club has played in the Southern League longer than any other, and its 40-year association with its city is the longest in Double-A baseball. The Suns won the International League title in 1968 and the Southern League championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Stadium Info:  The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, which opened in 2003, is one of the premier minor league ballparks in North America. The ballpark was the first completed project of the Better Jacksonville Plan. Featuring an old-fashioned design, brick facade and a grass seating berm, the Baseball Grounds reminds fans of the days of yesteryear and preserves all of the wonderful tradition baseball has to offer.

Jacksonville’s favorite canine got his paw in the door when Suns President, Peter Bragan, Jr., noticed an “after hours” fan hanging out at the old Wolfson Park. To Mr. Bragan’s dismay, that fan happened to be a canine puppy in desperate need of a home. Mr. Bragan knew that the helpless animal would need a hand in order to get his small paws on the ground. So with little hesitation, he quickly made the puppy part of his team!

Southpaw’s exposure at Wolfson Park is the reason he has become one of the most well-known mascots here in Jacksonville! Now, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville has provided Southpaw the opportunity to step up to the plate and prove that he is indeed one of the biggest and best mascots in the business!

Southpaw Stats:

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• Bats: Left
• Throws: Left
• Position: Comic Relief
• Birthplace: Jacksonville
• Debut: April 4, 1996 at Wolfson Park
• Favorite Comic: Snoopy
• Favorite Movie: Old Yeller
• Favorite Nursery Rhyme: Old Mother Hubbard
• Favorite Song: Hound Dog
• Favorite TV Show: Lassie
• Favorite Book: Clifford
• Hobbies: Spraying Suns fans with his water gun on hot summer days, hanging out with fans during their team parties at the Baseball Grounds, cheering for the Suns at every home game!
• Ambition: To someday win a Powerade Race!

In 2011, the National Honey Board, Minor League Baseball® and seven participating MiLB® teams are joining forces to bring you amazing offers on game tickets and team merchandise! Just purchase any brand or size container of pure honey and bring your receipt to the participating team's ticket office to take advantage of these discount offers! This program is designed to increase the awareness and consumption of honey while offering fans discounts on game day tickets and official team souvenir merchandise.

The Minor League Baseball® season runs from April 7, 2011, to September 5, 2011, and the program offer from the seven designated teams will be available to fans all season long. Enjoy all the benefits of pure, natural honey and save money at the ballpark!

Here are the details for the Jacksonville Suns:

• Buy One Ticket, Get One Free! or SAVE 15% on Team Merchandise!
• To take advantage of the BOGO ticket offer, bring your grocery store receipt showing your honey purchase to the Suns Main Ticket Office for any Monday or Wednesday game.
• Or, visit the Perfect Game Team Store and use your receipt to save 15% on team merchandise anytime!
• Ticket Offer is only good at the Suns Main Ticket office at the ballpark.

Click here for more details about the program.