BillShaikin: Can confirm Oklahoma City #Dodgers will be name of LAD AAA affiliate, as @sportslogosnet says.

Oklahoma City RedHawks: Team to unveil new Dodgers nickname Wednesday | News OK (http://newsok.com/redhawks-to-unveil-new-dodgers-nickname-wednesday/article/5372225)

True, and I'm not a fan of that.


Oklahoma City’s new baseball team will be called the Dodgers.

Bill Shaikin, the Los Angeles Times national baseball writer, confirmed the new nickname Tuesday night on Twitter.

We did it OKC! We are the new LA!

This is an ugly joke, right?? Please, please tell me it's a joke. Although I know it isn't.

What a slap in the face. Great chance to build goodwill reaching out to OKC, and they give us this crapola.

They should have either left it Redhawks or went back to 89ers. While the change personally doesn't bother me, the team would get a lot better reception and attendance if they were called something that actually meant something to Oklahomans. There isn't a lot of Dodgers fandom or loyalty in Oklahoma so I think going with that was a mistake.

Reaction ranges frim horrible to "vomit" as one Twitter user put it.

This is starting out REALLY well. Not.

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/2/6/103027426/cuts/OKC_640_pu5vqunf_7q20mbnp.jpg

They could make 89ers go with the blue.. but I guess its done now.. Dumb.. OKC Dodgers

Blue jerseys with OKC in white across the chest, blue pants, hats are just like the Dodgers except they are white and say OKC

I agree, the name has no historical resonance here in OKC, but it will have meaning in the future . We are due to get a "trolley" ourselves, and people will be dodging it through the streets of OKC (remember that is the origin of team name from their very early days in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers...), so perhaps it won't be such an irrelevant name soon. (It's a stretch, I know, but I am trying to be positive here!)

I really like the left hat logo a lot, but I, too, wish they would have gone with 89'ers instead.

My initial reaction was to hate the new logo and name, but it's growing on me already for a couple reasons. First, the Dodgers are a historic brand associated with Jackie Robinson and decades of great players. It's not like the name is the OKC Astros (a franchise which OKCitians seemed to have developed no affiliation). The brand will be identifiable immediately with a lot of people, unlike RedHawks. I would think that Dodgers fans in the region or travelling through the area would be more likely to take in a game because of the association. Secondly, the uniforms, hats, etc. with the "OKLA" reference are pretty cool and kind of old school.

A return to 89ers would have been cool, but I never liked the RedHawks name even if the logo was cool. People will likely get used to it, but hopefully this is the beginning of a long term relationship with the Dodgers, not 5 or 10 years.

Dat patch though. That sucker is epic. Take notes Thunder.

9614

How dare they change our name!! I'm outraged!! The Redhawks name is deeply engraved in the history of OKC. Oh wait, since 1998. Carry on...

Personally . . . I'd be a bit wary and weary of the concept mentioned, above.
And here's why? . . . (not that I'm a property delveoper or flipper or whatever . . .)
(It's a cautionary tale/metaphor/allegory that goes back a few years and involves a click or two for understanding)
In point o' fact, Ry Cooder did a musical video (a few years back) to underline it.

The Chavez Ravine Story (http://www.toonist.com/flash/ravine.html)

A pox upon you History/Perspective/Philosophy Major/Miner/or I Say =)

Like it. There are tons more logos and uni designs.

would it be Oxymoronal to Take "Sport" Seriously?
and how would that translate to a tee-shirt or jersey?

Any word on what the new mascot will be?

OK LA is clever. The hats are cool too. Very clean and fresh. The Thunder and their "Blue" abomination should take notes like gopokes said.

http://content.sportslogos.net/news/2014/12/OKC-Dodgers-logos-590x634.jpg

http://content.sportslogos.net/news/2014/12/OKC-Dodgers-unis-590x501.jpg

http://content.sportslogos.net/news/2014/12/OKC-Caps-590x401.jpg

They will be introducing new mascots before the new season.

love that alternate hat with the OKC lettering, will definitely be purchasing one of those.

the solid blue alternate uni is a LOT of blue but I like it, very 70's

I suppose I'll get used to it. Don't have any particular attachment to 89ers or Redhawks, but this just sounds so darn weird. And as a LA Dodgers fan, I'll have to be specific about which Dodgers I'm talking about.

The Dodger brand is second only to the Yankees in baseball. I can see why they would want to leverage it.

Also, it will help build more Dodger fans in Oklahoma.

As it is now, even I lose track of the current parent club.

I don't understand the issue, I guess. The branding is a MAJOR upgrade from the Redhawks.

The road cap (with the state and OKLA) is pretty cool.

After some adjustment, I bet you'll see a lot more of this gear around town than you ever did for the the Redhawks.

From https://twitter.com/okc_dodgers:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B39DVu0CQAAvpZ6.jpg

These are already in the team store:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B39WBbZCEAEWz0v.jpg:large

I like it! I love it. I like the name change. I like the design change. It's all great!

I want to buy and wear some OKC Dodgers stuff around LA and see what people say.

I'm sure almost no one out here even will understand the farm team connection.

Love everything about everything!! The name change, the new logo, the new unis, the new merchandise. They are going to sell way more tickets just for the simple fact they have the Dodgers name.

I'm sorry . . . Yet, the word Dodgers, in association with The OKC Penn Bank Ripoffs, back it the 80's, makes the Team Moniker unacceptable to me. But I'll get over it. Not only that. this all reinforces my preconceived notion that Spectator Sports are for Wusses.

Don't get angry about my "notion" . . .
Simply wonder why Spectator Sports matter to you.
Then decide . . . =)

I've already made plans to buy a hat to add to my rotation.

I've never purchased a RedHawks item. I have a free tshirt from a redhawks game I use when working around the house, working on my car, or any task that I don't care about destroying a shirt with.

This branding is genius and will be wildly successful and profitable.

I can only dream of imagining a rotation involving hats.
(I guess some envy should creep in here but it can't)

I can't wait to go see the Dodgers and Cubs game on Saturday May 16th!

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/sports/9614d1417634031t-okc-dodgers-patch.jpg
Gotta love it. It's clever marketing.

Oklahoma City is DodgerTown,

...goodbye, Astros, take your 'sorry' minor league operations to the Woodshed, correction, that's Woodlands.
So long sad times
Go long bad times
We are rid of you at last
Howdy gay times
Cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past


Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again





Los Angeles Dodgers organization recognizes Oklahoma City baseball for its potential.


https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608028869688754750&pid=15.1&P=0

Professional baseball teams in Oklahoma City have had a variety of names, dating back to 1904.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Minor League History | Baseball-Reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Oklahoma%20City&state=OK&country=US)

Love it. People also have to realize there are a ton of minor league franchises that are named after their parent club. Regardless of the name the logos look great and show a connection to the state.

I like the name, the designs look great, I wonder if they are going to make upgrades to the ballpark, or maybe changing the name of the ballpark.

The Dodger brand is second only to the Yankees in baseball. I can see why they would want to leverage it.

Also, it will help build more Dodger fans in Oklahoma.

As it is now, even I lose track of the current parent club.

Another thing worth mentioning, Tulsa is now the Dodgers AA affiliate and will also be the Dodgers.

Love it. People also have to realize there are a ton of minor league franchises that are named after their parent club. Regardless of the name the logos look great and show a connection to the state.

Oh, well, I'll just have to admit to being in the minority on this one.

Oklahoma City has worked its butt off in the last 30 years to achieve its own identity, so we advance that notion by burying our own little slice of minor-league baseball history in the name of another franchise from a completely different city with absolutely no relevance to Oklahoma City whatsoever, and this is all OK because of the cool hats.

Allllrighty then. Like I said, I'm obviously in the minority here. And I fully recognize Gruber bought the franchise and he could call it the Flying Zombies if he wanted. I'm just not at all convinced how long they'll be in OKC. They're bucking a trend toward pulling farm clubs *closer* to the parent by setting up shop in OKC. We'll see.

I just hope somehow, some way, someone will recall that without the likes of the crazy old Harry Valentine and later Bing and then Patty Cox Hampton, who sold minor league baseball in OKC when it wasn't really very marketable, yet hung on and made it work, we almost certainly would have neither the Team Formerly Known as the 89ers, nor the Bricktown Ballpark - and it's no small irony to me that a linchpin of the original MAPS project was that very ballpark.

I like the name, the designs look great, I wonder if they are going to make upgrades to the ballpark, or maybe changing the name of the ballpark.

Story in todays paper said they are building some outfield seats to a 3 tier level that can be rented for groups.

I like it as well. I agree that the LA Dodgers has one of the most easily recognizable brands, and incorporating it into OKC's newly redesigned logo's and uni's is genius. I've always liked how LA has had a simple traditional look. I seriously thought about running out and buying a hat or a shirt. I'd have never done that for the Redhawks. This, IMO, looks major league good. Seriously I love the Thunder, but they need to take some notes,

Oh, well, I'll just have to admit to being in the minority on this one.

Oklahoma City has worked its butt off in the last 30 years to achieve its own identity, so we advance that notion by burying our own little slice of minor-league baseball history in the name of another franchise from a completely different city with absolutely no relevance to Oklahoma City whatsoever, and this is all OK because of the cool hats.

Allllrighty then. Like I said, I'm obviously in the minority here. And I fully recognize Gruber bought the franchise and he could call it the Flying Zombies if he wanted. I'm just not at all convinced how long they'll be in OKC. They're bucking a trend toward pulling farm clubs *closer* to the parent by setting up shop in OKC. We'll see.

I just hope somehow, some way, someone will recall that without the likes of the crazy old Harry Valentine and later Bing and then Patty Cox Hampton, who sold minor league baseball in OKC when it wasn't really very marketable, yet hung on and made it work, we almost certainly would have neither the Team Formerly Known as the 89ers, nor the Bricktown Ballpark - and it's no small irony to me that a linchpin of the original MAPS project was that very ballpark.

I get what you're saying. Minor league baseball is full of fun and goofy names that say something about the town or region. Redhawks was a boring name. 89ers meant something to OKC but I never found it very exciting as a team name. But what happens when we lose affiliation with LA? Will we need to change names again?

I get what you're saying. Minor league baseball is full of fun and goofy names that say something about the town or region. Redhawks was a boring name. 89ers meant something to OKC but I never found it very exciting as a team name. But what happens when we lose affiliation with LA? Will we need to change names again?


We don't change the name, the owners do. Such is the life of a minor league affiliate. OKC Stars, Blazers, now Barons, eh? While one poster laments the fact that the name "Dodgers" has no local relevance, how much relevance does the name "Jazz" have to the NBA franchise in SLC? Or the relevance of "Lakers" to Los Angeles? The product on the field and not the name of the club is what puts azzes in the seats.

Another thing worth mentioning, Tulsa is now the Dodgers AA affiliate and will also be the Dodgers.

They're not being called the Dodgers though, right? I couldn't find anything saying that. I'm assuming they're staying the Drillers, which is a unique name.

I'm a HUGE Dodger fan. Never could warm up to the Rangers. Not that they were
bad. Not at all. I'm a Dodger fan and have been since they were in Brooklyn.

True story. My family moved from California the year the Dodgers moved to
California.

Too funny.

Story in todays paper said they are building some outfield seats to a 3 tier level
that can be rented for groups.
What part of the outfield? Left? Right? Certainly they'll leave the 'Hill' in Center.
Right field is is the least attractive part of the park. Maybe they'll build the tiers
there.

Oh, well, I'll just have to admit to being in the minority on this one.

Oklahoma City has worked its butt off in the last 30 years to achieve its own identity, so we advance that notion by burying our own little slice of minor-league baseball history in the name of another franchise from a completely different city with absolutely no relevance to Oklahoma City whatsoever, and this is all OK because of the cool hats.

Allllrighty then. Like I said, I'm obviously in the minority here. And I fully recognize Gruber bought the franchise and he could call it the Flying Zombies if he wanted. I'm just not at all convinced how long they'll be in OKC. They're bucking a trend toward pulling farm clubs *closer* to the parent by setting up shop in OKC. We'll see.

I just hope somehow, some way, someone will recall that without the likes of the crazy old Harry Valentine and later Bing and then Patty Cox Hampton, who sold minor league baseball in OKC when it wasn't really very marketable, yet hung on and made it work, we almost certainly would have neither the Team Formerly Known as the 89ers, nor the Bricktown Ballpark - and it's no small irony to me that a linchpin of the original MAPS project was that very ballpark.

I guess I am in the minority with you also SoonerDave, It gives us no identity of our own. I really dislike the OKL/A logo. But I don't own the team and I will still support them as they are our hometown (even with another town's name) team. But, when it comes to MLB......Go Sox!

Story in todays paper said they are building some outfield seats to a 3 tier level that can be rented for groups.

Does that mean they will also stop covering seats we already have

What part of the outfield? Left? Right? Certainly they'll leave the 'Hill' in Center.
Right field is is the least attractive part of the park. Maybe they'll build the tiers
there.

It sounded like left because they said something about home run alley. Also group outing rentals for the entire section.

They're not being called the Dodgers though, right? I couldn't find anything saying that. I'm assuming they're staying the Drillers, which is a unique name.

I thought I read it, but I just looked and can't find it, so maybe stay the Drillers, which I'd prefer them to keep.

Found this -

Byrnes said it’s not feasible for the OKC Dodgers to play the major league team in an exhibition game in 2015 due to prior commitments, but it is on future agendas. He didn’t want to speak for Tulsa management, now home to the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate, but it appears they’ll stick with the nickname Drillers.

With the Dodgers coming in and mixing things up, is there any chance we see the Coach's space revamped and brought back to life?

We don't change the name, the owners do. Such is the life of a minor league affiliate. OKC Stars, Blazers, now Barons, eh? While one poster laments the fact that the name "Dodgers" has no local relevance, how much relevance does the name "Jazz" have to the NBA franchise in SLC? Or the relevance of "Lakers" to Los Angeles? The product on the field and not the name of the club is what puts azzes in the seats.

okc stars were an affiliate of the minnesota north stars, hence the name. and barons is a take on "oil barons" which has relevance to edmonton's oilers, who they're affiliated with. i'm sure they would've loved to name okc "oilers" but that was already taken by tulsa.

jazz and lakers are different animals - they just didn't change their names when they moved from new orleans and minneapolis, where the names meant something to the area.

somewhat of a lazy move to name okc "dodgers" but being part of the dodgers brand is pretty special - it carries a lot of weight in the baseball world.

With the Dodgers coming in and mixing things up, is there any chance we see the Coach's space revamped and brought back to life?

Yes, I heard from a food service manager with the company contracted by the RedHawks (they also service The Dodger's Stadium and many more pro sports facilities) that plans are in the works to renovate and re-open the Coaches space.

Will they have Dodger Dogs????

I think so, based on my conversation with the manager. They'd be foolish not to cash in on that.

Will they have Dodger Dogs????

It was discussed early or in another thread, but they already had Dodger Dogs. I didn't know this myself until someone mentioned it.

The Dodger Dog is also served at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, OK, the home of the Dodgers AAA affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers. A concession area called the "Dog Pound" serves hot dogs from stadiums around the country including the Fenway Frank, Cincinnati Cheese Coney, Milwaukee Brat, and The Red Hot Chicago Dog.

Would be cool and then put an OK spin on it with a topping to have the OK Dodger dog.

It sounded like left because they said something about home run alley. Also group outing rentals for the entire section.

OKC?s Pro Baseball Team is the Dodgers | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/12/03/okcs-pro-baseball-team-is-the-dodgers/)


The OKC Dodgers also plan to make a few improvements to the ballpark, with a new left field deck for parties of up to 150 people, new areas dedicated to children, and a possible new tenant for the vacant restaurant space down the left field line.

OKC?s Pro Baseball Team is the Dodgers | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/12/03/okcs-pro-baseball-team-is-the-dodgers/)I agree!

A perk that no one has really mentioned here, I believe. Added support from LA.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/sports/10034d1421967745-okc-dodgers-img_0492.jpg