I was a bit hesitant to write this post in the wake of the beating I took for omitting PsPrint’s hometown A’s and the adjacent Giants from my list of top 10 best Major League Baseball logos. Still, I have to admit that opining on the merit of MLB logos was one of the most enjoyable blogging experiences I’ve had, so I give you another round of my wholly biased, entirely opinionated, and completely debatable Top 10s – this time for the logos of Minor League Baseball outfits, affectionately known as farm teams. Play ball!
10. Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls logo makes my list if for no other reason than that the team was featured in the classic baseball film “Bull Durham.” Of course, I like letter-based logos and the bull storming through the “D” is the icing on the cake.
9. Midland Rockhounds
I love the creative team names prevalent in the minors, so I couldn’t resist placing the Midland Rockounds logo on my list. I’m still not totally sure what a Rockhound is, but judging by the logo it’s just as well that I don’t find out. And as an extra bonus, it just so happens that the Rockhounds are an affiliate of the Oakland A’s.
8. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
“Fisher Cats” just sounds cool, and the team’s logo backs up the coolness factor with a big cat that’s ready to pounce – and his focus is on you.
7. Erie Seawolves
Take a wolf and dress him up as a pirate, and you’ll get the concept for the Erie Seawolves logo.
6. Everett AquaSox
The AquaSox have two logos, one is a frog that, in my opinion, does little to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents; the other is a seriously cool trident turned sideways to form an “E” for “Everett.” The latter is my reason for listing this logo.
5. Greensboro Grasshoppers
This logo could make my list for mascot originality alone, but the grasshopper logo design is so wicked-awesome it doesn’t need any help. You might be wondering whether I find grasshoppers more terrifying than the aforementioned frogs. Yes, indeed, I do.
4. Richmond Flying Squirrels
Not since “Rocky and Bullwinkle” delighted me during Saturday morning cartoons has a superhero squirrel commanded my attention. The electrifying “R” emblazoned on an acorn is both unique and energetic, and it looks even cooler when it’s on the chest of the team’s superhero squirrel. Plus, the Flying Squirrels are affiliated with the Giants … hopefully my bases are covered!
3. LeHigh Valley IronPigs
IronPigs sound very, very scary – metal, inedible, unbaconable, indestructible eating machines. And I can’t think of a better logo to go with the team’s name. It’s an iron pig complete with rivets!
2. Toledo Mud Hens
The best artists can make even the most mild of creatures seem powerful, and the genius behind this logo accomplishes the feat with a hen.
1. Portland Sea Dogs
Another letter-based logo, this time with a sea dog dangling through its portal. What is a sea dog, you ask? From what I can tell, it’s a mutated abomination with the head of a dog and the body of a seal that’s very good at baseball.
All logos copyrighted, trademarked and otherwise owned by their respective teams.
Great design you have going here. Thanks!
Dan, I think the minor leagues have more creative liberty because they serve smaller markets and can localize their names more… what do you think?
I like the cyclones logo as well…
Brian – the Cyclones logo is cool. I was expecting a cyclone swirl, not a rollercoaster! Here’s a link: http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/
Shits dope
Danksquad, I’ll take that as a compliment?
By the way, the Lifestyles Project Movement on your site is intriguing, best of luck to you!
In my opinion you are missing two of the best logos. The Casper Ghost and my favorite the Las Vegas 51′s. Check them out.
Brady – thanks for your post! It was unfortunate I only had ten to choose from as the minors have far better logos than the majors, hands-down! For that matter, I think the experience of a minor league game often trumps that of a MLB game (unless your team’s in the postseason).
Both the Ghosts and the 51s logos are great – for everyone else, you can see them here:
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t539
And here:
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t400
My husband has just back from a holiday in the midwest. He brought me back a Quad Cities River Bandit cap which had the best baseball logo I had ever seen (in my opinion). This got me googling baseball logo’s and I came across your blog. Great fun especially for me in Australia, with no real team affiliations. I still love the River Bandits and now the Richmond Flying Squirrels too.
Mair,
Thanks for your post, and I’m glad you also appreciate minor league logos! The River Bandits certainly do have a cool logo. For anyone else who wants to check it out, visit the official site here: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t565
Even though it might not be the best design-wise, there’s something about the Sea Dogs logo that I really like!
Nice post. The Rockhounds logo is great. Another one that is really cool is the Peoria Chiefs. Both logos were designed by the same sports logo design firm, Valentine Design in Minnesota.
Dirk – thank you for the comment. The Chiefs logo is also cool. Valentine Design has a sweet website, btw.
I like the Doc Green Jay
How do you not put the Sea Dogs as number 1. I mean c’mon, its a seal with a baseball bat in its mouth. This logo is amazing. But as soon as some environmental jerk gets a look at it they will have to get rid of the design. I think its pretty priceless.
Go Minors! Yeah!!!
How about the Tulsa Drillers? In my opinion definitely the best logo, and the Ghost and 51′s are missing too.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t260
Go David from Healthy Living Tips!
Tyler, to each his own, I suppose – I just couldn’t include them all! But yes, those are all great minor league logos too.
Nice post great all logos in one place
thank you
Thanks taxi! Glad you liked them. Which is your favorite?
Nice site here, you can add this new team with a great logo, London Rippers
http://londonprobaseball.com/
Awesome logo and team name Diamond Jack! I’m truthfully surprised they named their team after a famous serial killer, but it’s really cool all the same! Thanks for the link.