25 years of BlueClaws! So much has happened, and we are proud to celebrate with Silver...Introducing, the Jersey Shore Shine Barons! Learn more on this page about the Shine Barons and the celebration at the game on Saturday, June 14th at ShoreTown Ballpark.
About the Shine Barons
The name "BlueClaws" was officially chosen in 2000. Nine-year old Matt Koscielski of West Belmar and Jan Gualtier of Ocean County were chosen as the winners of the "Name the Team Contest." But what would the team name have been if it wasn't BlueClaws?
Pine Barons, an ode to the Pine Barrens, was a finalist. Shine Barons is an homage to both 25 years of BlueClaws and the name Pine Barons that could have easily been the official name of the team!
June 14th Bobblehead Giveaway
At the game on June 14th, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Buster Shine Barons Bobblehead thanks to RWJBarnabas Health! The only way to get this bobblehead is to be among the first 1,000 fans through the gates on June 14th! [The bobblehead will be unveiled at a later date.]
A wide variety of Shine Barons merchandise is available including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirt, tank tops, lapel pins, magnets, and key rings!
History
The BlueClaws have an illustrious history, which includes the likes of Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, three league championships, over 120 players that have gone From the Shore to the Show, and over 8 million fans that have come to ShoreTown Ballpark since the team's 2001 inception.
Let's look at some of the great moments in BlueClaws history!
The Early Years
February 28, 2000: BlueClaws is chosen as the team name. A total of 49 BlueClaws entries were received. The name was first sent in by nine year old Matt Koscielski of West Belmar and Jan Gualtier of Ocean County. The name Pine Barons was a finalist.
April 17, 2000: Ground is broken on what will be GPU Energy Park.
August 29, 2000: Nearly 500 people come to new logo unveiling at Lakewood Town Square
April 11, 2001: BlueClaws open GPUEnergy Park with a game against Hickory that was suspended by rain in the fourth inning.
April 12, 2001: Keith Bucktrot throws the first no-hitter in BlueClaws history in an 11-1 win over Hickory (BlueClaws' 8th Game/2nd Home Game).
August 26, 2002: 13,003 people watch the BlueClaws defeat Hickory, the largest crowd in BlueClaws history.
May 24, 2003: Groundskeeper Bill Butler is ejected from the game, the first event of its kind in pro baseball history.
The Legends
April 12, 2001: Carlos Ruiz catches Keith Bucktrot's no-hitter in the second BlueClaws home game.
April 6, 2002: Ryan Howard hits his first home run with the BlueClaws.
May 13, 2003: Cole Hamels makes his professional debut, allowing only one hit and striking out eight over five innings at Savannah.
July 13, 2003: Gavin Floyd and Ryan Howard become the first former BlueClaws to appear MLB's Futures Game.
September 1, 2004: Ryan Howard makes his Major League debut, the first former BlueClaw to do so.
The Championships
September 15, 2006: Matt Maloney throws a complete game shutout as the BlueClaws beat Augusta 5-0 and clinch their first SAL Championship.
September 18, 2009: BlueClaws beat Greenville 5-1 to clinch their second South Atlantic League Championship.
September 18, 2010: The BlueClaws clinch their second straight (third in five years) South Atlantic League title with a win over Greenville.
The Jersey Shore Era
October 20, 2020: The BlueClaws usher in a new era in the history of the team - the Jersey Shore era. In a special event on the beach at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, the BlueClaws become the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Click here for more on the unveiling.
May 4, 2021: The BlueClaws open the "Jersey Shore" era playing their first game as the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Logan O'Hoppe hits the first home run in Jersey Shore BlueClaws history in a 6-2 win over Hudson Valley.
August 6, 2022: Phillies top prospects Mick Abel and Andrew Painter combine for 13 scoreless innings and 19 strikeouts as the BlueClaws sweep a double-header from Hudson Valley.
September 10, 2023: The BlueClaws clinch a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season with a come-from-behind, 11-inning win at Hudson Valley. Jersey Shore scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game en route to earning the sixth playoff appearance in club history.
September 24, 2023: Pitcher Orion Kerkering makes his big league debut with the Phillies and becomes the first player to play for both the BlueClaws and Phillies in the same season. Kerkering joined the BlueClaws on May 9th from Clearwater and was promoted to Reading on July 6th.
July 13, 2024: Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford, both 2024 BlueClaws, represent the Phillies in the MLB Futures Game in Arlington, Texas.
August 30, 2024: Sam Aldegheri, who was with the BlueClaws from Opening Day through July 6th, makes his big league debut for the Angels. His first big league pitch is thrown to catcher Logan O'Hoppe (a 2021 BlueClaw), hit by JP Crawford (a 2013-14 BlueClaw), and caught in centerfield by Mickey Moniak (a 2017 BlueClaw).
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