MiLB, Palm Beach Cardinals Launch "The Nine" and Recognize Outstanding Black Players
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club. Minor League Baseball announced the launch of “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
Minor League Baseball announced the launch of “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport. The initiative aims to provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, while further diversifying the business of baseball that embraces millions of passionate fans.
While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”
Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham was a Cardinal, both for the big league club in St. Louis and as a coveted prospect in the minor league system. Selected by the Redbirds in the 16th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, the outfielder reached Palm Beach in 2008.
The Las Vegas native spent parts of three seasons with the Beach Birds, including all of 2009. He slashed .232/.313/.378 that year, following that up with a .262/.377/.392 line in 68 games in 2010. Pham also hit 12 homers across his 209 total games with Palm Beach before earning a promotion to Double-A Springfield midway through ‘10.
Pham would reach the majors with a callup to St. Louis in 2014, the same season he was named a St. Louis Cardinals Minor League All-Star. The right-handed slugger would remain in St. Louis until midway through 2018.
Xavier Scruggs
After the Cardinals took Xavier Scruggs in the 19th round of the 2008 draft, the first baseman spent 2010 and 2011 with Palm Beach and stood out for his power. Scruggs hit 34 homers in 204 total games with the club. After compiling an OPS of .834 in ‘11, the California native was promoted to Double-A Springfield.
Scruggs earned a call to the majors in 2014 while also spending 2015 in St. Louis. The then 28-year-old did not return to MLB after 2016, instead finishing his career with stints in the Korean and Mexican leagues. In 2021, he returned to the Cardinals as the organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant while also taking an analyst position at ESPN.
Adron Chambers
Hailing from Pensacola, Fla., Adron Chambers was selected in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by St. Louis out of Pensacola State College. The lefty reached Class-A Advanced in 2009, spending the entire season with Palm Beach. He sported a .284/.370/.400 slash line in the Florida State League before earning a promotion to Double-A Springfield ahead of 2010.
Chambers is perhaps best known for his role in the 2011 World Series championship run for the Cardinals. The outfielder only saw action in 18 regular season games for the club, but accumulated a .375 batting average during that stretch. Chambers scored the game-winning run as a pinch runner against the Chicago Cubs on September 24, helping the team clinch a playoff berth by a single game. The Cardinals would beat the Texas Rangers in a thrilling seven-game World Series one month later, bringing the franchise its 11th world title.
Sam Freeman
Sam Freeman was another major leaguer who went through Palm Beach on his way to ‘The Show.’ Selected by the Cardinals in the 32nd round of the 2008 draft out of the University of Kansas, he only appeared in a single game for Palm Beach after spending most of the season in the Rookie Leagues.
Freeman stood out as a member of the Florida State League club in 2009, where in 26 appearances, the relief pitcher boasted a 1.64 ERA and a 0.939 WHIP.
The native of Houston recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2010 before earning a callup to St. Louis in 2012. He spent parts of three seasons with the Cardinals and would remain a major leaguer through 2020.
Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto was signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. The right-handed pitcher was part of a trade to the Cardinals organization in 2011 after spending time as a prospect for both the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. In five starts for Palm Beach, Cleto accumulated a 2.48 ERA and a WHIP of 1.034 in 2011. The impressive numbers helped earn him a promotion to Double-A Springfield, before being called up directly to the majors in June.
Cleto would spend time with both the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox from 2011-14, where he saw action in 41 big league matchups as a relief pitcher.
Palm Beach Cardinals Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals are excited to welcome a mix of familiar and new faces to their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Championship winning field manager Gary Kendall will return for his fourth season within the Cardinals organization. Last season, Kendall led the Beach Birds to
Dave Vonderhaar Selected for 2024 Florida State League Home Clubhouse Attendant of the Year
JUPITER, FL – In collaboration with Major League Baseball (MLB) Minor League Baseball (MiLB) has announced Palm Beach Cardinals clubhouse attendant Dave Vonderhaar as the 2024 Florida State League Home Clubhouse Attendant of the Year. This award is selected by MLB with nominations made by individuals across the industry, including
Palm Beach Cardinals Announce 2025 Season Schedule
JUPITER, FL – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) returns to America’s busiest ballpark this summer. Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium will continue to be the home of the Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads for the 2025 season. Action gets underway when the Cardinals host the Hammerheads on April 4th in the
Kendall, Villarroel, Saladin, Lin, and Showalter Honored with Post-Season Awards
Sept. 19, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced on September 18th the league awards and All-Star teams for the three leagues that make up the Single-A classification. The Florida State League awards and All-Star team featured four Palm Beach Cardinals as well as manager Gary Kendall being named Manager
Palm Beach leans on 2024 draftees en route to FSL title
Not even Mother Nature could wash away the Palm Beach Cardinals this season. The Cardinals' Single-A affiliate claimed the Florida State League championship with a 6-4 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. But six batters into the winner-take-all Game 3, the two clubs
Palm Beach Claims 2024 FSL Championship with a 6-4 Victory over Lakeland in Game Three
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals claimed their third Florida State League Championship, and second title all to themselves, after they defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 6-4 in a winner-take-all game three on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Cardinals earned the co-championship in 2017 with Dunedin
Palm Beach Forces Winner-Take-All Game Three with 8-4 Victory over Lakeland in Game Two
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals force a winner-take-all game three as they defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 8-4 in game two of the Florida State League Championship Series on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Lakeland put the pressure on Palm Beach immediately in the top of
Palm Beach Down 1-0 in FSL Championship Series with 7-6 Loss at Lakeland Sunday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals dropped the first game of the Florida State League Championship Series to the Lakeland Flying Tigers by a score of 7-6 on Sunday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. It is the first loss of the postseason for Palm Beach and
Palm Beach Sweeps Daytona to Advance to the FSL Championship Series
JUPITER, FL – For the first time since 2017, the Palm Beach Cardinals are going to the FSL Championship after completing the sweep of the Daytona Tortugas, winning on Thursday night by a final score of 12-4 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Cardinals will try to earn their third
Cardinals Take Game One Against Tortugas 8-3 on Tuesday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals set the tone early and never looked back as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas by a final score of 8-3 in game one of the FSL East Divisional Round on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Beach Birds’ bats immediately got to
Chen-Wei Lin named Cardinals' Minor League Pitcher for the Month of August
JUPITER, FL, September 5th, 2024 - Chen-Wei Lin has been selected as the Cardinals Organization Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August. Lin, the first Cardinals pitcher from Taiwan, had an extraordinary month, posting a 4-0 record with a 0.62 ERA (2 ER/29.0 IP), 0.90 WHIP, with 36 strikeouts
Ross Friedrick is Chasing his Childhood Dream
Ross Friedrick is a presence you can’t ignore. At a towering 6’3”, he is a force on the field and in the batter’s box. But there’s another layer there that you can’t ignore, and that’s his natural born leadership. Friedrick spent part of his childhood in St. Louis and it
Palm Beach Explodes for 12-1 Win Over Daytona on Saturday Night
JUPITER, FL – After starting the evening with a one hour and 55-minute rain delay, the Palm Beach Cardinals (78-46, 41-17) scored 12 unanswered runs to defeat the Daytona Tortugas (61-62, 30-27) by a final score of 12-1 on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the win, Palm
Palm Beach Claims 2nd Half Division Title with 4-1 Victory over Daytona
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (77-46, 40-17) have claimed both halves of the 2024 regular season as they won the FSL East Division with a 4-1 victory over the Daytona Tortugas (61-61, 30-26) on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Tortugas have a four-game lead over
Nelfy Ynfante Selected for 2024 Rookie Level All-Star Team
JUPITER, FL, August 30, 2024 - On Thursday, August 29th, Minor League Baseball announced league awards and All-Star teams for the three leagues that make up the Rookie-level classification. The list featured Nelfy Ynfante, a current Palm Beach Cardinals player who began the season on the FCL Cardinals.Ynfante has played
Cardinals Defeat Tortugas 8-3 on Thursday Night on Lin's League-Leading 10th Win of the Season
JUPITER, FL – Behind another dominant start by Chen-Wei Lin (W, 10-5), the Palm Beach Cardinals (76-46, 39-17) defeated the Daytona Tortugas (61-60, 30-25) by a final score of 8-3 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Lin became the first pitcher in the Florida State League to 10
Palm Beach and Daytona Split Wednesday Double Header
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (75-46, 38-17) and the Daytona Tortugas (61-59, 30-24) split a double header on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach is now 8-6 in double headers this season but trail the regular season series 13-10 against Daytona. GAME ONE The Cardinals
Palm Beach Shut Out by Daytona 2-0 in Series Opener
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (74-45, 37-16) were shut out by the Daytona Tortugas (60-58, 29-23) by a final score of 2-0 in the series opener on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the seventh shutout loss of the season for Palm Beach and the
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARTNERS WITH SNAPCHAT
August 27, 2024 — On August 28th, 2024, Snapchat is coming to Jupiter, FL as a part of their recently announced partnership with Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) to promote their “Less Likes, More Love” campaign to highlight how people use Snapchat to spread love. All 120 Minor League teams will
Jose Cordoba Delivers Third Walk-Off Hit of 2024 to give Palm Beach a 3-2 Victory Over Jupiter in Series Finale
JUPITER, FL – For the eighth time this season, the Palm Beach Cardinals (69-43, 32-14) delivered a walk-off win as they defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads (59-53, 23-23) by a final score of 3-2 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jose Cordoba smacked his third
All Grit, No Brakes: Bryce Madron is Here.
Bryce Madron isn’t a stranger to putting his head down and getting it done. The 23-year-old Oklahoma native is coming into his professional baseball career with an exciting resume and rock solid work ethic. First, some back story: Madron grew up a car ride away from the University of Oklahoma.
Palm Beach Shut Out by Jupiter 5-0 on Saturday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (68-43, 31-14) suffered their ninth shutout loss of the season as they fell 5-0 to the Jupiter Hammerheads (58-52, 23-22) on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the first shutout loss against Jupiter in 2024 as Palm Beach still leads
Palm Beach Falls Late to Jupiter 4-2 to Even Series
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (68-42, 31-13) dropped game four of a six-game series to the Jupiter Hammerheads (58-52, 22-22) by a final score of 4-2 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium thanks to a three-run home run by Carter Johnson in the top of the
Cardinals Defeat Hammerheads 2-1 in 1:54 Contest Thursday Night
JUPITER, FL – In what was mostly a pitchers’ duel with combined eight hits and 1 hour and 54 minutes of game time, the Palm Beach Cardinals (68-41, 31-12) defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads (57-52, 21-22) by a final score of 2-1. In the regular season “Dual of the Dean” series,
Cardinals Bounce Back with 3-1 Victory over Hammerheads Wednesday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (67-41, 30-12) became the first Florida State League team with 30 wins in the second half of the season with a 3-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads (57-51, 21-21) on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. In the regular season “Dual of