#TurnBackTuesdays: 1988 Charlotte Knights

In celebrating 30 years of Charlotte Knights baseball, we'll look back on the history and legacy of a specific Knights team. Today we begin with the 1988 squad, the first unit to bare the Knights name in franchise history.

1988 Charlotte Knights
Affiliate: Baltimore Orioles

1988 marked the first season of the Knights moniker (the team was previously named the Charlotte O's), but the last year of an affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles organization that began during the 1976 season. The team underwent an ownership change after the previous season, being bought by the former owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

Home: Knights Park

The Knights remained without a permanent home after Crockett Park was destroyed by a fire in 1985. The team played at Knights Park in Charlotte during the 1988 season before moving to the "Knights Castle" in Fort Mill from 1989 until the completion of Knights Stadium prior to the 1990 season.

At the Helm: Greg Biagini
Biagini, who had a 10-year minor league career, spent his final year in Charlotte during the 1988 season before moving on to the Orioles Triple-A affiliate at the time, the Rochester Red Wings. Biagini won an International League title with Rochester in 1990 before joining Johnny Oates' staff on the Texas Rangers in 2000. He passed away from colon cancer in 2003.

Notable Alumni: Curt Schilling

Schilling, drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1986, was traded to the Orioles July 29, 1988 and assigned to Charlotte as a minor leaguer. Despite struggles early in his career, the righty found his stride in the Queen City on the way to a 5-2 record and a 3.18 ERA.

Future Major Leaguers:

Including Schilling and 1989 AL Rookie of the Year Gregg Olson, the 1988 Knights roster hosted 15 future Major League players. All are listed below.

• Hitters
  • Butch Davis
  • Steve Finley
  • Ken Gerhart
  • Leo Gomez
  • Tom Magrann
  • Jeff Tackett
    
     
• Pitchers
  • Curt Brown
  • Craig Chamberlin
  • Gordon Dillard
  • Pete Harnisch
  • Kevin Hickey
  • Bob Milacki
  • Gregg Olson
  • Mike Raczka
  • Curt Schilling