Dragons 2012 Season In Review
The Streak Continues
After breaking the all-time sports record for consecutive sold-out dates in 2011, the Dragons kept the streak going in 2012 with another full season of sell-outs. When the final home game was sold out on August 31, the streak reached 913. Every game in the team's 13-year history has been a sell-out.
Finalist for "Team of the Year"
In March, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal selected the Dragons as one of five finalists for their national "Team of the Year" award. The Dragons became the first Minor League team in any sport to be chosen as a finalist. They joined the Texas Rangers (MLB), Boston Bruins (NHL), Stewart-Haas Racing (NASCAR), and Sporting Kansas City (MLS) as finalists. In May, the Bruins were picked as the winner of the award.
Return of Joey
The final week of the regular season featured the return to Dayton of Cincinnati Reds all-star first baseman Joey Votto when he joined the Dragons for three games on a Major League injury rehabilitation assignment. Votto became arguably the most decorated player ever to wear a Midwest League uniform when he played for the Dragons, the same season in which he had started at first base in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was one year removed from the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player Award. Votto's arrival sparked excitement for fans and media as it triggered the first step in his return from knee surgery to active big league status. Votto was the fifth major league player to rehab with the Dragons in 2012, joining Miguel Cairo, Bill Bray, Drew Stubbs, and Nick Masset.
The Dragons completed the 2012 regular season with an attendance total for the year of 588,689. The Dragons have led all of Single-A baseball in attendance in each of their 13 seasons. Dayton averaged 8,532 per date over 69 home openings in 2012.
Longest Sell-Outs Streaks in Professional Sports History
913 Dayton Dragons MiLB 2000-'12
814 Portland Trail Blazers NBA 1977-'95
791 Boston Red Sox MLB 2003-'12
(projected through end of 2012 season)
662 Boston Celtics NBA 1980-'95
610 Chicago Bulls NBA 1987-'00
Other 2012 Highlights at Fifth Third Field: New Playing Field: Over the off-season, the Dragons completed a major reconstruction of the playing surface, drainage, and irrigation system at Fifth Third Field. The project resulted in improved playability and aesthetics and faster drainage of excess water. Approximately 100,000 square feet of Kentucky Bluegrass was installed. The effort represented the first complete field reconstruction since the ballpark was built prior to the 2000 season.
Dragons MVP Program: For the seventh straight season, The Dragons MVP program provided students who were selected by their teachers the chance to be recognized for their achievements. More than 850 classrooms and 25,000 students participated during the 2012 season. Those children selected as Dragons MVPs received a customized certificate and complimentary tickets to enjoy a Dragons game at Fifth Third Field with their families. At the game, they received a specially designed Dragons MVP baseball cap. MVPs also received tickets to the "MVP Field Day" at the stadium.
Hometown Heroes Celebration Nights: Two times during the 2012 baseball season, the Dragons partnered with the Dayton Development Coalition and their partners to pay tribute to all service men and women associated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard Base. Festivities included a welcome home to servicemen returning from their deployment, a video greeting card from an airman serving oversees to his family back in the Dayton region, and swearing in ceremonies for a group of local Air Force recruits.
Home Run for Life: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dragons teamed up to provide five kids battling serious medical conditions with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities during Dragons games. Each honoree got to take an honorary home run "lap" around the bases of Fifth Third Field during a game and receive an honorary bat from Dragons manager Delino DeShields.
Community All-Stars: New in 2012, the Dragons Community All-Stars Program honored individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. From fire fighters to first responders to volunteers and good Samaritans, the Dragons honored 35 all-stars, five of whom appeared on the field during a game with a tribute video telling their story.
High School Baseball: For the sixth consecutive season, the Dragons played host to high school baseball at Fifth Third Field. In April, 20 area high school teams participated in 10 games.
A First for Sinclair Community College: For the first time ever, Fifth Third Field hosted a Sinclair Community College baseball game when the Tartans battled the University of Northwestern Ohio on April 15th. Before the game, the school retired the jersey of Sinclair alum Chris Spurling, a former Major League pitcher.
Cedarville Classic: On April 16th, the Dragons' Fifth Third Field played host to the seventh annual Cedarville Classic. The proceeds from the game went to two different non-profit organizations. With the Dragons guidance, students from Cedarville University's sport management program are responsible for all elements of the game including ticketing, operations, and in-game entertainment.
Bob Ross Classic: On July 14th, the 12th Annual Bob Ross Classic was played at Fifth Third Field. The exhibition game showcased the best incoming high school seniors from 38 schools in the Miami Valley.
Subway Dragons 5K: For the first time, the Dragons and SUBWAY® partnered for a 5K run around downtown Dayton on July 15th. SUBWAY® spokesman Jared Fogel joined the race and walked the 5K with his family. This year's SUBWAY® Dragons 5K was won by 12-year-old Olivia Connaughton.
Other Events:
Dragons Youth Baseball Camp: June 25-26, July 19-20
Great American Beer Tasting: August 4
Donatos Pizza Movie Night: August 18
Social Media
The Dragons first year on Twitter (@DragonsBaseball) in 2012 generated 1,444 followers. The Dragons second year on Facebook.com (DragonsBaseball) generated 13,927 likes.
New Dragons Mobile App
The Dragons introduced the team's official Dayton Dragons Mobile App in 2012, providing the latest news, roster, stats, schedules, promotions, live game radio broadcast, and more.
Dayton Dragons 2012 Recap
Final Record: 60-78
First Half: 30-40 (8th in Eastern Division)
Second Half: 30-38 (8th in Eastern Division)
Final Attendance: 588,689
Per Game Attendance Average: 8,532
2012 Midwest League All-Star Game Participant:
Ryan Wright, Second Baseman
2012 Dragons Award Winners:
Kyle Waldrop, MWL Batter of the Week, May 21-27
Yorman Roriguez, MWL Batter of the Week, July 2-8
Sean Buckley, MWL Batter of the Week, August 20-26
2012 Dragons Team Leaders:
Batting
Batting Average: Ryan Wright, .285
Home Runs: Sean Buckley, 14
Runs Batted In: Sean Buckley, 68
Stolen Bases: Junior Arias, 28
Games Played: Juan Perez, 125
Pitching
Victories: James Allen, 8
Earned Run Average (qualifiers): James Allen, 3.72
Saves: Carlos Contreras, 16
Games Pitched: Ryan Kemp, 46
Innings Pitched: Stalin Gerson, 131.2
Dragons among 2012 Midwest League Leaders
Walks: Juan Silva, 69, fourth
Saves: Carlos Contreras, 16, fifth
Opponents' Batting Average: James Allen, .231, fifth
Notable Dragons Individual Performances
Ryan Wright put together a 17-game hitting streak from June 22-July 9. It was the third longest in franchise history.
Relief pitcher Mike Dennhardt went the entire month of July without allowing a run. His streak from July 2-August 5 consisted of 18 straight scoreless outings.
Sean Buckley hit two home runs in one game on July 28 at Lake County. Juan Perez hit two homers in a game on August 12 vs. Fort Wayne.
Yorman Rodriguez belted a grand slam home run on August 24 at Bowling Green.
Outfielder Kurtis Muller joined the team in late May and made an instant impact. He connected on a home run in his first at-bat and went on to hit .475 with four homers over his first 10 games. He was promoted to Bakersfield after just 19 games with the Dragons.
Starting pitcher Robert Stephenson became the next in a line of first round draft picks to play for the Dragons, joining past first rounders such as Jay Bruce, Homer Bailey, Austin Kearns, Drew Stubbs, and Devin Mesoraco. Stephenson may have been the hardest thrower in Dragons history with a fastball that averaged 95-97 mph.
Notable Dragons Team Performances
On July 4 vs. South Bend at Fifth Third Field, the first eight Dragons batters in the first inning all reached base and scored. The Dragons scored four more runs in the second inning and led 12-1 after two. The top four players in the Dayton lineup had batted three times by the end of the second inning. The Dragons went on to lead 17-1 after six before winning 17-4. Dragons third baseman Joe Terry had four hits the game despite not being in the starting lineup.
Dragons Club Records Set
Most Hits in a Game, 24, July 4 vs. South Bend
Former Dragons to Reach the Major Leagues in 2012 (57 total since 2000)
Eddy Rodriguez, Catcher, San Diego Padres
Henry Rodriguez, Infielder, Cincinnati Reds
Denis Phipps, Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds
Didi Gregorius, Shortstop, Cincinnati Reds
Pedro Villarreal, Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
Major League Injury Rehabilitation Assignments with the Dragons in 2012
Miguel Cairo, Infielder
Bill Bray, left-handed pitcher
Drew Stubbs, outfielder
Nick Masset, right-handed pitcher
Joey Votto, first baseman