In 1984, Minor League Baseball entrepreneur Larry Schmittou helped bring professional baseball to Huntsville through a series of franchise moves that reshaped the Southern League. After purchasing the Triple-A Evansville Triplets, Schmittou elevated the Nashville Sounds to the Triple-A level, leaving his existing Double-A franchise in need of a new home. When plans to relocate that club elsewhere fell through, the City of Huntsville—led by Mayor Joe W. Davis—stepped in and agreed to build a new stadium, paving the way for the creation of the Huntsville Stars.
The Huntsville Stars began play in 1985 at Joe W. Davis Stadium, opening with a 10–0 win over Birmingham on April 19. As the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, the Stars made an immediate impact, capturing the Southern League championship in their inaugural season and quickly establishing themselves as one of the league’s premier franchises.
In 1999, the Stars became the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, a partnership that lasted through the remainder of the club’s run in Huntsville. Over 30 seasons (1985–2014), the Stars produced numerous Major League players and won three Southern League titles (1985, 1994, 2001), becoming a cornerstone of the North Alabama sports scene.
The Trash Pandas continue to honor that legacy with Huntsville Stars Night each year, with this season's game set for Friday, August 21, celebrating the history and impact of professional baseball in Huntsville.
