Macon Redbirds

Macon Redbirds
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A (1980–1983)
LeagueSouth Atlantic League (1980–1983)
Major league affiliations
Team
Team data
Name
  • Macon Redbirds (1983)
  • Macon Peaches (1980–1982)
BallparkLuther Williams Field (1980–1983)

The Macon Redbirds were a Minor League Baseball team based in Macon, Georgia from 1980 to 1983. They were a member of the Class A South Atlantic League. From 1980 to 1982, they were known as the Macon Peaches. The team played their home games at Luther Williams Field for all four years of their existence.

The team began play in 1980 as a South Atlantic League expansion team. After the 1983 season, they relocated to Savannah, Georgia, where they were known as the Savannah Cardinals.

History

The Western Carolinas League placed expansion teams in Charleston, South Carolina, and Macon, Georgia, after the 1979 season. With the league expanding outside of its geographical moniker, it renamed itself to the South Atlantic League. Macon's team was named the Macon Peaches, in keeping with the Macon Peaches which had played for many years in the old South Atlantic League.[1]

After the 1982 season, the team became affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals and changed its name to the Macon Redbirds.[2]

The Redbirds moved to Savannah, Georgia after the 1983 season, becoming the Savannah Cardinals. Macon would not go without baseball, however, as the Greenwood Pirates promptly moved in, becoming the Macon Pirates.[3][4]

Season by season results

Year Aff. League Division W–L Win% Place Manager Postseason Attendance Ref.
Macon Peaches
1980 – SAL South 59–81 .421 4th Brock Pemberton
Brannon Bonifay
Ted Brazell		 – 56,671 [5]
1981 DET SAL South 62–79 .440 4th Tom Kotchman – 72,557 [6]
1982 DET SAL South 66–72 .478 4th Ted Brazell – 66,467 [7]
Macon Redbirds
1983 STL SAL South 71–73 .493 3rd Lloyd Merritt – 37,992 [8]
Totals 258–305 .458 233,687

References

  1. ^ Hodges, Jim (31 January 1980). "WCL Brings Past to the Present". The Macon News. p. 23. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  2. ^ Stratton, Bob (18 January 1983). "A quiet farewell to a Macon tradition". The Macon News. p. 4. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  3. ^ Rappaport, Michael (14 November 1983). "SAL Defers Anderson Decision". Anderson Independent-Mail. p. 5. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  4. ^ Thompson, Chuck (19 November 1983). "Peaches, Redbirds, Pirates, ??". The Macon Telegraph. p. 43. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  5. ^ "1980 Macon Peaches Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  6. ^ "1981 Macon Peaches Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  7. ^ "1982 Macon Peaches Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  8. ^ "1983 Macon Redbirds Roster". statscrew.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
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