The Norfolk Tides are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and are named in nautical reference to the city's location on the Chesapeake Bay. The team plays their home games at Harbor Park, which opened in 1993. The Tides previously played at High Rock Park in 1961 and 1962, Frank D. Lawrence Stadium from 1961 to 1969, and at Met Park from its opening in 1970 until the end of the 1992 season.

Originally known as the Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides, the team began play in 1961 as members of the Class A South Atlantic League. In 1963, they joined the Class A Carolina League and became known as the Tidewater Tides, taking their geographic identifier from the Tidewater region. The Tides were replaced by a Triple-A International League team in 1969. The Triple-A Tides carried on the history of the Class A team that preceded them. The club rebranded as the Norfolk Tides in 1993. In conjunction with Major League Baseball's reorganization of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Tides were placed in the Triple-A East, which was renamed the International League in 2022.

The team has won seven league championships in its history. They won the Carolina League championship in 1965 as the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. During their 38-year Triple-A affiliation with the New York Mets from 1969 to 2006, they won the Governors' Cup, the championship of the International League, on five occasions (1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, and 1985) and won the Triple-A World Series in 1983. As an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, they won another International League championship and the Triple-A championship in 2023.

History

Before the Tides

Both Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, first hosted professional baseball teams in the late 19th century. Among the clubs to hail from these neighboring cities were the Norfolk Tars, which played on and off from 1906 to 1955 primarily in the Virginia League and Piedmont League; the Portsmouth Truckers, which played at intervals from 1895 to 1935 mostly in the Virginia League; the Portsmouth Cubs of the Piedmont League from 1936 to 1952; and the Portsmouth Merrimacs also of the Piedmont League from 1953 to 1955. The Tars folded in July 1955 due to low attendance and steep financial losses. Fiscal problems also caused the Merrimacs to cease operations after the 1955 campaign.

South Atlantic League (1961–1962)

Six years after the loss of the Tars and Merrimacs, the Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides were established as members of the Class A South Atlantic League. They played some home games at Frank D. Lawrence Stadium in Portsmouth and some at High Rock Park in Norfolk. The Tides had a limited affiliation with Major League Baseball's Kansas City Athletics. Their inaugural season opener was a 7–4 victory in Portsmouth over the Charlotte Hornets with 3,158 people in attendance on April 17, 1961. In 1962, they became an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tides dropped out of the Sally League after losing their working agreement with St. Louis and following what Tides general manager Marshall Fox called "unfair treatment" by the league.

Carolina League (1963–1968)

The Carolina League, a Class A circuit, accepted the Tides as members for 1963. At this point, the team became known as the Tidewater Tides, taking their geographic identifier from the Tidewater region, and began playing their home games exclusively at Lawrence Stadium in Portsmouth. They were not affiliated with any Major League Baseball team in their first Carolina League season.

Ed Stroud won the 1964 Carolina League MVP Award.

The Tides became the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1964. Under manager Allen Jones, they qualified for the playoffs that year for the first time in team history and defeated the Kinston Eagles in the semifinals to advance to the championship round where they lost to the Winston-Salem Red Sox. Outfielder Ed Stroud won the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. Jones led the team back to the postseason in 1965. After defeating the Peninsula Grays in the semifinals, the Tides won the Carolina League championship by sweeping the Durham Bulls, 2–0.

Tidewater became an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1966. They made the postseason in 1967 and 1968, but they were defeated in the finals by Durham in 1967 and eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Raleigh-Durham Mets in 1968.

International League

New York Mets (1969–2006)

In 1969, the New York Mets moved their Triple-A International League (IL) affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns, from Jacksonville, Florida, to Portsmouth as the Tidewater Tides. The team was operated by Tidewater Professional Sports and owned by the Mets. The Triple-A Tides carried on the history of the Class A team that preceded them.

International League Manager of the Year Clyde McCullough led the team to a league-best 76–59 record in their first Triple-A season, but they were eliminated in the semifinals of the Governors' Cup playoffs to determine the IL championship. The 1969 season was the team's last at Lawrence Stadium. They moved into the new Met Park, located in Norfolk, in 1970. After another semifinal exit that year, the Tides reached the finals in 1971 but lost the championship to the Rochester Red Wings in the full five-game series. Hank Bauer, manager of the 1972 club, led the Tides to win their first Governors' Cup with a 3–2 series defeat of the Louisville Colonels in the finals. Following this win, Tidewater competed in the Kodak World Baseball Classic, a five-team round-robin tournament that included the champions of the American Association (the Evansville Triplets) and Pacific Coast League (the Albuquerque Dukes), the Caribbean All-Stars, and the hosting Hawaii Islanders. The Tides went 3–2 but were eliminated. Bauer was selected as the 1972 IL Manager of the Year. The club returned to the playoffs in 1973 but could not advance past the semifinals.

Tidewater finished atop the league standings in 1974 with an 86–55 record under manager Joe Frazier. After sweeping the Charleston Charlies, 3–0, in the semis, they won the IL championship over the Syracuse Chiefs, 3–1. Afterwards, they met the Evansville Triplets, champions of the American Association, in the Junior World Series, which the Tides lost, 4–1. The Tides swept the 1975 International League year-end awards with outfielder Mike Vail as the IL MVP and Rookie of the Year, Craig Swan as the Most Valuable Pitcher, and Frazier as Manager of the Year.

Davey Johnson led the Tides to win the 1983 IL championship and the Triple-A World Series.

They next appeared in the postseason in 1977, 1979, and 1981, but they were unable to move on past the semifinals. During this stretch, Juan Berenguer won the 1978 Most Valuable Pitcher Award, and outfielder Mookie Wilson won the 1979 Rookie of the Year Award. Tidewater won back-to-back Governors' Cups in 1982 and 1983. Jack Aker's 1982 club swept the Columbus Clippers, 3–0, in the semifinals and did the same against Rochester in the finals. Under Davey Johnson in 1983, the Tides dispatched Columbus in the semis, and then won a second consecutive IL title over the Richmond Braves. That postseason, the Tides, the American Association champion Denver Bears, and Pacific Coast League champion Portland Beavers contested the Triple-A World Series, a round-robin tournament to crown an overall champion of the classification. Tidewater won the series, 3–1. Walt Terrell was the IL's Most Valuable Pitcher for 1973.

In 1985, Bob Schaefer led the team to its sixth and final Governors' Cup championship with a semifinal victory over the Maine Guides and a finals win over Columbus. Though the Tides would remain members of the International League for the next 35 years, they were unable to win another league crown. They lost in the semifinals in 1986 and suffered defeats in the finals of both 1987 and 1988. John Mitchell was selected as the IL Most Valuable Pitcher for 1986. First baseman Randy Milligan won both the 1987 MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards. Third basemen Tom O'Malley (1989) and Jeff Manto (1994) later won IL MVP Awards.

The club went through a season of change from 1992 to 1993. First, in December 1992, the Mets sold the franchise to a group led by Tampa businessman Ken Young. The Triple-A affiliation between the teams remained intact. In 1993, the Tides left Met Park and moved into the new US$16-million Harbor Park. As they moved into the new facility, the team also replaced the "Tidewater" in its name with that of Norfolk. Also in 1993, the Tides introduced their mascot, Rip Tide. The franchise was awarded the 1993 John H. Johnson President's Award, recognizing them as the "complete baseball franchise—based on franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry."

The 1995 Tides led the league with their 86–56 record but were eliminated in the Governors' Cup finals by the Ottawa Lynx. They did, however, win all four IL year-end awards: MVP (third baseman/outfielder Butch Huskey, Most Valuable Pitcher and Rookie of the Year (Jason Isringhausen, and Manager of the Year (Toby Harrah). Norfolk made three more playoff appearances as a Mets affiliate, exiting in the semifinal rounds of 1996, 2001, and 2005. Mike Fyhrie won the 1996 Most Valuable Pitcher Award, and first baseman Roberto Petagine was the 1997 IL MVP. The 38-year Triple-A affiliation with New York ended after the 2006 season when the Mets elected to affiliate with the New Orleans Zephyrs for 2007.

Baltimore Orioles (2007–2020)

The Tides have played at Harbor Park since 1993.

Norfolk became the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles in 2007. The Orioles preferred the quality of the facilities at Harbor Park as well as the more favorable weather and proximity of Norfolk compared to their previous location in Ottawa. Maryland Baseball Holding, the Tides' ownership group led by Ken Young, also owned two other Orioles-affiliated teams at the time: the Bowie Baysox and Frederick Keys.

From 2007 to 2014, the Tides regularly finished with losing records and only finished at or above .500 in 2009, 2012, and 2013. The 2015 team, led by IL Manager of the Year Ron Johnson qualified for the Governors' Cup playoffs as winners of the Southern Division title but lost in the semifinals to Columbus in five games. The Tides added a second mascot, a green sea creature named Triton, in 2016. Norfolk continued to post losing seasons from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was selected as the IL MVP. The start of the 2020 season was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being cancelled altogether.

Triple-A East / International League

Baltimore Orioles (2021–present)

Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel. The Tides were organized into the Triple-A East and maintained their affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles. Norfolk ended the season in sixth place in the Southeastern Division with a 48–72 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Norfolk finished the tournament tied for 20th place with a 4–6 record. In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson won the 2022 International League Top MLB Prospect Award.

On April 8, 2023, the Tides set the franchise record as an Orioles affiliate for the most runs scored in a game in a 21–2 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers. In addition, Norfolk tied the franchise record for runs scored in an inning after 11 crossed the plate in the 6th inning. The Tides won the first-half of the 2023 season, clinching a berth in the championship playoffs at the conclusion of the season. In the best-of-three series, the Tides defeated the Durham Bulls to win the International League championship. They won the Triple-A National Championship Game versus the Oklahoma City Dodgers, champions of the Pacific Coast League, 7–6. Buck Britton won the 2023 IL Manager of the Year Award.

The franchise was purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings on October 17, 2023. In 2024, third baseman Coby Mayo won the IL Top MLB Prospect Award. In 2025, Dylan Beavers was selected as the IL MVP.

Season-by-season records

Table key
LeagueThe team's final position in the league standings
DivisionThe team's final position in the divisional standings
GBGames behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
Class champions (1970–present)
League champions (1961–present)
*Division champions (1963–2022)
^Postseason berth (1962–present)
Season-by-season records
SeasonLeagueRegular-seasonPostseasonMLB affiliateRef.
RecordWin %LeagueDivisionGBRecordWin %Result
1961SAL66–72.4786th21+1⁄2Kansas City Athletics
1962SAL55–85.3937th37+1⁄2St. Louis Cardinals
1963CL65–79.4518th4th12+1⁄2Unaffiliated
1964 ^CL75–63.5435th2nd42–2.500Won semifinals vs. Kinston Eagles, 2–0 Lost CL championship vs. Winston-Salem Red Sox, 2–0Chicago White Sox
1965 ^ †CL76–68.5284th2nd104–1.800Won semifinals vs. Peninsula Grays, 2–1 Won CL championship vs. Durham Bulls, 2–0Chicago White Sox
1966CL58–81.41711th5th18Philadelphia Phillies
1967 ^CL70–68.5075th4th54–2.667Won quarterfinals vs. Peninsula Grays, 1–0 Won semifinals vs. Raleigh Pirates, 2–0 Lost CL championship vs. Durham Bulls, 2–1Philadelphia Phillies
1968 ^CL80–60.5713rd2nd3+1⁄20–1.000Lost quarterfinals vs. Raleigh-Durham Mets, 1–0Philadelphia Phillies
1969 ^IL76–59.5631st3+1⁄21–3.250Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Jets, 3–1New York Mets
1970 ^IL74–66.5294th100–3.000Lost semifinals vs. Syracuse Chiefs, 3–0New York Mets
1971 ^IL79–61.5642nd75–3.625Won semifinals vs. Charleston Charlies, 3–0 Lost IL championship vs. Rochester Red Wings, 3–2New York Mets
1972 ^ †IL78–65.5453rd2+1⁄28–5.615Won semifinals vs. Charleston Charlies, 2–1 Won IL championship vs. Louisville Colonels, 3–2 Lost Kodak World Baseball Championship, 3–2New York Mets
1973 ^IL75–70.5175th2nd102–3.400Lost semifinals vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 3–2New York Mets
1974IL57–82.4107th4th28+1⁄2New York Mets
1975 ^ †IL86–55.6101st7–5.583Won semifinals vs. Charleston Charlies, 3–0 Won IL championship vs. Syracuse Chiefs, 3–1 Lost Junior World Series vs. Evansville Triplets, 4–1New York Mets
1976IL60–78.4357th28New York Mets
1977 ^IL73–67.5213rd71–3.250Lost semifinals vs. Charleston Charlies, 3–1New York Mets
1978IL69–71.4935th16New York Mets
1979 ^IL73–67.5214th12+1⁄21–3.250Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–1New York Mets
1980IL67–72.4826th15+1⁄2New York Mets
1981 ^IL70–68.5073rd17+1⁄22–3.400Lost semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–2New York Mets
1982 ^ †IL74–63.5403rd76–01.000Won semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–0 Won IL championship vs. Rochester Red Wings, 3–0New York Mets
1983 ^ † ‡IL71–68.5114th11+1⁄29–4.692Won semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–2 Won IL championship vs. Richmond Braves, 3–1 Won Triple-A World Series vs. Portland Beavers and Denver Bears, 3–1New York Mets
1984IL71–69.5075th11+1⁄2New York Mets
1985 ^ †IL75–64.5403rd (tie)3+1⁄26–3.667Won semifinals vs. Maine Guides, 3–2 Won IL championship vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–1New York Mets
1986 ^IL74–66.5294th60–3.000Lost semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–0New York Mets
1987 ^IL81–59.5791st3–4.429Won semifinals vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 3–1 Lost IL championship vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–0New York Mets
1988 *IL77–64.5461st (tie)1st1–3.250Won Eastern Division title Lost IL championship vs. Rochester Red Wings, 3–1New York Mets
1989IL77–69.5273rd (tie)2nd (tie)4New York Mets
1990IL79–67.5413rd2nd8New York Mets
1991IL77–65.5423rd2nd7New York Mets
1992IL56–86.3948th4th38New York Mets
1993IL70–71.4966th4th16New York Mets
1994IL67–75.4728th4th13+1⁄2New York Mets
1995 *IL86–56.6061st1st4–5.444Won Western Division title Won semifinals vs. Richmond Braves, 3–2 Lost IL championship vs. Ottawa Lynx, 3–1New York Mets
1996 ^IL82–59.5822nd2nd2+1⁄20–3.000Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–0New York Mets
1997IL75–67.5285th3rd4New York Mets
1998IL70–72.4937th2nd9New York Mets
1999IL77–63.5504th3rd4+1⁄2New York Mets
2000IL65–79.45110th (tie)3rd16+1⁄2New York Mets
2001 *IL85–57.5992nd1st2–3.400Won Southern Division title Lost semifinals vs. Louisville RiverBats, 3–2New York Mets
2002IL70–73.4908th3rd9+1⁄2New York Mets
2003IL67–76.46910th3rd7+1⁄2New York Mets
2004IL72–72.5007th3rd8+1⁄2New York Mets
2005 *IL79–65.5493rd1st2–3.400Won Southern Division title Lost semifinals vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 3–2New York Mets
2006IL57–84.40413th3rd22New York Mets
2007IL69–74.4839th3rd11Baltimore Orioles
2008IL64–78.45111th2nd9Baltimore Orioles
2009IL71–71.5007th3rd11Baltimore Orioles
2010IL67–77.46510th (tie)3rd (tie)21+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
2011IL56–87.39213th4th24+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
2012IL74–70.5147th2nd9Baltimore Orioles
2013IL77–67.5354th (tie)2nd10Baltimore Orioles
2014IL65–79.45113th3rd10Baltimore Orioles
2015 *IL78–66.5424th1st2–3.400Won Southern Division title Lost semifinals vs. Columbus Clippers, 3–2Baltimore Orioles
2016IL62–82.43113th4th3+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
2017IL66–76.46510th3rd20Baltimore Orioles
2018IL69–71.4938th3rd10+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
2019IL69–79.43212th4th20Baltimore Orioles
2020ILSeason cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)Baltimore Orioles
2021AAAE48–72.40019th6th294–6.400Won series vs. Charlotte Knights, 3–2 Lost series vs. Durham Bulls, 4–1 Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final StretchBaltimore Orioles
2022IL74–76.49312th7th12Baltimore Orioles
2023 ^ † ‡IL90–59.6041st1st3–1.750Won first-half title Won IL championship vs. Durham Bulls, 2–1 Won Triple-A championship vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers, 1–0Baltimore Orioles
2024IL69–81.46017th9th20+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
2025IL63–84.42915th8th24+1⁄2Baltimore Orioles
Totals4,547–4,515.50279–78.503

Radio and television

All Tides home and road games are broadcast on ESPN 94.1 WVSP-FM. Live audio broadcasts are also available online through the station's website as well as on the team's website and the MiLB First Pitch app. Games can be viewed through the MiLB.TV subscription feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball, with audio provided by a radio simulcast.

As of 2021, Pete Michaud is the play-by-play announcer. Several former Tides broadcasters have gone on to work in Major League Baseball or other major league sports, including: Ford C. Frick Award winner Marty Brennaman (1970–1973), Pete Van Wieren (1974–1975), Larry Matson (1976), Bob Rathbun (1980–1985, 1990), Charlie Slowes (1986, 1991–1992), Ken Levine (1989–1990), and Bob Socci (2006–2011).

Roster

Norfolk Tides rostervte
PlayersCoaches/Other
Pitchers 29 Trace Bright 44 Hans Crouse 41 Dietrich Enns 48 José Espada 33 Cameron Foster * 59 Nestor German 66 Christian Herberholz 55 Chris Kachmar 36 Jackson Kowar 21 Andrew Magno 23 Kyle Nicolas * 31 Eduarniel Núñez * 47 Gerald Ogando 53 Enoli Paredes 30 Nick Raquet * 56 Yaqui Rivera 51 Jayvien Sandridge 20 Josh Walker * 34 Levi Wells 28 Cameron Weston *Catchers 9 Silas Ardoin 12 Creed Willems Infielders 2 Jose Barrero 5 Payton Eeles 16 Christian Encarnacion-Strand * 24 Ryan Noda 15 Bryan Ramos 9 Luis Vázquez Outfielders 1 Enrique Bradfield 3 Jud Fabian 11 Heston Kjerstad * 43 Jhonkensy Noel 7 Tommy Pham 6 Johnathan Rodríguez 40 Michael Siani * 18 Reed Trimble *Manager 19 Tim Federowicz Coaches 22 Felipe Alou Jr. (fundamentals) 46 Billy Facteau (development) 10 Rick Strickland (hitting) 52 Jeff Ware (pitching) 60-day injured list -- Richard Guasch -- Elvis Peguero (full season) 39 Will Robertson 7-day injured list* On Baltimore Orioles 40-man roster~ Development list# Rehab assignment∞ Reserve list‡ Restricted list§ Suspended list† Temporarily inactive listupdated June 8, 2026→ More rosters: MiLBInternational LeagueBaltimore Orioles minor league players

Awards

Mike Vail, 1975 IL MVP and Rookie of the Year
Randy Milligan, 1987 IL MVP and Rookie of the Year
Ryan Mountcastle, 2019 IL MVP

The franchise has been awarded these honors by Minor League Baseball.

Minor League Baseball Awards
AwardSeasonRef.
John H. Johnson President's Award1993
Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award2018

One player won a league award in recognition for their performance with Tidewater in the Carolina League.

Carolina League Awards
AwardRecipientSeasonRef.
Most Valuable PlayerEd Stroud1964

Seventeen players, six managers, and two executives have won league awards in recognition for their performance with Tidewater/Norfolk in the International League.

International League Awards
AwardRecipientSeasonRef.
Most Valuable PlayerMike Vail1975
Most Valuable PlayerRandy Milligan1987
Most Valuable PlayerTom O'Malley1989
Most Valuable PlayerJeff Manto1994
Most Valuable PlayerButch Huskey1995
Most Valuable PlayerRoberto Petagine1997
Most Valuable PlayerRyan Mountcastle2019
Most Valuable PlayerDylan Beavers2025
Most Valuable PitcherCraig Swan1975
Most Valuable PitcherJuan Berenguer1978
Most Valuable PitcherWalt Terrell1983
Most Valuable PitcherJohn Mitchell1986
Most Valuable PitcherJason Isringhausen1995
Most Valuable PitcherMike Fyhrie1996
Rookie of the YearMike Vail1975
Rookie of the YearMookie Wilson1979
Rookie of the YearRandy Milligan1987
Rookie of the YearJason Isringhausen1995
Top MLB Prospect AwardGunnar Henderson2022
Top MLB Prospect AwardCoby Mayo2024
Manager of the YearClyde McCullough1969
Manager of the YearHank Bauer1972
Manager of the YearJoe Frazier1975
Manager of the YearToby Harrah1995
Manager of the YearRon Johnson2015
Manager of the YearBuck Britton2023
Executive of the YearDave Rosenfield1975
Executive of the YearDave Rosenfield1982
Executive of the YearDave Rosenfield1987
Executive of the YearDave Rosenfield1993
Spirit of the International LeagueKenny Magner2019

Managers

Johnny Antonelli managed the Tides from 1973 to 1974.
John Stearns managed the Tides in 2004.
Gary Allenson managed the Tides from 2007 to 2010 and in 2011.

Norfolk has had 33 managers since their inaugural 1961 season.

No.ManagerSeason(s)
1Granny Hamner1961
2Chase Riddle1962
3Allen Jones1963–1965
4Bobby Morgan1966
5Lou Kahn1966
6Bob Wellman1967–1968
7Clyde McCullough1969
8Chuck Hiller1970
9Hank Bauer1971–1972
10Johnny Antonelli1973–1974
11Joe Frazier1975
12Tom Burgess1976
13Frank Verdi1977–1980
14Jack Aker1981–1982
15Davey Johnson1983
16Bob Schaefer1984–1985
17Sam Perlozzo1986
18Mike Cubbage1987–1989
19Steve Swisher1990–1991
20Clint Hurdle1992–1993
21Bobby Valentine1994
22Toby Harrah1995
Bobby Valentine1996
23Bruce Benedict1996
24Rick Dempsey1997–1998
25John Gibbons1999–2001
26Bobby Floyd2002–2003
27John Stearns2004
28Ken Oberkfell2005–2006
29Gary Allenson2007–2010
30Bobby Dickerson2010
Gary Allenson2011
31Ron Johnson2012–2018
32Gary Kendall2019–2021
33Buck Brittonfrom 2022

Notes

External links