In the Beginning...
Owner Mike Agganis purchased the franchise, which began play in 1981, as the Lynn Sailors in Lynn, Massachusetts. The team then moved to Burlington, Vermont, where it became affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds and later the Seattle Mariners.
In 1989, the club moved to Canton, Ohio, becoming the Canton-Akron Indians, the Cleveland Indians "AA" affiliate. The Little Indians went on to win the Eastern League Regular Season Championship in 1992, and earned a berth in the EL playoffs in each of its first five seasons.
After eight seasons in Canton, Agganis relocated the franchise to Akron in 1997. 2001 will mark the franchise's 13th year in the Eastern League and 13th year as the Indians' Double-A partner. Canal Park, another gem on the growing list of H.O.K. ballparks, features 8,500 individual reserved seats, 25 luxury suites, as well as the largest full-service restaurant, merchandise team store, and free-standing scoreboard in minor league baseball.
Now in only the Aeros' fifth season in Akron, the organization has already achieved milestones: three straight Eastern League attendance records from 1997-1999; only the second Class "AA" franchise ever to draw over a half million fans; and the club's first playoff berth since 1993.
| Akron Aeros/Canal Park Milestones |
| November 22, 1994 |
Lease agreement is signed between the city of Akron and ballclub. |
| December 1, 1994 |
After selecting architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassenbaum (H.O.K.), the city of Akron acquires the first of 11 parcels of land owned by outside interests on the selected site. |
| August 21, 1995 |
The first season ticket to Canal Park is sold. |
| January 5, 1996 |
The ceremonial groundbreaking is held in sub-zero weather on the future site. |
| January 21, 1996 |
The demolition phase is in full force as the historic Anthony Wayne Hotel requires three implosion attempts before crashing to the ground. |
| September 24, 1996 |
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic official names the new facility "Canal Park." |
| October 10, 1996 |
Team owner and CEO Mike Agganis officially dubs the franchise as the "Akron Blast," as a tribute to space science education and Ohio's aviation history. The team nickname takes on a completely different association that its original orientation and later changes in the best interest of the community. |
| November 7, 1996 |
"Akron Aeros" is selected from a panel of three nicknames published in the Akron Beacon Journal, which also included "Spirit" and "Quest." |
| February 12, 1997 |
Construction of Canal Park is complected on schedule. |
| April 10, 1997 |
With 9,086 onlookers, the Akron Aeros and Harrisburg Senators meet on Opening Day '97. Aeros starter Jaret Wright opens the game with a swinging strike past Senator shortstop Hiram Bocachica |
| June 19, 1997 |
Cleveland Indians visit Canal Park in front of a sold-out crowd for a seven inning exhibition and play the Aeros to a 3-3 tie. |
| August 31, 1997 |
Aeros finish 51-90, last in the Eastern League, but draw a league and AA-leading 473,272 fans to Canal Park. |
| September 7, 1998 |
Aeros climax '98 season setting a new single-season franchise record 521,122 fans and the top overall "AA" attendance in America (5th overall out of 158 minor league clubs). Aeros finish in first place in Eastern League Southern Division. |
| September 12, 1998 |
Aeros fall 3-1 in 5 game playoff series with eventual Eastern League champion Harrisburg Senators. Cleveland Indians all-star slugger Jim Thome is in the Aeros starting lineup on a rehabilitation assignment and singles with one RBI in the season ending loss. |
| September 6, 1999 |
Aeros set Eastern League attendance record for third straight season and once again top all Double-A teams drawing 522,459 fans to Canal Park. |
| September 4, 2000 |
Aeros edge Altoona 2-1 to finish tied for second place in the Southern Division. The Aeros draw 481,060 fans, 2nd in Double-A baseball, despite losing seven games to inclement weather. |
| September 6, 2000 |
Aeros fall 8-1 in one-game tiebreaker with the Harrisburg Senators for the second playoff berth in the Southern Division. The Aeros offer all fans free tickets to thank them for their continued support. |
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