This left Daytona without a major league player development contract, resulting in the Admirals' owner selling the team to the New York Mets.
[2] Prior to 1993, the Chicago Cubs were affiliated with the Winston Salem Warthogs, a Class A team that played in the Carolina League.
The Florida State League originally assigned the transplanted Cubs team to play at Baseball City Stadium in Davenport.
However, Jordan Kobritz, the new owner and general manager of the minor league franchise, wanted the team to play in Daytona Beach instead.
[3] Negotiations to bring the Cubs to Daytona Beach went on for a couple of months and were completed just in time to start the new season.
[10] The young Ms. Clinton could not attend due to a family medical emergency, and Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and FSL President Chuck Murphy threw the ceremonial opening pitches instead.
[8] After the 2014 season, the Cubs ended their affiliation with Daytona, and signed a new contract with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League.
[11][12] Daytona reached an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2014 season, and announced the team would be rebranded with a new name with a "local angle" in 2015.
In 1999, Daytona Cubs' owner and General Manager Jordan Kobritz decided to move a home game to Melching Field at Conrad Park, located in nearby DeLand.
[24] In August 2004, the D-Cubs had to move several games to Melching Field, due to damage to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, caused by Hurricane Charley.
[25][26] The Cubs paid another visit to Melching Field on June 20, 2007, when they played a double-header against the Palm Beach Cardinals.
The official home and road caps were green with Daytona Tortugas logo centered on the front.
Since his first season in 2015, "Daytona's favorite party animal" acts as the team's Goodwill Ambassador, visiting local schools and charity events when he is not performing at home games.
Shelldon has been an adequate substitute to represent the team to the public and can constantly be seen tumbling, breakdancing, and generating fun around Daytona.
[29] He is also joined by Shelly, a female turtle who supports the Tortugas' involvement in the community and is Shelldon's girlfriend.
Benedict's design department created a bear cub wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap.
[32] Justin Rocke, the Tortugas Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, provided the play-by-play coverage until leaving in the 2023 Season.
[33] On April 1, 2023, Brennan Mense took over the role of Tortugas Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, and provides the play-by-play coverage currently.
Former shortstop Ricky Gutierrez, who won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and was the Tortugas bench coach in 2017, was named the team's full-time manager for the 2018 season.