Charleston RiverDogs

The Charleston RiverDogs are the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, playing in the Carolina League at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park — affectionately known as "The Joe" — in Charleston, South Carolina. The franchise dates back to 1980 as the Charleston Royals, was later renamed the Charleston Rainbows in 1985, and adopted the RiverDogs name in 1994 after a fan contest sponsored by Piggly Wiggly.

Few minor league teams have enjoyed the kind of recent dominance the RiverDogs have displayed. After rejoining the Rays system in 2021 (their second stint with Tampa Bay, following 17 years as a Yankees affiliate), Charleston rattled off three consecutive league championships from 2021 to 2023. The 2021 squad went a blistering 82-38 in the Low-A East, while the 2022 team followed with an 88-44 mark — one of the best records in minor league baseball that season.

The RiverDogs' front office is equally legendary. The ownership group, led by executive chairman Marv Goldklang since 1989, includes actor Bill Murray and the late Mike Veeck, son of legendary baseball promoter Bill Veeck. Their "Fun is Good" philosophy has made The Joe one of the most boisterous and irreverent ballpark experiences in all of minor league baseball, with creative promotions and an atmosphere that prioritizes entertainment alongside competitive baseball.

The Joe itself, which opened in 1997 and was named for longtime Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., sits in the heart of the city and has served as the launching pad for future stars across multiple affiliations. From its days as a Yankees affiliate producing players like Robinson Cano to its current role as a Rays pipeline, Charleston has remained one of the premier Single-A destinations in the sport.