Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans took the field for the first time in 1999, returning professional baseball to the Grand Strand after a seven-year absence following the departure of the Myrtle Beach Hurricanes in 1992. Capitol Broadcasting Company, the North Carolina media conglomerate that also owns the Durham Bulls, established the expansion franchise and built Coastal Federal Field (now Pelicans Ballpark) as the team's home.

The Pelicans' debut season was unforgettable. The team reached the Carolina League championship series, where they were tied 2-2 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks when Hurricane Floyd forced the cancellation of the deciding game. Both teams were declared co-champions, giving the expansion franchise a title in its very first year. The 2000 team went a step further, winning the Carolina League championship outright.

As an Atlanta Braves affiliate, the Pelicans developed a reputation for competitive play and strong fan support, with the beach-town setting drawing tourists alongside dedicated locals. Capitol Broadcasting sold the team to Chuck Greenberg in 2006, but the Braves partnership continued through 2010, giving the franchise a stable first decade.

The Pelicans switched to the Texas Rangers for the 2011-2014 seasons before beginning what has become their most productive partnership: the Chicago Cubs affiliation that started in 2015. The Cubs connection transformed the Pelicans into one of the most exciting teams in the Carolina League.

The 2015 season was a breakthrough. Led by a deep roster of Cubs prospects, the Pelicans won the Carolina League championship, the franchise's third title. The 2016 team was even better, posting an 82-57 record and defending the championship to give Myrtle Beach back-to-back titles for the first time. The consecutive championships coincided with the Cubs' own magical 2016 World Series run, connecting Pelicans fans to one of the most celebrated moments in baseball history.

Under owner Chuck Greenberg, the franchise invested in the fan experience at what was then TicketReturn.com Field, adding attractions and promotions that made Pelicans games must-attend events during the Myrtle Beach tourist season. The combination of winning baseball and creative marketing set the stage for sustained success.