The Bradenton Marauders are a minor league baseball team based in Bradenton, Florida that plays in the Florida State League. The Marauders are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Their home games are played at McKechnie Field, which also serves as the Pirates' spring training facility. The franchise took its current name at the beginning of the 2010 season.

Previous franchise history[link]

Tampa Tarpons[link]

The Marauders were established in 1957 as the Tampa Tarpons to join the Florida State League, then a Class D minor league. Tampa had been without a professional baseball team since 1954, when the Florida International League had folded, taking with it the Tampa Smokers. From their inception, the Tarpons played all their home games at Al Lopez Field which had been built in 1955. The stadium was located on current site of Raymond James Stadium, which had been built in 1955.

The Tarpons were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1957–1960. In 1961 they began a long affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. They won three league championships, in 1957 1959 and 1961. In 1964 minor league baseball was realigned, and the Florida State League became a Class A league (now Class A-Advanced). The team would go on to win 5 division titles from 1974–1988.

The Tarpons had many famous players that went on to play in the major leagues, including many who eventually became important parts of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine of the 1970s. Pete Rose led the 1st place Tarpons in 1961 with a .331 batting average, a record 30 triples, which still a FSL record.^[1] and a team-high number of fielding errors. Other Reds players from that era who started with the Tarpons include Ken Griffey, Sr., Johnny Bench, Dan Driessen, Rawly Eastwick, and Dave Concepcion. When the Cincinnati Reds won their next world series in 1990 with manager (and Tampa native) Lou Piniella, they again had several former Tarpons on the roster, including Tom Browning, Rob Dibble, and Paul O’Neill. Another notable former Tarpon was Randy Poffo, who finished a nondescript minor league baseball career with the team in 1974.^[2]Poffo went on to a much more successful career in professional wrestling, where he came to fame while using the name "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

However during the 1980s, talk spread of a major league team coming to the Tampa Bay Area, which would threaten the viability of the Tarpons and other minor league teams in the region.^[3]

Meanwhile, Tampa would go without professional baseball until the Tampa Yankees joined the Florida State League in 1994. However the Tarpons legacy is still remembered in the area. In, 2008, the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays" dropped the "Devil" to officially shorten their name to simply "Tampa Bay Rays". More radical name choices were discussed, one of them being the "Tampa Bay Tarpons".^[4]

The Rays have worn Tampa Tarpons uniforms for several "Turn Back the Clock" games:

• On July 17, 1999, the Devil Rays wore 1960 Tarpons uniforms against the New York Mets, who wore uniforms reminiscent of those worn by their 1969 championship team.^[5]
• On June 24, 2006, the Devil Rays wore 1975 Tarpon uniforms against the Atlanta Braves, who wore their 1975 road uniforms. Coincidentally, two Rays coaches, third-base coach Tom Foley and hitting coach Steve Henderson, had both played for the Tarpons in the mid-1970s.^[6]
• On August 13, 2010, the Rays wore 1970 Tarpons uniforms against the Baltimore Orioles, who wore all-orange road uniforms used occasionally by their 1971 pennant-winning squad^[7]

Sarasota era[link]

Prior to the 1988 season, the Cincinnati Reds moved their spring training to Plant City, Florida, and moved their Class A franchise to Greensboro, North Carolina (the Greensboro Hornets). The Chicago White Sox subsequently moved their Class A affiliation to Tampa for the 1988 season, amid rumors that the White Sox themselves would be moving to the area. That season the Tarpons, alternately known as the Tampa White Sox, drew 55,900 fans, seventh in the 14-team FSL, and went 35–35 in the first half before they won the western division second-half title at 36–24. They fell in the second round of the playoffs to the St. Lucie Mets 2 games to 0. The club was managed by Marv Foley and had one FSL All-Star, pitcher Jerry Kutzler. Foley won FSL Manager of the Year honors.^[8]

After the 1989 season, Tarpons' owner Mitchell Mick sold his franchise to the Chicago White Sox, who relocated the club to Sarasota, Florida as the Sarasota White Sox.^[9]

They franchise played in Sarasota for next 21 seasons, going through a series of name changes due as their affiliation changes. They were known as the Sarasota White Sox from 1989–1993, as the Sarasota Red Sox from 1994–2004, and the Sarasota Reds from 2004–2009. In Sarasota, the team played in Payne Park (1989) and then Ed Smith Stadium (1990–2009).

The team's Sarasota era produced many notable player who would go on to play in majors. Bo Jackson, Mike LaValliere, Dave Stieb, Frank Thomas and Bob Wickman all played for the Sarasota White Sox. Meanwhile Stan Belinda, David Eckstein, Nomar Garciaparra, Byung-Hyun Kim, Jeff Suppan, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, and Kevin Youkilis were alumni of the Sarasota Red Sox. The Sarasota Reds also produced many notable major league players such as Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto, Chris Heisey, and Drew Stubbs.

Bradenton Marauders[link]

After the Reds' spring-training departure from Florida's Grapefruit League to Arizona's Cactus League in 2009, the Reds and Pirates did an "affiliate-swap." The Pirates took over the Reds' Florida State League affiliate, while the Reds became the parent club of the Pirates' former Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League.^[10]

The Pirates moved the team to Bradenton, Florida, where they were renamed the Bradenton Marauders.^[10] The Marauders' are the first Florida State League, located in Bradenton, since the Bradenton Growers folded in 1926.^[11]

Inaugural season[link]

On April 8, 2010, the Marauders played their first franchise game at McKechnie Field in front of 2,396 spectators. The inaugural game ended in 18–3 Bradenton victory over the Fort Myers Miracle. Pittsburgh Pirates prospect, Bryan Morris, was the team's starting pitcher. The team’s first hit came off its first batter, Greg Picart. Meanwhile Quincy Latimore registered the team's first home run and run scored. In the fourth inning of the game, Jeremy Farrell registered the team's first grand slam.^[12]

A few nights later on April 12, 2010, the Marauders completed their first ever four game series sweep at McKechnie Field. The team capped off their first ever, four game series sweep with a final score of 6–2 over Fort Myers.^[13] The team's first loss came on Thursday April 15, 2010, when they were defeated 3–2 by the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Stadium.^[14] The Marauders' first home loss came on Saturday April 17, 2010, by a score of 10–7, to the St. Lucie Mets.^[15]

On May 16, 2010, Bryan Morris became the very first Marauder to be promoted, when he was called up to the Pirates' Double A affiliate, the Altoona Curve.^[16]

The Marauders finished their 2010 Inaugural Season with a 76–62 record and led the league in runs, batting average, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging, and they also finished fifth (out of twelve teams) in runs allowed and fourth in ERA. They also finished third in the league in overall winning percentage. The team lost the Southern Division Championship to the Charlotte Stone Crabs 2 games to 1.^[17]

In March 2011, Nathan Adcock became the first player from the Marauders to make a major league team's 25-man roster. Adcock was added to the Kansas City Royals roster after he was chosen by the team in the Rule 5 draft.^[18]

2011[link]

The Marauders play struggled during the first half of the 2010 FSL season. The team finished the first half of the season with a 30–40 record and never really contending for the South Division title. At the start of the season's second half, the Marauders posted a 7–5 record. Two scheduled home games were also moved to Port Charlotte's Sports Park while McKechnie Field’s roof underwent construction earlier in the season.

However one of the biggest stories involving the team came in the form of improved attendance. After 40 homes, the Marauders drew 56,718 fans to their home games in 2011, with a game average of 1,418 fans. The team ranks eighth in attendance in the Florida State League. In all of 2010, the team drew 51,856 fans in 70 home dates, only the Dunedin Blue Jays drew fewer fans. According to team officials, the turn-around attendance is believed to be a result of the team having a full season to market itself and establish a fanbase.^[19] By the season's end, the team drew a total regular season attendance of 103,978 fans, doubling the previous year's attendance.^[20]

On August 18, 2011, Bradenton's Robbie Grossman became the first minor league player to score 100 runs and walk 100 times in a season since Nick Swisher did so in 2004. He is also the first player in the Florida State League to walk 100 times since 1998.^[21] Ramon Cabrera was also awarded the Florida State League batting title on September 5 by finishing the 2011 season with a .343 batting average. Three of the FSL's top four hitters were members of the Marauders: Cabrera (1st), Eleyvs Gonzalez (2nd) and Adalberto Santos (4th).^[22]

On August 30, 2011, the Marauders defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals, 6–3, to clinch the Florida State League's second half title, for the second time in two years, and playoff berth.^[23] However the team would go on to lose the Southern Division Championship, 2 games to 1, for the second straight year.^[24]

Roster[link]

Logos & uniforms[link]

• TampaTarpons1957.gif

  1957–1987 Tampa Tarpons Logo

• SarasotaRedSox.gif

  1994–2004 Sarasota Red Sox Team Logo

• SarasotaRedSoxGecko.gif

  2002–2004 Sarasota Red Sox "Gecko" Cap Logo

• SarasotaRedsISlogo.gif

  2005 Sarasota Reds Inaugural Season Logo

• SarasotaRedsLogo.PNG

  2005–2009 Sarasota Reds Team Logo

• Sarasota Reds cap.PNG

  2005–2009 Sarasota Reds Cap Logo

• BradentonMaraudersIS.pdf

  2010 Bradenton Marauders Inaugural Season Logo

• Marauders alt cap gold.gif

  2010 – present Bradenton Marauders Alternate Gold Cap Logo

• Marauders alt cap black.gif

  2010 – present Bradenton Marauders Alternate Black Cap Logo

• New marauders alt logo.jpg

  2012 - present
  Bradenton Marauders Alternate Team Logo

Season-by-season record[link]

Notable alumni[link]

Kevin Youkilis, 2002 Sarasota Red Sox alumnus

• Former Tarpon players
• Former White Sox players
• Former Red Sox players
• Former Reds players
• Former Marauders players

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bradenton Marauders
• Baseball Cube Sarasota Reds page
• Baseball Cube Sarasota Red Sox page
• Baseball Cube Sarasota White Sox page
• Florida State League All-Time Stats

v t e Sports teams in Florida Baseball MLB: Miami Marlins • Tampa Bay Rays - SL: Jacksonville Suns • Pensacola Blue Wahoos - FSL: Bradenton Marauders • Brevard County Manatees • Charlotte Stone Crabs • Clearwater Threshers • Daytona Cubs • Dunedin Blue Jays • Fort Myers Miracle • Jupiter Hammerheads • Lakeland Flying Tigers • Palm Beach Cardinals • St. Lucie Mets • Tampa Yankees - GCL: Blue Jays • Braves • Cardinals • Indians • Marlins • Mets • Nationals • Orioles • Phillies • Pirates • Rays • Red Sox • Tigers • Twins • Yankees Basketball NBA: Miami Heat • Orlando Magic - FBA: Florida Flight • Heartland Prowl • Palm Beach Titans • Tampa Bay Rebels - CBL: Gainesville Galaxy - ABA: Jacksonville Giants Football NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars • Miami Dolphins • Tampa Bay Buccaneers AFL: Jacksonville Sharks • Orlando Predators • Tampa Bay Storm - UIFL: Florida Tarpons • Lakeland Raiders WFA: Gulf Coast Riptide • Jacksonville Dixie Blues • Miami Fury • Orlando Anarchy • Palm Beach Punishers • Tallahassee Jewels • Tampa Bay Inferno - LFL: Orlando Fantasy • Tampa Breeze Hockey NHL: Florida Panthers • Tampa Bay Lightning - ECHL: Florida Everblades • Orlando Solar Bears - SPHL: Pensacola Ice Flyers Lacrosse PLL: Jacksonville Bullies Soccer NASL: Fort Lauderdale Strikers • Tampa Bay Rowdies - USL Pro: Orlando City S.C. - USL PDL: Bradenton Academics • FC Jax Destroyers • Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy • Ocala Stampede • Orlando City U-23 • Panama City Beach Pirates • VSI Tampa Flames - W-League: FC Jax Destroyers • VSI Tampa Flames - WPSL: Florida Sol FC • FSA Freedom • Gulf Coast Texans • South Florida Strikers • Tampa Bay Hellenic - NPSL • Jacksonville United FC Roller derby WFTDA: Gold Coast Derby Grrls • Jacksonville RollerGirls • Tallahassee RollerGirls • Tampa Bay Derby Darlins Rugby league USARL: Jacksonville Axemen Rugby union FRU: Bay Area Pelicans • Boca Raton RFC • Jacksonville RFC • Miami Rugby Club • Tampa Bay Krewe College athletics (NCAA Division I) Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (MEAC) • Florida Gators (SEC) • Florida A&M Rattlers (MEAC) • Florida Atlantic Owls (Sun Belt) • Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (A-Sun) • FIU Golden Panthers (Sun Belt) • Florida State Seminoles (ACC) • Jacksonville Dolphins (A-Sun/Pioneer) • Miami Hurricanes (ACC) • North Florida Ospreys (A-Sun) • South Florida Bulls (Big East) • Stetson Hatters (A-Sun) • UCF Knights (C-USA)

City of Bradenton, Florida
—  City  —
Official logo of City of Bradenton, Florida Logo
Nickname(s): The Friendly City[1]
Location in Manatee County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°35′W / 27.483°N 82.583°W / 27.483; -82.583Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°35′W / 27.483°N 82.583°W / 27.483; -82.583
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Manatee
Settled	1842
Incorporated (city)	1903
Government
• Type	Mayor/Council (5)
• Mayor	Wayne H. Poston
• Council Ward 1	Gene Gallo
• Council Ward 2	Marianne Barnebey
• Council Ward 3	Patrick Roff
• Council Ward 4	Bemis Smith
Area[2] 1
• City	14.44 sq mi (37.4 km2)
• Land	12.11 sq mi (31.4 km2)
• Water	2.33 sq mi (6.0 km2)  16.14%
Elevation	6 ft (1.83 m)
Population (1 July 2007)[3] 2
• City	54,471
• Density	4,088.5/sq mi (1,578.6/km2)
• Metro	682,833
	Census estimates
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	34201-34212, 34280-34282
Area code(s)	941
FIPS code	12-07950[4]
GNIS feature ID	0279311[5]
Website	http://www.cityofbradenton.com

Bradenton /ˈbreɪdəntən/ BRAY-den-ton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471.^[3] Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833.^[6] It is the county seat.^[7]

History[link]

Iron Block Building

The area that would become Bradenton was first explored in 1539 by Hernando De Soto, who began his search for the legendary El Dorado at Shaw's Point. The original town of Bradentown was incorporated on May 19, 1903. The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during Seminole Indian attacks. The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown.^[8]

Historic properties[link]

Historic properties in Bradenton include:

• Braden Castle Park Historic District, off of Manatee Avenue and 27th St East
• Bradenton Bank and Trust Company Building, 1925, now the Professional Building, 1023 Manatee Avenue, West,
• Iron Block Building, 1896, 530 12th Street West (Old Main Street)
• Manatee County Courthouse, 1913, 1115 Manatee Avenue, West
• Old Manatee County Courthouse, 1860, 1404 Manatee Avenue, East
• Peninsular Telephone Company Building, 1925, 1009 4th Avenue, West

Geography and climate[link]

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradenton has a total area of 14.44 square miles (37.4 km²). 12.11 square miles (31.4 km²) of it is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km²) of it (16.14%) is water.

Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles of Florida beaches - many which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Bradenton is located in the northwest area of the city. Home to many of Bradenton's offices and government buildings, the tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its trademark blue-green windows. Next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with eight floors, located next to the historic courthouse. Other major downtown buildings include the Manatee County Government building and the headquarters of the School Board of Manatee County.

The eastern side of Bradenton is growing at a rapid rate. Initially starting as the popular subdivision Lakewood Ranch, it is now becoming a heavily populated part of town. Most of the communities are newer than in West Bradenton. However the majority of foreclosures in Manatee County takes place in that area due to the fact, that a much higher loss in value happened compared to the areas of West Bradenton which is located nearer to the beaches.

Demographics[link]

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 49,504 people, 21,379 households, and 12,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,088.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,578.3/km²). There were 24,887 housing units at an average density of 2,055.4 per square mile (793.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.14% White, 15.11% African American, 0.79% Asian, 0.29% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.91% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.26% of the population. There were 21,379 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,902, and the median income for a family was $42,366. Males had a median income of $28,262 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,133. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy[link]

Tropicana Products is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of orange juice. Founded in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant, it has grown to over 8,000 employees in 2004, and markets its products throughout the United States. It has been owned by PepsiCo, Inc. since 1998. Tropicana has entered a business deal with CSX (a train company) to haul their famous juice trains, a relationship in effect since 1971. In 2003, Tropicana's corporate headquarters were relocated to Chicago when PepsiCo consolidated their beverage business after the acquisition of Gatorade, but their juice production still remains in Bradenton. Champs Sports, a nationwide sports-apparel chain, is headquartered in Bradenton, as is department store chain Bealls. Bradenton has been considerably hard hit by the United States housing market correction, as reported by CNN, projecting a 24.8% loss in median home values by the third quarter of 2008.^[10]

Education[link]

Colleges near Bradenton include The University of South Florida-Manatee Sarasota Campus, State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College), New College of Florida, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Gordon University [1] and Manatee Technical Institute. Some of the middle schools are Martha B. King Middle School, W. D. Sugg Middle School, Louise R. Johnson Middle School, Braden River Middle School, Sara Scott Harllee Middle School, Electa Lee Middle School, St. Joseph's Catholic School, and Carlos E. Haile Middle School. High schools include Manatee High School, Southeast High School, Bayshore High School, Braden River High School, Lakewood Ranch High School, Community Christian School,^[11] Bradenton Christian School, the oldest private Christian school in the county, the Out of Door Academy, and Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.^[12] The University of South Florida also maintains a Sarasota-Manatee branch which serves college students in the area. New College of Florida, the state's honors college, is located on the border between Bradenton and Sarasota. International Theological Seminary is headquartered in Bradenton. The world-renowned tennis academy, run by Nick Bollettieri, bears a Bradenton address. The academy is managed by IMG and is also the home of the David Leadbetter junior golf academy. IMG also runs the IMG Soccer Academy for the United States Soccer Federation's (USSF) full-time residency program for the US Under 17 Men's National Team. The Bradenton facilities graduates include U.S. international soccer stars, Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Freddy Adu. The Prep Academy,^[13] , a preschool & K-12 facility offers flexible scheduling for students such as professional athletes.

Transportation[link]

Bradenton is served by Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in nearby Sarasota, Florida and is connected to St. Petersburg, Florida by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Sunshine Skyway is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) cross-bay bridge that rises 250 feet (76 m) above the bay at its highest point. Remnants of the old Skyway bridge have been converted into a fishing pier extending into Tampa Bay from both sides of the bay.

Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses serve Bradenton, with transfers to Sarasota and Palmetto. Trolleys run north-south on Anna Maria Island. Amtrak charter buses run through downtown Bradenton outside the courthouse to Tampa Union Station and Venice.

Government[link]

The city is incorporated and the largest city in Manatee County. It is governed by a City Council with five members from which is selected the City's Vice Mayor. The Mayor is elected at-large, as are all 5 council members.

In July 2009, the city of Bradenton made national news when the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty ranked it number nine on the groups' list of 10 "meanest cities" in America in their published report Homes Not Handcuffs: List of 'Meanest Cities'.^[14][15]

Media[link]

Newspaper[link]

• The Bradenton Times is Manatee County's local online newspaper, published daily with a weekly email recap.
• The Bradenton Herald is Manatee County's local newspaper, published daily.
• Daily editions of the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times are also available throughout the area.

Radio stations[link]

Bradenton is located in the Sarasota-Bradenton radio market. It also receives many stations from the nearby Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

The stations listed below are located and/or licensed in Bradenton or Manatee County:

• WBRD - 1420 AM
• WWPR - 1490AM
• WJIS - 88.1 FM
• WSJT - 98.7 FM (studios and transmitter in Pinellas County)
• WHPT - 102.5 FM (Sarasota; transmitter in northeastern corner of Sarasota County; studios in St. Petersburg)
• WCTQ - 106.5 FM "Bradenton's Country"

Television stations[link]

Bradenton and Manatee County are located in the Tampa Bay television market. WWSB channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, is based in Sarasota, but has a transmitter in Parrish, northeast of Bradenton; it is seen on cable channel 7 on most cable systems in the area. WXPX-TV channel 66, the local Ion Television affiliate, is licensed in Bradenton, with its transmitter in Riverview, in Hillsborough County.

Culture[link]

Bradenton is home to the Village of the Arts, a renovated neighborhood immediately south of downtown where special zoning laws allow residents to live and work in their homes. Many of these once dilapidated houses have been converted into studios, galleries, small restaurants and other small businesses. The Village of the Arts promotes its 'First Fridays' activities celebrating the seasons and different holidays. The Village of the Arts remains the largest arts district on the Gulf Coast.

The Manatee Players, who current play at Bradenton's Riverfront Theatre, have a three-year record of first-place wins within the Florida Theatre Conference and the Southeastern Theatre Conference competitions. In addition, the theatre currently holds the first place title from the American Association of Community Theatre competition.

Located on the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton is the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. This one-stop museum-planetarium-aquarium offers a glimpse of Florida history, a star and multimedia show, and ongoing lecture and film series. The Mote Aquarium is the permanent home to Manatee County's most famous resident and official mascot, Snooty, the manatee. Born at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948, Snooty was one of the first recorded captive manatee births. He is the oldest manatee in captivity, and likely the oldest manatee in the world.

ArtCenter Manatee is the center for art and art education in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries, five classrooms, an Artists’ Market gift shop and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes.

Additionally, the town is the subject of the We The Kings song "This Is Our Town". The band Have Gun, Will Travel (band) comes from Bradenton.

Sports[link]

Bradenton is the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates who play their home games at downtown's McKechnie Field. During the regular baseball season, the stadium is home to the minor league Bradenton Marauders who play in the Florida State League in Class A-Advanced. Though no other professional teams call the city home, the State College of Florida's Manatees compete in several sports, and Manatee County high schools produce several highly competitive teams including Manatee High School whose football team was nationally ranked in the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s and regained their national status in 2009. Manatee High School has won five football state championships. The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy is also located in Bradenton.^{[citation needed]} Brandenton is also home to the IMG Soccer Academy, the home of the U.S U-17 Residential soccer program.

Notable people[link]

This article's list of residents may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability or notability policies. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources cited within this article showing they are notable and residents or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (June 2008)

• Birdie Tebbetts - Baseball player
• Elias Abuelazam - serial killer
• Freddy Adu - Soccer player^[16]
• Paul Azinger - Golfer
• DaMarcus Beasley - Soccer player
• Ričardas Berankis - Tennis player
• Dickey Betts - guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band
• Bobby Convey - Soccer player
• Paula Creamer - LPGA Golfer
• Ed Culpepper - Football player
• Taylor Dent - Tennis player
• Tim Donaghy - NBA referee
• Landon Donovan - Soccer player
• Pee Wee Ellis - Saxophonist
• Tommie Frazier - Football Player^[17]
• Tommy Haas - Tennis player
• Tony Jacklin - Golfer
• Eddie Johnson - Soccer player
• Jessica Korda, LPGA Golfer
• Michaëlla Krajicek - Tennis player^[18]
• Sabine Lisicki - Tennis player
• Iva Majoli - Tennis player
• Mayday Parade - Pop rock band
• Lastings Milledge - Former Pittsburgh Pirates baseball player
• Max Mirnyi - Tennis player
• Jamie Moyer - baseball player^[19]
• Kei Nishikori - Tennis player
• Maria Sharapova - Tennis player
• DJ Sharaz - Techno disc jockey and Billboard (magazine)-charted dance artist
• Since October - Christian rock band
• Peter Warrick - Football player^[20]
• Fabian Washington - Baltimore Ravens cornerback
• We The Kings - Pop punk band
• Danielle White - Winner of American Juniors

Points of interest[link]

South Florida Museum

• ArtCenter Manatee
• Bradenton Marauders minor league baseball team
• Cortez Fishing Village
• De Soto National Memorial
• Gamble Mansion (Ellenton)
• Hernando DeSoto Historical Society
• Manatee Village Historical Park
• Myakka River State Park
• Palma Sola Botanical Park
• Pittsburgh Pirates spring training at McKechnie Field
• South Florida Museum, home of Snooty the manatee
• Village of the Arts

References[link]

External links[link]

Media related to Bradenton, Florida at Wikimedia Commons

• City of Bradenton
• The Bradenton Times
• Bradenton Herald
• Manatee Chamber of Commerce
• South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium
• Manatee Players
• Village of the Arts
• The Village: Magazine of the Arts
• Manatee Village Historical Park
• Hernando DeSoto Historical Society
• Bradenton Marauders
• Housing Authority of the City of Bradenton FL

v t e Municipalities and communities of Manatee County, Florida, United States County seat: Bradenton Cities Anna Maria Bradenton Bradenton Beach Holmes Beach Palmetto Town Longboat Key‡ CDPs Bayshore Gardens Cortez Ellenton Memphis Samoset South Bradenton West Bradenton West Samoset Whitfield Unincorporated communities Myakka City Oneco Parrish Tallevast Terra Ceia Lakewood Ranch Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties