View source for Huntsville Stars

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
|name            = Huntsville Stars
|firstseason     = 1985
|lastseason      = 2014
|city            = Huntsville, Alabama
|logo            = HuntsvilleStarsLogo2008.PNG
|uniformlogo     = HuntsvilleStarsCapLogo2008.PNG
|class level     = Double-A
|league          = [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]]
|majorleague     = [[Milwaukee Brewers]] (1999–2014)<br>[[Oakland Athletics]] (1985–1998)
|nickname        = Huntsville Stars
|ballpark        = [[Joe W. Davis Stadium]]
|leaguenum       = 3
|leaguechamps    = {{hlist|1985|1994|2001}}
|divnum          = 8
|divisionchamps  = {{hlist|1985|1986|1994|1997|2001|2003|2006|2007}}
|firsthalfnum    = 8
|firsthalfchamps = {{hlist|1985|1986|1994|2001|2003|2007|2009|2014}}
|secondhalfnum   = 5
|secondhalfchamps= {{hlist|1987|1989|1997|2006|2007}}
|colors          = Blue, red, gray, white<br>{{color box|#002754}} {{color box|#bd1130}} {{color box|#7a8c95}} {{color box|white}}
|mascot          = Homer the [[Polecat]] (1995–2014)
}}

The '''Huntsville Stars''' were a [[Minor League Baseball]] team that played in [[Huntsville, Alabama]], from 1985 to 2014. They competed in the [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]] as the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] affiliate of [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Oakland Athletics]] from 1985 to 1998 and [[Milwaukee Brewers]] from 1999 to 2014. The Stars played their home games at [[Joe W. Davis Stadium]] and were named for the [[space industry]] with which Huntsville is economically tied ([[NASA]] conducts operations at the nearby [[Marshall Space Flight Center]]).<ref name="blogo"/>

The team began play in 1985 after a Southern League franchise operating in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], as the [[Nashville Sounds]], was transferred to Huntsville. They remained in the city for 30&nbsp;years before being relocated to [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], where they became known as the [[Biloxi Shuckers]], after the 2014 season.

Over the course of playing in 4,211&nbsp;regular season games and compiling a win–loss record of 2,112–2,099, Huntsville reached the [[Playoff#Minor League Baseball|postseason]] on 14 occasions, winning 13&nbsp;half-season titles, 10&nbsp;division titles, and 3&nbsp;[[List of Southern League champions|Southern League championships]]. They won their first league championship in their inaugural 1985 season as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They won a second with Oakland in 1994 and a third in 2001 with the Milwaukee Brewers.

== History ==
=== Coming to Huntsville ===
[[File:1984 Nashville Larry Schmittou.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|[[Larry Schmittou]] moved his [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]] franchise from [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] to [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]], becoming the Stars in 1985.|alt=A black and white portrait of a smiling man]]

In July 1984, [[Larry Schmittou]], president of the [[Nashville Sounds]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]], and other members of the team's ownership group purchased the [[Evansville Triplets]] of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] with plans to move the franchise from [[Evansville, Indiana]], to Nashville for the 1985 season.<ref name="AAAsale">{{cite news |last=Bibb |first=John |date=July 12, 1984 |title=Big Leagues Next: Schmittou |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950801/big_leagues_next_schmittou/ |access-date=April 25, 2019 |work=[[The Tennessean]] |location=Nashville |page=1-F |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Southern League wanted Schmittou to surrender his franchise to the league, but he had plans to relocate the team instead.<ref name=Woody101-102>{{cite book |last=Woody |first=Larry |date=1996 |title=Schmittou: A Grand Slam in Baseball, Business, and Life |location=Nashville |publisher=Eggmann Publishing Company |isbn=1-886371-33-4|pages=101–102}}</ref> He wanted to send Nashville's existing Southern League franchise to Evansville to continue as the Triplets at Double-A. However, a combination of the league's disapproval of the move and the City of Evansville being unwilling to upgrade [[Bosse Field]] resulted in a move to [[Huntsville, Alabama]].<ref name=Woody101-102/> The city, led by Mayor [[Joe W. Davis]], agreed to build a brand new 10,000-seat multipurpose stadium which lured the franchise to town where it began play in 1985 as the Huntsville Stars.<ref name=Woody101-102/> The Triple-A Sounds carried on the history of the Double-A team that preceded it, while the Stars were established as an entirely new franchise.<ref name=Woody101-102/> Schmittou and several other Sounds shareholders owned the Stars, while [[Don Mincher]], a Huntsville native and 12-year veteran of the major leagues, operated the team as its [[General Manager (baseball)|General Manager]].<ref name=Woody101-102/>

=== Oakland Athletics (1985–1998) ===

The Huntsville Stars became the Double-A affiliate of the [[Oakland Athletics]]. [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] [[Brad Fischer]] guided the franchise to win the First Half Western Division title in their inaugural season. They then defeated the [[Knoxville Blue Jays]], 3–1, in the Western Division finals on the way to winning their first [[List of Southern League champions|Southern League championship]] in their first season by defeating the [[Charlotte O's]], 3–2.<ref name=SLchamps>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-41270988|title=Southern League Past Champions|work=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> [[Outfielder]] [[Jose Canseco]] was selected as the [[Southern League Most Valuable Player]] (MVP).<ref name=SLawards>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-64005622|title=Southern League Award Winners|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Jose Canseco 1989 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|[[Outfielder]] [[Jose Canseco]] won the 1985 [[Southern League MVP Award]].|alt=A baseball player in green and white]]

In 1986, the Stars hosted the [[Southern League All-Star Game]] at [[Joe W. Davis Stadium]] on July 23. A team of Southern League All-Stars was defeated by the Nashville Sounds, 4–2. Huntsville [[catcher]] [[Terry Steinbach]] won the game's MVP Award.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49234515/sounds-silence-stars/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Sounds Silence Stars|work=The Greenville News|location=Greenville|date=July 24, 1986|page=3D}}</ref> The 1986 Stars repeated with another first half title and won the Western Division against the [[Knoxville Blue Jays]], 3–1. They were defeated in the finals, however, by the [[Columbus Astros]], 3–1.<ref name="1986finals">{{Cite news |last=Pruett |first=John |date=September 12, 1986 |title=Columbus Comeback Too Much for Stars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-columbus-comeback-t/173752760/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603190459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-columbus-comeback-t/173752760/ |archive-date=June 3, 2025 |website=[[The Huntsville Times]] |location=Huntsville |page=B-1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Steinbach won the league's MVP Award.<ref name=SLawards/> In 1987, they reached the postseason for the third consecutive season by winning the second half of the season, but fell to the [[Birmingham Barons]], 3–0, in the Western Division finals. The 1988 club finished with a 59–85 (.410) record, the lowest in franchise history.

The 1989 Stars returned to the playoffs having won the second half, but were again defeated by Birmingham in the division finals, 3–1. Manager [[Jeff Newman (baseball)|Jeff Newman]] was selected for the [[Southern League Manager of the Year Award]].<ref name=SLawards/> The team missed the postseason in both 1990 and 1991. In 1991, Huntsville hosted the first [[Double-A All-Star Game]] on July 10. A team of [[American League]]-affiliated All-Stars defeated a team of [[National League (baseball)|National League]]-affiliated All-Stars, 8–2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49387116/rays-mahomes-all-star-mvp/|via=Newspapers.com|title=SL Sets First All-Star Tilt|work=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando|date=July 11, 1991|page=B-4}}</ref> On August 3, 1992, [[pitcher]]s [[Dana Allison]], [[Roger Smithberg]], and Todd Revering combined to pitch a 10-inning, 1–0 [[no-hitter]] against Birmingham.<ref name=SLnohit>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/southern/history/no-hitter-list|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203204410/https://www.milb.com/southern/history/no-hitter-list|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2020|title=Southern League All-Time No-Hitters|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> The [[Chattanooga Lookouts]] won both halves of the 1992 season, but Huntsville qualified for the postseason with the second-best overall record in the Western Division. They were defeated by the Lookouts, 3–1, in the division series. [[First baseman]] [[Marcos Armas]] was the MVP of 1992's Double-A All-Star Game. On June 13, 1993, [[Tanyon Sturtze]] no-hit Chattanooga, 5–0.<ref name=SLnohit/>

Following the 1993 season, Larry Schmittou sold the Stars to Don Mincher and a group of Huntsville investors for an asking price between US$3.5&nbsp;million and $4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49826942/schmittou-sells-stars/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Schmittou Sells Stars|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville|date=November 13, 1993|access-date=April 29, 2020|page=3C}}</ref> After missing the playoffs in 1993, the Stars won the 1994 first half and then defeated Chattanooga for the Western Division title, 3–1. Huntsville won its second Southern League championship, 3–1, against the [[Carolina Mudcats (1991–2011)|Carolina Mudcats]]. Manager of the Year [[Gary Jones (manager)|Gary Jones]]' 1994 club set a franchise record with their 81–57 (.587) season.<ref name=SLawards/>

The Stars did not return to the postseason until 1997. They won the second half before beating the [[Mobile BayBears]], 3–2, to win the Western Division before ultimately losing the championship to the [[Greenville Braves]], 3–2. [[Right fielder]] [[Ben Grieve]] was the league MVP, and [[shortstop]] [[Mike Coolbaugh]] won MVP honors at that summer's Double-A All-Star Game. The 1998 team qualified for the playoffs with the second-best record behind Mobile, which had won both halves, but was swept, 3–0, by the BayBears in the Western Division finals.

After the 1998 season, the Huntsville Stars terminated their affiliation with the Oakland Athletics.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarter |first=Mark |date=August 30, 1998 |title=A's Stars' Divorce Has Been Brewing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-as-stars-divorce/173680690/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602163550/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-as-stars-divorce/173680690/ |archive-date=June 2, 2025 |work=The Huntsville Times |location=Huntsville |page=C-4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Through 14&nbsp;years with the Athletics, the Stars had amassed a record of 1,029–961 (.517).

=== Milwaukee Brewers (1999–2014) ===

After the Stars and Athletics parted ways, Huntsville became the Double-A affiliate of the [[Milwaukee Brewers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49829491/brewers-move-to-huntsville/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Brewers Move To Huntsville|work=Ironwood Daily Globe|location=Ironwood |date=September 16, 1998|access-date=April 29, 2020|page=10}}</ref> The Stars struggled in their first two seasons of the new affiliation, failing to win any half of the seasons.

In 2000, Mincher became Interim President of the Southern League when President Arnold Fielkow left for the [[National Football League]]. At the conclusion of the 2000 season, Mincher and his group put the Stars up for sale once again. He resigned from his position as President of the Stars, and the Southern League removed the "interim" tag to make him league president for 2001. Pulling double duty until the team was sold, Mincher desired to keep the Stars in Huntsville. The group waded through countless offers to buy the Stars looking to find the right investors who would commit to keeping the team in the [[Tennessee Valley]]. Early in 2001, Mincher found his man in New York attorney [[Miles Prentice]] who also owned the Midland RockHounds, served as a Director for the Texas League, and was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Minor League Baseball. Prentice promised to keep the team in Huntsville despite several offers for new stadiums in various locales.

[[File:Corey Hart 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|[[Third baseman]] [[Corey Hart (baseball)|Corey Hart]] won the 2003 [[Southern League MVP Award]].|alt=A baseball player in navy and gray]]

The Stars returned to the playoffs in 2001. Winning the First Half Western Division title, the team went on to win the division against Birmingham, 3–2. The [[September 11 attacks]] prompted the cancellation of the championship series before it could begin. Both Huntsville and the Eastern Division champion [[Jacksonville Suns]] were declared co-champions. [[Third baseman]] Dave Gibralter won the MVP Award for that summer's Double-A All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Point |first=Michael |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49440816/end-may-be-near/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=A Night of Fireworks |work=Austin American-Statesman |location=Austin |date=July 12, 2001 |page=C1}}</ref>

In 2003, the first-half champion Stars won the Western Division versus Birmingham, 3–2, but lost in the Southern League championship series to Carolina, 3–2. Third baseman [[Corey Hart (baseball)|Corey Hart]] won the Southern League MVP Award, and manager [[Frank Kremblas]] was the league's Manager of the Year.<ref name=SLawards/> Missing the playoffs in 2004 and 2005, they made another championship attempt in 2006, winning the second half, defeating Chattanooga, 3–0, for the Northern Division title, but losing the league crown to the [[Montgomery Biscuits]], 3–1. In 2007, Stars manager [[Don Money]] was named the Southern League's Manager of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCarter |first=Mark |date=August 31, 2007 |title=Right on the Money |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-right-on-the-money/175710127/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701212330/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-right-on-the-money/175710127/ |archive-date=July 1, 2025 |work=The Huntsville Times |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Also in 2007, the team captured the division title, beating the [[Tennessee Smokies]], 3–2, but were again defeated by Montgomery in the finals, 3–2.

To start the 2008 season, the Stars set a new team record for best start, by sweeping their first series with the [[Mississippi Braves]], 5–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pollock |first=Brett |date=April 7, 2008 |title=Stars Start Season With Series Sweep |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-382048 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |language=en}}</ref> On April 26, 2008, the Stars turned their second [[triple play]] in franchise history, the last coming in 2002. [[David Welch (baseball)|David Welch]] pitched a 7-inning no-hitter against Chattanooga on June 2, 2008.<ref name=SLnohit/> The Stars won the 2009 first half title but lost the Northern Division to Tennessee, 3–1. Sub-.500 teams from 2010 to 2013 failed to reach the playoffs, the longest postseason drought in team history. During this stretch, however, [[Wily Peralta]] won the 2011 [[Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award]] and first baseman [[Hunter Morris]] won the 2012 MVP Award.<ref name=SLawards/> On August 2, 2012, [[Jimmy Nelson (baseball)|Jimmy Nelson]], Dan Merklinger, R. J. Seidel, Darren Byrd, and [[Brandon Kintzler]] pitched a combined no-hitter against Chattanooga, a 3–1 win.<ref name=SLnohit/> Merklinger [[base on balls|walked]] four batters in the fifth inning for the only Lookouts run of the game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dykstra|first=Sam|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-36039968|title=Nelson, Huntsville No-Hit Chattanooga|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324231954/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120803&content_id=36039968&vkey=news_l111&fext=.jsp&sid=l111|archive-date=March 24, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

Prior to the 2014 season, an ownership group based in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], led by Ken Young purchased the team with the intention of relocating the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49832193/groundbreaking-set-for-biloxi-stadium/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Groundbreaking Set for Biloxi Stadium|work=Clarion-Ledger|location=Jackson|date=January 18, 2014|access-date=April 29, 2020|page=10A}}</ref> The Stars played the 2014 season in Huntsville, while a new ballpark was built in Biloxi. In their 30th and final season in Huntsville, the Stars won the first half title, but lost in the Northern Division series to Chattanooga, 3–2. Over 16&nbsp;years as a Brewers affiliate, Huntsville compiled a record of 1,083–1,138 (.488). The franchise's composite record over their entire 30-year run stood at 2,112–2,099 (.502).

Because of delays in the construction of Biloxi's [[MGM Park]], the [[Biloxi Shuckers]], as the team was named, played their first 54&nbsp;games on the road, including 15 at Joe Davis Stadium in April and May 2015 before their June 6 home opener in Biloxi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://milb.bamcontent.com/documents/0/3/2/307019032/2019_Media_Guide.pdf|title=Shuckers Firsts|work=2019 Biloxi Shuckers Media Guide|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 27, 2020|pages=127–128}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Reichard|first=Kevin|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2015/02/06/shuckers-to-begin-season-on-road-in-huntsville/|title=Shuckers to Begin Season on Road, in Huntsville|website=Ballpark Digest|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref>

==Season-by-season results==
{{main|List of Huntsville Stars seasons}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;"
|+Huntsville Stars' top 10 seasons by winning percentage
!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#002754 5px solid; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Season
!colspan="5" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#002754 5px solid; color:#002754"|Regular-season
!colspan="3" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#002754 5px solid; color:#002754 "|Postseason
!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#002754 5px solid; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|MLB affiliate
!rowspan="2" class="unsortable" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#002754 5px solid; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Record
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Win %
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|League
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Division
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|{{Abbr|GB|Games behind}}
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Record
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Win %
!class="unsortable" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#bd1130 5px solid; color:#002754"|Result
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1994
| 81–57
| .587
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 6–1
| .857
| ''Won First-Half Western Division title<br/>Won Western Division title vs. [[Chattanooga Lookouts]], 3–0<br />Won [[List of Southern League champions|SL championship]] vs. [[Carolina Mudcats (1991–2011)|Carolina Mudcats]], 3–1''<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarter |first=Mark |date=2014-09-14 |title=This day in Huntsville history: Stars celebrate Southern League championship |url=https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2014/09/this_day_in_huntsville_history_67.html |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=[[al.com]] |publisher=The Huntsville Times |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=19c1af65|title=1994 Southern League|website=[[Baseball Reference]]|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1989
| 82–61
| .573
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|06.0|6}}
| 1–3
| .250
| ''Won Second-Half Western Division title''<br/>Lost Western Division title vs. [[Birmingham Barons]], 3–1<ref name="2019SLMG">{{cite web |title=League Records (1964–present) |url=https://indd.adobe.com/view/2814d890-2f9e-49d6-8e79-7105a741023e |access-date=April 20, 2020 |work=2019 Southern League Media Guide |publisher=Southern League |pages=134–139}}</ref>
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=32974135|title=1989 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1992
| 81–63
| .563
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|09.5|{{frac|9|1|2}}}}
| 1–3
| .250
| Lost Western Division title vs. [[Chattanooga Lookouts]], 3–1<ref name=2019SLMG/>
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=33d8f3e6|title=1992 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1997
| 77–62
| .554
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 5–5
| .500
| ''Won Second-Half Western Division title<br/>Won Western Division title vs. [[Mobile BayBears]], 3–2''<br />Lost [[List of Southern League champions|SL championship]] vs. [[Greenville Braves]], 3–2<ref name=2019SLMG/>
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=14e83c75|title=1997 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1986
| 78–63
| .553
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 5–3
| .625
| ''Won First-Half Western Division title<br/>Won Western Division title vs. [[Tennessee Smokies|Knoxville Blue Jays]], 3–1''<ref name=2019SLMG/><br />Lost [[List of Southern League champions|SL championship]] vs. [[Columbus Astros]], 3–1<ref name=1986finals/>
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=3510e998|title=1986 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2014
| 77–63
| .550
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 2–3
| .400
| ''Won First-Half Northern Division title''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emery |first=Mark |date=June 3, 2014 |title=No win, no matter: Huntsville clinches title |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-77949096 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530204054/https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-77949096 |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=[[milb.com]] |publisher=[[Minor League Baseball]] |language=en}}</ref><br/>Lost Northern Division title vs. [[Chattanooga Lookouts]], 3–2<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2014 |title=Lookouts Advance to Southern League Championship! |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-93789990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530204133/https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-93789990 |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=milb.com |publisher=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Milwaukee Brewers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=f29337a8|title=2014 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 1990
| 79–65
| .549
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| —
| [[Oakland Athletics]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d38bb439|title=1990 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2007
| 75–62
| .547
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 5–5
| .500
| ''Won First and Second-Half Northern Division titles<br/>Won Northern Division title vs. [[Tennessee Smokies]], 3–2''<br />Lost [[List of Southern League champions|SL championship]] vs. [[Montgomery Biscuits]], 3–2<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-16 |title=Montgomery Repeats as Southern League Champions |url=https://www.draysbay.com/2007/9/16/224141/278 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=DRaysBay |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Milwaukee Brewers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=6d1668eb|title=2007 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2001
| 75–63
| .543
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|04.0|4}}
| 3–2
| .600
| ''Won First-Half Western Division title<br/>Won Western Division title vs. [[Birmingham Barons]], 3–2''<br />''Won [[List of Southern League champions|SL co-championship]] vs. [[Jacksonville Suns]]''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2001-09-14 |title=Southern League Declares Co-Champs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-southern-league-declares/103377096/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531023724/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-southern-league-declares/103377096/ |archive-date=May 31, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-31 |work=The Jackson Sun |pages=15}}</ref>
| [[Milwaukee Brewers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=97ab7268|title=2001 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2003
| 75–63
| .543
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 5–5
| .500
| ''Won First-Half Western Division title<br/>Won Western Division title vs. [[Birmingham Barons]], 3–2''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-09-09 |title=Huntsville Beats Birmingham In SL East Division Championship |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2003/9/9/40694/Huntsville-Beats-Birmingham-In-SL-East.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530211513/https://www.chattanoogan.com/2003/9/9/40694/Huntsville-Beats-Birmingham-In-SL-East.aspx |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.chattanoogan.com |language=en}}</ref><br />Lost [[List of Southern League champions|SL championship]] vs. [[Carolina Mudcats (1991–2011)|Carolina Mudcats]], 3–2<ref name=2019SLMG/>
| [[Milwaukee Brewers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=fce78458|title=2003 Southern League|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>
|}

==Ballpark==
{{main|Joe W. Davis Stadium}}

[[File:Joe W Davis Stadium 2013 030.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|[[Joe W. Davis Stadium]] in 2013|alt=A view from the left field seats of the field and seating bowl at the stadim. Dark green seats stretch from behind first base, behind home plate, to third base.]]

For the entirety of their 30-year history in Huntsville, the Stars played at [[Joe W. Davis Stadium]]. The ballpark, which opened in 1985, had a seating capacity of 10,200 in 2010 and 13&nbsp;skyboxes.<ref name=pilgrimage>{{cite web |title=Joe Davis Stadium |first=Graham |last=Knight |url=https://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/minors/huntsville.html |website=Baseball Pilgrimages |date=June 9, 2010 |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="mg2010">{{cite web|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/documents/2010/04/09/9174802/4/2010HSVStarsMediaGuide.pdf |publisher=Huntsville Stars |title=2010 Media Guide |access-date=April 29, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110134923/http://www.milb.com/documents/2010/04/09/9174802/4/2010HSVStarsMediaGuide.pdf |archive-date=November 10, 2012|page=47}}</ref>

Following its final baseball games in 2015, the ballpark sat vacant and abandoned until it was converted into a [[soccer]]-specific stadium for [[Huntsville City FC]] in 2023.

==Achievements==
===Retired numbers===
The Stars honored one individual by [[Uniform number (Major League Baseball)#Retired numbers|retiring]] their [[Uniform number (Major League Baseball)|uniform number]]. This ensured that the number would be associated with one person of particular importance to the team. [[Don Mincher]], Huntsville's [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] from 1985 to 2001 and part owner from 1994 to 2001,<ref name=DMincher>{{cite web|last=Aaron|first=Marc C|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/99e6da06|title=Don Mincher|work=Society for American Baseball Research|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> had the number 5, which he wore during his major league playing career, retired on June 6, 2008.<ref name="Mincher5">{{cite web |date=June 6, 2008 |title=Stars Retire No. 5 in Honor of Mincher |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-412217 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117154931/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080606&content_id=412217&vkey=news_t559&fext=.jsp&sid=t559 |archive-date=January 17, 2011 |access-date=April 29, 2020 |website=Huntsville Stars |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}</ref> An additional number, 42, was retired throughout professional baseball in 1997 to honor [[Jackie Robinson]], the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.<ref name="Robinson42">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Claire |date=April 16, 1997 |title=A Grand Tribute to Robinson and His Moment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-smith.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201170117/http://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-smith.html |archive-date=December 1, 2007 |access-date=October 11, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Retired numbers
|[[File:Don Mincher RN Huntsville Stars Version 2.svg|alt=The number "5" within a blue and red circle|150px]]
|[[File:Jackie Robinson RN Huntsville Stars.svg|alt=The number "42" within a blue and red circle|150px]]
|-
|'''[[Don Mincher]]'''
|'''[[Jackie Robinson]]'''
|-
|[[General manager (baseball)|GM]] / Owner<br />1985–2001 / 1994–2001<br />{{Small|Retired June 6, 2008<ref name="Mincher5" />}}
|{{Small|Retired throughout<br />professional baseball<br />on April 15, 1997<ref name="Robinson42" />}}
|}

=== Hall of Famers ===

Five people associated with the Stars have been inducted in the [[Southern League Hall of Fame]].<ref name=SLHOF>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/southern/history/hall-of-fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129015639/https://www.milb.com/southern/history/hall-of-fame|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 29, 2019|title=Southern League League Hall of Fame|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> Don Mincher, general manager from 1985 to 2001 and part owner from 1994 to 2001,<ref name=DMincher/> and Rosemary Hovatter, administrative assistant and box office employee from 1985 to 2014,<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarter|first=Mark|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2014/05/rosemary_hovatter_represents_h.html|title=Rosemary Hovatter Represents Huntsville Stars in First Southern League Hall of Fame Class|work=Advance Local|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> were inducted in the inaugural Hall of Fame Class in 2014.<ref name=SLHOF/> [[Second baseman]]/[[shortstop]] [[Scott Brosius]], inducted in 2015, played for the Stars in 1989 and 1990,<ref>{{cite web |title=Scott Brosius Minor League Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brosiu001sco |access-date=January 31, 2020 |work=[[Baseball Reference]]}}</ref> and led the Southern League in his second season with 162&nbsp;[[hit (baseball)|hits]], 274&nbsp;[[total base]]s, and 39&nbsp;[[double (baseball)|doubles]], earning him a spot on the 1990 postseason all-star team.<ref name=SLHOF/> He went on to an 11-year MLB career, winning three [[World Series]] and the 1998 [[World Series MVP Award]] with the [[New York Yankees]].<ref name=SLHOF/> Larry Schmittou, who helped bring baseball to Huntsville in 1985 and was part owner of the Stars from 1985 to 1993, was inducted in 2016.<ref name=SLHOF/> [[Sports commentator|Broadcaster]] Curt Bloom, the team's Director of Broadcasting in 1991, was inducted in 2018.<ref name=2018class>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/southern-league-2018-hall-of-fame-class-267881758|title=Southern League Announces 2016 HOF Class|website=Southern League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=March 5, 2018|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>

== Notable former players ==
[[File:Ryan Braun.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[Ryan Braun]]]]
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[John Axford]]
*[[Tim Belcher]]
*[[Mike Bordick]]
*[[Michael Brantley]]
*[[Ryan Braun]]
*[[Scott Brosius]]
*[[Greg Cadaret]]
*[[Lorenzo Cain]]
*[[José Canseco]]
*[[Ozzie Canseco]]
*[[Eric Chavez]]
*[[Nelson Cruz]]
*[[Alcides Escobar]]
*[[Prince Fielder]]
*[[Yovani Gallardo]]
*[[Jason Giambi]]
*[[Ben Grieve]]
*[[Tony Gwynn Jr.]]
*[[Bill Hall (infielder)|Bill Hall]]
*[[Mitch Haniger]]
*[[J. J. Hardy]]
*[[Corey Hart (baseball)|Corey Hart]]
*[[Ramón Hernández]]
*[[Tim Hudson]]
*[[Stan Javier]]
*[[Darren Lewis]]
*[[Jonathan Lucroy]]
*[[Mark McGwire]]
*[[Brad Nelson (baseball)|Brad Nelson]]
*[[Charlie O'Brien]]
*[[Manny Parra]]
*[[Wily Peralta]]
*[[Luis Polonia]]
*[[Jean Segura]]
*[[Ben Sheets]]
*[[Terry Steinbach]]
*[[Adam Stern]]
*[[Miguel Tejada]]
*[[Todd Van Poppel]]
*[[Carlos Villanueva (baseball)|Carlos Villanueva]]
*[[Rickie Weeks]]
*[[Walt Weiss]]
*[[Wally Whitehurst]]
*[[Steve Woodard]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
*{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-180329 |publisher=Southern League |title=Southern League Champions |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=August 3, 2007}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="blogo">{{cite web|url=http://www.bushleaguefactor.com/baseball/teams/!bt.asp?team=hnt |publisher=Bush League Factor |title=Huntsville Stars |date=June 20, 2009 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129023723/http://www.bushleaguefactor.com/baseball/teams/%21bt.asp?team=hnt |archive-date=January 29, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Huntsville&state=AL&country=US&empty=0 Statistics from ''Baseball-Reference'']

{{Huntsville Stars}}

[[Category:Huntsville Stars| ]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:2014 disestablishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1985]]
[[Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 2014]]
[[Category:Defunct Southern League (1964–present) teams]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Oakland Athletics minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Alabama]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Huntsville, Alabama]]