RiverDogs Baseball

Charleston has its own great team to cheer on  -  the beloved RiverDogs, a minor league team for the Tampa Bay Rays.  They play in an exceptional park  -  “The Joe,” named after Charleston’s beloved mayor, Joseph P. Riley, Jr.  It’s located in a scenic spot on the downtown Charleston peninsula near the Ashley River and the Citadel.  The Joe recently got a spiffy makeover complete with the addition of a large club level.

The RiverDogs won the Carolina League Championship in 2021  -  the first time ever in the history of the franchise  -  and they repeated the feat in 2022.  In fact, they went 4-0 in the postseason to clinch the title.  Since becoming an affiliate of Tampa Bay, they've become the winningest team in minor league baseball and back-to-back champs.

And get this  -  they did it again in 2023!  They are back to back to back champions, the first time that's happened.  Read all about it here. 

Fun fact: the RiverDogs team is co-owned by none other than the Saturday Night Live alum and movie icon, Bill Murray.  His official job title is, “Director of Fun.”  Keep an eye peeled, because you never know when he’ll show up at the game and stir things up.

The RiverDogs are famous for their zany promotions.   Back in 2002, they even hosted "Nobody Night," when they went to great lengths to insure that zero people came.  It set the record for lowest official single game attendance and is still considered one of the top promotions in the history of Minor League Baseball. 

In recent years, they hosted a bunch of special themed celebrations, like Charleston Boiled Peanut Night, Japanese Anime Night, Hawaiian Luau Night, Viral Trends (Gangnam Style, Grumpy Cat, Left Shark, flossing), Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Anniversary Celebration, and Toilet Paper Night. 

In 2024, there will be plenty of home stands with mutiple games each time  -   so plenty of chances for fun at The Joe.  Check out the standards like Dog Day Tuesdays (when your four-legged friends are welcome to come cheer on the other Dogs, and with specials on hot dogs and beer), Thirsty Thursdays, Friday night fireworks after the game, and MUSC Heath Family Sundays, day games with lots of wholesome activities for kids.   Special events include an Independence Celebration on July 4th. and Halfway to Halloween on May 25th.

The RiverDogs and the Joe are known for their innovative cuisine, the likes of which have drawn famous foodies like Rachael Ray and Travel Channel’s Adam Richman.  They're always coming up with new things like their Homewrecker Hot Dog, Smokehouse Pulled Pork BBQ, or a special salad served in a helmet (with hydroponic bib lettuce, Korean quinoa & smoked chicken).   The Ramen Stand is always popular.  New cuisine in 2024: 

• Three Ring Burger, topped with three gigantic onion rings plus BBQ sauce, which celebrates the RiverDogs' three consecutive championships;
• Second Place Duck Dog, a hot dog topped with smoked and pulled duck meat and duck cracklings - a tribute to the Down East Wood Ducks, the team the RiverDogs beat twice to win championship rings; 
• Cheetos Stand – order some Cheeto Popcorn, soft pretzels dipped in Cheeto dust, or get this – you yourself can get dusted with orange Cheeto dust, if you so desire.

Check the official website for the complete schedule, ticket info, and promotions for the new season. 

UPDATE: The RiverDogs made it to the postseason in 2024!  Check out their schedule here.