Division Northern Division | Founded 1989 | |
Previous Independent Winter League Previous parks Jackie Robinson Ballpark (1990)McKechnie Field (1989) | ||
The Bradenton Explorers were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989.
That season, the club compiled a record of 38-34, finishing in second place in the league's Northern Division, narrowly holding off the Orlando Juice. Jim Morrison led the league with 17 home runs, and pitcher Rick Lysander added a league-high 11 saves. In the playoffs, the Explorers lost to the St. Petersburg Pelicans, who went on to become league champions.
However the following season, the team was relocated to Daytona Beach, becoming the Daytona Beach Explorers. The move was a result of the team losing $1 million during their first season.
In Daytona the team had an 11-11 record and were in 4th place when the Senior Professional Baseball Association ceased operations on December 28, 1990.