News - 12/08/2004

California League (baseball) - Modesto Nuts

Modesto Unveils New Nickname - "Nuts"

Modesto Nuts - Primary Logo

The vote is finally in. The Modesto Professional Baseball Club will now be known as the ‘Nuts’, team officials announced today. The name was chosen by the community following a two-month long name the team contest. Nuts was the majority winner in the contest, garnering 52% of the total vote. Dusters placed second with 34% of the vote. Steel finished in third place with 8% of the vote, Derailers finished fourth with 4% of the vote and Strike placed fifth with 2% of the vote.

“We were very impressed with the voter turnout in the community,” said Nuts general manager Mike Gorrasi. “Being a community based organization, we wanted the fans to have the opportunity to name their baseball team and I think they did a great job.”

The city of Modesto is located in the Central Valley of California, a worldwide leader in both almond and walnut production. Both crops ranked in the top six of the leading commodities in Stanislaus County, generating nearly $300 million annually.

Modesto Nuts - Alt. Cap Logo

Graphic design artist Dan Simon of Studio Simon, based in Louisville, Kentucky, created the Modesto Nuts logo. “Dan is a national leader in logo design,” said Gorrasi. “A name is only a name unless supported by a professional design. Dan has a reputation for doing this across the country.”

Some of Simon’s well-known clients include the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Anaheim Angels.

“I am particularly proud of the Nuts image that we created,” said Simon. “We were able to combine fun at the ballpark with a local flair.” The team colors are black, red and wicker.

“We felt the community deserved the best in terms of logo production,” said Gorrasi. “Studio Simon has created a wonderful logo that encompasses the fun of minor league baseball as well as the importance of agriculture in the Central Valley.”